If you’re a woman in financial services, you understand that there needs to be more of us, especially women over 40. While financial services in general has made noticeable strides to increase women’s leadership by creating more diverse and inclusive environments, more initiatives, more female representation at conferences, it’s clear we still have a long way to go. Right? Would you agree? 

Welcome to In the Suite Podcast, with Tina Powell, CEO of C-Suite Social Media, TEDx Speaker, former NYU Professor, Marketing Consultant and Entrepreneur in the financial services industry. 

I believe firmly that the path to make meaningful progress in terms of increasing women’s leadership in the C-Suite is to share the inspiring stories of women who have made it, with this podcast – In the Suite. 

I hope you’ll enjoy hearing these amazing personal stories of triumph, trepidation, and transformation from amazing women in our industry in hopes of becoming better leaders ourselves. The time for you to lead is now and you’re In the Suite...

Ep. 0: Welcome to In the Suite Podcast

EP 0: Welcome to In the Suite

In this episode of In the Suite podcast, Tina interviews Deborah Fox, CEO and Founder of AdvisorTouch in San Diego. Deborah is a recipient of 2020 InvestmentNew's Icons & Innovators Award and has a three-decade long career as a financial advisor, founder, and leader. During the episode, Tina and Deborah explore Deborah's origin story and how she started her career in financial services. It also contains Deborah's best advice for women including how to find a mentor, techniques and strategies to build confidence, and stay on the cutting edge of innovation.

EP 1: Becoming All You Can Be with Deborah Fox, CEO and Founder at AdvisorTouch

Today we welcome Carolyn McClanahan, M.D., CFP®, Founder of Life Planning Partners to the In the Suite guest chair for this special bonus episode on Coronavirus. Carolyn was one of the few financial planning professionals to read the COVID-19 tea leaves back in 2013—calling it the next black swan.

In this episode, Carolyn provides valuable insights about the virus from her earlier work in medicine with Complex Adaptive Systems, virology, and immunology. From the financial planning perspective, she shares the keys to managing your family through a global health and economic crisis, practical keys to staying safe, and effective strategies for creating resilience over the long-term.

EP 3 (Bonus): Coronavirus, Complex Adaptive Systems, and Creating Resilience with Carolyn McClanahan

Today in the In the Suite guest chair we welcome Marguerita M. Cheng, CFP®, RICP® CEO of Blue Ocean Wealth, an investment advisory firm. Marguerita stepped into the position at Blue Ocean Wealth after serving as a financial advisor at Ameriprise Financial and as an analyst and editor at Towa Securities in Tokyo. 

In addition to her position as CEO, Marguerita is a mother of three, a passionate volunteer within her community, and a lifelong student. She’s received numerous designations while working, including a CFP, a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, a Retirement Income Certified Professional, and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst.

Recorded in the beginning days of the growing Coronavirus Global Pandemic, I had the chance to witness firsthand the sort of style, grace, and fearlessness Marguerita employs as a leader. In this episode we discussed how Marguerita is coaching clients in an unstable market; the way mentorship has positively impacted her career; and why she believes in tapping into potential over resume bullets.

EP 4: From Fearful to Fearless w/Marguerita M. Cheng, CFP®, RICP® CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth

Today in the In the Suite guest chair we welcome Sasha Pilch, Co-Founder of NYC Fintech Women. Sasha arrived in the states after working for some of the biggest banks in London and her native city, Sydney, Australia. In just 2.5 years, Sasha went from not knowing a single soul in America to becoming one of the most important women leaders in NYC FinTech.

Sasha’s foray into FinTech in the states was accelerated through her relationship with Michelle Tran, who was considered a Fairy Godmother of FinTech in the city. The two began partnering together after Sasha attended one of Michelle’s events on a cold rainy New York evening. And it’s been magic ever since. The two went on to partner together to grow NYC FinTech and in less than two years, the organization has close to five thousand members, held over 50 events, distributes a weekly content series, and even put on their first FinTech Female Awards. 

Sasha’s story reminds us of the importance of connection and how one connection can change the trajectory of a woman’s life.

EP 5: The Power of Connection with Sasha Pilch, Co-Founder of NYC Fintech Women

Today in the In the Suite guest chair we welcome Bonnie A. Sewell, CFP®, CDFA®, AIF®, CEPA® - CEO of American Capital Planning, LLC. American Capital Planning, LLC is a female-owned, fiduciary, and fee-only wealth management company located in Leesburg, Virginia outside of DC.

Much of Bonnie’s work at American Capital Planning is around giving back and teaching women who are going through a divorce and other life transitions about how to be fluent in their own money and confident in their financial lives. According to Bonnie, if you pay attention, most conversations go back to money. Instead of fearing finances, Bonnie encourages us to take a thoughtful approach to good decision making while asking tough questions head-on.
In this episode, we discuss everything from the impact of Covid-19 on divorces to the long-term implications of women leaving the workforce. Bonnie also offers a ton of free resources designed to challenge our current view of the world, even what we see and read on social media.

Join this informative conversation to hear more about:

How Bonnie predicts Coronavirus will affect the divorce rate (10:56)
The American Capital Planning virtual workshops available to support those navigating a divorce (14:00)
The first call to make as you’re navigating a divorce (15:50)
The nuanced approach American Capital Planning takes in advising women (21:20)
The type of source that matters when making important decisions (29:00)
The problems people are trying to solve in the pandemic (33:00)
What Bonnie would advise any woman considering cutting daycare to do (37:34)
Why intentionality matters in finances and in life (41:40)
The tried and true advice Bonnie gives clients (49:41)
The definition of ‘True Wealth’ (51:20)
The secret weapon that Bonnie turns to for strength (59:40)

Referenced Material: Events and Organizations
The Girl Link: https://www.thegirllink.com/
Second Saturday Divorce Workshop (Virtual During COVID-19): http://www.secondsaturdaynova.com/ (Fee: WAIVED)
George C Marshall Organization | Virtual Visionary Leadership Speaker Series: https://www.georgecmarshall.org/vvlss
Referenced Material: True Wealth & Book Recommendation

True Wealth Slide by Bonnie Sewell, CFP®, CDFA®, AIF®, CEPA from American Capital Planning
The Future Is Faster Than You Think: How Converging Technologies Are Transforming Businesses, Industries, and Our Lives (Exponential Technology Series) by Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086T54GFM/
Referenced Material: Sources Mentioned During the Show

Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/
Associated Press News: https://apnews.com/
The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/
Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/
The United States Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/
Internal Revenue Service (IRS): https://www.irs.gov/
Medicare: https://www.medicare.gov/
Rent the Runway: https://www.renttherunway.com/
Dandapani on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DandapaniLLC

Navigating Divorce & True Wealth w Bonnie Sewell, CFP®, CDFA®, AIF® - CEO, American Capital Planning

Tina Powell

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