On this episode of the Celebrity Estates podcast, Victoria Gray, founder and principal of Insight Art & Collectibles Advisory, once again joins WealthManagement.com Senior Editor David Lenok to examine the tragic and complex estate of actor Gene Hackman, a case where timing, trust gaps and estranged heirs collided.

From an $80 million fortune and a decades-old will to simultaneous death rules and charitable trusts, Victoria unpacks how not regularly updating the estate plan shaped the outcome. Drawing on her years advising fiduciaries and families, she explains why ongoing estate reviews, succession planning and clear documentation are critical to preserving both wealth and intent.

Key Takeaways:

- The impact of failing to update an estate plan for nearly two decades
- How simultaneous death laws can complicate estate distribution
- The role of trusts in preventing intestacy and potential family disputes
- The importance of successor trustees and contingency planning
- How art, memorabilia and even Oscars factor into estate valuations.

Resources:

Listen to Celebrity Estates on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/3GAVENN 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4m263CC 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Spotify: https://bit.ly/42V80b7 
Trust and Estates Magazine: https://bit.ly/3XXqoPn 
Celebrity Estates: The Art of Celebrity Auctions with Victoria Gray: https://bit.ly/4hy7fLQ 

Connect With David Lenok:

david.lenok@informa.com 
https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Lenok: https://bit.ly/DavidLenokLI 
LinkedIn: Informa: https://bit.ly/InformaLI 
LinkedIn: WealthManagement: https://bit.ly/WealthManagementLI 

Connect With Victoria Gray:
 
Website: Insight Art & Collectibles Advisory - https://insightartadvisory.com/ 
LinkedIn: Insight Art & Collectibles Advisory - https://www.linkedin.com/company/insight-art-advisory/ 
LinkedIn: Victoria Gray - https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-gray-3612a05/ 

About Our Guest:

Victoria Gray is one of the art market’s most trusted and accomplished insiders, bringing more than two decades of high-stakes experience to the sale and stewardship of the world’s most coveted tangible assets. As the Founder of Insight Art & Collectibles Advisory, she serves a global clientele navigating the complexities of selling fine art, jewelry, watches, wine, classic cars, and other collectible property, ensuring every transaction is executed flawlessly, strategically, and to maximum advantage.

Before launching Insight, Victoria spent over 20 years at Bonhams, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious auction houses, rising to Deputy Chairman of North America, while starting her career at Sotheby’s, a leading global auction house.

During her tenure, she served as Senior Vice President, Managing Director of the Valuations, Trusts & Estates Department, and Head of Office for Bonhams San Francisco. She also built and led Bonhams’ Trusts & Estates presence in New York, forging deep relationships with elite trust & estate attorneys, fiduciaries, wealth managers, and family offices nationwide.

Celebrity Estates: The Lessons Behind Gene Hackman’s Estate with Victoria Gray

In this episode of Wealth Management Invest, host David Bodamer speaks with two AllianceBernstein executives: Onur Erzan, head of Global Client Group and Private Wealth, and Noel Archard, CFA, global head of ETFs and Portfolio Solutions. The duo shares insights on the growth of AllianceBernstein’s active ETF platform, the increasing integration of private markets into client portfolios and the expanding accessibility of SMAs for tax-efficient investing. 

Key Takeaways:

- How AllianceBernstein has ramped up to $9 billion in ETF assets in three years with 19 active funds
- The trend of advisors consolidating manager relationships 
- Structural and cyclical investment trends shaping portfolios, from private credit to international equities
- The growing accessibility of SMAs and their role in optimizing after-tax returns
- The rise of defined outcome ETFs and how advisors can use them 

Connect With David Bodamer:

david.bodamer@informa.com 
Wealth Management: https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Bodamer : https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bodamer-9a0581a/  
LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealthmanagement-com/ 

Connect With AllianceBernstein:

AllianceBernstein: https://www.alliancebernstein.com/corporate/en/home.html 
LinkedIn: AllianceBernstein - https://www.linkedin.com/company/abglobal/ 

Connect With Noel Archard:

LinkedIn: Noel Archard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelarchard/ 

Connect With Onur Erzan:

LinkedIn: Onur Erzan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/onurerzan/ 

Resources:

Listen to the Wealth Management Invest Podcast on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/3EHpeRh 
Listen and Subscribe to the Wealth Management Invest Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4m1s30k 
Listen and Subscribe to the Wealth Management Invest Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4d0rD67 
RIA Edge Private Markets: December 4, 2025, in New York, NY: https://informaconnect.com/ria-edge-private-markets/ 

Wealth Management Invest: Ramping Up ETF AUM with AllianceBernstein’s Onur Erzan & Noel Archard

Cresset’s rise from a family-led vision to one of the nation’s leading multifamily offices shows how purpose and culture can shape enduring organizations.

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong speaks with Eric Becker, co-founder and co-chairman of Cresset, about the firm’s mission to build a 100-year wealth management business focused on families, not just finances. Eric shares how Cresset was designed by clients, for clients, to combine investment excellence with family governance, education and community.

David and Eric explore how RIA principals and executives can avoid short-term thinking, especially amid the frenzy of day-to-day operational planning and the quest for the elusive “personalization with scale” client service model. Eric suggests lessons other RIA leaders can learn from his study of the world’s longest-surviving companies, which he captured in his recently published book The Long Game: A Playbook of the World’s Most Enduring Companies. 

David and Eric discuss:

• How Becker and his co-founder started Cresset because they couldn’t find a wealth management platform that met their own family’s needs, making them their own first two clients and fundamentally shaping their client-centric approach
• The goal to put the “family back into family office,” moving beyond investment management to include governance, education, health resources, concierge services and community
• Becker’s belief in pursuing “just the right amount of growth” and his four-pillar framework for managing expansion without sacrificing service quality or burning out teams—that includes culture, people, numbers and business model.
• Cresset’s unique employee-ownership model (60% employee-owned, 30% client-owned, 10% strategic investor) and how this structure aligns incentives for long-term thinking
• 100-Year Business Thinking: Drawing from his book The Long Game, Becker explains why building for longevity actually creates more valuable, attractive businesses and better serves clients who are also thinking generationally about their wealth.

Resources:

Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/3YVhfof 
Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3RFXCPn 
Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/44Cbwd5 
Book: The Long Game: A Playbook of the World’s Most Enduring Companies by Eric Becker & Avy Stein - https://amzn.to/3WV6Idw 
 
Connect With David Armstrong:
 
WealthManagement.com: http://bit.ly/3RKHvyY 
LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/3YkoRAv 
LinkedIn: David Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djamesarmstrong/ 
Twitter: David Armstrong: https://twitter.com/djamesarmstrong 
LinkedIn: Informa: https://bit.ly/3leEF9g 

Connect With Eric Becker:

Cresset Capital - https://cressetcapital.com 
LinkedIn: Cresset - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cresset-capital/ 
LinkedIn: Eric Becker - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebecker1 

About Our Guest:

Eric Becker is the Founder and Co-Chairman of Cresset, an award-winning multi-family office with more than $70 billion in assets under management. Alongside Founder and Co-Chairman, Avy Stein, Eric was one of Cresset’s first two clients. He and his team designed the firm to meet a specific need, and also for growth and sustainability; His desire to build a “100-year-old” firm led him to study some of the longest-running companies across different industries, and recently published The Long Game: A Playbook of the World’s Most Enduring Companies, which captures his observations on what they all have in common. 

RIA Edge Podcast: Cresset’s Eric Becker on the Power of Purpose-Driven Growth

Ryan Marcus has a passion for helping the wealth management industry better serve the neurodivergent community. He argues that the industry is not serving them in an intentional way.
 
Neurodivergence refers to divergence in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical or normal. It’s frequently used with reference to autistic spectrum disorders.
 
The issue is personal to Ryan, whose nephew, Nicholas, is on the spectrum. That experience revealed how unprepared the wealth management industry is to serve this growing community, even as trillions in wealth shift to younger generations.
 
In this episode of The Healthy Advisor podcast, WealthManagement.com Executive Editor Diana Britton speaks with Ryan Marcus, chief business development and engagement officer at Binah Capital, about what he’s learned from his nephew, why authenticity matters, and how advisors can embrace practical, human changes that make a big impact.
 
Ryan discusses:

- His personal connection with his nephew and the lessons he’s learned about authenticity
- The financial obstacles neurodivergent clients face, from sensory overload to complex communication  
- Small office and meeting adjustments that remove barriers and improve comfort
- The gap in how the financial services industry serves the neurodivergent community
- The opportunity advisors have to better serve individuals on the spectrum
- How financial literacy and wealth management both play critical roles in long-term well-being

Resources:

Listen to The Healthy Advisor on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/44iVJQ1 
Subscribe and listen to The Healthy Advisor on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/43aseim 
Subscribe and listen to The Healthy Advisor on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3EJ6914 

Connect with WealthManagement.com:

https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
Email: diana.britton@informa.com
LinkedIn: Diana Britton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-britton-8826b53/ 
LinkedIn: Informa: https://www.linkedin.com/company/informa/ 
LinkedIn: WealthManagement: https://bit.ly/WealthManagementLI 

Connect with Ryan Marcus:

LinkedIn: Ryan Marcus - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanmarcus 
Website: Binah Capital - https://www.binahcap.com/ 
Email: Ryan.Marcus@Binahcap.com  

About Our Guest:

A recognized connector in the wealth management industry, Ryan Marcus has over two decades of experience leading strategy and client engagement across respected firms such as United Capital, RBC Advisor Services, and MarketCounsel Consulting. He has driven growth by aligning people, ideas, and opportunities, with a focus on enhancing client experience and deepening relationships. Known for building trust and offering strategic insight, Ryan has shared his perspective through industry panels and publications. His work continues to shape how firms think about client service, business development, and scalable infrastructure in an evolving regulatory and competitive landscape.

The Healthy Advisor: A Heart for Serving the Neurodivergent with Ryan Marcus

When giving meets innovation, philanthropy transforms from a year-end transaction into a powerful force for ongoing impact.

In this episode of The WealthStack Podcast, host Shannon Rosic sits down with Sarah Angello, co-founder of Daffodil, to discuss how technology is modernizing charitable giving and helping advisors weave generosity into their clients’ financial planning. 
Sarah shares how Daffodil’s platform bridges wealth management and philanthropy, the rise of donor-advised funds and the next wave of “always-on giving” powered by artificial intelligence and data-driven insights.

Key takeaways:

- How Daffodil turns charitable giving into a continuous part of wealth management rather than a one-time transaction
- Why integrating philanthropy conversations strengthens client loyalty and retention
- The truth about donor-advised funds and why they are far more active than critics claim
- How AI is enabling personalized, real-time impact reporting and smarter giving strategies
- The shift toward “always-on giving” and how advisors can prepare for the next generation of donors

Resources:

Listen to WealthStack on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/4jZQmKi 
Subscribe and listen to WealthStack on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4cXKleN 
Subscribe and listen to WealthStack on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RJwMG0 

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrosic/
WealthStack website: https://informaconnect.com/wealthstack/ 
WealthManagement.com: https://www.wealthmanagement.com

Connect with Sarah Angello:
 
LinkedIn: Sarah Angello - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-angello/ 
Daffodil - https://www.getdaffodil.com/ 

About Our Guest:

Sarah Angello is the Co-Founder of Daffodil. Sarah brings over 15 years of experience, blending tech-for-good expertise with experience working with donor-advised funds, philanthropic capital networks, and nonprofits. She has served on grants and advising panels for the City of New York, numerous private foundations, and social good enterprises throughout the US.

The WealthStack Podcast: Modern Philanthropy Reimagined with Sarah Angello

Building a firm that reflects your values does not happen by accident.

In this episode of Focused on the Future, host  Suzanne Siracuse talks with Julia Carlson, founder and CEO of Financial Freedom Wealth Management Group, about creating an inclusive culture, serving clients without traditional minimums and using technology to strengthen relationships. Julia also shares insights from her new book, Let’s Get You Fired, which helps entrepreneurs step back so their companies can grow.

Julia also describes how she built Financial Freedom from the ground up, why she hires from her client base, how the Inspired Wealth program supports emerging investors, and how AI is reshaping client service and advisor training.

Key takeaways:

- How Julia went from a 19-year-old bank teller to launching Financial Freedom Wealth Management at age 23
- The way her own “misfit” experience sparked an inclusive, values-driven culture that hires from unexpected places
- How the Inspired Wealth program lets the firm serve people below traditional asset minimums while staying profitable through revenue-based design and focused coaching
- Why her upcoming book Let’s Get You Fired helps entrepreneurs step back, build strong teams, and grow values-based and valuable companies with a strong lens on generosity
- How JUMP AI, Salesforce and Microsoft Copilot are reshaping notetaking, prep, training and client experience while freeing advisors to focus on real conversations

Resources:

Listen to Focused on the Future on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/4m0yHnC 
Subscribe and listen to Focused on the Future on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3EJ5MUe 
Subscribe and listen to Focused on the Future on Spotify: https://bit.ly/44jXhJI 

Connect With Suzanne Siracuse:
 
LinkedIn: Suzanne Siracuse: https://bit.ly/4e8Zyt0 
Twitter: Suzanne Siracuse: https://x.com/suzsiracuse 
Email: Suzanne@suzannesiracuse.com

Connect With Julia Carlson:
 
Website: Financial Freedom Wealth Management Group - https://www.financialfreedomwmg.com/ 
LinkedIn: Financial Freedom Wealth Management Group - https://bit.ly/49YHuTa 
Website: Julia Carlson - https://www.thejuliacarlson.com/ 
LinkedIn: Julia Carlson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejuliacarlson/ 
Books by Julia Carlson - https://www.thejuliacarlson.com/books 

About Our Guest:

Julia Carlson is the Founder and CEO of Financial Freedom Wealth Management Group, LLC. She founded the firm at the turn of the century, and with its successes, she has become a thought leader in the financial industry. Julia is an entrepreneur, speaker, author, educator and expert on the investment landscape. She is recognized as being especially knowledgeable on topics relating to tax strategies for retirement and distribution planning, as well as exit planning for business owners.

Julia has been identified as an InvestmentNews 2020 Women to Watch honoree. She was also recognized as one of Forbes’ 2018-2022 Top Women Wealth Advisors as well as a 2018-2021 Top Wealth Advisor Mom by Working Mother magazine and SHOOK Research. Furthermore, Julia provides her knowledge through a financial column in a local newspaper. She actively participates in her community as a Rotary member, Chamber of Commerce member and Vice President for the Pacific Communities Health District Foundation Board. Julia works from our office in the beautiful coastal community of Newport, Oregon, where she resides with her husband and their three children.

Julia has been interviewed by Barron’s, Forbes, Financial Advisor Magazine, CIO Views, MSN, Reuters, InvestmentNews, USA Today, yahoo! Finance, TD Ameritrade Network and Nasdaq.

Julia is an Investment Advisor Representative and Registered Principal with LPL Financial. She has her Series 24, 7, 63 and 66 Securities registrations held with LPL Financial, as well as her state Life and Health Insurance licenses.

Leading With Values, Growing With Intention with Julia Carlson

Stories about legacy often reveal more than the moments that made someone known. 

In this episode of Celebrity Estates, author and advisor Doug Woodham joins the show to explore how Jean-Michel Basquiat’s unexpected passing set off a chain of estate challenges tied to illiquid assets, sudden value changes and family decisions.

Doug explains how the absence of a will, a large collection of artwork and a fast-rising market created valuation hurdles, tax pressure and liquidity strain. He also shares how disputes, incomplete records and shifting asset values shaped the long-term direction of the estate.

Join Senior Editor David Lenok and Doug Woodham, managing partner at Art Fiduciary Advisors, as they break down the estate lessons behind one of the most unusual art legacies in recent history.

Key takeaways include:

- Illiquid assets, volatile markets and rapid posthumous value growth
- Blockage discounts and how large holdings of one artist complicate valuations
- Family dynamics, estranged parents and unexpected inheritance patterns
- IRS disputes, liquidity strain and complex tax negotiations
- How Basquiat's sisters eventually managed a growing licensing business

Resources:

Listen to Celebrity Estates on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/3GAVENN 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4m263CC 
Subscribe and listen to Celebrity Estates on Spotify: https://bit.ly/42V80b7 
Trust and Estates Magazine: https://bit.ly/3XXqoPn 
Book: Jean-­Michel Basquiat: The Making of an Icon by Doug Woodham - https://amzn.to/48BUUm7 
Book: Art Collecting Today: Market Insights for Everyone Passionate about Art by Doug Woodham - https://amzn.to/3Mjb0sZ 

Connect With David Lenok:

david.lenok@informa.com 
https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Lenok: https://bit.ly/DavidLenokLI 
LinkedIn: Informa: https://bit.ly/InformaLI 
LinkedIn: WealthManagement: https://bit.ly/WealthManagementLI 

Connect With Doug Woodham:
 
Website: Doug Woodham - https://dougwoodham.com/ 
LinkedIn: Art Fiduciary Advisors - https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-fiduciary-advisors/ 
LinkedIn: Doug Woodham - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougwoodham/ 

About Our Guest:

Doug Woodham is Managing Partner of Art Fiduciary Advisors and the former President of the Americas for Christie’s, the international auction house. Earlier in his career, he was a partner at McKinsey & Company, advising asset management and wealth management firms across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan and is the author of Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Making of an Icon (Thames & Hudson; 2025) and Art Collecting Today: Market Insights for Everyone Passionate About Art (Allworth Press, 2017).

Celebrity Estates: The Estate Lessons Behind Jean-Michel Basquiat with Doug Woodham

How do leaders of wealth management firms balance advisor independence with the need for centralized efficiency? What does it take to build a platform that serves both traditional RIAs and advisors seeking a more integrated model?

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong interviews Larry Restieri, CEO of Hightower Advisors, about Hightower's evolution from a wirehouse lift-out platform to a comprehensive wealth management firm managing over $300 billion in assets. 

He discusses the launch of Hightower Signature Wealth, a new direct-to-consumer offering designed to leverage the Hightower brand while maintaining support for independent advisory practices.

Key Points:

- How Larry’s 25-year Goldman Sachs background shaped his approach to wealth management and his leadership at Hightower
- Why Hightower Signature Wealth was launched as a firm within a firm, and how Restieri thinks the model strengthens both brand reach and advisor support
- How he views the balance between advisor independence and an efficiently centralized middle- and back-office, while maintaining a personalized client experience
- The influence of private equity, the long growth runway that remains for RIAs, and his thinking around future consolidation in the space
- The challenge of an aging advisor population and the need to attract new and diverse talent into the profession

Resources:

- Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/3YVhfof 
- Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3RFXCPn 
- Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/44Cbwd5 
 
Connect With David Armstrong:
 
- WealthManagement.com: http://bit.ly/3RKHvyY 
- LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/3YkoRAv 
- LinkedIn: David Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djamesarmstrong/ 
- Twitter: David Armstrong: https://twitter.com/djamesarmstrong 
- LinkedIn: Informa: https://bit.ly/3leEF9g 

Connect With Larry Restieri:

- Website: Hightower Advisors - https://hightoweradvisors.com/ 
- LinkedIn: Hightower Advisors - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hightoweradvisors 
- LinkedIn: Larry Restieri - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larryrestieri/ 

About Our Guest:

Larry Restieri is Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors at Hightower, a national wealth management firm that empowers financial advisors to deliver sophisticated investment and financial services to clients. He joined the firm in June 2025, bringing with him decades of experience in wealth management and a history of scaling businesses and driving growth.

Prior to Hightower, Larry was a partner at Goldman Sachs and served as CEO of its AYCO business, which specializes in workplace financial planning and private wealth advisory services. During his tenure, he led efforts to modernize AYCO’s operations, deepen client relationships, and accelerate business expansion.

Larry spent 25 years at Goldman Sachs in a variety of leadership roles across its wealth and asset management divisions. Before joining Goldman Sachs in 2000, he practiced law at Finn Dixon & Herling LLP in Stamford, Connecticut, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York City.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law, where he served as an editor of the Fordham Law Review.

Outside of work, Larry is a lifelong musician and plays lead guitar in a classic rock cover band.


RIA Edge Podcast: Hightower’s Evolution and the Launch of Signature Wealth with CEO Larry Restieri

Wealth firms are finally moving beyond “CRM as a Rolodex” and into a world where CRM, data and AI operate as the command center of the entire business. As growth pressures mount, advisor demographics shift and AI-driven tools flood the market, the firms that win will be those that treat their CRM as a true engagement and orchestration layer for advisors, clients and operations, not just a system of record.

In this episode of the WealthStack Podcast, Shannon Rosic sits down with Michelle Feinstein, former general manager of Salesforce, to unpack how leading firms are reimagining their data strategy and piloting AI agents to drive advisor productivity, deeper client engagement and real organic growth.

Key takeaways:

- How CRM has evolved into a unified layer for data, workflow and AI
- What Salesforce is building with Financial Services Cloud for advisors and planning integrations
- Which AI use cases are actually delivering productivity gains
- Where firms get stuck on data, governance, talent and culture
- What high-growth firms do differently with tech, AI and client engagement

Resources:

- Listen to WealthStack on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/4jZQmKi 
- Subscribe and listen to WealthStack on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4cXKleN 
- Subscribe and listen to WealthStack on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RJwMG0 

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrosic/
- WealthStack website: https://informaconnect.com/wealthstack/ 
- WealthManagement.com: https://www.wealthmanagement.com

Connect with Michelle Feinstein:
 
- LinkedIn: Michelle Feinstein - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellekfeinstein 
- Website: Salesforce - https://www.salesforce.com/ 

About Our Guest:

Michelle Feinstein is the former general manager of Salesforce. Her expertise is in digital transformation for wealth management. This process of digitization is complex; it requires firms to accelerate plans to harness data, digitize advisor-client experiences, and modernize service to scale and support growth.


The WealthStack Podcast: CRM, AI, and the Future of Advisor Productivity with Michelle Feinstein

Many people want guidance that truly supports their goals, yet the way advice is delivered can shape how confident they feel.

How do you create space for every voice at the table? How do you build a client experience that reflects communication, care and long-term thinking?

In this episode of Focused on the Future, host Suzanne Siracuse talks with Cary Carbonaro, CFP, MBA, author, fee-only financial advisor, and CFP Board ambassador, about her early industry realizations, her mission to elevate the experience for women clients, and her approach to building a practice with a clear purpose. 

Cary explains how she built her firm from the ground up, why communication gaps still exist across the profession, and how empathy, education and emotional intelligence foster lasting relationships. She also discusses what advisors can do now to prepare for the great wealth transfer and better serve the clients who will soon lead it.

Key points:

- How women were routinely left out of early client conversations and how this shaped Cary’s mission
- The importance of empathy, education and emotional intelligence with women clients
- Why the great wealth transfer demands changes in communication and client experience
- How Cary maintained trust through four practice transitions
- How media presence and clear messaging help advisors expand influence

Resources:

Listen to Focused on the Future on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/4m0yHnC 
Subscribe and listen to Focused on the Future on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3EJ5MUe 
Subscribe and listen to Focused on the Future on Spotify: https://bit.ly/44jXhJI 
The Money Queen's Guide: For Women Who Want to Build Wealth and Banish Fear by Cary Carbonaro - https://amzn.to/3MlmfkG 
Book: Women and Wealth: A Playbook to Empower Clients and Unlock Their Fortune by Cary Carbonaro - https://amzn.to/48cHBrW 

Connect With Suzanne Siracuse:
 
LinkedIn: Suzanne Siracuse: https://bit.ly/4e8Zyt0 
Twitter: Suzanne Siracuse: https://x.com/suzsiracuse 
Email: Suzanne@suzannesiracuse.com

Connect With Cary Carbonaro:
 
LinkedIn: Cary Carbonaro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carycarbonarocfp/ 
Website: Cary Carbonaro - https://carycarbonaro.com/ 
LinkedIn: CFP Board - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cfpboard/ 
Website: CFP Board - https://www.cfp.net/ 

About Our Guest:

Cary Carbonaro, CFP, MBA, is an award-winning Certified Financial Planner Professional with over 25 years of experience in financial services. She is the Managing Wealth Advisor and Women and Wealth Ambassador at Ashton Thomas, where she leads a multimillion-dollar financial planning practice focused on empowering women.

Cary is the bestselling author of The Money Queen’s Guide and Women and Wealth: A Playbook to Empower Clients and Unlock Their Fortune (Wiley 2025), which offers actionable strategies for better serving women in financial services. Through her writing, speaking, and advocacy, she is helping reshape the industry to better support its fastest-growing client segment.

She has been honored as a CFP Board Ambassador for over a decade, named a “Women to Watch” by Investment News, and ranked six times among Investopedia’s Top 100 Financial Advisors. In 2024, Cary was appointed as the first female member of the NASDAQ Advisor Council, further cementing her leadership in the field.

Before building her advisory practice, Cary held leadership roles at JP Morgan Chase, Citibank, and Lord Abbett Investment. Today, she is a respected industry voice and frequent media contributor, with appearances on dozens of TV stations. 

Through her decades of experience, Cary remains a passionate champion for financial literacy, gender equity, and empowering women to take control of their financial futures.

The WealthStack Podcast: CRM, AI, and the Future of Advisor Productivity with Michelle Feinstein

WealthManagement.com

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