Q: As senior vice president and private wealth advisor at UBS, what’s your mission?
A: My mission is to educate clients about their financial picture. To understand their priorities when it comes to their goals and values, and help them understand, create and execute on achieving them.
You first started advising women on their financial lives at your local YWCA. What power/superpower did you realize you possessed as part of that experience?
Superpower—I had an understanding of an area that was confusing or foreign to a lot of these women. I could explain complicated financial terms and situations to them in a way that they understood and felt comfortable with.
Your career has taken unusual turns, including a 12-year break to raise your children. How did that life experience help you better understand the needs of women when it comes to managing their finances?
I fortunately or unfortunately have had a lot of experience. Being a mom, being in my community as a friend, a volunteer, a trusted resource on boards and on sports fields has helped shape my understanding of client’s needs and priorities. I also experienced a sudden loss in my family and then became the person in charge of a special needs family member while dealing with this crisis. By experiencing life and working through my own challenges I am better equipped to help clients do the same.
What are some of the myths society has of women and financial management?
That men can understand more than women, especially in the area of finance. This belief may be ingrained in women due to the traditional gender roles (internal, external environment, etc). I believe it’s all about confidence. Women consistently underestimate their own abilities and overestimate what it takes to be financially involved. You don’t have to fully understand everything and be an expert, it just means becoming more involved and aware and once you are, it will help you to feel empowered to take control.
Twenty-five years from now, what conversation do you think we will be having about women’s progress?
I believe a positive one. Women are more educated, more successful and more outspoken than ever. We will see gender equality and pay parity.
