Focused on the Future

In the latest Focus on the Future podcast episode, industry veteran Suzanne Siracuse chats with Tom Orecchio, CEO of Modera Wealth Management, about the evolving dynamics and secrets to building a successful financial advisory firm. Tom brings in his wealth of experience, sharing stories from his inspiring journey into financial planning and revealing why he continues to foster long-term client relationships. They discuss the vital role that technology is playing in the advisor/client relationship, strategies for organic growth, and the magic behind nurturing client relationships beyond investments. Key points: The significance of personal connection in client relationships and the integration of digital advisory tools Modera’s tactical approach to client acquisition, incorporating traditional referrals, digital marketing, and centers of influence The role of technology in enhancing estate planning and the essentials of client preparation How Modera differentiates itself through fee-only fiduciary services and ownership plans for team members The industry’s future disruptions and how AI provides opportunities for more personal advisory roles Resources: Listen to Focused on the Future on WealthManagement.com Subscribe and listen to Focused on the Future on Apple Podcasts Subscribe and listen to Focused on the Future on Spotify The Net Positive Consortium in Wealth Management Connect With Suzanne Siracuse: LinkedIn: Suzanne Siracuse Twitter: Suzanne Siracuse Email: Suzanne@suzannesiracuse.com Connect With Tom Orecchio: Modera Wealth Management LinkedIn: Modera Wealth Management LinkedIn: Tom Orecchio Email: tomo@moderawealth.com About Our Tom Orecchio: With over 25 years of experience in wealth management, Tom has always believed that the best way to serve clients and provide objective advice is through the independent, fee-only approach. During that time, he has had the privilege of serving individuals, families, nonprofit organizations, foundations, trusts, and others in all areas of their investment and wealth management needs.

In this episode of Focused on the Future, host Suzanne Siracuse kicks off Season 3 with a powerful conversation with Katrina Radenberg, chief investment officer of Mariner and president of the Mariner Foundation. Katrina shares her unique path from investment analyst to C-suite leader, the importance of mentorship and how intentional partnerships and niche marketing are fueling Mariner’s organic growth. The discussion highlights how the Mariner Foundation—fueled by associate donations and company matches—has become a cultural cornerstone, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to community impact and attracting next-generation talent. Katrina also shares insights on emerging investment trends, the importance of customized client solutions at scale and why giving back and talent development are non-negotiables for building a sustainable, impactful wealth management firm. This episode is a must-listen for financial advisors looking to blend business growth with a broader mission—and stay competitive in an evolving industry. Key takeaways include: Katrina’s unique journey from math-loving college graduate to industry leader in wealth management Proven strategies for organic growth within Mariner, including niche marketing and digital transformation The Mariner Foundation’s impactful role in community support and employee engagement Innovative approaches to attract and retain next-generation talent in the financial industry Current trends in investment management focus on customization and client problem-solving Resources: Unlocking Our True Potential (Executive Brief) Net Positive Wealth Mariner Foundation: 2024 Impact Report Listen to Focused on the Future on WealthManagement.com Subscribe and listen to Focused on the Future on Apple Podcasts Subscribe and listen to Focused on the Future on Spotify Connect With Suzanne Siracuse: LinkedIn: Suzanne Siracuse Twitter: Suzanne Siracuse Email: Suzanne@suzannesiracuse.com Connect With Katrina Radenberg: Mariner Wealth Advisors LinkedIn: Mariner LinkedIn: Katrina Radenberg About Our Guest: As Chief Investment Officer, Katrina oversees all aspects of investments across the firm. Her responsibilities include leading our investment committee and private investment committee. She is also a member of our risk committee. Since joining the firm in 2007, Katrina has had a wide range of responsibilities throughout the organization, including serving on the investment and asset allocation committees and managing fixed income portfolios for high-net-worth clients. Before moving into a leadership role, she co-managed a tactical ETF portfolio. Katrina has 21 years of experience in the investment industry. Prior to joining Mariner, she was an analyst for a hedge fund in Manhattan, Kan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from Kansas State University.

What does it take to build a future-proof financial advisory business? Veteran industry leader Suzanne Siracuse sits down with Jon Jones, CEO and co-founder of Brighton Jones, to explore his incredible journey from small-town beginnings to leading a $30 billion RIA. In this episode of the Focused on the Future podcast, Jon reveals how a client-centric, holistic approach has propelled his firm to the forefront of the wealth management industry. Jon dives into: The “Personal CFO” model that seamlessly integrates life goals with financial planning Redefining wealth management to thrive through industry changes Using strategic giving to enrich client relationships and advisor satisfaction His vision for corporate responsibility through the Net Positive Consortium Organic growth strategies that balance culture with accountability for long-term success Connect With Suzanne Siracuse: LinkedIn: Suzanne Siracuse Twitter: Suzanne Siracuse Email: Suzanne@suzannesiracuse.com Connect With Jon Jones: Brighton Jones LinkedIn: Brighton Jones LinkedIn: Jon Jones Net Positive Consortium About Our Guest: Jon Jones, co-founder of Brighton Jones, helped pioneer the Personal CFO approach to wealth management alongside Charles. While many firms focused solely on managing clients’ investment accounts, Brighton Jones took a holistic approach by overseeing clients’ entire balance sheets. Financial well-being and acting as a Personal CFO remain at the core of the firm’s services. However, Jon believes that truly helping clients live richer lives requires going beyond traditional financial management. Standing at the intersection of life and wealth, Jon and his team recognize the importance of influencing clients’ emotional and social well-being. They celebrate life’s joys—marriages, new homes, births, and retirements—and provide guidance during challenges like job loss, divorce, illness, or loss. Jon values the opportunity to encourage clients to embrace the bigger picture, focus on their whole selves, and understand that true happiness extends far beyond financial success.

In the latest episode of Focused on the Future, Suzanne Siracuse sits down with Bryce Skaff of Dimensional Fund Advisors to explore his unique journey from aspiring marine biologist to a career in wealth management. Bryce offers an inside look at DFA’s investment philosophy, deeply rooted in academic research, and how the firm’s growth aligns with the rise of independent advisors. Drawing from DFA’s extensive investor studies and advisor benchmarking research, Bryce shares his perspective on the evolving needs of today’s clients and the strategies advisors must embrace to thrive in a changing landscape. He delves into what separates top-performing firms from the rest, emphasizing keys to growth, scaling effectively, and meeting the demands of the future. Bryce and Suzanne also debate the future of smaller advisory firms, discussing whether solo advisors can still compete with larger firms expanding through mergers and acquisitions—or if the solo model is truly becoming a thing of the past. This is a can’t miss episode. Connect With Suzanne Siracuse: LinkedIn: Suzanne Siracuse Twitter: Suzanne Siracuse Email: Suzanne@suzannesiracuse.com Connect With Bryce Skaff: Dimensional Fund Advisors LinkedIn: Dimensional Fund Advisors LinkedIn: Bryce Skaff About Our Guest: Bryce Skaff is Co-Head of the Global Client Group (GCG) and serves in a leadership role on several of the firm’s key strategic committees. He helps to shape the vision and oversee the management of the GCG, a global team of professionals committed to delivering an outstanding experience to advisors, intermediaries, and institutional investors around the world.

Suzanne Siracuse interviews Vanessa Martinez, CEO and managing partner of Expressive Wealth, to explore how holistic financial planning and inclusive communication can transform the client experience. Vanessa shares her journey, rooted in the values instilled by her parents, who overcame educational limitations in war-torn Central America. This background shaped her commitment to empowering clients through education and comprehensive wealth management. Vanessa also discusses the need for financial advisors to shift their strategies in the face of longer lifespans, emphasizing longevity risk as a critical factor in planning. She highlights the importance of understanding diverse and blended family dynamics, going beyond assumptions, and focusing on meaningful communication with clients. Highlights from this episode include: The role of psychology in financial planning Why wealth management is not just about numbers, but about understanding clients’ behaviors, motivations, and family structures Her fresh perspective on how advisors can build more impactful and sustainable practices by embracing diversity How advisors can better serve clients of the future by adapting to evolving trends and truly listening to their client’s unique needs   Connect With Suzanne Siracuse: LinkedIn: Suzanne Siracuse Twitter: Suzanne Siracuse Email: Suzanne@suzannesiracuse.com Connect With Vanessa Martinez: Expressive Wealth LinkedIn: Expressive Wealth LinkedIn: Vanessa Martinez   About Our Guest: With 15+ years of wealth management expertise, Vanessa is dedicated to aligning your financial goals with holistic well-being. Vanessa traveled abroad for her undergrad and earned her BBA in Guatemala, C.A. Returning to Chicago; she received her MBA in finance at North Park University while gaining insights from her time at JPMorgan Chase. Her commitment to comprehensive client wealth advisory led her to earn FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 certifications.

On the latest episode of Focused on the Future, host Suzanne Siracuse sits down with Sibyl Slade, founder and president of IntegriVest Wealth Advisors. Sibyl shares her journey from working at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta to establishing her own independent financial planning firm. Their conversation delves into the evolution of her career, the what she learned after starting her own firm, and her innovative approach to structuring her fees in order to meet clients where they are. Highlights from today’s episode include: An overview of Sibyl’s time at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and how she focused on ensuring underserved communities had access to financial products and services How her desire to aid families burdened by student loan debt drove her to establish her own independent firm, IntegriVest Wealth Advisors Her fee structure that adds flexibility in order to serve all interested parties The importance of non-judgmental and unbiased client interactions Effective client event strategies that drive organic growth How her Small Business Mastermind group has impacted her overall practice Connect With Suzanne Siracuse: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: Suzanne Siracuse Twitter: Suzanne Siracuse Email: Suzanne@suzannesiracuse.com Connect With Sibyl Slade: IntegriVest Wealth Advisors LinkedIn: IntegriVest Wealth Advisors LinkedIn: Sibyl Slade Email: Sibyl.Slade@gmail.com About Our Guest: Slade is the founder and president of IntegriVest Wealth Advisors, LLC. an independent financial services firm. She lends her 28 years of banking and finance experience to provide personalized comprehensive financial planning and advisory services to small business owners and professionals. In 2022, she was recognized as a Visionary for Advisor Group’s Women Forum. In 2019, she was a nominee for the Ladenburg Institute of Women & Finance. Before founding IntegriVest Wealth Advisors, LLC, Slade began her financial services career as a financial advisor with Waddell & Reed, where she was recognized as a recipient of Waddell & Reed’s 2015 Pacesetter as well as received her Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor Designation. In 2017, Slade became an independent financial advisor and became an industry thought leader. A 21-year veteran of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, in this capacity, Slade served as a senior regional community development manager for the Atlanta Fed’s community and economic development (CED) team whereby she provided regional and national input around these areas.

Join us on this episode of Focused on the Future as host Suzanne Siracuse sits down with Liz Nesvold, Chair of Emigrant Partners. Liz highlights the three critical areas that firms need to focus on to ensure future success, discusses the key levers that contribute to obtaining a high firm valuation, and the profound impact her mother had on her leadership style. Key discussion points include: The subconscious influences that shaped her career path The story behind her current role at Emigrant Partners The importance of nurturing and retaining top talent How next gen talent plays into your firm’s valuation Why reinvestment into your business is key for future growth Her advice for buyers and sellers’ post-deal. The essential question every firm must consider before deciding to buy or sell Why business evolution cannot exist without business continuity and succession planning Join Suzanne and Liz for an insightful episode filled with career reflections, industry expertise, and practical advice that can help elevate your firm’s success. Whether you’re an industry veteran or just starting your journey in wealth management, this episode offers valuable perspectives on leadership, growth, and strategic decision-making. Connect With Suzanne Siracuse: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: Suzanne Siracuse Twitter: Suzanne Siracuse Email: Suzanne@suzannesiracuse.com Connect with Liz Nesvold: Emigrant Partners LinkedIn: Liz Nesvold LinkedIn: Emigrant Partners About Our Guest: Liz serves as Chair of Emigrant Partners and Vice Chair of Emigrant Bank. In her dual roles, Liz works closely with all units of the bank that provide solutions to the wealth management industry, including Emigrant Partners, New York Private Trust, Sarasota Private Trust, Cleveland Private Trust, Summitas and Personal Risk Management Solutions. Liz has 30 years of experience as a passionate advisor, investment banker, and executive. Over her career, she has specialized in mergers and acquisitions, capital planning and fundraising, succession and liquidity planning, strategic advisory, compensation structuring, deep-dive financial and businessanalysis, and organic growth consulting. Liz began her investment banking career providing M&A and strategic advisory services to asset managers and securities firms in 1991 at Berkshire Capital. She cofounded the industry’s first-ever specialist M&A practice serving wealth management firms in 1996. In 2007, Liz launched Silver Lane, a boutique investment bank that routinely ranked as the #1 or #2 most active M&A advisor to the industry. Liz and her partners sold Silver Lane to a Fortune 500 company in 2019, and she transitioned from investment banking four years later to joining the wealth management industry. A proud advocate and mentor for women in financial services, Liz was named 2024 Finance Executive of the Year on behalf of WSR Pathfinder Awards. She was honored with the prestigious M&A Advisor’s Leadership Award in 2021, and was inducted into the M&A Hall of Fame. In 2019, Liz was recognized as a Woman to Watch by InvestmentNews.