In a few words, what does being a “Trailblazer” mean to you, and how did your path into wealth management begin?
To me, being a trailblazer means having the courage to confront fear and rejection head-on while relentlessly challenging conventional business norms—all in pursuit of meaningful progress that benefits everyone, rather than simply achieving first-mover status. My entry into wealth management happened quite by accident. While attending college and studying Industrial and Labor Relations, I was working at a call center. When the company launched a new department, it gave me the opportunity to earn my Series 7 license at age 21—an intriguing prospect that sparked my interest. I excelled in the role, which led to my promotion to unit manager of the escalated desk team and the chance to obtain my Series 9 and 10 (supervisory) licenses, along with the Series 63. With my degree and these key securities licenses in hand, new doors opened. I transitioned from the call center to a position at Wells Fargo Advisors, where I quickly advanced to Operations Manager for Southern Ohio. That role soon expanded to encompass all of Ohio. After nine rewarding years, I moved to Merrill Lynch for a period before receiving an invitation to join DayMark Wealth Partners as Chief Compliance Officer—a role that has allowed me to contribute at a strategic level in an independent advisory environment focused on client-centered wealth management. What began as an unexpected opportunity grew into a career driven by performance, continuous learning, and a commitment to doing things better for clients and the industry.
When you first entered the industry, what did the landscape look like for women, and what early lessons still shape how you lead today?
When I first entered the financial services industry through a call center role, the landscape for women was noticeably different from many traditional Wall Street or brokerage environments. In the call center world, women made up the majority of frontline employees—and, as a result, most middle managers were also women. I was fortunate to have several strong female leaders who coached, supported, and believed in me. I had never pictured myself managing a team. In fact, I was pursuing a degree in Industrial and Labor Relations with no intention of staying in financial services long-term. However, one of my female managers saw something in me I hadn’t recognized myself: an ability to navigate different personalities and find creative, practical solutions. Her persistent encouragement and consistent reassurance ultimately convinced me to step into leadership for the first time. That early experience marked my entry into management in the industry. I was also lucky to have exceptional male mentors along the way. Several male managers recognized potential in me that I didn’t see and deliberately brought it to the surface, giving me opportunities to grow. Collectively, these influential leaders—both women and men—instilled a lesson that still shapes how I lead today: never give up on people, including yourself. They demonstrated that meaningful progress and real results come from sustained hard work, persistence, and the willingness to invest in someone’s potential even when they doubt it themselves.
What challenges have you faced along the way, and what mindset or skills helped you push through and keep going?
The wealth management industry can be intensely competitive—sometimes cut-throat—with individuals who prioritize personal gain above collaboration or collective success. Early on, I encountered people who were more focused on protecting their own position than supporting others’ growth, and that reality tested my approach. I’ve never believed in succeeding at someone else’s expense. My guiding principle has always been that a rising tide lifts all ships: when teams, clients, and colleagues do well, everyone benefits. Staying committed to that belief—even when faced with self-interested behavior, criticism, or attempts to undermine progress—has been essential. The mindset that has helped me push through is simple but deliberate: remain anchored in your core values, don’t get pulled into petty conflicts or short-term drama, and keep your focus on the bigger picture—doing right by clients, building strong teams, and creating lasting value. Those habits have carried me through difficult stretches and continue to shape how I lead and make decisions today.
Where are you today in your career, and what unique perspectives do you believe women bring to wealth management and leadership?
Today, I am in the strongest and most fulfilling professional environment I’ve experienced in my career. At DayMark Wealth Partners, I work alongside a team that genuinely prioritizes mutual respect, collaboration, and a shared commitment to helping every individual reach their full potential. All voices are truly heard and valued, regardless of role or tenure. That kind of culture makes it possible to come to work every day knowing you’re making a meaningful difference—not just for clients, but for the people you work with. In my view, women often bring distinctive and powerful perspectives to wealth management and leadership, particularly in the areas of engagement and communication. Women tend to excel at building deep, trust-based relationships with clients—listening attentively, asking thoughtful questions, and creating space for people to share both their financial goals and the personal stories behind them. This relational approach fosters greater understanding and more holistic planning. In leadership, many women naturally emphasize inclusive communication, empathy, and long-term team development. They often prioritize creating environments where people feel psychologically safe to contribute ideas, admit mistakes, and grow—qualities that drive stronger collaboration, higher retention, and ultimately better outcomes for clients and organizations. These strengths aren’t exclusive to women, of course, but in an industry that has historically leaned toward transactional and hierarchical models, the perspectives women bring help shift the focus toward relationships, clarity, and sustainable success. That balance is exactly what I see making a real difference today.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of women in wealth management, and what advice would you give to the next generation of trailblazers?
More women are entering the industry not just as participants, but as leaders, founders, and culture-shapers. As for advice – stay true to your own definition of success & build with others; not against them.
More About Loni Adams-Kiskaden: Loni is responsible for providing guidance, advice, and training to her colleagues. Furthermore, she will ensure policies and procedures comply with internal and external standards.
She brings over 20 years of experience to the position, most recently as Market Client Relationship Manager at Merrill Lynch.
Throughout her career, she has excelled identifying and mitigating risk across multiple disciplines. Her focus is always on the partnership between the client, the financial advisor, and the firm.
Loni holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Kentucky University in Industrial and Labor Relations. She is a mother of two children, Jon & Ava, and resides in Northern Kentucky with her husband of 26 years, Tracy. When not in the office, Loni enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
