Author: Investor Magazine Staff Contributor

In a few words, what does being a “Trailblazer” mean to you, and how did your path into wealth management begin? Being a trailblazer means leading with intention, setting a standard through your work, your values, and the way you show up for clients and colleagues, while helping expand what leadership in wealth management can look like. I began my career in wealth management in 2010, at a time when the industry was more male-dominated and traditional in its structure. What attracted me to the field was the ability to combine strategic thinking with meaningful, long-term client relationships. From the…

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…

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 creating paths that didn’t previously exist. It’s about taking the initiative to step into new roles, assume new responsibilities, and embrace leadership opportunities that set the stage for others to follow. A trailblazer is confident, strategic, willing to take risks, and comfortable with the uncomfortable. My path into wealth management wasn’t linear. About a year after graduating college, I began my career in a recruiting role, but quickly realized it wasn’t fulfilling long-term.…

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 building your own path instead of waiting for one to be handed to you. I started in this industry in 1996 in the operations department. I worked my way up from the mailroom and client service roles, learning the business from the inside out before becoming an advisor. That experience shaped everything. When you understand how accounts are opened, how systems function, and how service really works behind the scenes, you approach advising…

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 challenging the idea that there’s a predefined box and doing so with empathy, intention, and a deep respect for the people you bring along as you build something new. It’s about innovating while staying grounded in understanding the real needs, concerns, and experiences of others. My path into wealth management began in centralized services, where I supported advisors while helping design a scalable, centralized platform to improve efficiency and day today support. That…

In a few words, what does being a “Trailblazer” mean to you, and how did your path into wealth management begin? Being a trailblazer means not being afraid to tackle something new and not caring if you are the only one or one of a few doing it.  My path into wealth management began with my husband, Stephen Davis, wanting a female advisor on his team.  He talked with me for years about potentially coming to be a part of his team before I finally decided that was the path I wanted to take.  My former life was spent mostly…

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 creating new paths and breaking barriers and leading the way for others to follow. My own journey into wealth management began over 20 years ago in the Retail Bank Branches. I did not set out to work in this industry but I was fortunate to have excellent mentors and training.  These experiences were instrumental in shaping my career and igniting my passion for helping others understand financial literacy and creating and managing their…

In a few words, what does being a “Trailblazer” mean to you, and how did your path into wealth management begin? I think being a trailblazer means creating opportunities for yourself and also for those who might come up after you. Breaking barriers for yourself, isn’t blazing a trail it’s just working in your own self-interest. Truly building accomplishments with the intention of changing the experience for others is being a trailblazer. When you first entered the industry, what did the landscape look like for women, and what early lessons still shape how you lead today? I began this career…

In a few words, what does being a “Trailblazer” mean to you, and how did your path into wealth management begin? When I see the word ‘trailblazer’ my initial thoughts veer toward someone with an entrepreneurial spirit – someone bold, strong willed and outspoken. While those traits are admirable, I believe that trailblazers can be anyone who has an idea or suggestion (no matter how big or small) and is driven enough to use their skills to collaborate with others and carve a new path toward their end goal. I would fall into the latter of the two categories. My…

The Seductive Simplicity of “Average” If you’ve been investing for any length of time, chances are you’ve heard it: “The stock market has averaged 7–10+% annually over time.” It’s a line repeated in countless articles, retirement brochures, and even in conversations with some financial professionals. On the surface, it feels reassuring. If the market averages say… 8% per year, then over 20 or 30 years, your portfolio should perform nicely. The problem? Averages can lie. In fact, the math behind averages often hides the true impact on your portfolio, particularly in the short term while investors, especially retirees, who rely…