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 corporate accounting with a brief stay in public accounting. I was inspired to finally agree to work with him when I found a note from a client’s daughter thanking him for helping her mom with her finances and the peace of mind that brought to her. I knew then I was in the wrong field and aspired to become part of his team so I could help him do this for his clients.
When you first entered the industry, what did the landscape look like for women, and what early lessons still shape how you lead today?
Interestingly enough, the firm where Stephen was working was looking to hire minorities due to the firm having primarily white male advisors. As a woman, I was considered a minority. That felt a little strange but it didn’t take me long to realize that was very much the case.
What challenges have you faced along the way, and what mindset or skills helped you push through and keep going?
I had a tough time with colleagues viewing me as an advisor. I am very fortunate that I have never really been one to care what others think about me. So, I just kept showing up for my clients and provide them the advice and guidance they needed to succeed financially.
Where are you today in your career, and what unique perspectives do you believe women bring to wealth management and leadership?
Today, I am part owner of an investment advisory firm, Fairvoy Private Wealth. Women are often found to score higher on emotional intelligence measures, place greater emphasis on relational trust and communication, use more collaborative leadership styles, spend more time on client discovery and listening, show stronger tendencies toward empathy-based engagement, and take a more holistic/life-context approach to financial planning. I think this allows us to bring a unique perspective in working with our colleagues and our clients.
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?
I love seeing younger women leaning into becoming wealth advisors. I think the most important piece of advice I can give to any woman wanting to enter the wealth management space is to find an experienced female advisor who can be a mentor to help you grow in the profession and become a success. I am serving as a mentor to another associate in our office who is interested in being a financial advisor. I am grateful to work in a profession where relationships matter, and thoughtful guidance can truly make a difference.
More About Ashley Davis, CRPC®: Ashley Davis serves as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Private Wealth Advisor of Fairvoy Private Wealth. Ashley is a Founding Partner of Fairvoy and takes the initiative to prioritize personalized support and tailored financial solutions to help those she serves.
Hear from Ashley directly in this short video sharing her vision and what Fairvoy stands for: Watch the Video
Ashley specializes in investment and financial planning advice by implementing personal financial plans to guide clients in achieving retirement, estate, tax, and gifting goals. Ashley’s background in accounting proves instrumental in helping clients navigate their financial goals.
Starting her career in public accounting, Ashley garnered extensive experience working with prominent corporations such as Saks Fifth Avenue, ProAssurance Corporation, and Warren Averett. Her academic achievements include obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Mobile, earning an M.B.A. from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and obtaining the Certified Public Accountant (CPA®) certification.
In 2007, Ashley joined Merrill Lynch, co-founding the Davis Wealth Management Group, which later evolvied into The Davis, Word & Taylor Group through a partnership with Alan Word. Ashley served as a Senior Relationship Manager on the Davis, Word, & Taylor team and was recognized as the new Financial Advisor of the year by the Birmingham Complex after completing her initial program at Merrill. Ashley’s commitment to client service and financial planning led her to attain the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC®) designation.
Ashley has been married to Stephen for 25 years. She enjoys travel, reading, scrapbooking, and quality time on Lake Martin with her family, including her cherished dog, Chase.
