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 stepping into uncertainty with confidence that you have the heart and skillset to face challenges as they cross your path.
My career in wealth management began as an intern with my team (then at Merrill) in 2008. I began training new advisors after 1-2 years and built a training infrastructure within our team, while continuing to manage my own book of clients. Over the next decade, this developed into a more expansive leadership role supporting the advisor experience within our team.
When you first entered the industry, what did the landscape look like for women, and what early lessons still shape how you lead today?
There were few women in advisor roles around me. There were a some also at an entry level, and the rest were inaccessible and in a far different stage of life than I was. There was nowhere to look to see a model for what was ‘next’ in my life, like balancing a career with starting a family. I learned the importance of community and surrounding myself with people that challenge, motivate and inspire me, both men and women.
What challenges have you faced along the way, and what mindset or skills helped you push through and keep going?
I’ve had significant health challenges that are unusual for my gender and age, along with the typical challenges that working mothers face… Am I present with my husband and kids? Am I bringing my best at work? Am I supporting my spouse’s career enough?
There are two mindsets that help me push through and keep going (1) taking one day at a time, making the best of that day, and then doing it all over again the next day. (2) Taking care of myself so I can be in the best position to take care of others has been key to balancing work, marriage, and motherhood.
Where are you today in your career, and what unique perspectives do you believe women bring to wealth management and leadership?
I am mid-career and I’ve lived on both sides of care-giving- giving for others and receiving care from others; as it relates to wealth management, I think our role as a caregiver to children, parents or other family help women understand and empathize with the stress of not having ‘enough’ resources to meet goals, whether those resources are rooted in money or health or time. To both leadership and wealth management, I think women bring resilience to adapt when even the best laid plans go sideways.
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 am most excited to see an emphasis on financial wellness, creating opportunities to empower women in their own financial decisions through providing education and context for why these things matter in their day-to-day lives. My advice to the next generation of women is to be authentic and look for how you can best serve each individual, each family, or each organization that seeks your advice.
I’m honored to help represent an amazing community of women at OpenArc, which thrives on shared experiences and investing in the next generation.
More About Elizabeth White, CFP®, CRPC™: Elizabeth White is a Principal Partner and Senior Wealth Management Advisor at OpenArc Corporate Advisory. She works closely with individuals and families to develop personalized financial strategies that align with their goals, values, and evolving life circumstances. Her approach is rooted in a deep understanding of each client’s priorities, with a focus on education funding, retirement planning, tax-efficient strategies, and long-term wealth preservation.
Prior to joining OpenArc, Elizabeth was a member of the Global Corporate and Institutional Advisory Services (GCIAS) team at Merrill Lynch, where she specialized in delivering corporate benefits education and individual financial guidance to employees and executives of major organizations.
Elizabeth holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation, awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus in Economics from the University of Georgia.
Elizabeth lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and their three children. She is committed to providing exceptional client care and welcomes the opportunity to help individuals and families navigate their financial journeys with clarity and confidence.
