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 2000 and, frankly, it’s not too much different nearly 26 years later. Most rooms are dominated by men, there remains an old school mentality (outdated gender role expectations, golf outings, etc.) and we still deal with double standards. Strong women are “difficult”, while strong men are “leaders”.
I learned early on that the skills I had developed as a woman were incredibly valuable in building relationships with the team and with clients. I didn’t need to try to be somebody different to be successful – I had exactly what I needed to build a wonderful career and a successful firm.
What challenges have you faced along the way, and what mindset or skills helped you push through and keep going?
The most difficult challenge I’ve faced in my career, as a woman, was having a male colleague both need and use my expertise but, at the same time, not want to hear anything that challenged his self-perception. What helped me move through it was finding other women who had experienced the same thing, understood my position and convinced me that I was not mis-perceiving the situation (as women are often led to believe). Find your tribe who understands and will support you. Given my experience, I hope I can be part of that tribe for other women.
Where are you today in your career, and what unique perspectives do you believe women bring to wealth management and leadership?
I am currently the Managing Partner at Great Diamond Partners. I share leadership responsibilities with my two amazing business partners. I have spent my entire professional career in male dominated industries (waste management and wealth management) and understand that women have both natural leadership and relationship building abilities which contribute to successful business. Women don’t need to “play the game” or adjust ourselves to the circumstances. We need to create our own “game” and circumstances and bring others along for the ride.
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’m excited that more and more female clients feel empowered to demand all-female advisory teams. I work with several clients who have a female CPA and Trust and Estates attorney. The work becomes incredibly collaborative and fun and the results for clients are excellent.
More About Helen Andreoli: Whether leading her team with compassion, advising her clients with respect and honesty, or serving her community with passion and generosity, Helen lives by the philosophy that the energy you give out is mirrored back to you. “I love getting to know my clients and becoming a part of their lives. I view financial planning as more than investing and saving for the future; it’s also about enjoying today,” says Helen.
Helen grew up on an island in mid-coast Maine, spent her educational years in-state, and built her career in the place she considers to be the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
After graduating from college, Helen bought and ran her own small business. She operated a statewide waste and recycling hauling firm in Maine for eight years before selling the business in 1998.
Helen went on to receive her Master’s Degree in business and began a career in wealth management. She gained valuable industry knowledge and experience at Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch before joining the team at UBS Financial Services.
Looking for a more personal way to connect with clients and the local business community in a more relatable way, Helen was excited to channel her expertise in a move to the independent side of the wealth management industry. Her relationships with team members and clients have grown even stronger. “I’m here to help you live your best life, and that doesn’t just mean earning and saving enough for a happy retirement. It’s also about enjoying yourself now,” Helen says.
Helen is a passionate advocate for several Maine non-profits. She serves as Treasurer for United Recovery Fund (formally Maine Recovery Fund), which acts as a bridge to sustainable employment for people affected by substance use disorder and incarceration. She recently served on the Board of Directors and was named 2024 Volunteer of the Year for ProsperityME, which empowers refugee and immigrant communities to invest in themselves to build financial stability, careers, businesses, and wealth. In the past, Helen has worked with the League of Women Voters of Maine, United Way of Southern Maine, and the Maine Community Foundation.
