UnNiched

On this episode of UnNiched, we welcome Tessa Keena. Tessa is a CPA with Hungerford Nichols and is a tough as nails overcomer. Tessa's the total package. She's a brilliant mind, a gifted professional, a selfless giving mom, and she has a knack for making you feel like her best friend. Join Andrea as she chats with Tessa, and by the end of the show, you'll want to be her best friend too.

On this episode of UnNiched, we meet Megan Carpenter. As the co-founder and CEO of FiComm Partners LLC, Megan knows what it takes to build a business. Join Andrea as she chats with Megan about how financial advisors can build their own business, what it means to have fierce personal leadership, and why understanding perception and communication are the keys to everything.

On this episode of UnNiched, Andrea meets Dana D’Auria. Dana does her research and facts don't lie. Women are amazing ambassadors in the financial services industry both on the advisory side and the money management side. And Dana would know, she's the Director of Research at Symmetry Partners. Please join Andrea and Dana for a chat about doing the research, having difficult conversations, and staying disciplined and investing and in life.

On this episode of UnNiched, we meet Beryl Ball. Beryl knows how to command a room. And not just any room. A boardroom surrounded by windows and filled with male banking executives and their cigarette smoke. Beryl swallowed the nerves and self-doubt and made her presence known. And she’s been doing it ever since. Join Andrea and Beryl and they talk about overcoming fear and doubt, creating a network of support, and paving your own path.

On this episode of UnNiched, meet Lindsay Faussone. Lindsay means business: business development, business planning, and successful business management.  As Vice President of strategic programs for E-Trade advisory services, she has made her mark cultivating not only her employers’ business but advisers’ businesses as well. She’s a problem solver, a long-term strategic thinker, and a quite simply...a force.

On this episode of UnNiched, Andrea chats with Lorraine George-Harik. While Lorraine has an impressive list of job titles, educational accolades and professional accomplishments, it’s how Lorraine has built herself, her career and now mentors other women that is truly impressive. She is moving the needle forward by encouraging other women to always ask for a seat at the table, stand boldly and confidently in what they have to present and demonstrate that they are capable.

On this episode of UnNiched, Andrea discusses the challenges that come with raising a family while running a business with Kathy Colby. The two are joined by Kathy's daughter, Morgan as they explore the sacrifices that are made by working parents, the risks that they make as business owners, and the drive to overcome barriers while helping others along the way. This episode focuses on the question: "are family and professional accomplishment mutually exclusive?"

On this episode of UnNiched, we meet Ray Befus, high level executive coach and owner of Highpoint Training and Coaching. After witnessing the professional experience women have that Ray describes as “death by a thousand cuts,” he felt compelled to help women find their voice and confidence. Join Ray and Andrea as they discuss leveraging your relationships, telling it like it is, and the next social revolution.

On this episode of UnNiched, Flo Affatato Flo shares not only her experience and perspective but her thoughts on how to maintain gender identity when surrounded by the opposite sex. Flo knows a thing or two about succeeding in male dominated professions. Flo serves and CCO and CLO for Planning Alternatives, but before her success in the securities industry, she worked for the FBI. Flo became a member of the FBI’s Possible Club, an elite group of the Bureau’s best sharp shooters.

In this episode of UnNiched, we hear from Samantha Arsenault-Livingstone as she describes the terrifying moment that changed her life. It was every parent’s worst nightmare as Samantha sat helplessly in a corner as emergency medical staff responded to a code on her young daughter. And in that moment Samantha’s lifelong belief that if she just tried hard enough, she could control all the things came crashing down. From a young athlete struggling with body image to young woman standing on top of the Olympic podium wearing a gold medal around her neck, Samantha struggled with perfectionism. She believed that if she just tried harder, she could achieve the result she wanted until the moment she couldn’t. And as her daughter’s heart began beating again, Samantha’s heart began beating again. She gave herself permission to feel pain, accept and welcome failure, and begin her journey toward a more joyful and present life. Join me for an empowering, soul-stirring conversation with Olympic gold medalist, high performance coach and consultant, transformational speaker, educator, and creator of the incredible Rise Free Academy, Samantha Arsenault-Livingstone. 

On this episode of UnNiched, we’re talking about eating disorders. Join Andrea as she talks to Tracy Croner about her mission to bring more awareness and acceptance to the issues of mental health and eating disorders. Tracey is a regional marketing manager for Orangetheory Fitness, a former collegiate athlete, and she has struggled with an eating disorder most of her life. In the United States, about 20 million women will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives. And women and girls are twice as likely as men to have an eating disorder. Why? Well, the why is different for everyone. But the pressure put on women to achieve certain ideals, meet specific goals, or to balance an overwhelming mental, physical, and emotional load can certainly contribute to the problem.

On this episode of UnNiched, Terri Spath and Tiana Brenneise, truly embody the UnNiched concept. Terri and Tiana work for Sierra Investment Management, the parent company of Ocean Park Asset Management. Terri is Sierra Ocean Park’s chief investment officer and Tiana is Sierra’s national account manager. Sierra Ocean Park always looks for the right person for the job and it just so happens that for its CIO, CFO, and CCO positions, the right person was a woman. Join me as I engage in a fun and enlightening conversation about confidence and gender roles with these two UnNiched industry powerhouses.

In this episode of UnNiched, Andrea McGrew interviews Lara Kapalla-Bondi, attorney and the mom of a special needs child.  Andrea and Lara spend their time together discussing what it’s like for Lara as she navigates all of the special financial planning needs that are an everyday consideration for special needs families. Lara also sheds light on how listeners can learn to be an advocate for those who can't advocate for themselves.

In this episode of UnNiched, Andrea McGrew interviews financial adviser, Maddie Parker. Maddie talks about her transition from high school math teacher to financial adviser, transforming a long-standing practice into a modern business, and dealing with harassment and discrimination both as a teacher and a financial adviser. She shares her thoughts on cultivating relationships and resources to create a meaningful connection with clients.

In this episode of UnNiched, Andrea McGrew explores the bold statement that our industry, the financial services industry, has failed women investors. Instead of viewing us a resource of investing knowledge and confidence, many shy away because they don’t feel confident in their knowledge. Discussing this with Andrea is Mark Mersman, Chief Marketing Officer at USA Financial and head of the Financial Wellness Initiative. Mark offers insight in to how women have a gap in financial education and how our industry can help combat that gap. We have a responsibility to create new and more effective ways to reach our female clientele.

In this episode of Un Niched, Andrea McGrew interviews Teresa and Jim Yent of Golden Years Advisors about working together as a married couple. Joining Andrea is her husband, Matt McGrew, to offer his perspective on working with Andrea at USA Financial.  Each couple shares insights and advice about the joys and pitfalls about working with your spouse.   

In this episode of Un Niched, Andrea McGrew interviews three different women that have faced or are currently facing a breast cancer diagnosis.  Listen to each woman describe her battle and how it has affected them both personally and financially. Just like no cancer diagnosis is the same, neither is how we deal with the challenges. Advice is offered to financial advisors on how to approach clients and support them during and after a diagnosis.  

In this episode of UnNiched, Andrea McGrew interviews Confidence Coach Christen Shefchunas. Coach Christen talks about the challenges women face with confidence, specifically in a male dominated industry. She explores her thoughts on how our brains operate and this can differ by gender. Identifying and addressing our thoughts and fears is key to building confidence and Coach Christen offers some specific steps to follow.