Investments & Wealth Institute

?? As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re excited to highlight Sergio Guzman, CAIA, CIMA?, CPWA?, Senior Director, Consultant Relations - Institutional Investor Group at Vanguard and an Investments & Wealth Foundation scholarship recipient. Originally from Spain, Sergio’s Hispanic heritage has had a profound impact on his career. “My culture places a strong emphasis on family and the importance of sacrifice for the well-being of future generations. My parents taught me from the beginning the importance of education and encouraged me to leave my country to pursue better opportunities. I had the privilege of representing my company for 16 years in Latin America, where I saw firsthand how trust is fundamental in building strong business relationships.” Sergio’s heritage coupled with his experience working in both Latin America and the United States has also greatly influenced his perspective on diversity. “Working across Latin America and the U.S. has shown me that diverse teams deliver the best results for clients. In my business, we collaborate with advisors to offer solutions to defined contribution plans, striving to provide inclusive and accessible services for ALL plan participants.” Sergio earned his CPWA designation after receiving a scholarship from the Foundation during the height of the COVID pandemic. “I am grateful that the Investments & Wealth Institute supported me during such an uncertain time. The CPWA designation provided me with a completely new perspective on working with family offices. Although I have a different role now, the value of advice remains a key component of our offering. The CPWA designation has given me a much deeper appreciation for the value of advice beyond just investment topics.” Sergio also obtained his CIMA certification through The Institute. Sergio celebrates the values of his heritage by fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. “I understand the importance of different perspectives and the value diverse teams bring to our clients and partners in the industry. Hispanic culture often celebrates resilience and perseverance, and I carry this mindset into my professional life and into the long-term partnerships my team and I strive to establish.” We are proud to have Sergio as part of the Investments & Wealth Institute family! The Investments & Wealth Foundation provides scholarships for financial certifications, supporting the advancement of individuals who are underrepresented in our industry. To learn more about how you can make an impact by making a donation or if you would like to apply for a scholarship, please visit https://lnkd.in/g_KNdM9V #HispanicHeritageMonth #FinancialAdvisor #CulturalPride #Diversity #Community #TheAmericanDream

A heartfelt thank you to Eric Flett, CEO of Concentric Wealth Management, for his outstanding volunteer dedication over the past 6 years in helping to create and deliver advanced programming for our Forums. As committee chair for the last 3 years, Eric has played a pivotal role in shaping high-level content for elite advisors, contributing immensely to the success of our events. As he steps down from his position, we want to express our sincere gratitude for his leadership and hard work. Thank you, Eric, for your exceptional service and for emceeing an awesome Strategy Forum last week in Chicago.

?? It's Not Too Late! Register for the Retirement Management Advisor (RMA?) intro webinar tomorrow! Hear from the Investments & Wealth Institute’s experts as they explain the flexible course options available to you so that you can choose the format best suited for your busy schedule. Join us tomorrow to learn how you can achieve your RMA designation directly through the Investments & Wealth Institute or the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Register today! https://lnkd.in/gS5JXqfy #RMA #RetirementPlanning #Retirement #RetirementGoals #ProfessionalDevelopment

Meet Kathleen A. Adams, CFP? CPWA?, an Institute Member and financial professional who was inspired to pursue a career in financial planning after seeing her successful father encounter financial difficulties as he neared retirement. Working as a Founding Partner and Financial Planner at Second 50 Financial, Kathleen is driven by her passion for lifestyle preservation – helping her clients and their loved ones plan and prepare for their second 50 years of life. She specializes in working with high-net-worth individuals and families, as she helps them develop financial plans and investment portfolios to give them the financial confidence to enjoy their lifestyle without the fear of running out of money. Kathleen appreciates how the Institute has been a leader in trends, education and valuable content since joining as a member over 10 years ago. As a CPWA certified professional, she found that the program offered the most valuable education available for working with business owners and families. Additionally, she notes that the CPWA designation has taken her planning capability to a new level – through the advanced education in tax and estate which has helped her explain more specific strategies for clients to consider. Interesting facts about Kathleen: ?? She is was born in Germany. ??She started her life thinking she would become a dentist, practicing dental hygiene at her Dad’s dental office before changing professions and going back to school. She learned you never treat before you diagnose with is applicable in both professions! ?? Books she enjoys include, “10X is Easier Than 2X” by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Ben Hardy and “The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success” - audio by Deepak Chopra. ?? She is most grateful for her family who are the lights, joy, and driving forces of her life. We are grateful to have Kathleen as a member of our community! #wealthmanagement #investmentmanagement #CPWAcertification #financialindependence #retirementplanning #financialplanning

Webinar tomorrow! Plan to attend the “Commodities During Uncertain Times – Knowing What You Don’t Know!” webinar featuring Kevin Baum, CFA, CAIA, Chief Investment Officer at USCF Investments and Kurt Nelson, Managing Partner at SummerHaven Index Management, where they explore the fundamental properties of commodities that create impressive diversification benefits. Also hear how commodities can assist allocators for the remainder of this unpredictable year. Webinar is sponsored by USCF. ?? October 3, 2024 - 12:30PM - 1:30PM EST ?? Continuing Education Credit Opportunity ?? Register Today! https://lnkd.in/g58AjEqQ Registrants who hold their CIMA?, CPWA?, and RMA? certifications are eligible to receive 1 CE credit hour. CFP? attendees may receive 1 CE credit hour, pending approval. Can’t attend? Register anyway! You will receive instructions for accessing the recording within two weeks of the event which will be available for viewing for one year. The recording will be eligible for CE credit for Institute certified professionals who are unable to attend in person. #Investments #Business #Success #Market #WealthBuilding

That’s a wrap! Azish Filabi, closes out Strategy Forum 2024 with her riveting keynote session on artificial intelligence (AI) where she explored the ethical principles guiding the use of AI in financial services, the issues that concern financial regulators, and the practical implications for clients and advisors. It’s been an incredible week here at Strategy Forum 2024! We remain committed to providing financial professionals with the knowledge, insights and tools they need to best serve their clients and are thrilled to have been able to offer that through these impactful sessions. We are grateful for the hard work and dedication to all who made this possible. We look forward to seeing you next year! Eric Flett | Griffin Bridgers #IWIStrategyForum2024 #BusinessStrategy #Opportunities #ArtificialIntelligence

Our final day of Strategy Forum 2024 is upon us! Keynote speaker Merle Erickson began the day with an educational session on the various types of privately held businesses that can be sold in a manner that creates substantial tax savings to the acquirer. Merle touched on long-term tax planning strategies to consider along with real-life examples of businesses that experienced this tax benefit firsthand. #IWIStrategyForum2024 #BusinessStrategy #Opportunities #TaxPlanning

Lauren Eskreis-Winkler, PhD just concluded Day 2 of Strategy Forum 2024 with a powerful keynote session on the science of grit – inspiring the audience to foster grit within themselves, their teams and their organization’s culture. #IWIStrategyForum2024 #BusinessStrategy #Opportunities #Grit

Liz Young Thomas’ informative keynote presentation featured her detailed analysis on the evolving economic landscape and its direct impact on the stock market. Liz provided attendees with actionable insights to fuel their investment strategies and gain confidence in navigating through uncertain times. #IWIStrategyForum2024 #Investing #StockMarket #BusinessStrategy

Shannon Rosic, Don Friedman, CBDA and Juan F. Leon, CFA just wrapped up an engaging panel discussion on blockchain technology and why it matters. Attendees were left with key takeaways on when and how to have effective client conversations around digital assets. #IWIStrategyForum2024 #Investing #Blockchain #DigitalAssets