Helping Foundations Make A Better Impact

Shannon Gephart says one of the best things about her role at Bell Bank is knowing the work she does as a vice president and wealth management advisor makes a difference — not only for her clients, but also for the customers those clients serve.

For example, one client she works with in the Twin Cities funds a variety of causes, including a program which provides free two-hour lake tours for veterans.?

Another client recently advised Shannon that any excess funds in their budget would help build a hospital overseas.

“When I hear those stories, it solidifies the importance of what we do and makes the work more meaningful,” Shannon comments. “It makes me feel like what I do really does good in the world.”

Shannon works primarily with businesses and nonprofit organizations, helping them invest donations according to their goals, values and needs. Then, when they need to use the money, Shannon helps coordinate those distributions. She also assists with donor education — helping donors understand how stock gifts and other donations are processed and invested on behalf of the organization.

After graduating from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, Shannon was debating whether to go to law school or pursue a Master of Business Administration degree. A mentor suggested she consider working in trust. Shannon found it was a great way to combine her fascination with law and her aptitude for cultivating relationships — and she’s been doing it since 1998.

With her paralegal background, Shannon started out reading and interpreting legal documents for trusts and wills. She eventually added elements of finance and investing and found she also enjoyed that aspect of her career.

?“What’s kept me working in wealth management for more than 20 years are the relationships,” Shannon notes. “Each client’s story is different, and I enjoy building those relationships and getting to know my clients better.”

Along the way, Shannon has also attended the American Bankers Association National Trust School and National Graduate Trust School, and she has earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER? (CFP?) and Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) designations.

Shannon joined Bell in 2018, after spending 20 years at other financial institutions, working mostly with individuals and retired couples.

“I enjoy helping clients navigate f inancial decisions that can be complex,” Shannon notes. “What I f ind really exciting about working with institutional investments is learning what my clients’ missions and goals are and knowing the work I do helps them fulfill their missions and reach their goals.”

Originally from Minot, N.D., Shannon and her husband, Rob, live in Fargo and have two kids.??