Lila Marantz on Her Team and Serving Clients in Stifel’s Honolulu Office

Stifel has offices across the country, including in Hawaii – and our Honolulu office has been going above and beyond for clients.

Across the country, Stifel’s financial advisors work hard for their clients.? From developing strategies, getting answers from the home office, attending meetings, and more, they take care of their clients – and our Honolulu office is no exception.

To get the inside scoop on Stifel’s Hawaii office, I spoke with Lila Marantz, First Vice President/Investments, about the office’s atmosphere and her colleagues.? We also discussed aspects of her personal life, such as how she balances raising a family and having a successful career, and her recent inclusion on Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Advisors and Best-In-State Women Advisors lists.

The Hawaii Stifel Office

Following the financial crisis of 2008, Lila and a financial advisor named Tom Cook transitioned to Stifel in 2011.

“We came to Stifel because the firm didn’t take any TARP funds,” she explains.? “It was a firm that was run conservatively and put the client first –?and the advisor, too, because the advisor is an extension of the client.”

Needless to say, the move to Stifel has paid off well.

“It’s been a great fit for me, Tom, and our team members:? Registered Client Services Associate Aron Ewen, Operations Coordinator Kedan Frank, and Toby Martyn, our Branch Manager.? We’re all really happy with Stifel,” Lila says.? “I’ve found that other firms paint everybody with the same brush and don’t take a personal interest in advisors.? Instead, they push products down your throat and demand you attend meetings or start work at a certain time.? It’s such an awkward dynamic.”

Fortunately, Stifel isn’t like that.

“There’s a lot more freedom here because Stifel trusts its advisors and knows we know our clients best,” she says.

Together, the team in Hawaii has found immense success.? Not only have they provided clients with excellent service throughout the years, but they have also been recognized for their work.? For example, Lila has been named to numerous lists, including Working Mother's Top Wealth Advisor Moms 2022, Forbes' America's Top Women Wealth Advisors 2020, Forbes' Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisors 2022 and 2023, and Forbes' Best-in-State Wealth Advisors 2021, 2022, and 2023.

“I was surprised and humbled to be included on these lists,” Lila says, and she credits Stifel’s marketing team and her colleagues at the Hawaii office.

“My partner has been extremely helpful to me.? We work really well together, and he comes up with great ideas.? Aron and Kedan are also fantastic at what they do.? But I also need to credit my husband, George, who has been on board with my sometimes-demanding career and schedule over the years.”

Stifel: A Place for Families

One of Lila’s favorite things about Stifel is how family-friendly it is.

“I start really early, so I bring my youngest daughter into the office in the mornings.? She sleeps on a blow-up mattress from 5:15 until 7:30 a.m., and then I wake her up, give her breakfast, and take her to school,” Lila explains — and she’s not alone.? One of the assistants also brings her children in when she can’t find a sitter.

“No one says, ‘No, you can’t do that.’? It shows that Stifel isn’t just promoting having a family-like dynamic within the workplace.? They’re also championing that attitude by encouraging us to focus on our own families and allowing people to take care of their children and work.”

As a woman with a multi-faceted life encompassing more than just her career, Lila appreciates that Stifel gives its workers autonomy and enables a healthy work/life balance.

“This job allows you to do other things, whether that’s dropping our children off at school, taking them to sports practice, spending time with our families or significant others, or something else, such as volunteer work that strengthens our communities,” she says.? “As long as you can maintain excellent work for your clients, you have autonomy in running your business and hours.”

The Stifel Family

Additionally, Stifel itself can feel a little like a family.

“Our team members are close with one another,” Lila says.? “We’re all good workers and put business first.”

Last year, she brought in manapua (Hawaiian Char Sui Bao) and other meals for the office to celebrate their accomplishments together, and she wants to get back into the habit of bringing food for them to share again.??

“Stifel has always felt more like a family business.? It’s one telephone number to reach the home office, and a human being answers the phone and connects you to the department you need,” she says.? “Every time I’ve talked to somebody at Stifel, they’ve been polite and gone above and beyond to get answers for me quickly.? You don’t get that at other firms.? And keep in mind that Stifel isn’t small.? Even so, I’m provided with all of the scope, tools, and breadth to take care of all my clients.”

Working Mother’s Top Wealth Advisor Moms, July 22, 2020, based on the 12-month period ending March 31 of the year of publication. Forbes’ America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors, April 21, 2020, and Forbes’ Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisors, February 4, 2022 and February 2, 2023, each based on the 12-month period ending September 30 of the year prior to publication, and Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, February 11, 2021, April 7, 2022, and April 4, 2023, each based on the 12-month period ending June 30 of the year prior to publication, are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and selected from a pool of nominations as indicated in the methodology. Neither SHOOK Research, Forbes, nor Working Mother receive compensation from the advisors or their firms in exchange for placement on a ranking. The rankings may not be representative of any one client’s experience and are not indicative of the financial advisor’s future performance. Investment performance is not a criterion for selection. Forbes is a registered trademark of Forbes, Inc. All rights reserved. For more information on the selection methodology, see www.stifel.info/award-disclosures.