Barron's Advisor

Michelle Magner, Partner at Socium Advisors known for creating a ‘defensive planning’ framework and scaling AUM massively. She discusses evolving from portfolio-only thinking to integrated defensive planning. Topics include mentoring next-gen advisors, scaling via pods and M&A, serving UHNW families, women in advising, and using AI as an efficiency tool while keeping human judgment.

Kelly Gaur, regional VP and shareholder at Mercer Advisors with roots in private banking, explains how business development roles open pathways into wealth management. She discusses moving from banks to an RIA, why BD-only teams boost advisor capacity, modern outreach through community and hobbies, and the technical skills that accelerate non-advisory careers.

Liz Ann Sonders, chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab with decades of Wall Street experience. She discusses how AI could boost productivity while displacing jobs. She contrasts modern retail trading with long-term investing. She explains K-shaped, rolling recessions, market concentration risks, inflation as the key watchpoint, and fiscal and Fed policy challenges.

Mollie Colavita, CEO of J.P. Morgan Advisors who builds private wealth businesses, discusses modern advisory strategy. She explores how disciplined tech and AI streamline workflows and amplify client relationships. She talks about adopting a CEO mindset, leadership workshops, team dynamics, and giving clients on-demand access to their financial lives.

Nate Fisher, Managing Director and wealth advisor at Carson Wealth known for building a client-focused practice in rural New England. He discusses translating coaching skills into financial advice. He shares how outdoor community connections deepen client relationships. He explains choosing a cultural fit for a firm partnership and how to communicate and manage transitions with clients.

Robert Crossley, Franklin Templeton’s head of industry advisory services who led research on retirement shifts, discusses how tech, demographics, and investor habits are reshaping retirement planning. He covers limits of legacy systems and why change is urgent. Conversations touch on wallets replacing accounts, AI agents automating financial choices, stablecoins and payments, and how advisors must personalize to stay relevant.

Eleni Mavramati, Merrill private-wealth COO who oversees operations, HR and business development for a large team. She talks about the evolution of COO duties, daily orchestration of compliance and marketing, creative referral tactics like events, and the future focus on organization, AI and culture to boost team performance.

Katie Partridge, managing director at Morgan Stanley's 545 Group who advises tech founders on equity and liquidity, discusses serving founders with dedicated teams and network-driven relationships. She covers equity-comp and tax strategy, AI's role in early conversations and prep, and creative liquidity solutions like synthetic CRT dividends. The conversation stresses patience, building teams, and using private-market tools.

Stan Greger, CEO of Summit Financial with 30+ years in banking and wealth management, discusses scaling advisory firms. He covers leadership shifts, capital decisions, and partnership models. Conversation touches on culture as a growth lever, rigorous recruiting and partner fit, and making firms partnerable and monetizable.

Nancy Daoud, CEO of a private wealth practice with 30+ years in asset allocation and retirement planning. She discusses how technology reshaped portfolio construction. She contrasts questionnaire risk answers with real behavior. She outlines longevity-driven planning and a three-bucket income approach. She explains using alternatives as downside guardrails and the role of education to keep clients on track.