Angela Pecoraro, CEO, Advicent
Accomplishment(s): Our business started more than 25 years ago, and it is both our challenge and our opportunity to remain relevant and innovative for the next 25 years. I'm thrilled to serve as Advicent's CEO, leading the company through the largest platform expansion we've embarked on in recent years.
As we set out to disrupt an entire industry with a new approach to financial planning, we quickly realized that, in order to be successful, we needed to transform our entire business. That meant we needed to think and behave differently. The status quo would no longer suffice.
I am extremely proud of the hard work and determination that our talented group demonstrated over the several months. The transformative work they have achieved to this point has set our business on a path toward great success. Recent accomplishments include platform improvements such as the NaviPlan visual design refresh, and the introduction of NaviPlan Guided Retirement.
Also, we have defined a new approach to data science with regard to three distinct areas — data governance, business intelligence, and analytics. The resulting benefit of this initiative is the ability to deliver more personalized, comprehensive financial planning experiences across all advisor segments.
How to get more women into WealthTech: Understand the skills you bring to bear and how those skills may be transferable into a new role or industry. Anyone can learn how to succeed in a new industry if motivated and interested in doing so.
Never be afraid to redefine yourself or your role. You shouldn't just think of yourself as the employee who can do X, Y and Z. Trying new things and taking on new responsibilities is key for learning and growing. Be eager to do more, and be humble enough to learn from the men and women around you — regardless of the industry where you work.
I know that first-hand. When I started my career after graduating from college, I worked alongside my father at a family-owned auto dealership. I learned so much about negotiating and building relationships, and understanding people's perspectives and goals.
But when I entered the tech field a few years later, I still thought of myself as "the car girl," and looking back, I did myself a tremendous disservice. I picked up many transferable skills at the auto dealership, and I should have appreciated the opportunity to redefine myself when I entered the corporate world.
Luckily, the CEO of the tech company where I first worked, who interviewed me, helped me understand how much good I could bring to my job as a result of my experiences at the auto dealership. This CEO became a longtime mentor and personal friend, and has taught me so much.
