Empowering Women in Finance Through Leadership and Mentoring

"I live for these moments of celebration, small things, large things, and just continuing to realize all the positive things that are happening in life."

Welcome to WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. Our latest episode features the brilliant mind of Terri Kallsen, Senior Operating Partner at RISE Growth Partners and an advocate for women in leadership roles. In this episode, we discuss the transformative minds of women leaders and the powerful concepts shaping their journeys.

Throughout this conversation, Terri Kallsen shares her experiences and valuable lessons learned from her extensive career. She emphasizes the importance of visibility, noting that seeing women in positions of authority can inspire others and bring diverse, enriching viewpoints to the forefront.

We also explore the concept of the "huddle," a supportive, strategic gathering akin to those in sports, which plays a crucial role in empowering women both professionally and personally. This episode is a treasure trove of career advice where Terri discusses the significance of questioning existing answers and discovering solutions collectively. The method of the "6 thinking hats" for comprehensive decision-making is underscored as an essential tool in diverse team environments.

As we navigate Terri's story, we touch on her balanced life achievements, including personal milestones like becoming an empty nester and engaging in family endurance races, termed as "gold marble moments." Her reflections highlight the importance of celebrating life's victories and staying connected with loved ones.

The episode is filled with actionable advice on organic growth in the financial services industry, focusing on leadership, business management systems, and client experience. Terri underscores the significance of providing clients with options rather than merely ticking off quotas - a perspective that reinforces client trust and business growth.

Key Takeaways:

Visibility of Women in Leadership: Seeing more women in positions of power can inspire and provide a diverse range of perspectives, making the path to success feel achievable for others.

The Power of the Huddle: Drawing parallels to sports, Terri emphasizes the value of supportive, strategic gatherings for women to plan, strategize, and support each other in various aspects of their lives.

Collaborative Problem-Solving: Effective team collaboration and questioning answers is crucial. Tools like the "6 thinking hats" method enhance decision-making by fostering diverse viewpoints in team environments.

Celebrating Personal Milestones: Terri's "gold marble moments" illustrate the importance of celebrating personal achievements and staying connected with family, enriching both personal and professional life.

Providing Clients with Choices: Prioritizing client choices over simply meeting quotas leads to stronger trust and growth in financial services, exemplifying a client-first approach.

Breaking Financial Industry Stigmas: Increasing the number of women and minorities in the financial planning industry not only diversifies the field but also breaks down stereotypes, encouraging more young people to join.

Strategic Partnerships in Growth: RISE Growth Partners helps RIAs maintain majority ownership while offering guidance for their strategic goals, highlighting the role of supportive partnerships in business advancements.

Mentorship and Executive Conversations: Terri is committed to mentoring women and minorities, providing access to executive-level discussions to help them overcome industry fears and gain crucial understanding.

Let's continue building spaces where women can thrive, lead, and revolutionize the financial services industry. Stay connected with WomenShare and join us in advocating for inclusivity and celebrating female empowerment in finance.