Breaking Racial Barriers and Changing the Face of Wealth

Welcome to WomenShare: a celebration of women in financial services. In this episode, our special guest is Atricia Roberts, Chief Operating Officer and partner at Curo Private Wealth. Atricia joins hosts Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman to discuss the imperative of embracing diversity in the financial services industry and the unique challenges she has faced and overcome in her career.

During her 20-year journey in the financial sector, Atricia has become a stalwart advocate for diversity and inclusion. She shares her insights on the significant role that women and people of color are poised to play in the changing landscape of wealth. From reaching out to historically black colleges and universities to mentoring upcoming talent, Atricia’s story is a testament to resilience, authenticity, and the power of inclusive leadership.

Atricia also offers practical advice on balancing work and personal life using the metaphor of juggling rubber and glass balls. She promotes her podcast, "Living Rich Lead with Curo," which delves into financial and personal life matters. Moreover, she shares her new-found passion for golf and emphasizes the importance of finding joy outside of work.

This episode is brimming with inspirational insights, heartfelt reflections, and actionable advice for those looking to make a difference in the financial industry.

Key Takeaways:

Embracing Diversity in Financial Services: Atricia emphasizes that the face of wealth is changing, with women and people of color taking a bigger share of wealth due to a substantial wealth transfer. This shift necessitates an industry-wide embracement of diversity and inclusive practices.

Unique Backgrounds Build Trust: Atricia highlights the importance of connecting with clients on a personal level. She believes that advisors, particularly women and people of color, can use their unique backgrounds to build trust and stronger relationships with clients.

Challenges and Triumphs: Reflecting on her early career at Merrill Lynch, Atricia candidly discusses the struggles she faced as a young black woman advisor in a predominantly white, male environment. Despite the setbacks, she found mentorship and guidance that helped her embrace her authentic self.

Proactive Diversity and Mentorship: Atricia discusses the slow progress in diversity in the financial planning industry and stresses the importance of being proactive in considering diverse candidates for roles. She also underscores the value of mentorship and sponsorship in creating opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Balancing Work and Personal Life: Using the analogy of juggling rubber and glass balls, Atricia shares her insights on maintaining a balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being. Giving oneself grace is key to navigating personal and professional growth.

Support and Allyship: We discuss the significance of being an ally, especially for women and people of color in the industry. Supporting each other in various roles and responsibilities is crucial for fostering a more inclusive environment.

Creating Inclusive Opportunities: At Curo Private Wealth, Atricia is actively involved in initiatives such as a summer internship program focused on diversity and inclusion. These efforts are essential in opening up opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in the financial services industry.

With mutual admiration and heartfelt discussions, this episode of WomenShare is a reminder of the importance of vulnerability, authenticity, and proactive engagement in fostering diversity and inclusion in the financial services industry. Join us in celebrating the strides made and the ongoing efforts towards a more inclusive future. Because when diversity and inclusion thrive, the entire industry evolves and prospers.

Listen to Atricia's podcast,