What was your best business decision?

To leave a successful career with a large Wall Street firm to start Balentine & Company with my dad in 1987.

Who were your heroes growing up and how did they influence your life and career?

My dad was always my hero. He taught me the virtues of hard work, integrity, and faith.

Where is the most exotic place you have ever been?

In September 2008, I went fly fishing in Northern Mongolia. That was also the week Lehman Brothers failed—not a good time to be on vacation!

What was your hardest lesson learned?

That you can’t change the culture of an organization unless you’re the one in charge.

What is the toughest business decision you’ve faced?

To resign as CEO of a publically traded investment management business and start over again as an independent firm in the depths of the Great Financial Crisis. But we had a vision to build the type of firm we’d hire to manage our own money—and we did it.

What are the big issues that Balentine and companies like it need to solve to truly benefit the parties they serve?

Ours is an industry mired in conflict and lack of transparency. As Charley Ellis famously said, “We’ve confused the economics of the business with the values of the profession.” At Balentine, our role is to simplify clients’ lives in a conflict-free setting, providing peace of mind and performance.

What inspires you to come to work each day? 

Balentine’s welcoming environment, combined with anticipation about learning something new, are both huge motivators.

What do you like to do in your down time away from work?

One of my biggest passions is Greek dancing, which I have been doing since I was four years old. Traditional costumes and music are paired with choreographed steps to form such an expressive experience. It’s the best way for me to bond with my culture!

Where is the most exotic place you have ever been?

Lunahuaná, Peru. I stayed in a country house where the organic garden onsite has over 300 species of plants. Down the road, I was able to go zip lining from mountain to mountain, ATV riding around town, and white-water rafting.

What is your favorite sport or activity? Why?

I love to watch football, both NCAA and NFL (Go Gators! Go Eagles!). I also love to play Ultimate Frisbee. If you think about it, it’s a mixture of football, soccer, and basketball, and there’s hardly any downtime while playing.

If you were a superhero, what superpower would you have?

The ability to be multiple places at once.

What was your best business decision?

Walking away from a comfortable position to join Robert Balentine and my other partners to reconstitute Balentine as an independent firm. It was a huge risk for my young family, but the opportunity to start with a clean slate and build a lasting firm to manage client assets the way in which we would want our own capital to be stewarded has been more rewarding than I could have imaged at the time.

If you weren’t in this business, what would you be doing?

Perhaps teaching in some capacity. Nothing is more rewarding than to help someone finally have that “a-ha!” moment. Having studied theoretical economics and applying those concepts in building my own business, I have developed strong opinions of what the textbooks are missing and how academia can benefit from a practical, entrepreneurial perspective.

What keeps you up at night?

Differentiating ourselves in a perceived “sea of sameness.” Many people believe that independent Registered Investment Advisers, brokers, trust companies, banks, and even consultants offer the “same thing,” when in fact there are important differences in business models and investment philosophies that influence outcomes. Often people spend more time planning their next vacation than planning their investment future.

How do you contribute to Balentine’s global perspective?

I was born in South Africa, continued my education in the UK, and began my career in London. My wife is from Augusta, GA, so we “split the difference” and decided to raise our family in Atlanta.

How and why did you get into this business?

I was drawn to this industry as a senior in high school watching the 1987 crash unfold. I was fascinated by what drove this machine called the market and wanted to know how it worked. While it is a centuries old mechanism, it is perhaps the purest form of capitalism in existence, and I saw “Wall Street” as an immediate way to convert hard work and knowledge into reward.

What was your best business decision?

To help found Balentine as an equity partner in December 2009.

Why did you choose to come to work at Balentine?

Despite the economic and market malaise at the time, it was a great risk-adjusted decision. As a founding partner, I enjoy having control of my own destiny, leaving an old guard traditional bureaucracy to participate in building a firm with people I truly like.

Why does Balentine exist?

Balentine exists to provide clients with a better alternative to managing all matters financially related and to develop, grow, and empower employees to become future leaders.

What do you think makes Balentine different from other wealth management organizations?

Our level of commitment. Passion is not just a word. I see it every day in the effort and emotion folks bring to their work.

What inspires you to come to work each day?

I love what I do. I have the latitude to execute/implement strategy, I know that my voice will be heard, and I appreciate the support I receive from my colleagues.

How and why did you get into this business?

My father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all in the finance industry, and I have to keep the family tradition alive for my generation.

What do you think makes Balentine different from other wealth management organizations?

Balentine is more willing to buck the norm and avoid the “that’s how things are done” mentality, particularly if those norms don’t help our clients meet their goals.

What inspires you to come to work each day?

I like coming to work every day knowing there’s a 100% chance that I’m going to learn something new.

If you weren’t in this business, what would you be doing?

One career assessment I completed in college told me my number one occupational match was fish farming.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what single creature comfort would you desire most?

I think sunscreen would be pretty key to my survival.

If you weren’t in this business, what would you be doing?

I would likely be working in the real estate industry. It’s a field that allows you to help people and also provides investment opportunities.

Who were your heroes growing up and how did that influence your life and career?

My mom is my greatest hero. She raised me as a single mother, and growing up, I witnessed her devotion to her family and her career. Watching her balance all aspects of her life so well instilled within me a lifetime of values that I will always follow.

What do you like to do in your down time away from work?

I enjoy playing tennis, trying new restaurants, and going to concerts with friends.

What was your biggest missed opportunity?

Turning down a tennis scholarship from a small college in favor of attending UGA, where I believed I would be more academically challenged. While I don’t regret my decision, I do think that it would have been a great opportunity.

Why did you choose to come to work at Balentine?

I reached a point where I didn’t feel like I was in control of my own professional destiny. I really wanted to be someplace where I could be more creative and make changes that didn’t take years to come to fruition. When we founded Balentine, we all had an idea of what we wanted to do differently. It’s exciting to start over knowing how we wanted to build the business and, for me personally, to build my operations team from scratch; you don’t get that very often. That being said, it’s the hardest thing that I’ve ever done, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

What was your best business decision?

Founding Balentine. Any of us could work anywhere in this industry. We could probably work fewer hours and be less stressed. We’re all here because we want to be here, and I think that’s the most important message for clients and staff. We made a choice to do this every day. This is not the easiest journey, but it’s the one that we think is the best.

What do you think makes Balentine different from other wealth management organizations?

We put a real premium on making life easier for clients. In this day and age, there is too much information, too many forms to fill out, and it becomes overwhelming. We try to have all those conversations internally, so that when we speak to clients we know exactly what it is they need and the best way to handle a situation. Clients have busy lives. Our goal is to make their lives easier, not to be the central focus of their lives.

What inspires you to come to work every day?

Helping people has always been a passion of mine. I wake up each morning eager to see who I can help and in what way I can make someone’s life a bit easier.

Why did you choose to work at Balentine?

Everyone I met and spoke with during the interview process seemed both passionate and proud to work for Balentine, which made me even more excited about this opportunity. Balentine is a place where you can grow and develop yourself within a tight-knit team.

What do you like to do in your down time away from work?

As a Savannah native, Atlanta is still relatively new to me, so I enjoy exploring everything the city and surrounding areas have to offer. My husband and I are foodies, so we love trying new restaurants, especially Mexican and Chinese cuisine. We’re also animal lovers, and our two cats and two dogs keep us busy when we’re not out and about.

Where is the most exotic place you’ve ever been?

Costa Rica, which is one of my favorite travel destinations. There are so many different things to experience—you can explore the rain forest one day, hike volcanoes the next, and end your trip with a relaxing day at the beach—and the coffee is amazing.

How and why did you get into this business?

Two of my passions are the financial markets and meeting new people. This industry provides the opportunity to continually expand my knowledge about the markets while also establishing strong relationships.

Why did you choose to work at Balentine?

The people. Balentine’s reputation within the investment management industry is due in no small part to its emphasis on hiring great people. I’m fortunate to be part of an incredible team.

What inspires you to come to work every day?

I have always loved learning, so working in an industry that is constantly changing gets me excited to come to work every day.

What do you like to do in your down time away from work?

My fiancé and I enjoy outdoor activities, including hiking and boating. We also adopted a cat named Ozzy who keeps us very entertained.

If you were abandoned on a deserted island, what single creature comfort would you desire most?

Given my complexion, a large bottle of sunscreen would be a necessity!

Why did you choose to come to work at Balentine?

The working environment at Balentine is reflective of the firm’s core values. We work incredibly hard on behalf of our clients and strive for excellence, but we still manage to balance work with family and community involvement.

What inspires you to come to work each day?

My team is inspiring. I’m also inspired by the environment at the firm; it truly feels like a best place to work.

What are the big issues that Balentine and companies like it need to solve to truly benefit the parties they serve?

Transparency and client education—nothing is so complicated that it can’t be explained in relatable terms. The more our clients understand what we do, the more we can help them achieve their goals, and the better they can objectively assess the kinds of help they receive.

If you were abandoned on a deserted island:

What three books would you want to have with you? The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald; The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne; The Complete Works of Shakespeare

What three CDs? 

“Graceland” by Paul Simon, “Settle” by Disclosure, and “Yeezus” by Kanye West

What single creature comfort would you desire most? 

My Clarisonic Plus—I like to be well exfoliated!

What do you consider a necessity in being successful?

Getting up early, procrastinating as little as possible, using your mind as often as possible to keep it fresh, and never assuming that you can’t get better.

How does your role fit in the big picture of serving clients?

To bring value to clients via prudent capital allocation and quality investment decisions.

What are the big issues that Balentine and companies like it need to solve to truly benefit the parties they serve?

Eliminating conflicts of interest (which, fortunately, Balentine has already done).

What do you think makes Balentine different from other wealth management organizations?

The value we put on client satisfaction, knowing that business success will come secondarily from that.

Who were your heroes growing up?

My grandmother, who escaped Europe just before World War II, as well as Ronald Reagan.

Why did you choose to come to work at Balentine?

I’d been thinking for a while about transitioning to the corporate world, and culture was very important to me. I was instantly drawn to Balentine because of its values, emphasis on client service, and great sense of team.

How does your role fit in the big picture of serving clients?

One of the Marketing Team’s goals is to make our materials accessible to all clients, regardless of their level of familiarity with wealth management. Given that I don’t come from a finance background, and thus am not as familiar with the technical jargon, I’m constantly checking to ensure that our communication with clients is as concise and understandable as possible.

What is your favorite sport or activity?

As a proud alumna, I’m a huge fan of all University of North Carolina sports, particularly football and men’s basketball. Go Heels!

If you weren’t in this business, what would you be doing?

I previously considered careers in education policy or school operations, but marketing and communications is my passion.

If you were abandoned on a deserted island, what three books would you want to have with you?

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes—I try to read at least 50 books a year—so it isn’t easy to narrow down to just three. My favorites are the classics, though, so I would want to bring The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

Why did you choose to come to work at Balentine?

I started my own investment firm in 1982. Robert started his investment firm in 1987. We kept up over the years and served on several boards together, including Reinhardt College. I sold my firm to Balentine & Company in 1998 and became Chief Investment Officer, so I have worked with Balentine for nearly 20 years. However, my first association goes way back; I actually hired Robert’s brother to paint my house when he was a teenager!

How did you get involved in this business?

I had the opportunity at the University of Chicago to be involved in the first set of studies of returns from the New York Stock Exchange, which were published in 1965. Before that, we had no documented record of how the returns from stocks really played out except for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The Chicago study basically took every stock on the NYSE from 1926 forward and came up with expected returns, and for the first time we had statistics that gave us a better handle on how returns were earned and how risk could be measured. That development was the creation of the consulting business; before that, there was no such thing as an investment consultant.

What do you think makes Balentine different from other wealth management organizations?

What you really have here is a group of people whose focus is doing the right thing for the client. Employees tend to have their nose to the grindstone and stay focused on completing activities at the highest-quality that they can achieve. The other thing that the firm is focused on is community involvement. This is a passion of mine, and I’m a big believer that people should be out working in the community. It’s encouraged here—the firm wants people to be involved in the community and to be out there giving back.

Why did you choose to come to work at Balentine?

I joined the firm in December 2009 as the first non-partner employee. I was attracted to the opportunity to work for a small organization while participating in the creation of a new firm.

What was your best business decision?

Serving as Balentine’s Client Transition Manager was a great experience for me. Having seen the struggles clients face when transitioning to a new firm, I had the opportunity to develop the Client Transition Manager role with the help of seasoned industry professionals. The role continues to provide value to all our clients. We have one group focused on the nuances of new client on-boarding while allowing our relationship management team to provide uninterrupted service to our existing clients.

What inspires you to come to work each day?

The opportunity to interact with interesting, intelligent, and motivated individuals. I also enjoy watching younger co-workers develop a love for the business and the supportive environment.

Why did you choose to come to work at Balentine?

Balentine’s values, culture, and staff reflected exactly what I wanted out of a company; I’ve never felt so welcomed and appreciated.

What was your best business decision? 

My best decision was to move to New York upon graduating from college. I knew almost no one and had no job lined up. However, New York taught me how to hustle and handle adversity in a way I never knew.

What is your favorite sport or activity?

Hands down, kickboxing. It’s my daily work out and the best stress reliever available.

If you weren’t in this business, what would you be doing?

I would most likely join my family’s food business. My mom owns a gourmet food-to-go and home goods shop called Simply Fresh Market. I’ve always loved to cook, so it seems natural to join her.

What inspires you to come to work each day?

Balentine has the people, experience, and leadership to make a tremendous impact on clients and change the landscape of the wealth management industry. It’s inspiring to be a part of that, and it motivates me to elevate my own role and contribution to the team.

What do you like to do in your down time away from work?

Read for pleasure (particularly with a mountain view), watch my kids play together, and host backyard Sunday cookouts with friends and family.

Where is the most exotic place you have ever been?

Český Krumlov, a magical town in the Czech Republic.

Why did you choose to come to work at Balentine?

The people. It’s exciting to join an organization with such talented team members who have not only an insatiable drive for excellence but also the conviction to care deeply for clients and each other.

What was your hardest lesson learned?

There is an internal battle we face every day, whether we realize it or not. We experience anger, envy, doubt, sorrow and regret, but we also experience joy, peace, kindness, empathy and generosity. We can choose which side of ourselves to feed.

What inspires you to come to work each day? 

I love what I do, but I REALLY love who I get to do it with. The Balentine team possesses a wealth of knowledge, demonstrates passion for the industry, is dedicated to our clients, and genuinely cares for one other.

Where is the most exotic place you have ever been?

Traveling is one of my passions. I’ve been to a handful of countries in Europe and South America, and I would love to continue exploring the world with my husband and daughter. The most exotic place I’ve been is Beijing, China. While there I ate a scorpion on a stick; he was a crunchy little guy.

If you were abandoned on a deserted island, what three books would you want to have with you?

I love books focused on strong women. From my most recent readings I’d choose The Glass House and Half Broke Horses, both by Jeannette Walls, as well as The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough, my childhood favorite.

How and why did you get into this business?

Investment management offers the rare combination of theory and practical application that is hard to find in other fields. It’s rewarding to take a complex idea and turn it into an actionable piece of advice.

Why does Balentine exist?

I believe that Balentine exists to provide clear, objective investment advice in a field where so many recommendations are fueled by motives that maybe aren’t so pure.

What inspires you to come to work each day?

Nothing about this industry is static, and no two days seem to be the same at Balentine. I enjoy being kept on my toes and being surrounded by people who have so much knowledge that they’re gladly willing to share with someone who is just starting out in this industry.

Where is the most exotic place you have ever been?

Skjolden, Norway. We camped on the side of a fjord in what turned out to be a goat farm.

How and why did you get into this business?

I have always enjoyed building relationships and helping people find solutions for their needs. I also find investments markets interesting due to their complexity and constantly changing nature.

Why did you choose to come to work at Balentine?

Balentine has an extremely talented group of men and women who are passionate about helping clients achieve their goals. I am thrilled to be a part of the team applying that same passion for success to broader institutional relationships.

What do you like to do in your down time away from work?

I love spending time with my family. My husband and I have three daughters with ages spanning 16 years between the oldest and youngest. Needless to say, there’s never a dull moment in our house. When not ferrying (or chasing) the girls around, I stay fit through trail running, obstacle course races, and snow skiing.

Where is the most exotic place you have ever been?

Bocas del Toro, an archipelago in the northern part of Panama (where I grew up), is the most exotic place I’ve been. Transportation is done primarily with water taxis, many of the islands have unpaved roads, and hotels are largely scant. I have never experienced the rural, natural beauty of this location anywhere else in all my travels; it’s an undiscovered gem lost in time.

What is your favorite sport or activity? Why? 

I love doing obstacle course races (OCRs), like the Tough Mudder. Unlike half marathons, OCRs are very team-based; it’s not about setting a personal best, it’s about accomplishing the course while helping others along the way. You can’t complete an OCR without the encouragement and help of others as you tackle each obstacle.

How and why did you get into this business?

I was in college studying management during the 2008 Financial Crisis. I become fascinated with the capital markets and their interconnectedness; as a result, I immediately changed my major to finance. I was fortunate to land a job in the finance industry right out of college and gained a very wide-angle view of investing.

How does the work you do make a difference?

I try to arm our relationship managers with the best possible information so they can offer clients meaningful insights into our strategies and managers.

What are the big issues that Balentine and companies like it need to solve to truly benefit the parties they serve?

Ensuring the fee that clients pay is well deserved. It is a passion of mine to lower the fee drag from the investors to the capital markets. Businesses like ours need to ensure that we add value over and above our fee.

What was your hardest lesson learned and how did you learn it?

Do not take on more than you can handle. While it still gets reinforced from time to time, I first learned it right out of school, when I thought I could balance much more than I should have.

Where is the most exotic place you have ever been?

I lived in Hawaii for three years during my time with the U.S. Navy, and now everywhere else pales in comparison.