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December 13, 2021 at 08:49 PM
As president of Carson Group, Teri Shepherd is focused on strategic planning and development, financial forecasting and analysis, as well as continuous improvements to optimize the client experience.
Shepherd heads the operations, technology, compliance and legal teams that oversee more than 110 advisor firm locations.
She was the first female executive to join the Carson Group team and says the percentage of female advisors at the firm has grown significantly under her watch.
But there is more work to do. Shepherd pointed to an estimate by Barron’s that only 20% of financial advisors are women (including only 12% of the top 100) and an estimate by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards that 23% of CFPs are women.
Via email, we asked a series of questions that touched on not only her professional knowledge but what she does off the clock as well.
1. What industry statistic are you watching most closely right now?
Teri Shepherd: The number of women in our profession.
2. How has it been changing recently, and how do you expect it to change?
With the Great Resignation of 2021 and the increasing demands of being a working parent, I am tracking this number carefully.
At Carson, we are passionate about increasing diversity in our profession, including women.
3. What would you suggest advisors do about it?
Encourage, coach and mentor women in your office to get their CFP. Give them confidence and a clear career path for how they can contribute to the firm’s growth and client experience if they take on a new opportunity.
4. Who or what critical source of information do you track, or follow online, to keep up with this trend?
I track Barron’s and the CFP Board metrics. I also monitor women’s conferences and networking groups to identify trends and assess initiatives that are making a difference.
5. Are you changing any of your work habits at this stage of the pandemic? Why or why not?
