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Vanessa Martinez (left) and Lauren Genuardi (right), co-founders of Expressive Wealth. Credit: Rob Gaona from RG FILM/PHOTO

Industry Spotlight > Women in Wealth

3 Female Advisors Launch Women-Focused RIA

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Three female financial advisors have joined together to launch an RIA focused on women’s wealth, inheritance, affluent families and business owners. 

Chicago-based Expressive Wealth, which announced its launch Friday in a news release, has $200 million of assets under management and plans to grow that to $500 million by the end of 2024, according to Vanessa N. Martinez, the CEO and managing partner.

The advisors include Martinez; Lauren Genuardi, a CFP who will be chief compliance officer; and Darlene Duncan, a wealth advisor and partner.

Dr. Patricia M. Villarreal will be chief clinical officer, using her background in clinical psychology to help families chart their legacy paths.

They are joined by a director of portfolio strategy, paraplanner and two client service associates. The team is multilingual, including members who speak Spanish and Polish in addition to English. 

Although women have gained significantly in wealth in recent years and stand poised to control much of an estimated $30 trillion of wealth passing from spouses or family members through 2030, women remain heavily underrepresented among financial advisors. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards reported last week that women still make up less than a quarter of all certified financial planners, at 23.7%. 

Martinez said in an interview that she hopes her firm will help create more visibility for women in the profession, as well as offer more women services to help with managing their wealth. 

“Obviously, launching on International Women’s Day has a purpose, right?” she laughed. “We’re very proud of that. … I wanted to see more women in power positions.” The firm aims to attract more female advisors “that are looking for a home led by women,” she said. 

Expressive custodies with Schwab and offers holistic wealth management services, including financial planning, tax evaluation, portfolio management and estate planning. Although the firm has no current asset minimum to be a client, it typically works with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, Martinez said. 

At some point, the firm intends to offer pro bono services, for those who are not yet affluent.

“That is something that all three of us are adamant about, but I can’t say how many will be pro bono,” Martinez said. 

Martinez was previously recognized by Barron’s as a top female advisor and by Forbes as one of the nation’s top next-generation advisors. She is the co-founder with Villarreal, of Em-Powered Network, a group focused on helping female leaders and business owners with consulting, mentorship and networking. Martinez plans to transition that group into a nonprofit.

Vanessa Martinez left, and Lauren Genuardi, co-founders of Expressive Wealth. Credit: Rob Gaona, RG FILM/PHOTO.


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