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In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director in Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, speaks with Jennifer des Groseilliers, CEO of The Mather Group. The conversation took place live during Schwab's recent IMPACT Conference in San Francisco.
Jennifer was recently named head of the $14 billion AUM firm, although she is a financial services veteran, having worked in advisory channels, first at Ameriprise and later at MetLife and MassMutual. She came to The Mather Group just a few years after the firm was acquired by private equity investor Vistria Group.
She leads a firm that has grown rapidly through a number of acquisitions in recent years, with the financial backing of Vistria. The firm currently has approximately 14 offices across the country, 175 employees and approximately 4,000 clients. It focuses on financial planning for high net worth individuals and HNWs, with a minimum account size of $1 million and a family office service model for clients with more than $25 million.
David and Jennifer discuss:
- Balanced approach to growth that includes scaling responsibly through both internal development and strategic acquisitions
- Mather Group's meticulous process that ensures new acquisitions align with their corporate values and culture
- How a recent acquisition brings an alternative investment specialist into the organization and how alts are incorporated into client portfolios.
- The firm's strategy for attracting and retaining top talent in the competitive RIA space, including a popular employee equity plan and a “robust” summer internship program that nurtures young talent in many of its offices.
- Why “emotional intelligence” is a key focus for leadership at The Mather Group and how it benefits client relationships and team dynamics.
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About our guest:
Jennifer des Groseilliers is Chief Executive Officer of the Mather Group. Jen cultivates a collaborative culture through inclusive and supportive leadership. Her unwavering commitment to keeping clients at the center of all endeavors guides her approach.
Jen's extensive professional experience includes joining MetLife Premier Client Group as a Managing Partner in 2013, leading an advisory force of over 160 financial advisors. She later became CEO of MassMutual Illinois in 2016, and in 2020, following a merger with WestPoint Financial Group, she assumed the role of Partner and Chief Experience Officer, leading various departments including Investments, Compliance, Practice Development and Financial Planning.