A Letter from our Co-Founder… Helping women with challenges they face in everyday life traditionally was not a focus for investment advisors and financial associates when I started in the business in the eighties. Back then, “guidance” was simply a term used when advising about “money” and it was more about “selling” an investment than giving objective advice about one. Back in those early days, there were also very few women in advisory positions who could have made a difference.

Most of us were still hitting up against the proverbial glass ceiling in the investment industry, struggling to get out of “administrative” or “operational” roles and into a client advisory position which were dominated by men. That’s not to say there weren’t a few of us who broke free and were able to begin working with clients and women in a holistic way. Nevertheless, as I was coming up in the financial world, I was fortunate to find a place for myself with innovative and exceptional firms that allowed me to help some truly gifted and passionate women excel in this industry.

Fast forward to today, and a new “sea change” is upon us. Viewpoints are shifting dramatically faster than over the last several decades. Expectations are changing and especially in the financial industry.

Now, there’s a surging (and well-overdue!) movement underway for women to make a stand, communicate our message and make a lasting difference in our own and our families’ lives.

As the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of SlateStone Wealth, I’m in the unique position to be a transformational advocate and contributor to the swelling shift taking place – for the better. My experience, knowledge, personal female viewpoint, and power – yes, power can aid women and families and help them gain greater confidence and control over their lives – and their finances too!

SlateStone’s women’s initiative has been enhanced and fully embraced by our firm’s entire advisory and wealth planning team. Preparing families and women to prosper and thrive across generations is among our highest priorities.

With statistics showing that women will control an estimated 70% of U.S. wealth by the end of the next decade, ultimately being solely responsible for managing their money – on their own – now may be the best time to find a reliable, skilled advocate to help secure your financial future.

After all, life isn’t typically a smooth ride. At one time or another, we will come face-to-face with an emotional or financial challenge that we feel ill-equipped to handle alone. Whether it’s a career change, caring for elderly parents, dealing with divorce, or the death of a loved one, or regaining harmony within the family unit, having a trusted advisor standing beside you can make all the difference.

We know that inevitably there comes a time when circumstances put us in situations where making the most informed financial decision is critical to our security and future. And, we take a step further, looking beyond money in order to help develop relationships within your family structure, and without.

The women of SlateStone are wives, mothers and daughters, and we understand the experiences women face – we are living them too. We are invested in investing in you — dedicating our time and resources towards helping women and their families change the way they approach their money and lives. Our leadership team brings decades of experience in financial services and family consulting to the advancement of our clients lives and wealth that goes beyond traditional asset management and planning.

In addition, we have assembled an outstanding collective of financial planners, portfolio managers, researchers, CPAs, estate planning attorneys, and business owners – internally and externally -- that SlateStone’s clients can connect with across a myriad of topics financial and non-financial relating to wealth and family dynamics. We are passionate about empowering women to stand on their own when life’s difficulties arise.

Sincerely,

Sherri