In this episode of “Focused on the Future,” industry veteran Suzanne Siracuse talks with Rita Robbins, founder and president of Affiliated Advisors, on the evolving treatment of women in the financial industry, the importance of focusing on clients’ adult children to capture next-generation wealth and the crucial role of networking in succession planning.
Specifically, Rita discusses:
- Her Journey: From starting as a sales assistant to becoming one of the first female wholesalers and eventually founding her own firm to serve advisors.
- Impact of Motherhood: How having her daughter inspired her to start her own firm.
- Industry Evolution: The changes in how women are treated in the financial industry.
- Next-Generation Wealth: How advisors can benefit by focusing on their clients’ adult children to capture the next generation of wealth.
- Charitable Giving: Why advisors should lean into charitable giving discussions with their clients
- AI Limitations: The key areas where AI cannot replace the human element.
- Succession Planning: The critical role of networking in planning for business succession.
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About Rita Robbins:
Rita Robbins combines more than four decades of industry experience with a proactive, personalized approach toward empowering her advisors. Since 1994, when she founded Affiliated Advisors, Rita’s passion is to support advisors grow dynamic, efficient businesses.
Rita and her partners now leads over 100 advisors with more than $4.5 billion in assets under management. Rita has been with Osaic for 20 years. Her unique insights and experience into enhancing advisors’ practice growth and marketing have made her a sought after at industry conferences.
Rita was honored by Investment News as a “Women to Watch” in 2019 for her distinguished leadership in advancing the business of providing advice with her passion, creativity, and willingness to help others. In 2020, Crain’s recognized Rita as a “Notable Women In Financial Services”. Last year she was honored with the Alexander Armstrong Lifetime Achievement award.
A long time New York City resident, Rita and her family enjoy taking advantage of all that that City has to offer. She is an avid New York City Ballet fan, and proudly serves as a Trustee of The Town Hall, a National Historic Landmark venue. Rita sits on several industry advisory board. She is a partner in the Lavender Hill Farm, one of the largest commercial lavender farms in the United States.