Tag: Andrew Evans
Building Representation and Openness in Financial Services with Melissa Reaktenwalt (Ep. 7)

Building Representation and Openness in Financial Services with Melissa Reaktenwalt (Ep. 7)

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Representation in financial services isn’t just about numbers. It’s about visibility, mentorship, and meaningful change.

In this episode, Andrew Evans talks with Melissa Reaktenwalt, MBA, CSRIC™, AIF®, Founder and CEO of EViE Financial Group, about her mission to bring more diversity and authenticity into the advisory space. Melissa shares how intentional visibility, openness to new talent, and personal practices for balance have shaped her firm and her life.

What to expect in this episode:

  • Melissa’s intentional efforts to create representation by showing up on stages, conferences, and podcasts
  • Why openness is key when bringing in younger talent and new voices into firms
  • The challenges smaller and younger firms face compared to “OG” legacy firms
  • The ongoing push for diversity, equity, and inclusion in financial services and why awareness isn’t enough
  • How Melissa balances leadership with personal wellbeing through intentional rest, rage runs, and trusting her team
  • And more!

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Connect with Melissa Reaktenwalt:

About Our Guest: 

As the Founder and CEO of EViE Financial Group, Melissa Reaktenwalt leverages nearly 20 years of experience in financial services along with credentials as a Chartered SRI Counselor (CSRIC™) and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) to help individuals and small businesses achieve financial wellness and sustainability. She specializes in socially responsible investing (SRI), aligning clients’ values and goals with their investment strategies and decisions, as well as whole-self financial planning.

Melissa is passionate about empowering clients with actionable education and guidance on managing their investments, planning for their financial future, and reaching meaningful milestones. She frequently shares her insights through public speaking, educational workshops, and writing, covering topics such as financial planning, wealth literacy, business ownership, firm growth, marketing, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

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From WealthTech Chaos to Clarity with Larry Shumbres (Ep. 6)

From WealthTech Chaos to Clarity with Larry Shumbres (Ep. 6)

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The WealthTech space is bursting with options, but more choices don’t always mean better solutions.

Why are so many firms building one-off tools without considering the full advisor experience? And how can entrepreneurs design, grow, and even sell companies in this crowded market?

In this episode of The Outstanding Shift, Andrew Evans talks with Larry Shumbres, CEO and Founder of Archive Intel, about the state of WealthTech, the power of user stories, and the steps to successfully grow and exit a tech company. Larry also shares insights on AI adoption and the importance of iterative product development.

Larry discusses:

  • The evolution of WealthTech and why too many disconnected tools frustrate advisors and firms
  • How the lack of user stories and persona mapping leads to gaps in product functionality
  • The importance of building for smaller firms first, iterating, and scaling up to enterprise clients
  • Why advisory firms risk falling behind if they avoid AI and how to integrate it effectively
  • Key metrics, processes, and readiness steps for selling a tech company at a strong valuation
  • And more!

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About our Guest: 

Larry Shumbres is a seasoned entrepreneur and prominent figure in the FinTech sector, is dedicated to elevating the investment journey for both advisors and institutions through innovative and regulatory-compliant technology. With a wealth of experience spanning over 20 years and affiliations with industry giants like Charles Schwab, Morningstar, and New York Life Investments, Larry’s expertise is widely acknowledged. He recently founded, developed, and successfully exited Totum Risk, a pioneering risk tolerance platform, to TIFIN. Prior achievements include building SmartVision by eVestment, acquired by Nasdaq, and leading the sales team at eMoney, culminating in their acquisition by Fidelity. A sought-after advisor, Larry sits on multiple corporate boards, contributes to NASDAQ as a writer, publishes articles in industry journals, and has been featured in interviews on Bloomberg.

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Practical AI for Real-World Use with David Evans (Ep. 5)

Practical AI for Real-World Use with David Evans (Ep. 5)

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What does artificial intelligence really mean for industries like finance, and why do so many get it wrong?

In this episode of The Outstanding Shift, Andrew Evans sits down with his brother, David Evans, Senior Machine Learning Model Developer at Duolingo, who had previous stints at Google and other major tech companies. Together, they dig into the myths, fears, and realities of AI, from its 70-year evolution to the transformative “Attention is All You Need” paper, and how today’s large language models (LLMs) can be powerful workflow tools rather than just flashy novelties.

Andrew and David discuss:

  • Why finance has been slow to adopt AI and what is really behind that hesitation
  • The surprising ways AI can (and cannot) think
  • Practical, compliance-conscious steps for integrating AI into your daily work
  • How to spot hype versus real utility in an AI tool
  • And more!

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About Our Guest:

David Evans is a Senior Machine Learning Model Developer at Duolingo, specializing in large language model applications for language learning. With a career that spans Google, multiple tech startups, and cutting-edge AI research, David brings a unique perspective on how AI is built, deployed, and adapted to solve real-world problems. His current work focuses on creating high-quality, freeform conversation experiences for Duolingo Max users, blending technical expertise with an understanding of human learning.

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Why Gen Z Thinks Finance Needs a Makeover with Caileigh Carfang & Drew Keesee (Ep. 4)

Why Gen Z Thinks Finance Needs a Makeover with Caileigh Carfang & Drew Keesee (Ep. 4)

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What happens when you ask Gen Z why the financial advisory industry “sucks?”You get the truth, and it’s exactly what the industry needs to hear.

How do younger professionals really view financial advisors? What are they craving in a workplace, and where is the industry falling short?

In this episode, Andrew Evans is joined by Caileigh Carfang, Administrator at Rossby Financial, and Drew Keesee, Technical Liaison at Rossbyl. Together, they take an unfiltered look at what Gen Z wants from financial services, both as clients and as professionals. 

Key Points:

  • Gen Z perceives financial advisors as unnecessary due to the abundance of online information, yet many overlook the importance of guidance and accountability
  • The financial industry often feels exclusive or intimidating to younger and less affluent individuals, especially women
  • There’s a strong need for consolidation of tools and better workflow systems to reduce stress and complexity for both advisors and staff
  • Over-reliance on automation and AI has led to a loss of genuine human interaction, which Gen Z values more than expected
  • A shift in mindset is happening, with younger generations craving personalized advice and authentic relationships in their financial journeys
  • And more!

Previous Episodes of Interest:

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Building a Future-Ready Firm and Living with Curiosity with Frances Toler (Ep. 3)

Building a Future-Ready Firm and Living with Curiosity with Frances Toler (Ep. 3)

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What does it take to build a financial practice that thrives beyond your own career and still leaves you time to pursue passions?

In this episode of The Outstanding Shift, Andrew Evans sits down with Frances Toler of Toler Financial to discuss intentional business structuring, succession planning, and the balance between personal identity and professional life. 

Fran also shares her deep love for birding, how nature fuels her curiosity, and why exploring outside the office matters just as much as growth within it.

Fran discusses:

  • The challenges seasoned advisors face in retiring and why many avoid it
  • Strategies for creating a multi-owner, department-led firm for long-term continuity
  • How to maintain personal identity without letting your practice completely define you
  • The value of curiosity and nature exploration as personal and professional inspiration
  • Birding as a gateway to understanding the interconnectedness of the natural world
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Rossby Financial: 

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Connect with Frances Toler: 

About our Guest: 

Frances Toler, CEO of Toler Financial Group, provides fee-based financial planning and investment management for a diverse clientele. Fran celebrates over 23 years of experience in helping people, families, and businesses discover, plan, and implement strategies to achieve the security and prosperity they value. Many of her clients seek out her experience with sustainable investment options, income strategies, and a “planning first” approach.

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Lindsay Evans on Building Products People Actually Want (Ep. 2)

Lindsay Evans on Building Products People Actually Want (Ep. 2)

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Do your products solve real problems or are they just shiny distractions?

Lindsay Grace Evans, VP of Product at Kare Technologies, joins her husband and host Andrew Evans to unpack what it takes to create meaningful products and services.

They explore how curiosity, transparency, and intentional iteration lead to better outcomes for both businesses and their clients.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to shift from good intentions to outstanding impact.

Key Takeaways:

  • The importance of understanding the deeper “why” behind what customers say they want
  • How product design should focus on outcomes and emotional impact, not just functional features
  • The role of failure, iteration, and curiosity in building better products and services
  • How oversaturation and complexity (especially in fintech) dilute effectiveness and client satisfaction
  • How advisors and companies can engage users meaningfully through dialogue, not just surveys
  • And more!

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Connect with Lindsay Grace Evans: 

About our Guest: 

Lindsay Grace Evans is a passionate product leader dedicated to enhancing the user experience and expanding access to care for older adults. Growing up surrounded by grandparents and great-grandparents, she developed a deep sense of empathy, patience, and a drive to solve complex problems,  values that continue to shape her approach to leadership and innovation. Combining this personal connection with her expertise in product strategy, she is committed to delivering innovative, data-driven solutions that improve the quality of life for seniors, caregivers, and care teams alike. She believes the most impactful products stem from a balance of quantitative insights and deep human understanding, ensuring that technology not only solves problems but also reflects the needs, dignity, and experiences of the people it serves.

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