Rethinking Support for the Advisor Shift

The American College Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics in Financial Services and the American College Center for Women in Financial Services partnered with InvestmentNews on September 23 to host the webcast, “The Advisor Shift: Rethinking Strategic Support for the Workplace of the Future,” which explored how firms can better attract, support, and retain the next generation of advisors.

Moderated by Kaylee Ranck, PhD, director of the Office of College Research, the session featured insights from Azish Filabi, JD, MA, managing director of the Center for Ethics in Financial Services, and Lindsey Lewis, MBA, ChFC®, CFP®, managing director and chair of the Center for Women in Financial Services. Together, they discussed the changing landscape of the industry with a focus on Gen Z’s career motivations and expectations.

The webcast examined what motivates Gen Z to pursue careers in financial services, the barriers they face early in their careers, and how firms can adapt to meet their expectations. Findings from the study revealed that competitive pay, work–life balance, and a sense of purpose are top motivators, while unclear career pathways, lack of training, and communication gaps often create friction.

Drawing from the Center for Ethics in Financial Services’ recent “Voices from the Field: Ethics Challenges in Financial Advisory Practices” research, Filabi highlighted how conflicts of interest tied to compensation structures, inconsistencies around fiduciary duty, and the constraints of proprietary products shape the ethical challenges advisors encounter early in their careers.

The webcast highlighted how aligning incentives, governance, and mentorship can help firms reduce ethical dilemmas and strengthen client trust.

More on Supporting the Advisor Shift

• Watch the on-demand webcast to discover how fostering ethics and transparency can strengthen advisor development and long-term trust The Advisor Shift: Rethinking Strategic Support for the Workplace of the Future.
• Download the full Voices from the Field report to explore the findings and gain critical insights on how financial advisors navigate trust in practice management.