Catherine Trinder Miller
Financial advisor, Pando Partners Wealth Management, Raymond James & Associates
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Years in Securities Business: 23
In life, there are many challenges and managing major transitions are the hardest. I was born in England, but I was raised and educated here. My family moved a significant amount. These transitions came with a pretty healthy dose of the unexpected. But they also inspired me to take thoughtful risks in my life and to embrace change as an opportunity instead of something to be loathed or feared.
Im a newcomer to wealth management after 23 years in the financial services industry. I worked primarily on the institutional side. Transitioning into wealth management was really about self-exploration.
The catalyst was when my daughter, Grace, was born. I asked myself: Whats important to me? How can I bring these things together and harmonize them so it doesnt feel like a trade-off? I realized my priorities were my career, family, my community and myself.
For my partner, Teri Benson, and me, Pando Partners is the realization and harmonization of our life priorities. A few years into my career, Teri was the first person I hired on my team. We worked together for several years and then went our separate ways. We stayed friends while hoping we could come back together. Thats how Pando Partners was born.
The practice is named after a forest in Utah. Its a single organism with a single underlying root structure. In nature, its the clearest example of the power of the multiplying effect. Its what inspires us because what Teri and I want to do is multiply effects for our clients.
Our clients are people like us. They are working for their families and theyre open to education. They are passionate about supporting community causes grounded in social good and collaboration. What inspires pride for me is when I sit beside my clients as friends. Ive supported them in causes they were passionate about whether it was running alongside them, financially supporting them or affecting positive changes in their life.
When I was at Wharton, a professor taught me about the concept of a four-way win. Pando is a perfect example. It gives me a way to use my unique skills to serve others. I can impact my family and teach my daughter the power of giving back. I can show what I value personally and professionally through establishing these relationships.
As told to Maddy Perkins.
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