Skip to searchSkip to main content
  • Stefanie Isaksen

    Meet Stef, Your Wealth Management Consultant & Founder 

    I started Ivy Way Placements because I’m emphatically driven by challenges—I thrive on them. I love pushing my limits and reflecting on how far I’ve come. I’m fiercely competitive with myself, but at the same time, I genuinely enjoy helping others succeed. So much so that I decided to make it my business. I believe that if you can help, you should; every time, every where, for anyone, whenever possible. Pay it forward and karma will pay it back.


    If people are lucky enough, someone, like me, comes along and lends them a hand. Introduces them to "their kind" of people. The kind that wait to hold the door open for you, when they see you coming. 


    I get the pleasure to work with over 80 different RIA firms in the US. All of them, CEOs, CFOs, COOs, owners, founders, etc., are people that I genuinely love helping. We chose to work together because we want to. We enjoy each other's company, believe in each other's mission, support each other's business, and trust each other's judgement of characters. 


    I can hold the door open for you too. You'd be surprised by whose numbers are in my phone. I've never been shy about making friends. Because at the end of the day, money and status don't impress me. I don't care what your title is, what kind of car you drive, or what your family name is. I care about helping anyone who is willing to work hard, do the right thing, and strive to be better.

    Job Openings
Lending a hand

The Struggle is Real

At its core, wealth management recruitment involves identifying, attracting, and retaining professionals who can offer personalized financial services. Albeit most companies are looking for a candidate with a book of $50m in portable AUM and a non-solicit. Now, I am not saying that is what everyone is looking for but is that standard. This sector demands a unique blend of skills, including financial acumen, interpersonal prowess, and a deep understanding of market dynamics. And honestly, if you have been advising for at least 10 years, then you should hold yourself to that standard too. Why? Because the goal is to build a team that can navigate the complexities of wealth preservation and growth for clients.


The Importance of Specialized Recruitment Strategies

Why can't wealth management firms rely on generic recruitment methods? The answer lies in the specialized nature of the services they provide, in addition to it being a heavily regulated industry. Clients entrust advisors with their financial futures, seeking personalized strategies tailored to their unique circumstances. Therefore, recruiting professionals in this game not only need to possess the technical expertise, but the ability to build trust and rapport is essential. One misstep in hiring can lead to thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) lost, client dissatisfaction, potential financial mismanagement, a disclosure against the firm, or a lawsuit. You know it's true. One wrong hire could ruin a company's reputation and its future.  Now imagine if that wrong hire were, let's say, someone at the managing director level. You could have morally compromised your entire operation with one person's character influence and oversight. Now you tell me, who better to have your back than a licensed IAR, with an entrepreneurial spirit, who also happens to be killer at poaching the best candidates? 

Understanding the Client's Needs

A successful placement begins with an in-depth consultation to learn about the firm’s culture, objectives, and the specific skills needed. We consider both technical and interpersonal qualities to identify ideal candidates. Allowing us to maintain a cohesive team environment and ensuring new hires align with company values.

Screening and Evaluating Candidates

Gaining access to hidden talent pools. Screening in wealth management goes beyond resumes. Specialized recruiters often know candidates who aren’t actively seeking new roles but would consider the right opportunity. This access can be a game-changer, enabling firms to find top talent that would otherwise be unavailable.

Conducting Interviews

We conduct interviews that dive deep into a candidate’s professional background, examining their problem-solving skills, client-management capabilities, and ethical outlook. Recruiters conduct rigorous assessments to gauge candidates' technical knowledge, past performance, and potential cultural fit. 

I don't deserve to get paid if I didn't do a good job. Bottom Line.  

Finalizing the hire. Once interviews are complete, our recruiter narrows the selection to a few top candidates and presents them to the firm. The recruiter then facilitates the hiring process, including salary negotiations and onboarding. A recruiter's track record often speaks volumes. In a world where top financial talent is in demand, wealth management recruiters are invaluable partners. Our expertise, network, and ability to understand both client and candidate needs make us critical to building high-performing teams. By partnering with a skilled recruiter, wealth management, accounting, investment, and institutional firms can attract professionals who will help them grow, adapt, and succeed in a competitive market.

Request More Information

  • Please let us know what information we can provide.