PLANADVISER: Tell us about your role at your firm and how you contribute to its growth and progress.
DeGabriele: At LHD Retirement, I wear several hats. As a partner and financial adviser, I either lead or support about half of our clients. Additionally, I serve as the chief investment officer, chair the investment committee and manage compliance and operational tasks.
I’m also responsible for both business development and the growth of our team. We believe that our success depends on our team’s development, so we emphasize continuous learning from both successes and challenges. This mindset is integral to our leadership approach.
For our clients, this means constantly enhancing our services, staying ahead of industry trends and ensuring compliance. It also involves actively engaging with their teams through compelling financial wellness initiatives and being directly accessible. My approach ensures that employees know who I am, recognize my commitment and trust me to address their questions. Retirement planning is a complex, nonlinear journey, and having a trusted expert is crucial for employees.
PLANADVISER: Where do you hope to take your career in the retirement industry in coming years?
DeGabriele: In the coming years, I aim to advance my career in the retirement industry by focusing on three key areas. First, I plan to deepen my expertise in retirement planning, staying ahead of industry trends and regulations to offer the most effective strategies and solutions. Second, I am committed to enhancing financial literacy and wellness programs, making them more accessible and impactful for participants. By integrating innovative tools and personalized approaches, I hope to drive better retirement outcomes.
Additionally, I want to give back to the industry by actively participating in initiatives that promote industry-wide improvements and best practices. This includes mentoring emerging professionals, sharing knowledge through industry forums and events, and supporting efforts to address systemic challenges within retirement planning. My goal is to foster a more informed and secure retirement experience for individuals while contributing to the industry’s overall advancement. Ultimately, I strive to be a trusted adviser who not only leads by example, but also works toward elevating the standards and impact of the retirement industry.
PLANADVISER: What steps do you think will help improve the retirement industry and participant outcomes in the future (particularly ways in which your firm can help with that progress)?
DeGabriele: To enhance the retirement industry, we must focus on improving participant outcomes. Effective retirement planning and better plan sponsor ROI will build trust in the industry.
Improving financial literacy is crucial. Many participants lack the knowledge to plan effectively for retirement throughout their careers. To improve outcomes, we need to engage participants on their terms, addressing their concerns in real time through various mediums such as in-person meetings, newsletters and videos.
Plan design also plays a vital role. Auto features, re-enrollment and similar strategies are essential for boosting participant utilization and retirement outcomes. Advisers should advocate for these features, even if plan sponsors are hesitant.
Our firm supports this by being innovative with plan design and engaging directly with participants. I believe that participants who know and trust me are more likely to engage with their plans, and that trust is built through consistent, independent advice.