After years of devoted management, Mary Beth Storjohann will likely be stepping down from her position as Co-CEO of Abacus Wealth Companions. We’re deeply grateful for her contributions in shaping the agency’s strategic imaginative and prescient, fostering a tradition of inclusivity, and championing options which have strengthened each our staff and the shopper expertise. Mary Beth’s affect will likely be felt for years to come back, and we have fun all she has achieved throughout her time with Abacus.
With this transition, Neela Hummel will proceed ahead as sole CEO, main Abacus into the longer term. Neela’s journey with Abacus started in 2009 as an intern. Over time, she has held varied roles, together with monetary advisor, accomplice, and Chief Advisory Officer, culminating in her appointment as Co-CEO in 2022. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® skilled and acknowledged chief, Neela has persistently championed values-driven management, fostered innovation, and constructed a people-centered tradition that enables each shoppers and staff members to thrive.
In her varied roles, Neela has been instrumental in:
- Elevating the Shopper Expertise: Championing firm-wide efforts to deepen planning rigor, improve shopper advantages, and undertake built-in expertise—ensuring that shoppers obtain a contemporary and personalised expertise.
- Selling Gender Fairness: Launching the Abacus Sisterhood initiative and growing an industry-leading paid parental go away coverage, leading to over 50% of Abacus companions being girls, and over 50% of advisors being girls—surpassing the {industry} norm that averages simply over 20% in response to the CFP Board.
- Thought Management: Contributing to conferences like Barron’s Advisor Unbiased Summit and Dimensional Fund Advisor’s Girls and Wealth Summit, and being acknowledged on the Los Angeles Enterprise Journal’s 2024 listing of Girls of Affect: Finance.
Below Neela’s management, Abacus has:
- Modernized and personalised the shopper expertise, introducing instruments and planning approaches that meet shoppers the place they’re and assist their evolving monetary lives.
- Constructed a dynamic management staff that fosters collaboration, innovation, and client-first service.
- Continued to domesticate an inside tradition rooted in shopper hospitality, staff progress, and coronary heart.
The remainder of the Abacus management staff stays unchanged, guaranteeing continuity in our agency’s mission, operations, and dedication to the shoppers we serve. We’re assured that with Neela on the helm and our gifted management staff in place, Abacus is well-positioned to proceed making a significant distinction within the monetary lives of our shoppers and communities.
A Message from Mary Beth Storjohann
“After six deeply significant years at Abacus Wealth Companions, the time has come for me to step away from my position as Co-CEO.
This determination was not made frivolously. Main alongside Neela Hummel has been one of many best honors of my profession. Collectively, we navigated moments of transformation, championed daring concepts, and formed a tradition grounded in function, affect, and humanity. I’m extremely happy with the work we’ve executed and of the staff we’ve constructed—one which leads with each coronary heart and experience.
To our shoppers, companions, and the whole Abacus group—thanks. Thanks for the belief, the conversations, and the shared perception that monetary planning could be a software for empowerment and lasting change. I’m leaving with immense gratitude and full confidence within the management and route of this agency.
Whereas my subsequent chapter will take form outdoors of Abacus, I stay a proud shareholder and steadfast believer within the vital work taking place right here. I’ll proceed to cheer the staff on as they develop what’s potential in monetary planning.”
The Journey Forward
Please be part of us in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Mary Beth for her contributions, and in supporting Neela and the Abacus management staff as they information the agency into an thrilling and purposeful new chapter.