An advisor who oversaw $1.2 billion joined Verdence Capital, a $2 billion RIA with ambitious growth plans.
Meg Sheil-Puopolo, who previously worked at Fidelity Investments, joined Verdence in Baltimore where she will serve high-net-worth clients and families. Hires such as Sheil-Puopolo are key to Verdence’s expansion efforts, says CEO Leo Kelly.
Verdence, which was
“What we know is that as we grow AUM, it affords us the resources to build out this offering,” Kelly says.
The move comes on the heels of a number of
But recent departures from the Broker Protocol have complicated some of these career transitions. For instance, non-protocol member firm Morgan Stanley
For her part, Sheil-Puopolo says she was drawn to Verdence because of its resources, corporate environment, fiduciary status and the opportunity to be part of something “growing from the ground up.” She knew of Verdence because of her friendship with the firm’s COO.
“I met with the team and I was really impressed with them and their unique way of doing planning. It’s really collaborative,” she says.
Consolidation has been ongoing for more than a decade in wealth management, but it accelerated to unprecedented levels this year.
As Filed co-founder & CEO, Leroy Kerry leverages expertise from scaling some of Europe's fastest-growing fintechs, including scaling Iwoca from a team of 5 to unicorn status to serving as a founding member at Juni. Leroy's experience blends strategic growth, operational scaling, and talent development, uniquely positioning him to transform legacy industries through technology.
Christian Greyenbuhl, Chief Financial Officer at Ministry Brands, is a high performing finance leader who brings operations and finance experience through a variety of senior roles in global public and private companies. He was most recently responsible for leading Xplor Technologies' FP&A, M&A, and Investor Relations functions. While at ADP he was the General Manager of Globalview North America; prior to which he held various senior finance leadership roles including SVP Investor Relations. He is both a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland as well as a C.P.A. Christian has lived on four continents, speaks three languages, and currently lives in Georgia with his wife, four children and their Golden Retriever, Leo.
Kelly says he was “excited” about the prospect of hiring after that meeting. “She passed the first and foremost important test: She fit the culture. She was client first, and passionate and caring. You can’t fake passion and caring.”
Sheil-Puopolo had been with Fidelity for 18 years, having transitioned into financial planning after working as a molecular biologist.
Sheil-Puopolo says preferred affiliating with an existing RIA to starting her own because she didn’t want to be tied down with burdens of running a firm. “I enjoy getting to know my clients, planning and building relationships. That’s what I wanted to be at the forefront of what I am doing.”
Her move to Verdence follows the firm’s hiring in March of former NFL player Noel LaMontagne, who now serves as a client relationship manager focused on sports and entertainment.
Verdence, which is headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, also has two offices in Northern Virginia.
