Why I get up in the morning:
It was Bill Gates that said, “you don’t really start getting old until you stop learning”. I get up every day hoping to learn something new. In the retirement industry, trends, government regulations, people, and the markets are constantly evolving, and I think it’s essential to maintain curiosity and develop new skills that can help guide you through retirement and life. I think that being a persistent learner is key to having a fulfilling life.

How I got here:
I initially joined the AFS team in 2017 as a summer intern. After spending my first of three summers with AFS, I could already envision myself potentially joining the team after I finished my studies at the University of Pittsburgh. It bothered me that many hard-working people are not on track for the retirement they would like, and I wanted to do something that could help change that.

In April 2020, I graduated from Pitt’s College of Business Administration, majoring in finance, supply chain management, and business information systems, and was happy to join the AFS 401(k) as a Client Service Associate in May 2020. I enjoy working with the full team, and I strongly believe in AFS’ mission to make complex retirement plans simple.

What I do really well:
Creating a plan for success. To succeed in life, it is crucial to have goals and a pathway to achieve these goals. Having a goal is great, but to get there efficiently, you need a plan. Whether it be a new work project, travel, vacation, or a long game of chess, I’m confident in my ability to develop a plan for success.

What I'm most interested in for the retirement industry:
Before I joined the retirement industry, I thought the job would be to analyze investments all day for our clients. I quickly learned that it takes more than just smart investments to reach your retirement goals. One of the most important things we can do for our clients is to improve financial literacy across their organization. Through education, we help our client’s employees both understand how their retirement plan works, as well as understand the key steps they can take to optimize their overall financial life.  New innovations are constantly making the entire process of retirement easier to understand. As more people gain a greater foundation for their financial life, there will be greater engagement and participation within retirement programs.

Who I am really:
I am a DC area native, growing up in Germantown, MD. When I’m not at work, I’m working out at the gym, learning new ways to cook on the grill, playing chess, and hiking through nature. I find long walks outside to be a great way to de-stress and ponder philosophical questions about life. When it comes to sports, I love to follow the Washington Football team and watch Pitt and Duke compete in college basketball.