Listen to this week's episode

Episode 140

On this week’s episode of Next Mile, I sit down with Anne McPhail, Managing Director at Novare Capital Management. With more than 30 years of experience across corporate banking and wealth management, Anne brings deep expertise in guiding clients through major life transitions and building advisory relationships rooted in trust, empathy, and long-term perspective.  

We discuss what it truly means to serve clients through life’s most important—and often most difficult—moments. She shares how genuine empathy and thoughtful financial strategy come together to create meaningful client relationships, how leading advisory firms deliver a consistent, high-touch experience at scale, and how Novare develops the next generation of advisors without compromising trust.

Key Takeaways

• Lead with empathy before expertise. When clients face major life transitions—loss, divorce, uncertainty—they don't want spreadsheets. They want reassurance. Great leaders and advisors meet people where they are emotionally before guiding them analytically.

• Build systems that deliver consistent excellence. Scaling a high-touch experience isn't about doing more. It's about doing things intentionally. Clear processes, defined roles, and shared standards create consistency across every client interaction.

• Pair experience with a fresh perspective. Blending seasoned professionals with next-gen talent creates both trust and innovation. It allows firms to evolve without losing credibility.

• The value isn't in the plan, but in the conversation. Financial plans change. Life changes. What matters most is the ongoing dialogue and adaptability, not the static document.

Quotes

"You cannot manage a client or a family's money if you do not know their goals and objectives." ~ Anne McPhail

"The mistake that a lot of firms make is meeting with a client who's lost their spouse, and the first thing they do is prepare a financial plan and give a Monte Carlo analysis. That's completely overwhelming to someone." ~ Anne McPhail

"When you're trying to develop centers of influence, look for people who are about your age and stage of life who are trying to build their careers alongside you." ~ Anne McPhail

Links

• Anne McPhail on LinkedIn

• Novare Capital Management

• Wells Fargo

• eMoney Advisor

• Charles Schwab

• Charlotte Family Housing

• Good Friends Charlotte

• Arts+

• Theo of Golden

Connect with our hosts

• Milemarker.co

• Kyle on LinkedIn

• Jud on LinkedIn

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Kyle Van Pelt