--- title: "Lessons from 20 Acquisitions" description: "This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Kristen Oziemkowski, COO at The Mather Group. With a background in economics, Kristen brings deep expertise in operational…" url: https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/lessons-from-20-acquisitions-what-works-and-what-doesnt-with-kristen-oziemkowski updated: 2025-04-08 --- [Now playing](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast) [Podcast**Next Mile**](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast) [Episodes](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast)[Guests](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/guests) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@milemarkerinc) [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-connected-advisor/id1691759257) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S) Episode 88 · Apr 8, 2025 · 30 min # Lessons from 20 Acquisitions: What Works—and What Doesn’t with Kristen Oziemkowski [**Kristen Oziemkowski***COO, The Mather Group*](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/guests/kristen-oziemkowski) [Apple Podcasts ↗](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-connected-advisor/id1691759257) [Spotify ↗](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S) ## About this episode This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Kristen Oziemkowski, COO at The Mather Group. With a background in economics, Kristen brings deep expertise in operational strategy, M&A integration, and organizational growth. Since joining TMG, she has led the firm through 20 successful acquisitions and helped build a values-driven, process-oriented culture. Kyle and Kristen explore what sets TMG apart in the competitive world of wealth management. Kristen reveals how a team-based model, disciplined acquisition strategy, and robust internship pipeline have powered the firm’s consistent growth and five-year run on Barron’s Top 100 list. They also discuss the future of the industry—from data strategy and AI integration to attracting the next generation of advisors. In this episode: - (00:00) - Intro - (01:22) - Kristen's money moment - (03:44) - The secret to TMG's consistent success - (05:02) - The challenges of leading a growing team - (07:59) - Inside TMG’s acquisition and integration playbook - (11:08) - Tackling the advisor shortage and attracting future talent - (13:18) - Turning interns into leaders: TMG’s talent pipeline - (19:51) - Stewart Mather and his legacy - (21:20) - The one skill that accelerates career growth - (22:56) - What’s next for wealth management - (25:55) - Milemarker Minute **Key Takeaways** - Successful M&A requires both a robust integration plan and the ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges and emotional factors. - Investing in technology and data management is crucial for scalability and efficiency in the wealth management industry. - TMG’s internship program isn’t just about summer help—it’s an intentional talent pipeline that has produced some of the firm’s top leaders. When thoughtfully designed, internships can be one of the best long-term growth strategies for your team. - Networking is key to building meaningful relationships and is essential for career advancement and industry growth. Meaningful connections can open doors to opportunities, partnerships, and career advancements. **Quotes** "Wealth management is a unique industry, and we're truly helping people. So, I don't think AI, technology, automation, and all these things becoming the forefront of every industry can replace the human touch." ~ Kristen Oziemkowski "The biggest value-adding skill I've learned and has become increasingly important throughout my career is networking. It can open doors to opportunities, partnerships, and projects. It helps you exchange ideas and insights and can be an avenue for advice and support, career guidance, and knowledge building." ~ Kristen Oziemkowski "There's no proxy for building meaningful relationships with people. And you have to be very intentional about going out of your way to network and get to know people." ~ Kristen Oziemkowski **Links** - [Kristen Oziemkowski on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-oziemkowski-3414962a/) - [The Mather Group](https://www.themathergroup.com/) - [Merrill Lynch](https://www.ml.com/) - [Stewart Mather](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-mather-cfp%C2%AE-499a78142/) - [Fe league](https://feleague.com/) - [The Obstacle Is The Way](https://www.amazon.com/Obstacle-Way-Timeless-Turning-Triumph/dp/1591846358) **Connect with our hosts** - [Milemarker.co](https://www.milemarker.co/) - [Kyle on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylevanpelt/) - [Jud on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/judmackrill/) **Subscribe and stay in touch** - [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connected/id1691759257) - [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@milemarkerinc) ## **Produce game-changing content with Turncast** Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at [Turncast.com](https://www.turncast.com/). ## The write-up [Listen to this week’s episode.](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2xTwogmY3PUl4C8vyuYXJh?si=b1a39952eccf4b4f) ## Episode 088 On this week’s episode of Next Mile, I speak with [Kristen Oziemkowski,](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-oziemkowski-3414962a/) COO at [The Mather Group](https://www.themathergroup.com/), about the strategies behind the firm’s consistent success and rapid growth. We explore what sets TMG apart in the competitive world of wealth management. Kristen reveals how a team-based model, disciplined acquisition strategy, and robust internship pipeline have powered the firm’s consistent growth and five-year run on Barron’s Top 100 list. We also discuss the future of the industry—from data strategy and AI integration to attracting the next generation of advisors. #### Key Takeaways Successful M&A requires both a robust integration plan and the ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges and emotional factors. Investing in technology and data management is crucial for scalability and efficiency in the wealth management industry. TMG’s internship program isn’t just about summer help—it’s an intentional talent pipeline that has produced some of the firm’s top leaders. When thoughtfully designed, internships can be one of the best long-term growth strategies for your team. Networking is key to building meaningful relationships and is essential for career advancement and industry growth. Meaningful connections can open doors to opportunities, partnerships, and career advancements. #### Quotes “Wealth management is a unique industry, and we’re truly helping people. So, I don’t think AI, technology, automation, and all these things becoming the forefront of every industry can replace the human touch.” ~ [Kristen Oziemkowski](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-oziemkowski-3414962a/) “The biggest value-adding skill I’ve learned and has become increasingly important throughout my career is networking. It can open doors to opportunities, partnerships, and projects. It helps you exchange ideas and insights and can be an avenue for advice and support, career guidance, and knowledge building.” ~ [Kristen Oziemkowski](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-oziemkowski-3414962a/) “There’s no proxy for building meaningful relationships with people. And you have to be very intentional about going out of your way to network and get to know people.” ~ [Kristen Oziemkowski](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-oziemkowski-3414962a/) #### Links [Kristen Oziemkowski on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-oziemkowski-3414962a/) [The Mather Group](https://www.themathergroup.com/) [Merrill Lynch](https://www.ml.com/) [Stewart Mather](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-mather-cfp%C2%AE-499a78142/) [Fe league](https://feleague.com/) [The Obstacle Is The Way](https://www.amazon.com/Obstacle-Way-Timeless-Turning-Triumph/dp/1591846358) #### Connect with our hosts [Milemarker.co](https://www.milemarker.co/) [Kyle on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylevanpelt/) [Jud on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/judmackrill/) #### Subscribe and stay in touch [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connected/id1691759257) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S) [YouTube](https://youtu.be/zJsZGO7F760) **While there, please don’t forget to Download, Like, and Subscribe.** If you’d like to schedule a time to talk with me about anything we cover on our podcast or [Milemarker](https://www.milemarker.co/), [click here for 15 minutes](https://meetings.hubspot.com/kyle-van-pelt). Kyle Van Pelt [**Kristen Oziemkowski***COO, The Mather Group*](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/guests/kristen-oziemkowski) Next Mile Conversations with the people building the next era of wealth management, hosted by Kyle Van Pelt. New episodes every Tuesday. 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