Date: February 2023

In episode #2 of NAPFA Nation, we hear from Wendy Hartman, CFP®, President of Buckingham Strategic Wealth, a growing organization of advisors, financial specialists, and national thought leaders committed to delivering on the promise of true wealth management. As a Registered Investment Advisor, the essence of their approach is based on a pledge to act in the best interest of clients, including individuals, businesses, trusts, Non-Profit organizations, healthcare professionals, and retirement plans.

Hartman is responsible for providing strategic leadership, in conjunction with the Buckingham’s Board and other firm leaders. After decades of working as a wealth advisor, she is proud to lead the firm as they continue to safeguard their clients’ lives. Hartman has enduring passion for the industry and recognizes that NAPFA’s role in the financial planning profession is to be a relentless advocate for the Fee-Only community through consumer awareness, education, and partnerships. She joined NAPFA in 2017 and is enthusiastic about her new role as a NAPFA Board member (Chair Elect for the 2022-2023 term).

Hartman tells us:

• How she got started in this profession and why she is passionate about financial planning and the fiduciary standard
• What is important for financial advisory firms that are growing to think about as they build out their strategy and how Buckingham is approaching growth in 2023
• How Buckingham’s strategic objectives stand on four pillars – and what the four pillars are
• The most important thing for young planners to consider as they chart their career path
• The key to success and how to set yourself apart in a noisy, digital world
• Why she is looking forward to transitioning to Board Chair for NAPFA

Key point: Many of today’s leaders have adopted management thinker Peter Drucker’s “be (intelligently) curious” philosophy – and this approach is ever more relevant as the world increases in complexity. An article in the Harvard Business Review stresses the importance of being curious, saying: “Leaders don’t need to know everything. In fact, it’s an impossibility. Things change too rapidly for that.” Hartman, who says she tries to stay curious as she moves through life, agrees. She’s always been interested in math and numbers – and her mother was a great encourager of higher education. Golden nuggets from Hartman in the podcast: “Be a curious learner.” “Set yourself apart by bringing best-in-class thinking to your organization.” “Create an open canvas.”

Special Note: In 2023, we rebranded the NAPFA podcast with a new album cover and series title: NAPFA Nation. We are shifting our monthly episodes to bring you inspiring conversations and key insights from leaders in the Fee-Only financial planning profession. Marie Swift, Founder and CEO of Impact Communications, will continue on as host, interviewing a variety of NAPFA members and professionals. You will still be able to find on this channel the 32 Mindset Mastery episodes with respected fiduciary financial planners and allied advocates who are committed to accomplishing great things as they master their own mindset and continue to serve their clients in the best ways possible.

Wendy Hartman, CFP® 

As president of Buckingham Strategic Wealth, Wendy Hartman is responsible for providing strategic leadership to the firm by working with the board of directors and our advisory department leaders to oversee and implement goals and team plans to achieve our firm’s strategic priorities. She is charged to ensure the effective delivery of our overall client experience in conjunction with our advisor experience. Her leadership of the firm is not a responsibility she takes lightly. After decades of serving as a wealth advisor, she understands firsthand the power and reward of watching clients, their children and sometimes grandchildren meet their financial goals. She is proud to lead a firm that safeguards so many financial futures and allows clients to spend their time enjoying life and fulfilling their dreams that matter most.

Wendy began her career here as a wealth advisor, specializing in collaborating with families across multiple generations to preserve their legacy and pass on the values that made them successful to their future generations. Before taking the reins of the entire Buckingham experience, she most recently served as a managing director for Buckingham, with oversight of our client service and client development departments. Her time as both an advisor and director helped afford her unparalleled experience and insight for her current role as the firm’s leader.

Before joining Buckingham in 2010, Wendy was a strategic advisor with Enterprise Trust Company. She served as a portfolio analyst with First Banks, Inc. and an equity analyst with Bank of America Capital Management.

She holds an MBA from Saint Louis University and a bachelor’s degree from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. Wendy also holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional designation. She recently accepted a three year-term as a member of the Midwest NAPFA Board. She is a lifelong resident of St. Louis, where she lives with her husband and two sons.