Brian Portnoy, Ph.D., CFA

Session Summary:

Money is many things beyond a means of exchange: it is a language, an emotional lightning rod, and a conduit for safety, freedom, and even identity. Despite its centrality to the human experience, however, money is not something we discuss easily. The human brain did not evolve to skilfully make financial decisions and as a consequence, it is a “third rail” in many personal and professional relationships. As a result, the effort to coach “financial wellness” — itself an evolving concept — has made only halting progress in both the wealth management industry as well as corporate and educational settings. Based on my own practice and research, and leveraging insights from social psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral finance, I will introduce two key coaching concepts which support efforts in inspiring financial wellness. With funded contentment, we define true wealth as the ability to underwrite a meaningful life versus an unsatisfying quest for more. Rigorous empathy is the method by which we empower our clients to achieve true wealth. The current pandemic and consequent economic crisis only serve to amplify what’s at stake with coaching financial wellness.

Speaker Bio:

Brian Portnoy, Ph.D., CFA helps people simplify the complex world of money. He founded Shaping Wealth, a financial wellness company, to work with: financial advisors offering holistic planning solutions for clients; organizations elevating employees or members; and families seeking to not only make better financial decisions but figure out how money fits into a meaningful life. In his bestselling books, The Geometry of Wealth and The Investors Paradox, Brian articulates how we can align purpose with planning. As an expert in behavioral finance, he has been a keynote speaker, seminar leader, and coach to thousands of investors on topics ranging from portfolio strategy to the connection between money and happiness. For more than two decades, Brian held senior investment and education roles throughout the hedge fund and mutual fund industries. As a fierce advocate for financial literacy, he serves on the board of the Alliance for Decision Education. Brian is a CFA Charterholder, holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, and earned his doctorate at the University of Chicago. He lives in Chicago with his wife and three teenage kids.