Whitnie Jeeves, Associate at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management has spent nearly a decade in the wealth advisory/financial planning industry. She is deeply passionate about supporting the next generation of women in finance, and is making a significant impact as a Career Connect mentor. Here she shares her career story, insights and best advice for aspiring investment advisers.
I work with clients and families to make informed financial decisions, build long-term wealth, and achieve the goals that matter to them.
A typical day includes meeting with clients, assisting with the development and review of financial strategies, collaborating with specialists (such as lawyers and accountants),and staying on top of market developments. I also spend a significant amount of time engaging with women’s networks, mentoring, and creating opportunities for financial education and connection.
Wealth advisory is an extremely rewarding industry because you can make a meaningful impact on someone’s life. Nothing excites me more than seeing the clients I work with gain confidence and clarity around their financial lives. Whether it’s helping someone navigate a major life transition, achieve a long-term goal (personal or financial), or feel empowered to manage their wealth, those moments can have a lasting impact across generations.
We live in a world that is ever-evolving – geopolitics and macroeconomics can change in an instant, and this has a direct impact on individuals, their investments, and markets in general. It can be challenging to filter through the noise and volatility, however, by maintaining regular communication with our clients and grounding focus back to their individualised long-term strategies and goals, we provide support and ride the ups and downs alongside them.
Trust is the foundation of all relationships, and when it comes to managing wealth on behalf of individuals and families, this becomes even more critical. I love to say that we deal in the business of people – whether that be clients, colleagues, or referral partners – so being able to listen, communicate, and build enduring relationships is key.
My journey to wealth management is interesting – I completed my Year 10 Work Experience at a boutique financial planning practice in Melbourne and absolutely loved it. From there, I knew that I had found an industry that suited what I wanted in a career – the opportunity to build genuine and long-lasting client relationships, the ability to delve into the numbers, and a method to create strategic outcomes by applying technical knowledge.
There is so much pressure on university-level students to secure the ideal Graduate position and have a set career path from Day 1. My key piece of advice – say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. You never know where a conversation or interaction will lead to, so be open to everything, even if it feels outside of the realm of possibility.
Getting to know my Career Connect mentees – two exceptionally talented and motivated young women – has been a highlight of the Career Connect program so far. Their enthusiasm and curiosity make me excited about the future of our industry. I feel incredibly lucky to have played a small role in their career journeys and cannot wait to see where their paths take them.
I benefitted immensely in the early years of my career through mentors and sponsors investing in me and my growth. Finding a platform like Career Connect to give back and give forward has been rewarding and I look forward to continuing this into the future.
Supporting the next generation of women in finance and business is something I’m deeply passionate about. Getting to know my mentees – two exceptionally talented and motivated young women – has been a highlight of the Career Connect program so far. Their enthusiasm and curiosity make me excited about the future of our industry. I feel incredibly lucky to have played a small role in their career journeys and cannot wait to see where their paths take them.
The Daily by the New York Times is my favourite – I listen to this every day.
Over the next decade, there is a $5.4 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer in Australia. It is estimated that in 65% of cases, this money will first be stewarded by female partners before passing to the next generation. This creates new opportunities to rethink how we engage, educate, and serve clients in a more personalised and meaningful way. It is something to be excited about!
If you’re a university student or early-career professional pursuing a career in investment management and advice, register for Career Connect today and we’ll match you with experienced investors like Whitnie for 1:1 career conversations.
We’re always looking for more great mentors too so if you’re an investor or adviser with a passion for supporting emerging talent, come join us as a mentor. Just one 45-minute virtual conversation could ignite someone’s career!
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My key piece of advice to students and early-career professionals is to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. You never know where a conversation or interaction will lead to, so be open to everything, even if it feels outside of the realm of possibility.