As a Senior Wealth Advisor, Irene is passionate about serving as financial coach for her clients. She is committed to understanding each of her client’s unique situations, and what their hopes are now and in the future. Irene has a strong background in working with executives with complex compensation packages as well as business owners with their unique circumstances in growing, running, and, ultimately, monetizing their businesses. Irene is also a valuable advisor to women in transition, be it personal or professional transition. Irene is very sensitive to the unique planning issues of the modern family, including remarriage, blended families, same sex relationships, and cohabitation.
Irene has extensive experience in financial advising and investment management. Prior to joining RTD and its affiliates in 2011, Irene was a Director of Private Placements at TIAA-CREF, responsible for investing and managing a $1 billion portfolio. Irene earned her MBA in Finance from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and her BA in Economics from Mount Holyoke College, where she was member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the International Economics Honor Society.
Irene is committed to excellence in her profession. In addition to being a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® practitioner, Irene is also a Chartered Financial Analyst, a certification earned only after passing three rigorous exams, and considered the gold standard in investment analysis.
Irene is passionate about the importance of providing unbiased financial guidance. She has lectured at the Fox School of Business of Temple University, as well as presented at the Entrepreneur’s Forum of Greater Philadelphia, XPX of Philadelphia (the Business Exit Planning Group) and the 50 and Beyond Symposium in South Jersey. Irene has been featured in the WSJ.com blog and quoted in publications ranging from Consumer Reports to Fidelity.com.
Irene is an active member of her community. She has served on several local Boards and is currently on the Leadership Council of Impact 100SJ, serving as Chair of the Grant Review Committee. In her free time, Irene is an avid cyclist and enjoys teaching spinning classes at her gym.
Getting to know Irene
What do you enjoy most about working at RTD?
Our culture! RTD is a uniquely caring environment. We are all on the same team and truly put our clients’ interests first.
What makes you good at what you do?
I have passion! My passion for financial planning has made me a very strong planner through education, experience, and the continual honing of my planning skills as rules and laws evolve. My passion for people has made me a very good listener. I ask the right questions and listen to know what’s important to you and what you would like to be doing to live a fulfilling life. My planning skills coupled with my listening skills allow me to take the financial stress off my clients’ shoulders – and that’s why I love what I do!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. It’s true! I love what I do – I see the value in what I do and, even more importantly, my clients see the value in what I do for them. I enjoy going into work every day!
What personal accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am a charter member of Impact 100 South Jersey, formed in 2017. Impact 100 is a women’s collective giving organization – members come together to pool our funds to make impactful grants to local non-profits. I serve on the Leadership Council and am responsible for heading up the Grant Review Committee – non-profits apply for grants in one of three focus areas and I oversee the review process in those committees. We then put forward a finalist from each focus area which our entire membership votes on. As of 2020, we have provided grants of $426,000 to non-profits in our South Jersey region!
What are your passions outside of work?
I love exploring areas I’ve never been – whether it’s an area of Philadelphia or New York or somewhere I’m travelling to for work or pleasure. My love of new areas extends to restaurants as well and has allowed me to try amazing restaurants that fly under the radar. I’m a former avid road cyclist and I’ve enjoyed teaching spinning classes at several local gyms for the past 15 years; now I’ve also taken up spending time outdoors hiking, kayaking, and even camping!