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n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | N o v e m b e r / D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 0 | n e w h a v e n B I Z 25 W O M E N W H O M E A N B U S I N E S S Allard empowers women to prosper financially, personally By Karen Ali L indsey Allard's attention to detail and communication skills have helped her get to where she is today — the first woman managing director of Shelton-based Beirne Wealth Consulting. Allard says her patience and focus on following up consistently have led to lifelong and loyal client relationships. "Clients have different levels of understanding finance requiring alternate approaches to ensure a healthy advisor-client relationship," says Allard, whose firm has 12 employees and manages $1.6 billion in assets. Allard has been working at Beirne Wealth Consulting (BWC) since its 2012 inception. As an accredited wealth management advisor, she provides financial planning and investment strategies to individuals and their families, as well as defined contribution and pension plans. She is also responsible for new business acquisition. Allard has been working alongside the firm's founding partner, John Beirne, and President John-Oliver Beirne, for many years. Allard was previously a client associate at e Beirne Wealth Management Group of Merrill Lynch, before the group split and became independent in 2012. During her Merrill Lynch days she provided operational and sales support for the team's high net worth client base, as well as the municipal and private institutional client base. Allard's role has only grown since then, all while balancing a career and family, which includes her husband and two sons. "I know how rare my experience is and I am truly grateful to my personal and professional support systems for their endless support and guidance as I continue to navigate finding a healthy balance appropriate for my family and career," she said. Allard believes women in the industry need to do their part to help other women. "It is my responsibility as a female in the industry to set a positive example and provide mentorships for the females within our industry," she says. "Fiy- percent of our firm's workforce is female, and every day I come to work doing my best to set a positive example for these women who contribute so much to the success of our firm." Allard said there is a lack of di- versity in the financial industry, but also a lot of opportunity for women in finance. "I think the stigma around the financial industry being male-dom- inated has hindered many intelli- gent and motivated females from entering this industry," says Allard. Some women have a fear of entering the profession. But Allard says the ones who join tend to succeed. Also, financial companies are becoming more female friendly by providing programs to get women back in the workplace if they took time off to raise children. In her opinion, one reason firms are seeking out greater gender diversity is because women have the tendency to pay close attention to detail, are more patient while conversing and have more evolved listening skills. ese traits can lead to better relationships with clients, she adds. In 2018 Allard launched Women on Wealth, a virtual platform that provides the infrastructure for women to excel financially and personally, especially as they take more control of the world's wealth. "With women controlling an estimated 40% of the global wealth, it is certainly time to eliminate the stigma of only men controlling the assets of a household," she said. Support structures Early on in Allard's life, she said she never imagined she would be in the financial services industry. She was considering being an early education teacher — following in her mother's footsteps — but quickly realized she was more suited for business. Allard has had great male supporters, including her uncle and firm's founding partner, John Beirne. Beirne said that Allard has excelled in her performance as an investment advisor. "Understanding the nuances of the markets and client needs requires hard work and dedication to a higher degree, which Lindsey has committed to performing at the highest level," he says. Allard was studying by her uncle's pool for her GMAT in Guilford in 2005 when he asked her to work for him at Merrill Lynch. She worked for him while she was getting her MBA from Quinnipiac University from 2005 and 2007. "I really owe everything to him for simply believing in me and giving me the opportunity of a lifetime," Allard says. n Lindsey Allard, Managing Director, Beirne Wealth Consulting

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