At Trust Company of the South, we recognize the women whose expertise and leadership contribute to our firm’s success. This Women’s Month, we’re highlighting Leah Jane Barnwell, CRPC®, Strategic Initiatives Manager and Principal, for her dedication to innovation and driving meaningful change within the firm.
Leah Jane’s journey into wealth management wasn’t a traditional one. With a background in marketing and video production, she found her way into financial services through a family connection, eventually earning her securities license and setting her sights on becoming an advisor. Looking for a workplace culture that better reflected her priorities, she transitioned to Trust Company, where she now focuses on firm-wide initiatives that improve processes and enhance the client experience.
She shares her perspective on navigating challenges in the financial industry, the financial lesson she believes everyone should embrace and what inspires her most about the future.
Read more about Leah Jane below.
Getting to Know Leah Jane
Tell us about your journey in wealth management. What led you to this career?
For my first two years out of college, I worked in marketing and video production for a segment of local government. My uncle, a career broker for Morgan Stanley and later UBS Financial Services, connected me with a business partner taking over the UBS branch in Chapel Hill. I accepted a client services job in that office, spent several years learning the ropes, getting securities licensed and planned on a career as an Advisor. When a desire for better workplace culture brought me to Trust Company, I was able to make a greater impact by moving into the Strategic Initiatives role I’m in today.
What do you enjoy most about your role at Trust Company of the South?
My days are very dynamic, often spent interacting with colleagues across different offices and departments to help identify solutions to the challenges they experience. I may go from discussing our social media marketing strategy to a demo for a new piece of technology, so while I’m constantly pivoting, the days are never boring.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in the financial industry, and how have you navigated them?
I think the same “grind culture” that is so pervasive in tech also exists in the financial industry, no matter which segment you work in. The expectation that your career should be the most important thing in your life may be acceptable in your first working years but becomes much more challenging as you get married and then start or grow your family – which will (and should!) take over that position of greatest significance in your life. Before I had my daughter, I wondered if my value to the organization would be lessened by the shift towards “mom” as my most significant role. I think there are some places where it would be, but fortunately, Trust Company is not one of them. My experiences as a mom help me connect with our client families and better understand their experience, so if anything, I’m making more valuable contributions now than ever.
Advice and Perspectives
What advice would you give to your younger self or other women looking to build a career in wealth management?
There will be doubts about your abilities, your commitment, your know-how, especially as you’re starting out… and those doubts from others will be motivated by beliefs and perspectives that you have no control over. What you do have control over is how you conduct yourself. Professionalism and integrity almost always win in the long run, no matter the adversary.
What’s one financial lesson you believe everyone should learn early in life?
The adage I return to time and time again is “comparison is the thief of joy.” We can apply that to a lot of areas of life, but when we think about finance, I would say the lesson is – never spend to “keep up.”
What inspires you most in your work?
The possibility of what comes next. As an employee-owner, I’m committed to the firm’s long-term vision. From here, I see limitless opportunities for growth and innovation at Trust Company.
Beyond the Office
When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?
My husband and I have been remodeling our house for the last 10 months or so, so much of my free time has been spent managing that project and planning for our life once we’re back in the house. Lately, that’s painting art for our walls and planning for a vegetable garden.
Do you have a book, podcast, or mentor who has influenced your professional journey?
With so many sources of influence available to us through social media, it’s really been a mix, with most inspiration coming from the people I speak to every day. As I’ve hit bumps in the road, I seek guidance from the strong women around me, at the office and in my personal life. My mom and my female colleagues are usually the first people I seek out for advice.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, is there a woman—historical or personal—who has inspired you?
I’ve admired Sallie Krawcheck, CEO of Ellevest, for several years and had the privilege of seeing her speak (and getting to speak personally with her!) as the keynote at a conference a few years ago. Sallie has been such an advocate for women in the financial space, leading by example through her platform at Ellevest.
“Assume the best intent in others around you. You will often be right, and even when you’re not, people can rise to your view of them. Not always, but enough that I believe it’s worth it.” -Sallie Krawcheck
