Lessons from 20 Acquisitions: What Works—and What Doesn’t with Kristen Oziemkowski
Episode 088: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Kristen Oziemkowski, COO at The Mather Group. With a background in economics, Kristen brings deep expertise in operational strategy, M&A integration, and organizational growth. Since joining TMG, she has led the firm through 20 successful acquisitions and helped build a values-driven, process-oriented culture.
Kyle and Kristen explore what sets TMG apart in the competitive world of wealth management. Kristen reveals how a team-based model, disciplined acquisition strategy, and robust internship pipeline have powered the firm’s consistent growth and five-year run on Barron’s Top 100 list. They also discuss the future of the industry—from data strategy and AI integration to attracting the next generation of advisors.
In this episode:
- (00:00) - Intro
- (01:22) - Kristen's money moment
- (03:44) - The secret to TMG's consistent success
- (05:02) - The challenges of leading a growing team
- (07:59) - Inside TMG’s acquisition and integration playbook
- (11:08) - Tackling the advisor shortage and attracting future talent
- (13:18) - Turning interns into leaders: TMG’s talent pipeline
- (19:51) - Stewart Mather and his legacy
- (21:20) - The one skill that accelerates career growth
- (22:56) - What’s next for wealth management
- (25:55) - Milemarker Minute
Key Takeaways
- Successful M&A requires both a robust integration plan and the ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges and emotional factors.
- Investing in technology and data management is crucial for scalability and efficiency in the wealth management industry.
- TMG’s internship program isn’t just about summer help—it’s an intentional talent pipeline that has produced some of the firm’s top leaders. When thoughtfully designed, internships can be one of the best long-term growth strategies for your team.
- Networking is key to building meaningful relationships and is essential for career advancement and industry growth. Meaningful connections can open doors to opportunities, partnerships, and career advancements.
Quotes
"Wealth management is a unique industry, and we're truly helping people. So, I don't think AI, technology, automation, and all these things becoming the forefront of every industry can replace the human touch." ~ Kristen Oziemkowski
"The biggest value-adding skill I've learned and has become increasingly important throughout my career is networking. It can open doors to opportunities, partnerships, and projects. It helps you exchange ideas and insights and can be an avenue for advice and support, career guidance, and knowledge building." ~ Kristen Oziemkowski
"There's no proxy for building meaningful relationships with people. And you have to be very intentional about going out of your way to network and get to know people." ~ Kristen Oziemkowski
Links
- Kristen Oziemkowski on LinkedIn
- The Mather Group
- Merrill Lynch
- Stewart Mather
- Fe league
- The Obstacle Is The Way
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