Age: 32
Financial Adviser / Lovett Advisors LLC (Wilmington)

Introduction: Suzanne Heron is a financial adviser with Lovett Advisors where she specializes in working on the retirement planning and portfolio management needs of young professionals and their families. Through her work in the community she educates and empowers young people to make sound financial decisions that align with their goals.

Why me?  Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40 candidates should exemplify dedication, hard work and community spirit. My career is an excellent example of these qualities. I am driven and dedicated to building my practice and providing exceptional customer service. Through the initiatives I have put into place I plan to take my firm into the next generation of wealth management.  In addition to my work as a financial adviser empowering young professionals, I am also very active in the community. My sense of community spirit is evident in the work I have done as a volunteer for local organizations including The Behavioral Health Consortium, The Fund for Women, Attack Addiction, Girls Inc. of Delaware and The Burgess House for Women. I believe that giving back is an integral part of economic and community health.

Professional accomplishments: My career in the financial services world began in the real estate industry. I worked my way through college, earning a full academic scholarship at Immaculata University. I graduated summa cum laude and was inducted into several honor societies.

I joined Lovett Advisors in February of 2017. I passed my Series 7, Series 66 and Insurance License exams so I could offer our clients more comprehensive level of service. Less than a year from my start date at Lovett Advisors I was promoted to financial adviser. Since then I have doubled my book of business and on-boarded more than 20 households. I continue to meet my annual goal of $5 million in new assets under management each year. 

I have been a featured speaker at The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, Polka Dot Powerhouse, Women Empowered, Women United and the Kennett Square Young Professionals Association on topics ranging from Financial Freedom for Young Professionals to Socially Responsible Investing. At Lovett Advisors I have created and manage a family meeting initiative, an insurance risk assessment protocol, and a food tour campaign to attract more next gen clients to our firm.

Leadership examples: Personally and professionally I have always been a leader. Since joining Lovett Advisors I’ve cultivated relationships with the University of Delaware and Year Up. I hire and continue to train interns who shadow me to learn about the financial services industry. I teach them about the business and encourage them to get involved in networking and community events. I’ve led by example in showing them how to speak to clients, how to prospect and how to network effectively. 

Community service:  Community service is a huge part of my life. I am on two committees for the Fund for Women of the Delaware Community Foundation. I helped launch the fund’s Young Founder’s Committee. I also serve on the Media and Communications Committee where I co-manage the fund’s social media. I was featured by The Fund in March of this year as a Young Founder who is Making a Difference. 

I am also involved with several other local charities. I served as a board member for Attack Addiction in 2018. I have served on the State of Delaware’s Behavioral Health Consortium since its inception. I founded a home for underprivileged women dealing with mental health issues in Wilmington called The Burgess House in 2015. I have also been involved in numerous other local events including Gals That Give, Take Steps and countless other races and events. 

[caption id="attachment_169484" align="alignright" width="314"] Suzanne with her new born daughter (six days old at time of photo) [/caption]

Next big goal?  Tackle motherhood. It is so important that my daughter see that you can have a successful career without compromising your values.  I hope to lead by example in showing her how important hard work and community service are.

First job:  At our local Ace Hardware store when I was 14 years old.  My mom insisted I work to earn spending money as soon as I was legally able to so I could learn the value of a dollar.  She helped me to open a checking and savings account and create a budget to save up for things I wanted to buy which helped me to shape a healthy relationship with financial well-being.

Favorite work moment in the past year: Career Day with the girls of Girls Inc., of Delaware.  We had the girls come into our office to play games to learn more about investments, budgeting, and money.  It was an amazing experience, and the girls loved learning more about what we do.

Where are you most at ease?  At home surrounded by my family.  I recently became a first- time mother and it has been such a powerful experience watching my husband take care of our daughter.  There is no place I would rather be.