Insights from a Financial Advisor and Leader on Building Success, Overcoming Challenges, and Finding Purpose in His Work

The Anne Arundel Estate Planning Council recently sat down with Andy Greenfield to discuss his journey and insights. In this spotlight, we highlight the career evolution of Andy, a dedicated financial advisor and leader, whose path has moved from overcoming early challenges to achieving recent successes in both his personal practice and leadership roles.

Can you tell us about your background and what led you to your current role/field?

After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in Economics, I knew that I wanted to start a career as a Financial Advisor, but I wasn’t sure where or how. I interviewed with several firms and ultimately landed on starting my career with Northwestern Mutual due to their hands-on training program, unsurpassed financial strength ratings, and their integrated approach to financial planning. Working with people on both the Wealth Management and Risk Management parts of their financial plan allows me to effectively meet them where they are at and show up as relevant as possible to deliver the most value regardless of what stage of life they are in.

What are some challenges you've faced in your career and how have you overcome them?

I know this may come as a shock to some people, but when I started my career at 22 almost 15 years ago, I didn’t actually know anybody that had any money. All of my parents’ friends were either broke or had no interest in meeting with me, and most of my friends didn’t even have full-time jobs at that point. I didn’t grow up in a country club and unfortunately, I didn’t have a book of business to inherit from a mentor or family member. So naturally, I spent the greater part of my 20’s engaging in avoidance behavior, pursuing advanced designations or certifications, and essentially “playing office.” Although I’m incredibly grateful for the knowledge I gained from those first several years in the business, it wasn’t until I got over my fear of prospecting and phoning that I actually began to get a significant amount of clients I could use that knowledge on. This real-world experience gave me the confidence to continue to move up market to the point we are at today, where most of the individuals and families we are meeting with are high-income and/or high net worth.

What project or achievement are you most proud of, and why?

I’ve recently joined the leadership team in the Mid-Atlantic and locally in Annapolis as a Director, and I’m extremely excited about starting this new journey. In addition to serving my clients and maintaining my personal practice as the Founder and Wealth Management Advisor of Greenfield Capital Management, I will also be recruiting and developing new advisors to the career and act as a player-coach using my industry experience to help guide them through those early years. I’m also incredibly proud of my civic work and currently serve on the Board of Directors for PRO Vision, am an executive committee member of the Anne Arundel Estate Planning Council, an active alumni and sports booster for Archbishop Spalding High School, and a Parishioner of St. John The Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Severna Park.

How do you balance your professional responsibilities with your personal life?

I try my best to set up guardrails to help me be home at a certain time and be able to take care of all the things most important in my life. I have a beautiful wife named Alana who is my absolute rock and I would not be anywhere near where I am today if she wasn’t in my life. It’s pretty safe to say that I outkicked my coverage. We recently had a daughter 6 months ago named Nora, who is incredibly cute and the apple of my eye. I’d be lying if I said at times I didn’t struggle with the balancing act, and as I sit here at 8pm on a Monday night completing this questionnaire, sometimes I wonder the same question. Lucky for me, my wife is an accountant, so she’s up to her eyeballs in work this evening and I’m not missing out on any quality time with her. That being said, it’s very important to me that I have a strong presence at home, especially as my children grow up.

What are you currently passionate about or what motivates you in your daily work?

When I first started out, like many other advisors, I was drawn to the career for the three I’s: Income, Independence, and Impact. As a young 22-year-old finance bro, I had these visions of grandeur about starting a career that had truly unlimited income potential, and one where I had the independence of being able to make my own schedule and build my calendar around all the fun things I was going to do with all this money I was going to be making. Spoiler Alert: I didn’t actually make any money for most of my 20’s. It was only until I started making a big impact in people’s lives that I actually began to see some level of success. The crazy thing is – that intrinsic value you get from helping a person, when they have tears of joy because you get to tell them they can retire comfortably 2 years early after they unexpectedly lost their job, or that everything is going to be ok financially after the death or disability of a spouse, is far more rewarding than any financial or lifestyle incentive and it’s part of what literally makes me excited to go in to work every day. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else and I’m so incredibly thankful that I don’t ever have to dread going to the office.

Looking ahead, what are some goals or aspirations you have for the next few years?

Over the next few years, I’m excited to continue to build our team, both in my personal practice and also on the leadership side of things. I have some great colleagues and I can’t wait to see where we are in the next few years!