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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Monday morning adoration helps financial advisor focus week

Robert Stefani

Robert Stefani

Wealth management advisor, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company

Age: 36
Parish: Holy Trinity, South St. Paul
Spouse: Marisa
Volunteer activities: The Laboure Society, Junior Achievement, Archdiocesan Marriage Preparation Retreat, Theology on Tap
Education: University of St. Thomas, 2004; Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, 2012

Q: What does leading with faith mean to you?

A: Leading with faith is acting with a servant mindset, putting the needs of others ahead of your own. Christ was the greatest example of this, to give of one’s self for others. When we can use the gifts and talents the Lord has provided us to enhance someone else’s situation through our work, we are emulating that same Christ- like servant outreach that our faith is rooted in. My experience has been that those who approach things this way are better leaders and make a greater impact on society and those around them.

Q: How do you concretely apply your faith and Catholic values at work?

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A: Staying grounded in my daily prayer and close to the sacraments regularly help to ensure that I am approaching all that I do, including work, from a faith and Catholic-value focus. When we center ourselves around what is most important first, that being our faith and the Lord, I believe it is a natural overflow that your faith and Catholic values will shine through in all activities we partake in, specifically our work endeavors. It is very easy for us as a new week begins to get consumed by our work and easily misplace the most important thing in our life, which is our faith and Lord. Several years back, I began spending time with our Lord in adoration first thing on Monday morning. This has been very helpful for me to reset my focus every week to lead with my faith first in all that I do.

Q: Describe a time when applying your faith at work really made a difference.

A: A few years back my parent company decided to stop giving the invocation prayer at the beginning of our annual meeting. This was very disappointing, and that was a time when you either sit back and stay silent or you do as Christ showed us and lead with faith. Thankfully I was not alone in speaking out about how this was not the right decision to remove our Lord from our work gathering. While unfortunately the outcome was not changed, it was a witness for me and many others that leading with faith, while not always easy, is what we are called to do as sons and daughters of our Lord.

Q: Who or what has been most inspirational to you in bringing your faith to the marketplace?

A: My inspiration in bringing my faith to the work place is twofold with my Catholic Studies degree from the University of St. Thomas and witnessing my father’s faith-based and servant approach to his work through my upbringing. Catholic Studies was a great foundation builder in showing me that living your Catholic faith and pursuing a career are not mutually exclusive, and when married together with faith leading the way, is a perfect union. My father definitely epitomized what a perfect union this could be, always giving of himself first, approaching his work with a humble, servant heart. Thank you, Dad!

Q: What achievement at work are you most proud of?

A: When I think about achievements at work that I am most proud of, it’s not the individual awards or recognition I’ve received over the years, but the gratitude I receive from my clients when I have provided them with clarity and peace of mind that they are going to be OK financially. Easing someone’s fears and worries is the most awarding achievement I could ask for.

Q: In what specific ways have you experienced God’s presence in your workplace?

A: I have been fortunate to experience God’s presence in many ways throughout my work over the years. I knew the Lord was very much a presence on two specific occasions. One, when a former seminarian who was called to marriage was exploring a financial career and was about to take a position with a firm/group that was not faith filled, the Lord interjected and led him to me to ask about the career and ultimately a better place to begin his vocational career. The other was providentially introducing me to a senior wealth management advisor at a different firm during a time when I was questioning how best to lead with faith going forward as I was growing in the business. The timing was perfect, all done by God’s design, showing me that humility and servitude no matter how big you get are always at the core of how to lead with faith in our profession. I am forever grateful for the Lord introducing me to one of my Catholic heroes in a such a time of need. God is good.

Q: What advice do you have for others who want to lead with faith?

A: Leading with faith starts with keeping God in the center of your life. If God is in the center of your life, you will without question be in a tremendous position of strength to lead with faith. This will help you approach your work with an others-focused mindset that gives you the ability to act and make decisions with others’ best interests in mind.

 


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