Personal mission statement drives financial adviser’s faith journey
Dan Moran regularly asks his clients if there is anything they would like him to pray for. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit
Dan Moran, 53
Company Merrill Lynch
Title Managing Director-Wealth Management
Parish Our Lady of Grace, Edina
Spouse Sheryl
Children John and Katie
Volunteer activities Family Fest Ministries, lector, men’s club and men’s choir at Our Lady of Grace
Education Bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield, 1985
What does leading with faith mean to you?
Leading with faith means that my life’s actions reflect our Catholic faith.
How do you concretely apply your faith and Catholic values at work?
By genuinely caring about the well-being of others.
Tell a story about a time when applying your faith at work really made a difference.
Twenty-five years ago I had a routine portfolio review meeting with a client. When the meeting was over, I casually asked, “Is there anything that I can pray about for you or your family?” They asked if I would pray for godly spouses for their two single boys. I regularly prayed for that request, and many years later God answered the prayer. It was a joy to attend the wedding and have the couple thank me for praying. Our business relationship had changed into a deeper friendship.
Since that positive encounter, I regularly ask my clients that question, and it has given me a greater purpose than simply creating wealth for people.
That couple recently asked me if I had any prayer requests, and I responded, “Godly spouses for our single children.” I am excited to see how God will orchestrate this.
Who or what has most inspired you to bring your faith to the marketplace?
Dr. Laura Scherf is a dear friend who weaves God into her conversations with her patients.
What achievement at work are you most proud of?
I’m proud that I didn’t get fired in my first year of work in 1988. I was 25 years old, looked like I was 12, and nobody wanted to entrust me with their money. At the end of my first year, I had opened up so few accounts that I feared they were going to let me go. I just kept cold calling eight hours every day for two straight years and eventually, through grinding hard work, I opened enough accounts so that they didn’t fire me.
It inspired me to write a personal mission statement that has been transformational in my faith journey. My mission statement is as follows: “On a daily basis, further develop and nurture my personal relationship with Jesus and live out the principles that Jesus Christ taught. To become a saint by drawing closer to Christ and living a life of virtue daily.”
I fail frequently in executing that ideal, but at least I am heading in the right direction with a sense of purpose.
In what specific ways have you experienced God’s presence in your workplace?
I am privileged to manage money for some wealthy people and have been so inspired to see how many of them use their wealth for God’s glory. They give significant amounts of their wealth to charities so that the spiritual and corporal works of mercy can be carried out.
What advice do you have for others who want to lead with faith?
Discern what activities help you to sustain and grow your faith. Then, schedule those activities into your life. Daily prayer, retreats and listening to faith-based podcasts in my car or while working out inspire me to lead with faith.
Category: Leading With Faith
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