April 2020 – Please join us in welcoming Mishaela Albright  to our HoyleCohen family.

Mishaela Albright comes to HoyleCohen as an Associate Wealth Advisor, after spending several years at R. M. Davis, a full service wealth management firm, in Portland, Maine. At R. M. Davis, Mishaela grew to serve as a Portfolio Administrator, supporting three portfolio managers, while studying for her Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation. Prior to her new passion and career in wealth management, Mishaela worked in the public accounting field as an auditor, specializing in non-profit audits, and obtained her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. She enjoyed learning about how different businesses are run and managed, and her accounting background lends itself nicely to the financial management world.

At HoyleCohen, Mishaela is a welcome addition to our Financial Planning & Advisory teams. She will provide well-researched guidance on a variety of planning & investment subjects, as well as playing an integral role in serving clients of the firm.

As a born and raised Mainer, Mishaela is new to living in California, but has developed a love for the Pacific Coast during her many travels up and down the California coastline. She is eager to check out the plethora of outdoor activities, delectable eateries, and getting to know the wonderful community that makes up San Diego.

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During my initial “get to know you” interview, Mishaela shared a few insights about her background and the path that led her to wealth management:

Why did you get into financial planning and wealth management?

The roots of my work background began in hospitality and being in a client facing position. I didn’t realize how well-matched that type of role was for me, until I entered the world of auditing. A job in public accounting, specifically auditing, does serve clients, but not in the demeanor I was accustomed to. During those years, I couldn’t help but feel there was something missing in my life; my job didn’t seem to have purpose, I didn’t feel as though I was making a difference in someone’s life and I wasn’t enthralled with the work. Those factors kept me searching for that missing piece. I knew I loved accounting and I needed the challenge of solving complex problems, but I learned that I also needed client interaction and the feeling of helping someone to feel whole.

Reaching out to peers in the RIA world, it seemed like advising clients was exactly the type of career I would flourish in. I could lean on my years of hospitality experience to make clients feel comfortable and build rapport, my knowledge in accounting and financial matters translated well to wealth management, and what I learned from completing my CPA helped build stepping stones for learning more about different tax situations clients might encounter. It was as if this type of role was made just for me and my personality! Once I started my job at a local RIA in Portland, Maine, I knew, without a doubt, I had finally found the right career. Working directly with clients and expanding my knowledge/expertise by completing the CFP ® exam, has only furthered my passion for helping people navigate their unique situations and create a living plan just for them.

What are some of the things you like best about this field?

100% my favorite thing about wealth management is getting to know the people we serve and being someone they lean on to help make their life less complicated. Knowing that I have built the trust and type of relationship with someone that they feel comfortable opening up about their financial lives – which is such a sensitive subject – is what makes this career so meaningful.

What do you like to do in your free time? 

I love anything that has to do with traveling or the outdoors: hiking, swimming, reading on the beach, exploring the parks and gardens… I also have found a new hobby, which involves collecting driftwood and learning how to make decorations or furniture with the pieces I’ve found. Going to yoga and traveling to different wineries are other activities I enjoy!