Rita Robbins Email & Phone Number

My vision?💼 To lead one of the most dynamic and progressive broker-dealer firms.📈 To support financial advisors as they build the practices of their dreams.🦸🏻‍♀️ To making the world a better place, from championing women as they carve their own paths of success in our field to serving as a Trustee of The Town Hall, a National Historic Landmark venue.🌿 And to embrace the many facets of our lives, exemplified by my endeavor in cultivating one of the nation’s largest commercial lavender farms!As Founder and President of Affiliated Advisors, I’ve had a career marked by breaking barriers, advocating for gender equality, innovating within the financial advisory sector, and elevating the important practice of the financial advisors in the Affiliated Advisors community.My journey in finance began when I joined EF Hutton as a brokerage assistant. A career turning point was at Paine Webber, where I encountered gender-based exclusion as the only woman in a firm that conducted meetings at a mens-only country club.In 1994, I took a bold step by founding Affiliated Advisors, which is likely the first woman-owned office of supervisory jurisdiction in the broker-dealer sector. I led the firm to support 100 independent advisors, managing assets worth $3.5 billion. I am proud that our company is predominantly led by women. Above all, I prioritize skill and capacity. It just so happens that my team is mostly female, a result of merit-based selection rather than deliberate planning.I have advocated for the empowerment of women in the financial sector and believe strongly in the critical role women can play in decision-making positions. While I was comfortable among my Wall Street colleagues, as I am results-driven with a strong understanding of what it took to achieve those results, I also understand that financial empowerment and stability is critical to women’s power and parity. That’s why my goal has been to shift the industry perception from the "Wolf of Wall Street" stereotype to a more empathetic, family-focused approach.I happily live in New York City with my husband, Bruce Arnold, and stay close to my adult children. Together, we make the most of all the city has to offer. This includes being an avid fan of the New York City Ballet - although avid is an understatement, given that I’m a 40+ year subscriber with early fond memories of attending performances with my mother! I serve as a trustee of The Town Hall, a National Historic Landmark venue, and spend summers at Lavender Hill Farm in Boyne City, Michigan, where I am a partner.

Listed skills include Leadership Development, Cross Functional Team Leadership, Leadership, Financial Advisory, and 9 others.

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  The Wharton School

  Securities Industry Institute Executive Educational Program