A collaborative space that welcomes all perspectives

Bringing with her nearly 18 years of experience in wealth management, Andrea L. Collins joined Schwab as a Financial Consultant for the Torrance, CA, branch just over two years ago because she wanted the opportunity to holistically serve her clients. 

“It is important to be involved in a client’s full financial life and advise on solutions that support each phase of their journey,” explains Andrea of her role at Schwab. 

It’s also important to her that the company she works for provides similar support to her and the lives of all its employees. 

Andrea gives Schwab top marks in this area, as she has seen first-hand how the company prioritizes and supports her as a woman in finance. 

Andrea was part of the 2021 pilot cohort for the CARE program, which stands for Career Accelerator Resource for Emerging Branch Network Talent, and aims to develop, retain, and promote female financial consultants and women in other client-facing roles within the branch network. 

“It was a really valuable experience, that I would recommend any female financial consultant participate in regardless of tenure” explains Andrea of the program. “The engagement within our cohort created a collaborative space that welcomed different perspectives on how we approach our practices. And it provided me the opportunity to reevaluate my processes to come up with new ways of reaching and serving clients.”   

One of the main lessons Andrea gained from the program was about how she shows up every day, and not just for her clients, but for her colleagues as well. 

“I learned that I am serving externally, but it is just as important for me to partner internally,” explains Andrea. “I want to be accountable for being an advocate for the client, and also for being an ally for my colleagues and an ambassador for Schwab.”  

While Andrea gained a lot personally from CARE, she also recognizes how important programs like these are for the larger financial industry, as women in client facing financial roles continue to be underrepresented but are becoming increasingly more sought after.  

“We are seeing a shift in client demographics and their needs,” explains Andrea. “Female representation and retention in the financial services sector is important to serve this evolution. We have a way to go as far as gender equity or parity within this industry, but I have seen a shift.” 

Outside of work, Andrea makes sure to prioritize and the support the other passion in her life—art. She serves on the board of directors for LACE—the Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions—and loves going to museums and galleries to stay involved in the art scene.