The Human Element of Wealth Management with Austin Shapard of Fiduciary Trust

Rosemont Roundtable: Exploring the Business of Investment Management

In this episode of Rosemont Roundtable, Brad Mook engages with Austin Shapard, President & CEO of Fiduciary Trust, the Boston-based wealth management firm overseeing $29 billion in client assets. Their conversation examines the evolving landscape of wealth management through both strategic and human lenses.

Drawing from his experience leading financial institutions, Austin shares insights on building enduring client relationships and steering a legacy firm through changing times.

Key themes include:

• The Art of Leadership: How Austin's educational and early professional experiences influence his approach to guiding Fiduciary Trust's strategic direction.
• Industry Consolidation: A nuanced look at wealth management M&A—beyond the headlines to the practical challenges of preserving culture and client trust through transitions.
• Talent and Culture: Fiduciary Trust's methodology for identifying professionals who combine technical expertise with emotional intelligence and client empathy.
• Strategic Focus: The principles behind Fiduciary Trust's decisions on which capabilities to develop internally versus source from specialists.

The discussion reveals how successful wealth management transcends portfolio construction to encompass the fuller scope of clients' financial lives. Austin articulates why, in an age of automation, the essence of the business remains deeply human—built on understanding, trust, and sustained dialogue. His perspective suggests that firms will thrive not only by chasing scale, but also by excelling at these enduring client service principles.

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