The Evolution of Relationship Management

Lee Kowarski is a Vice President with SS&C Technologies, overseeing the firm’s Distribution Solutions and data science teams.  A graduate of New York University’s Stern School of Business, Lee entered the asset management industry as part of RSM McGladrey’s consulting practice before co-founding kasina in 1999, which was subsequently acquired by DST Systems’ in 2015 and then a part of SS&C’s acquisition of DST in 2018.  Lee oversees the Distribution Solutions products and services, including data management (SalesConnect), analytics (WalletShare), research, and consulting.  This team is focused on helping asset and wealth managers find opportunity amongst disruption.  Lee is a trusted advisor to senior executives in the industry, helping them prepare their distribution, marketing, and product strategy for the future. He is a frequent speaker at both industry conferences and client events, where firms regularly engage Lee to address their senior management team or Board about topics ranging from macro-level distribution and marketing trends to wholesaler compensation to the needs of financial intermediaries.  Additionally, Lee guides the firm’s Data Science group, which works with all SS&C businesses and clients to unlock value through data science.  Lee and his wife, Melinda Miller, live on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and are active in the hospitality world: both through non-profits including Rethink Food and the James Beard Foundation, as well as through dining out regularly at many delicious restaurants.

Clint Harris is the Head of Wealth Management Platforms for Invesco US Wealth Management Intermediaries. Mr. Harris oversees home office coverage and is responsible for the design and execution of Invesco’s engagement strategy across US broker-dealer, retirement and insurance platforms. He is a member of the US Wealth Management Intermediaries senior leadership team.

Mr. Harris was previously the senior client portfolio manager for the Dividend Value team from 2008 to 2017, where he was responsible for the investment team’s client engagement and marketing. He joined Invesco’s retirement business in 1999 and held several positions, including as an investment specialist responsible for internal and external asset manager due diligence. Subsequently, Mr. Harris joined the private asset management team in 2002, where he was responsible for home office engagement as a portfolio advisor for the firm’s separate account platforms. In 2006, he became the senior product manager in the Product Strategy and Investment Services group, working with the Dividend Value and Core Equity teams.

Mr. Harris earned a BA degree from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, with a dual major in economics and marketing and a specialization in international business. He holds the Series 7, 24, 63 and 66 registrations and is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) charterholder.

Stephanie joined WFA in 2010, after serving as a Limited Partner at Edward Jones for nine years. In her time with WFA, she has worn a variety of hats including building the Product Education team, working with Field Leaders and new Advisors while in Learning & Development.

In her present role as Director of Relationship Management & Advanced FA Education, Stephanie is responsible for leading the team of Relationship Managers who work with hundreds of asset management firms representing multiple lines of business including all of our internal product departments. She is also responsible for developing strategies with key stakeholders across Products & Advice, Innovation & Strategy, Business Development Group and other teams across the Wells Fargo Enterprise.

Her team also encompasses the Advanced FA Education Group which enables the growth of experienced Financial Advisors by deepening their knowledge of tools and resources available at Wells Fargo Advisors and the best practices available to help their clients succeed financially.

Stephanie is very active in the community; serving on the cabinet of the Charmaine Chapman Society, the African American Leadership Giving Initiative for United Way- St. Louis and has been on the board of directors for Urban Financial Services Coalition and YMCA (Marquette and Downtown.) Stephanie has also opened her own business, acquired a local competitor, and ran the 5th largest competitive cheerleading company in the U.S. She is a University of Missouri- Columbia graduate where she received her bachelor’s degree and spent four years as an MU Cheerleader. Among many recognition awards, in 2009, she was recognized as one of St. Louis Business Journal’s 30 under 30.

Stephanie resides in St. Louis with her husband John and their two children.

Kirsten Pickens serves as Managing Director and Co-Head of US Distribution for FS Investments, where she oversees the firm’s National Accounts, Marketing, Investment Research and Fund Communications functions.

Ms. Pickens was a Partner and Head of Distribution at Chiron Investment Management, the global multi-asset firm which launched in 2015 and was acquired by FS in 2020. Prior to joining Chiron, she was Senior Vice President and Head of National Accounts at Ivy Funds, a subsidiary of Waddell & Reed. In 2010, she was named one of Institutional Investor magazine’s “Rising Stars of Mutual Funds.” She began her financial services career as a Retirement Specialist at Vanguard.

Ms. Pickens serves on the Board of the Expect Miracles Foundation. She is a member of the Sales Force Marketing Committee of the Investment Company Institute and a member of the Money Management Institute, and she holds her Series 6, 7, 24 and 63 FINRA securities licenses. She holds a BA from Arizona State University, where she majored in Justice Studies with a Pre-Law minor.