Deborah Montaperto is a successful wealth advisor working at Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management division in Palm Beach, FL. With team assets of $22.7 billion, Montaperto and her team have been recognized by Forbes in various rankings such as America’s Top Wealth Advisors, Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, and America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors. Montaperto’s career in finance began as a secretary at Dean Witter in 1984, eventually leading her to become a managing director at Citigroup’s investment banking division. After losing her job during the financial crisis in 2008, she joined the Polk Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley, where she has been working since.
Montaperto’s team takes a multi-generational approach to working with wealthy clients, focusing on liability management and addressing their concerns about wealth impact and inheritance. They place a special emphasis on working with clients’ children and host a yearly next-gen conference to engage with them. In terms of investment philosophy, Montaperto starts by assessing clients’ risk tolerance before determining proper asset allocation. The team does not have any major U.S. equity sector tilts currently but is looking to add more cyclical exposure in the future. They also use alternative investments such as private equity to diversify client portfolios.
In terms of investment outlook, Montaperto believes there may be rate cuts but not as soon as expected, especially with the latest inflation numbers. While most of her clients are overweight on U.S. equities, some also have exposure to emerging markets like India, Mexico, Brazil, or China. The team has been adding Japanese equity to some client portfolios due to attractive market conditions in Japan. Montaperto and her team spend a lot of time meeting with funds to make informed investment decisions and seek out opportunities for outperformance.
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Montaperto faced challenges but thrived by believing in herself and being tenacious. Her best advice is to specialize in something and become an expert in that area, which she believes applies to anyone looking to succeed in their career. Outside of work, Montaperto enjoys spending time at the beach, traveling, and maintaining her connections to the art world through institutions like the National Arts Club. She splits her time between Palm Beach and New York, with frequent visits to London and past experience living in Italy.
Overall, Deborah Montaperto has built a successful career in wealth management by focusing on client relationships, specialized expertise, and a multi-generational approach. Her team’s emphasis on liability management and diverse investment strategies have allowed them to navigate market challenges and provide value to their clients. Montaperto’s journey from a secretary to a managing director showcases her resilience and determination in the face of adversity, inspiring others to carve out their own path to success in the financial industry.