Emilio Vela-Negrete

PLANADVISER: Tell us about your role at your firm and your current responsibilities? How do you contribute to your firm/team’s growth and progress?

Vela-Negrete: I lead our SMARTMap Financial Wellness program, guiding a team of financial advocates who support participants in making confident decisions about retirement and their overall financial health. My role brings together program strategy, operations and advisor engagement so we can deliver services that are both scalable and still feel personal. I enjoy working with advisers and plan sponsors to shape solutions that meet the needs of their employees, while also building processes that drive better outcomes and efficiencies. Developing my team is also something I take pride in, helping team members grow their expertise and professional confidence. By keeping our work tied closely to the firm’s mission of expanding access to financial guidance, I aim to make sure we stay impactful, competitive and focused on long-term success.

PLANADVISER: What are the most common operational challenges in a retirement plan advisory firm? How do you manage those?

Vela-Negrete: One of the biggest challenges is balancing personalization with scale. Participants expect guidance tailored to their unique situations, while plan sponsors need efficient and consistent processes. Another is ensuring that technology, people and workflows all work together seamlessly. To address these challenges, I focus on creating clear, structured processes; providing continuous training for my team; and leveraging participant feedback to refine our services. I collaborate closely with advisers to make sure our tools and workflows support their client relationships. I also look for ways to automate routine tasks so my team can spend more time delivering meaningful guidance. Staying proactive, adaptable and attentive to both participant and sponsor needs is key to keeping operations smooth while providing an exceptional experience in a complex, highly regulated environment.

PLANADVISER: What have you done that you are most proud of?

Vela-Negrete: I’m proud of how our SMARTMap Financial Wellness program has grown into something that really makes a difference for people. We’ve built a service through which participants can get practical, personalized guidance without feeling any pressure to buy a product. It’s rewarding to see people open up about their financial goals and feel more confident about their next steps, knowing we’re here to support them year-round. I’m proud that we’ve created a process and team that make that possible at scale, while still feeling personal. Being able to foster a culture in which both participants and team members feel supported and empowered has been a highlight of my career, and it continues to motivate me to innovate and grow the program.