PLANADVISER: How did you end up in the retirement advisory industry?
Radach: Ironically, I was in significant debt and had no idea how to dig myself out. I was working days as a secretary for a lobbyist while spending evenings and weekends earning my associate degree at the local community college. Through a friend, I applied for a job at a brokerage firm so that I could learn about money. During that time, I had the opportunity to attend a 401(k) enrollment meeting with a recordkeeping partner, and for the first time, I began to understand there was a strategic path forward to debt-free living. I asked my recordkeeping partner to help me apply for a job at his firm so that I could immerse myself in 401(k) plans. Once I got my finances in order, I took my personal experience and helped people like me, who might be silently struggling, gain access to knowledgeable financial education, tools and resources.
PLANADVISER: For people who don’t understand this space; how would you describe your job to get someone excited about pursuing something similar?
Radach: As a senior relationship manager in retirement plan services at Sikich, a Chicago-based leading global technology-enabled professional services company, I help plan sponsors and their employees navigate the challenges of the retirement plan industry. My role blends strategic consulting with human connections, a core tenet of success across our wealth management team at Sikich.
Whether it’s meeting with employees one-on-one to offer personalized guidance; benchmarking the plan for health, services and fees; or creating efficiencies within our practice, I focus on making it approachable and effective. When issues arise, I step in and get the strategy back on track.
What makes this role rewarding is the impact: helping plan sponsors deliver exceptional retirement plans and helping individuals gain confidence in their future. It’s a career that combines analytical thinking, relationship-building and a genuine commitment to service. If you’re passionate about helping others succeed, this path offers both purpose and professional growth.
PLANADVISER: What have you done that you are most proud of?
Radach: I’m most proud of my college degrees because they represent more than academic achievement. They remind me of perseverance, independence and transformation. In my hometown, only 20% of the population has earned a bachelor’s degree, and I’m the first in my family to earn one. It took me many evenings and weekends to get it done and even longer to fund it on my own, but that journey completely changed the course of my life for the better.