PLANADVISER: Tell us about your role at your firm and how you contribute to its growth and progress. How did you end up there?
Holland: I made a major career shift a little over three years ago—not something I expected to do in my mid-30s! In taking on the challenge of switching industries, I’ve demonstrated my leadership to those closest to me through my pursuit of passion and making the choice to pick the right path over the easy one. Specifically, the right path for me. Everyone has a different story, but it takes bravery to make a large shift in career with the daily pressures of life and uncertainty of the challenges ahead.
Within intellicents, I lead by example in my role as a financial consultant: having challenging conversations, connecting the right people for the right solutions and coaching teammates on mindset shifts. I’ve brought a unique and different perspective, having not grown up in the finance industry, and am grateful to be able to freely voice my thoughts and insights to add to the dialogue. I lead by using my relationship skills to connect resources and people within our organization across our more than 10 locations. This not only strengthens our culture, but also helps us combine talents to do our best work for our clients.
PLANADVISER: Have you had mentors or role models? Who are they and what lessons have you learned from them?
Holland: I’ve had various mentors throughout my professional life. The most impactful influence is from my women’s breakfast club called Thrive. We consist of 12 women of all different ages, backgrounds and industries. Meeting monthly, we each come up with a topic or current challenge we may be facing to support, connect and guide one another. While we do conduct business with each other and work to elevate opportunities for one another, it is largely about personal growth and showing up authentically. Nothing I write to explain this group of women will accurately describe the impact that we collectively have on the lives of each other and the greater impact in our communities. They have taught me how to lead, coached me on facing adversity, served our community beside me and become a great sounding board for any of the personal or professional challenges life throws at you. I am proud to be a small part of the lives of these amazing women who contribute professionally, personally and by serving our communities on a daily basis.
PLANADVISER: What are you most passionate about outside of the office?
Holland: I grew up in a family of stewards, so I am very passionate about making our volunteering more visible to our two young children. I had a short stint as a soccer coach when my daughter was 6 years old, but I can fully admit it wasn’t a strength of mine—although I had a great time and learned a lot.
I’ve served on the board for CREW [Commercial Real Estate Women] Iowa for five years but spent this past year seeking new ways to get involved locally as my children develop their hobbies and interests. I recently joined the Ankeny Community Schools Foundation Board. I’m a teacher’s kid and have witnessed firsthand the hard work and sacrifice needed to create the best learning opportunities for students. This voluntary board works to raise money to support and strengthen excellence in the Ankeny School District through our grant program for both teachers and student organizations. It’s been a great fit, and I’m looking forward to growing my role on the board while supporting all Ankeny teachers who work so tirelessly for our children.