Sarah Colotto

Client Experience Leader, Strategy, Oswald Financial, Inc.

Business at a Glance

PLANADVISER: What differentiates your team in a crowded advisory marketplace today? Please expand on what you do differently in practice, not philosophy.

Colotto: What sets our team apart is the way we bring structure, independence and clarity to an environment that can often feel fragmented for plan sponsors. We blend a disciplined fiduciary process with a highly collaborative internal model, which ensures that every client benefits from a consistent experience supported by multiple areas of expertise.

Our investment committee, client service specialists, operational partners and participant education resources work together as one integrated team. This structure allows us to address issues quickly, anticipate challenges before they surface and deliver recommendations grounded in thoughtful analysis, rather than personal preference.

We also differentiate ourselves through the way we communicate. We take complex fiduciary requirements and translate them into practical, understandable guidance so committees feel confident in their decisionmaking. Our annual fiduciary training, quarterly governance content and proactive education reinforce a sponsor’s ability to meet their responsibilities year-round.

Clients often tell us that our greatest strength is our ability to make complex topics feel clear and manageable. We have earned long-term client retention because sponsors consistently point to our predictability, depth of expertise and ability to simplify decisions without sacrificing rigor. We pair independent thinking with disciplined processes and a people-first mindset. Sponsors know they can count on us to be steady, proactive partners who stay aligned with their goals. That consistency builds trust and delivers better outcomes for the organizations and the participants we serve.

PLANADVISER: What does “success” look like for your firm beyond asset growth? How do you balance business performance, client results, and team development?

Colotto: Success for us is defined by the quality of the client experience and the impact we have on participants, committees and our own team. Asset growth is a natural byproduct of strong relationships and good stewardship.

We look at success through three lenses.

First, client outcomes: Are committees more confident in their governance? Are participants making healthier savings decisions? Are plan sponsors seeing measurable improvement in plan effectiveness? These are the indicators that matter. We track this through metrics such as participant engagement, contribution rate improvements, project completion timelines and governance adherence benchmarks, giving sponsors a transparent view of year-over-year progress.

Second, team development: We invest in building depth and structure, so our people grow in their roles and feel connected to the larger purpose of improving retirement security. Our cross-functional model gives every team member a path for mentorship, skill expansion and increased responsibility, which directly enhances the consistency of client service.

Third, innovation and adaptability: Success means having the flexibility to improve our processes, expand our capabilities and anticipate the needs of our clients. We view progress as an ongoing responsibility, rather than a one-time initiative. This includes modernizing investment menu structures, integrating new technology tools and proactively revisiting our governance models so clients stay ahead of regulatory and workforce trends.

In short, success is the alignment of strong governance, meaningful participant outcomes and a team that continues to elevate its expertise and impact. When those three elements move together, growth takes care of itself.

PLANADVISER: Describe your core plan sponsor client and service model. What problems do sponsors typically hire you to solve?

Colotto: Our core clients are midsize to large organizations that value structure, accountability and clear guidance. These committees often have limited time, broad responsibilities and a need for a disciplined oversight process that supports both fiduciary confidence and meaningful participant outcomes. They want a partner who simplifies decisions and provides a clearer, strategic path forward.

Our service model delivers that structure. We meet quarterly or semiannually based on plan complexity, following a consistent agenda that covers investment monitoring, plan health metrics, fee analysis, compliance updates and participant engagement. We reinforce this with year-round support, including administrative reminders, communication resources and ongoing education, that helps committees stay ahead of regulatory and workforce trends.

Sponsors typically hire us to solve three recurring challenges. First, they need a stronger governance foundation. We develop committee charters, annual calendars and documentation standards that reduce risk and increase confidence. Many committees share that this is the first time they’ve felt fully aligned in their fiduciary responsibilities.

Second, they need help navigating complex investment menus. We streamline lineups, modernize structures and guide sponsors through transitions and re-enrollments that improve participant allocations and reduce unnecessary cost.

Third, they struggle with inconsistent participant engagement. Through communication planning, education sessions and coordinated provider support, we create a more meaningful experience for employees and often see measurable improvements in participation and savings behavior.

Our goal is to strengthen governance, reduce complexity and provide a model sponsors can depend on. We operationalize a governance framework that delivers confidence and consistency.

PLANADVISER: What are the three most pressing retirement plan challenges your sponsors face today? How have you helped sponsors address them in measurable ways?

Colotto: The most pressing challenges our sponsors face today center on fiduciary oversight, investment complexity and participant engagement. We focus on giving committees the structure and clarity they need to manage each with confidence.

Committees are balancing increasing regulatory expectations with competing priorities. We support them by building a consistent governance framework that includes formal charters, clear meeting cadence and practical fiduciary education. Our annual training, quarterly reminders and embedded governance elements strengthen documentation and help committees make informed decisions. This structure reduces risk and increases committee confidence, which clients often cite as one of our strongest value drivers.

Many sponsors come to us with investment lineups that have grown complicated over time. We streamline menus, modernize strategies and lead full lineup transitions. This includes enhanced target-date series, managed accounts and plan-wide re-enrollment when appropriate. These improvements reduce fees, eliminate unnecessary complexity and align participants with more appropriate investments. By managing analysis, communication and execution, we give committees peace of mind and deliver measurable impact.

Sponsors also struggle with inconsistent participant engagement. We address this through targeted communication campaigns, webinars, videos, on-site meetings and provider-supported outreach. These efforts help employees understand their benefits, take action and stay engaged. As a result, sponsors see stronger participation, better use of plan tools and more confident decisionmaking across their workforce.

Across each challenge, the common thread is structure and clarity. Our goal is to make retirement plans easier to manage and more impactful for the people who depend on them.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Global Retirement Partners, DBA Oswald Financial, an SEC registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.