Leadership Spotlight on Arnelle Filsaime-Johnson
Each week the NAAHP highlights individuals who are making a difference in their communities as well as the business world. Arnelle Filsaime-Johnson is an Investment Advisor Representative at Suntrust Investment Services, Inc. in Tampa, FL and has over 16 years of experience in the finance industry. Connect with Arnelle on LinkedIn.
Arnelle will be attending the 6th Annual NAAHP Conference, be sure to connect with her at the event next week!
10 Questions for Arnelle Filsaime-Johnson
Dominique Elkind, NAAHP: Tell us a bit about your background.
Arnelle Filsaime-Johnson: I am a Haitian-American Financial Advisor Associate with SunTrust Investment Services, Inc. I offer clients more than 11 years of financial services/retirement planning/investment management experience. I have earned the professional designations of CRPC, and I am a graduate of Johnson & Wales University.
My focus is advising on the development and implementation of investment strategies to help clients meet their immediate and future goals. I follow a disciplined process of assessing a client’s financial situation, determining risk tolerance, forming and executing an appropriate investment plan, and regular portfolio rebalancing in order to obtain measurable results. I also consult on risk management, retirement planning, insurance planning, and other critical financial strategies.
NAAHP: What is the biggest challenge of your work?
AFJ: Helping clients understand the importance of creating a financial plan and getting them to implement the financial strategies that will help them achieve their short-term and long-term goals.
NAAHP: How do you prioritize your time and what you focus on?
AFJ: I do that by keeping organized, I block out my calendar with set times for my daily work activities and I make my calendar flexible to allow for unexpected changes. My main focus is proactively engaging with clients through meetings, phone calls, email, and LinkedIn.
NAAHP: What is your strategy for maintaining a strong SunTrust brand identity?
AFJ: Lead by example, inform clients about all of the services SunTrust provides. We have a team approach when it comes to utilizing all of our SunTrust partners to help clients achieve their goals.
NAAHP: What advice can you give to someone who wants to become a financial advisor?
AFJ: You need to be passionate about helping others improve their financial wellbeing, be a great listener and build strong relationships with your clients.
NAAHP: Did you always know that you wanted to work in the Financial Services?
AFJ: I didn’t always know it, I made a career change in my twenties and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve always been an organized and detail-oriented person, but growing up in a Haitian household helped me realize at an early age how financial planning could help you attain a better quality of life.
I witnessed firsthand how my grandmother faced financial hardship when my grandfather passed away. My grandparents were not financially prepared for the unexpected. My grandfather was the sole breadwinner of their household, they didn’t have life insurance and they had little in savings. When my grandfather passed away unexpectedly, my grandmother had to get a job to make ends meet. At the young age of 14, I stepped in to help my grandmother manage her bill payments to help ease some of her responsibilities.
NAAHP: What is your financial advisor journey highlights thus far?
AFJ: Opening a client’s eyes to the various strategies available to help them achieve their financial goals and being able to make a positive difference in the lives of my clients.
NAAHP: How do you motivate and inspire others?
AFJ: I believe it’s important to lift as you climb. I utilize every opportunity to educate and motivate family, friends, and clients to take steps to improve their financial wellbeing.
NAAHP: What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned?
AFJ: Destiny is not created by the shoes we wear but by the steps we take.
NAAHP: Did you have a mentor or do you mentor someone else? How has that experience changed you?
AFJ: I have a great mentor and he has given me sage advice on how to manage my practice. It’s a great benefit to have a mentor within the industry with more than 20 years of experience, that I can go to whenever I have a question.
NAAHP: When you’re not at work, where can we find you?
AFJ: Spending time with family, going to the beach, treating myself to a spa day and traveling for fun.
Arnelle Johnson
Financial Advisor Associate
SunTrust Investment Services, Inc.
Investment Adviser Representative, SunTrust Advisory Services, Inc.
Investment and Insurance Products: 1) Are not FDIC or any other Government Agency Insured. 2) Are not Bank Guaranteed. 3) May Lose Value. Services provided by the following affiliates of SunTrust Banks, Inc.: Banking products and services are provided by SunTrust Bank, Member FDIC. Trust and investment management services are provided by SunTrust Bank, SunTrust Delaware Trust Company, and SunTrust Banks Trust Company (Cayman) Limited. Securities, brokerage accounts and insurance (including annuities) are offered by SunTrust Investment Services, Inc., a SEC registered broker-dealer, member FINRA, SIPC, and a licensed insurance agency. Investment advisory services are offered by SunTrust Advisory Services, Inc., a SEC registered investment adviser.