Lydia Jun

Financial Advisor

J.P. Morgan Securities

My current job involves…providing advisory services for corporate retirement plans. As a fiduciary, I partner with plan sponsors to support and educate their participants achieve their retirement goals. I am part of a four-advisor group that manages over $3.6bn in assets with J.P. Morgan Securities, a wealth management division of J.P. Morgan.

My first job in the retirement industry was…East Regional Director for PenChecks, the largest independent provider of retirement fund benefits. Given its very niche focus, I had the chance to directly service plan sponsors, TPAs, advisors, banks and recordkeepers.

WiPN has had a positive impact on my career because…I had the context to learn about the many facets of the retirement industry. There are many women involved with WiPN that are dynamic, caring and successful. The retirement world is much smaller through my involvement with the Women in Pensions Network. As the co-chair of the New York City chapter for WiPN, I’ve had different opportunities to feel the pulse of the industry.

I love the retirement industry because…it is the crossroads of Wall Street and Main Street. My guardianship and diligence around a corporate retirement plan directly impacts how a person lives out her retirement years. It’s rewarding and humbling that I have the privilege to utilize my financial knowledge and human network for the well-being of many individuals.

I’d love people to ask me about…my recent obsession about the lifestyle of “frugality” as a millennial!

Michele Giangrande

Regional Sales Consultant – DCIO

T. Rowe Price

My current job involves…managing the Pacific Southwest territory for T. Rowe Price’s DCIO business. I partner with Defined Contribution Consultants to share best practices and support their overall corporate retirement plan business.

I love the retirement industry because … saving for retirement affects everyone, regardless of one’s demographic. I saw my family and friends struggle with financial stability and now the prospect of outliving their assets. I hope to improve participant outcomes by supplying retirement consultants with the resources and information they need to manage successful retirement plans. I am grateful to be given the chance to have a small impact on such a widespread issue.

WiPN has had a positive impact on my career because…. being a WiPN co-chair for the Southern California chapter, Tina Schackman and I try to bring meaningful content and speakers to our industry colleagues and WiPN members. Through this process, we are able to build our brand, deepen relationships, network with inspiring individuals, and help each other grow both professionally and personally.

Other women should join WiPN because…oftentimes, in male dominated fields women tend to feel isolated. The purpose of WiPN is to bring females together of all different roles in our industry to discuss topics that are important to us. WiPN provides a safe space to discuss issues without judgement. It’s a fantastic venue for women to support each other and encourage personal growth.

I wish I’d known years ago that….life is short and things can change quickly. I try to spend time with those that mean the most to me. Our time is valuable and we tend to realize that more as we get older. I would not have wasted time on trying to please others and on people who didn’t value and appreciate my abilities. We are all worthy of our own idea of what success is. Define what success means to you and focus on what is truly important to you as an individual.

One thing every woman should do at least once in their life is…take a solo trip, even if it’s a short road trip. It pushes you out of your comfort zone but makes you realize just how strong and capable you are.

Tina Wisialowski

Senior Institutional Consultant, Corporate Retirement Director

Graystone Consulting Morgan Stanley

My current job involves… two roles: 1) as a Partner on the team, I focus on business development and new sales opportunities for the team and 2) I serve as a lead advisor specializing in retirement plan consulting, including fiduciary training and education for plan sponsors, plan design analysis, employee education, due diligence, investment oversight and ongoing plan management for our existing clients.  Since our approach is customized for each Plan Sponsor based on their specific goals and needs, it is my role to lead our team in delivering all the necessary services to each Plan Sponsor.

 My first job in the retirement industry was… in the Trust department of Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company. I started as a training associate in the Conversion department for their retirement plan division. This was a brand new department consisting of only myself and one other individual. After a few years on the Conversion team, I transitioned the Employee Education Team to conduct employee education and communication sessions. From there, I transitioned to an Education Consultant to sell and design communication campaigns for clients and then finally moved to an Advisory role for retirement plans.

I first learned about WiPN when… I was attending various NAPA events.

I love the retirement industry because… it affects every working American!  What we do every day can make an impact on people’s lives both now and well into the future.

 Other women should join WiPN because… it focuses on us (women) in the retirement plan industry.  It provides us a platform to voice our opinions and concerns and network with other women with the same focus and dedication to the retirement plan industry.

When I’m not working I am…. spending time with my family.  This mostly involves watching and cheering my two teenage sons in all their extracurricular sporting events.