Vanessa Duchman

Background

About Vanessa Duchman

My career in Financial Services began as a Sales Associate with Alex. Brown, where I obtained my Series 7 and 66 licenses and was promoted to Registered Sales Associate. I also earned my MBA in Finance during this time. Bankers Trust acquired Alex. Brown and Deutsche Bank acquired Bankers Trust. Our office left together to open an office for Tucker Anthony. There was no room for growth, so I left to join Legg Mason as a Financial Planner, where I earned my CFP® designation and was promoted to Wealth Advisor. In order to further my career there, I would need to acquire either a CPA license or a law degree. I had the education and work experience needed to take the CPA exam, so I went that route. My division was part of the asset swap between Citigroup and Legg Mason, so we became part of Smith Barney. Smith Barney offered me the opportunity to continue on with them, however, a law degree was the only way for me to go any further with them. I then became a Vice President/Investment Advisor with Mercantile Bank. PNC Bank acquired Mercantile. The manager at that time had a history of laying off women shortly after they returned from maternity leave. I was laid off my third day back from my maternity leave. I have gone back to my roots in accounting, and I am now the Assistant Director in the Office of Student Accounts at Stevenson University. Specialties: Accounting | Wealth Management | Financial Services | Investment Advising | Higher Education