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2013 Most Influential Women Honoree: Shari Hoffman

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Shari Hoffman took a part-time college job and turned it into a career.

While a student at Drury University, Hoffman worked at Commerce Bank and within two years moved to its trust department, launching a career in the financial industry.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration, Hoffman held various positions within Commerce Trust, eventually being promoted to trust officer, advising clients across southwest Missouri.

As vice president and trust officer at Springfield Trust Co., Hoffman managed $120 million in assets, assisting clients with every phase of their financial plans. She also earned the designation of certified trust and financial adviser after completing a three-year course in the top 10 percent nationwide.

Hoffman next moved to BKD Wealth Advisors LLC, where she is senior managing adviser. She joined the wholly owned subsidiary in 2000, helping to develop BKD Wealth Advisors into a significant part of BKD LLP. The subsidiary provides wealth management services to high-net-worth families and business owners.

“BKD Wealth Advisors is ranked as one of the top 10 largest registered investment adviser firms in the country associated with an accounting firm,” Hoffman says. With $2.23 billion assets under management, the Springfield-based firm ranked No. 8 out of 200 on Accounting Today’s 2013 Top Firms list.

She has her Series 65 license, the obtainment of which indicates she has passed an exam deemed necessary to provide investment advice to clients.

Within BDK Wealth Advisors, Hoffman has received the 212 Degree Award – an honor bestowed only four times in the organization’s history – that recognizes employees who exemplify attitude, kindness, leadership, commitment and perseverance.

Hoffman serves as chairwoman of BKD Wealth Advisors’ client service committee, overseeing the firm’s service model for offices in five states. She has attended Ritz-Carlton’s leadership training and the Disney Institute, using those experiences to implement similar client-service standards and protocols at BKD Wealth Advisors.

“I have been blessed by having very good mentors throughout my career,” Hoffman says. “I continue to impart information, knowledge and wisdom, not only to employees but to my clients as well.”

Despite the many professional achievements Hoffman has added to her resume, they stand behind her proudest accomplishment: adopting two children while she and her husband were serving as foster parents.

“The foster care program was an eye-opening process, raising awareness for the red flag issues so prevalent in our community,” she says.

Hoffman is an active volunteer, for organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, Community Foundation of the Ozarks and Junior Achievement.[[In-content Ad]]

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