Karen L. Diamond
MBA, CFP®, CIMA®
Managing Director- Investments
Karen embarked on her distinguished career with Merrill Lynch in 1990. Early on, she harbored reservations about the industry's approach to client interactions, recognizing that the current system didn’t fully address clients' needs. To help bridge this gap, Karen developed an extensive ten-page client profile questionnaire, enabling her to delve into issues ranging from family dynamics to cash flow needs. She believes this innovative approach earned her the reputation of knowing her clients better than anyone else.
Driven by a commitment to excellence, Karen pursued advanced certifications, obtaining the Certified Investment Management designation from Wharton in 2003, followed by becoming a Certified Financial Planner™ professional in 2005, and later a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. However, she felt a void without a formal education and fulfilled her lifelong dream by completing the Global MBA program at Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Karen's collaborative approach to success led her to form Diamond & Associates Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. The team brings a wealth of knowledge and analytical expertise to their investment management approach for their clients.
Beyond the confines of the office, Karen finds joy in spending time with her grandchildren, enjoying a competitive round of golf, boating and embarking on adventures around the globe. Her dedication to making a positive impact extends to her Italian Greyhound, Mia, who recently achieved certification as an Accredited Therapy Dog, spreading joy and compassion among seniors in the community.
Karen's commitment to excellence has garnered recognition, including the 2023 Five Star Wealth Manager award* and the 2024 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State** accolade. Through each interaction, Karen continues to leave a lasting impression, striving to make the world a better place, one step at a time.
· The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit Wells Fargo Advisors or its Financial Advisors to provide legal advice, nor is it meant to imply that the firm or its associates are acting as experts in this field.
The Five Star Wealth Manager award was issued on October 1, 2023 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 1/9/23 through 7/31/23. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. 661 of wealth managers in Sarasota market were considered for the award; 60 of candidates named, (9 % percent of candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.
· 2024 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State: Awarded February 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 9/30/22 - 9/30/23 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.