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Ethel J. Davis: Trailblazer in Wealth Management
Ethel J. Davis is the CEO and Chief Investment Officer at VZD Capital Management, LLC, and is a pioneering figure in the investment industry. With over thirty years of experience, she is recognized for delivering exceptional customer service and crafting tailored investment strategies for high-net-worth clients, multigenerational families, and trusts. She is one of the first African American women to own 100% of a registered investment advisory firm in the Midwest—an achievement that is rare across the United States. Ethel’s approach to wealth management is distinctive, focusing on building legacies and creating lasting wealth. Her work has left a positive mark on her clients’ financial and personal lives, fostering enduring relationships, treasured memories, and a better world.
Ethel J Davis’s Journey: Purpose and Impact
Ethel’s journey exemplifies resilience and determination. After being let go as a partner at another registered investment advisory firm, she founded VZD Capital Management, LLC, in 2012. As a solo practitioner, she faced a deep fear of failure that motivated her to work tirelessly. [Redundant information at the top of the page]. She faced a deep fear of failure that drove her to work tirelessly.
As a single woman with no other source of income, Ethel’s decision to trust in God, take a leap of faith, and keep moving forward marked a significant turning point in her journey. She was deeply committed to owning a fee-based, discretionary Registered Investment Advisory firm and focused all her energy on building a top-tier company from scratch. She was determined to control her own destiny, driven by a desire to overcome manipulative practices and societal limitations. Her persistence and unwavering beliefs pushed her onward despite significant startup challenges.
Empowerment and Core Values
self-belief and positivity, showing that no challenge is insurmountable. Serving as a role model, she advocates diversity and inclusion and actively promotes financial literacy. Her dedication to empowering underserved communities and inspiring others to pursue positive change, regardless of their background, is a direct reflection of her core values.
Personal Journey and Inspiration
Nonetheless, her parents, Vergie and Zether Davis, instilled in her a strong work ethic and a sense of belonging despite her minority status.
Guiding Principles: Empowering Financial Freedom
Ethel’s values of integrity, empathy, and service inform every professional decision she makes. VZD Capital’s approach to financial advising is centered on a personalized investment process, offering solutions tailored to each client’s specific needs. Her goal is not just to manage money but to empower individuals to overcome financial trauma, develop financial literacy, and build wealth. Ethel seeks to change the narrative for young women regarding genuine financial empowerment, drawing on her own experiences with debt and the lessons she learned from her mother. She believes her financial mistakes make her a more empathetic advisor, as she understands the challenges many people face but are too embarrassed to discuss.
Values in Portfolio Management
At VZD Capital, personalized service and authentic relationships are fundamental to its portfolio management approach. The firm listens actively to each client’s unique perspective, developing customized solutions that honor their individual financial journeys. Whether clients are building or preserving wealth, VZD Capital strives to understand their values and support multi-generational families in sustaining their legacies.
Beyond the Numbers: A Personalized Approach
VZD Capital’s approach goes beyond financial metrics, emphasizing the emotional and personal aspects of each client’s wealth journey. By building strong relationships and understanding clients’ values and goals, the firm ensures that clients feel truly valued—direct access to decision-makers and transparent communication foster trust, distinguishing VZD Capital’s services.
A Transitional Journey in Finance:
Ethel’s interest in finance grew from realizing her lack of financial literacy. Though her parents emphasized saving and living below their means, they didn’t teach her about investing. She served on a local bank board but noticed that female leaders were passive and allowed their male counterparts to dominate. This experience discouraged her, reinforcing the idea that “women are to be seen and not heard.” It wasn’t until she met fellow students at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS, that she encountered friends from wealthy families who had a different view of wealth. This inspired her to pursue a career that would deepen her understanding of the financial world.
Trailblazing Leadership in Wealth Management
As CEO, Ethel defines leadership as setting a positive example and fostering a diverse and inclusive culture. She values authenticity, expertise, and creating an entrepreneurial environment where team members are partners. Her mission is to break down industry barriers and provide opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Cultivating Trust and Transparency
VZD Capital prioritizes transparency in every aspect of its business, from executive leadership to vendor partnerships and client relationships. The firm upholds high ethical standards and maintains open communication, fostering trust with both clients and team members. Publicly available documents, such as ADV Part 2A and 2B, and the Privacy Policy, exemplify this commitment to integrity and compliance.
Essential Leadership Qualities
Effective leaders in finance demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and authenticity. They build strong relationships, delegate tasks, and collaborate to achieve success. By leading with trustworthiness and strong ethics, leaders earn credibility and loyalty. Innovation and engagement with diverse communities empower them to meet the evolving demands of the market.
The Power of Mentorship
She pays it forward by sharing her experiences and insights to help others overcome obstacles and challenges. Through initiatives like “Mentoring Monday” sponsored by the Kansas City Business Journal, she supports women in building valuable networks, fostering genuine connections, and promoting women-owned businesses. Ethel is a member of the Kansas City Business Journal Women of Influence community, which formally recognizes women for their entrepreneurial and corporate achievements. This community of women has been a valuable resource for gaining personal and professional insight from a diverse group of professional women.
A Values-Driven Culture at VZD Capital
The value-driven culture at VZD Capital focuses on meeting client needs by building portfolios tailored to individual goals and legacies. By maintaining a low client-to-portfolio manager ratio, the firm provides personalized service and direct communication. VZD Capital avoids commission-based products, ensuring a conflict-free approach. Collaboration, empowerment, and customer satisfaction are central to the firm’s vision as a premier Registered Investment Adviser.
Leadership at VZD Capital is committed to preserving the firm’s culture and vision by planning for the future. Finding a successor who shares the company’s values is crucial to maintaining its identity and personal touch, which distinguishes VZD from other firms.
Client-Centric Investment Approach
VZD Capital’s investment strategies are tailored to each client’s values, goals, and risk tolerance. The firm considers unique circumstances to select investments that align with client preferences, avoiding generic or speculative portfolios. This personalized approach ensures clients feel understood and valued.
Key Differentiating Factors
VZD’s approach is distinct. Unlike larger firms, it doesn’t assign personnel solely to business relationships, as these individuals are not the primary decision-makers. Ethel, as the Chief Investment Officer, personally handles client meetings and makes all investment decisions on their behalf. The company maintains low client ratios to meet clients in person and foster strong relationships. Its pride lies in being different, in making its clients feel a sense of individuality, belonging, and value. The company prioritizes their needs over compensation, ensuring they receive the best service.
Key Lessons from Experience
Ethel’s tenure at leading financial firms has provided insights into different client profiles, including self-directed individuals, validators, and delegators, each with unique expectations. Acting as a “financial physician,” she delivers advice tailored to clients’ immediate concerns during initial consultations.
Advice for Young Professionals in Finance
Ethel encourages aspiring finance leaders to build trust and offer guidance with integrity. By focusing on personalized service, ethical standards, and empathy, young professionals can develop successful practices and make a meaningful impact in the industry.
Ethel’s Evolving Role: Authentic Leadership
With an impressive background at renowned firms such as American Century, Fidelity Investments, and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Ethel has become a respected leader in wealth management. She emphasizes staying current with industry developments, maintaining compliance, and operating efficiently. Authenticity is central to her approach, as she represents women and the African American community with integrity and respect, aiming to leave a lasting legacy in the field of wealth management.
A Legacy of Empowerment and Growth
Ethel’s vision is to inspire future generations to pursue their dreams confidently, guided by the motto “I think I can.” VZD Capital, named in honor of her parents, symbolizes he importance of family support and celebrates clients as part of her extended family. Her goal is to build a premier registered investment advisory firm that empowers clients to define and achieve wealth on their own terms. By redefining wealth and offering diverse programs, she strives to help individuals achieve affluence, launch initiatives such as a financial podcast, and inspire others to do the same.
