CLEARSTEAD EMPOWHER 2019 WOMAN OF THE YEAR: MAUREEN LENEGHAN

Like training for marathon running, balancing the direction of the firm’s financial planning department with serving client relationships takes a great deal of discipline, time, and energy.

According to Maureen Leneghan, CPA, CFP®, CGMA, Clearstead’s Director of Financial Planning, it is that discipline, combined with a good organizational system and a collaborative culture, that is necessary to succeed and provide tailored financial solutions for the firm’s high net worth clients.

“What I consider my most important responsibility, and why I love my job, is ensuring that our analysis and reports, whether long-term cash flow, trust reviews, estate analysis, or education analysis, provide our clients with guidance, solutions, and peace of mind” says Leneghan.

Leneghan, who has been with Clearstead over 6 years and is a current shareholder, is responsible for answering financial and estate planning questions from clients and Managing Directors, managing any planning, technical cash flow, and estate deliverables requested, and leading a team of planning associates.

In addition to these responsibilities, she also serves as support for many client relationships and aids in the assessment of their needs and the delivery of appropriate solutions. As financial needs change frequently, it is no surprise Leneghan says that “no two days are the same.”

“We have a very talented and knowledgeable team at Clearstead and there is great camaraderie” she explains, emphasizing the collaboration that is critical to the success of she and her team.

In recognition for her contributions to the firm’s private wealth management services, Leneghan was selected as EmpowHER’s 2019 Woman of the Year. This is the fourth year that EmpowHER, Clearstead’s women’s initiative, has recognized an accomplished woman in a leadership role at the firm.

Leneghan has been working in the private wealth management world for over 20 years. She holds a BSBA from The Ohio State University, as well as an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from The Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.

She also serves as a Finance Committee member for Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP), reviewing financials, budget, annual report, and investment policy and procedures. Leneghan enjoys being part of “an organization that preserves a wonderful national park right here in our area and enriches our community through supporting education, cultural arts and volunteer programs in the park.”

Her involvement with CVNP is a testament to Leneghan’s enjoyment of being outside in her spare time. “When I’m not at work you’ll catch me running in the Metroparks or CVNP, at a yoga class, or in the summer out on the lake on my paddle board,” she shared. She also expressed a love of travelling and incorporating her love of running into finding new places to explore.

In the years Leneghan has worked in financial advisory, she has only recently seen progress in bringing more women into the industry, and expressed the importance of organizations like EmpowHER that are “focused on supporting, educating, advocating, and empowering” women to succeed professionally.

“I’m always up for a challenge whether here at Clearstead or in my personal life,” Leneghan says, “Beyond Clearstead, about 10 years ago, I started running and haven’t stopped. I remember what a challenge it was to start and to go a little further each day.”

Echoing her enjoyment of problem-solving mentioned earlier, Leneghan’s positive approach to challenges and collaboration aids her ability to direct the financial planning department to tackle clients’ complex financial situations.