What are you passionate about?
That’s the very question we posed to our Rebalance team in anticipation of the loved-up holiday that is rapidly approaching. While Valentine’s day may traditionally mean chocolates, roses, and pre fixe meals, it also makes a good excuse to reflect on what makes you tick, what makes you wake up every day, and what you love in life.
Sure, our team has the shared interest of helping retirement investors make the most of their savings – but once we “punch off the clock” that passion and drive spills into other facets of our lives.
Join us as we share with you some of the things that make our hearts go pitter patter. We invite you to join the conversation and share what you’re passionate about via our twitter @rebalanceira.
Managing Director
As a purveyor of fine wines and good food, I have long been intrigued by the extensive knowledge that sommeliers and vintners have when it comes to notes, pairings, and everything that goes into selecting the perfect bottle. So, a few years ago, I decided to “join their ranks,” so to speak. I flew out to wine country and participated in a lengthy sommelier course. Through this course, I learned the specific characteristics of wines according to region, how to properly pair a bottle with a dish, and everything in between. I was so taken with this education that I helped produce a PBS show with my extraordinary teacher, Karen MacNeil, aptly titled Wine, Food, and Friends. To this day I meet up with a group of my good friends once a month for what we have coined “Wine Night,” wherein each of us brings a bottle to share. If you’re ever in need of a good wine recommendation, please feel free to send me an email.
I love to bake for my family, in particular when I can get my boys involved in the process. I grew up with a mother and grandmother who always baked cakes and cookies from scratch and have fond memories of them with their aprons on, making creations and of delicious smells of goodies in the oven. I have carried on this tradition with my children with pride, making various treats for them to enjoy. For me, there is a warmth and feeling of love associated with it.
If you’re looking for a book recommendation, I’m the right person to ask! I love to read, and for nearly 18 years, I’ve participated in a book club that meets once a month to read and discuss (mostly nonfiction) books. We read everything from classics like Anna Karenina to The Orphan Master’s Son, a 2012 novel about life in North Korea. While I don’t always like every book, I almost always find something to appreciate about them after listening to other people’s perspectives. Although reading is generally considered to be a solitary activity, my book club has definitely expanded my horizons and brought me joy.
For many seasons I have coached youth soccer as a volunteer for the North Carolina Football Club in central North Carolina. I got started as an assistant coach for my older son Ben’s team. I am now head coach of my younger son Daniel’s squad, the U11 Cosmos. It has been a thrill to manage young, excited players, some of whom move on to higher levels of play, then to high school and who knows where next. I have played soccer informally for years, so teaching the sport is one of these effortless joys in life. My sons will move on, I know. Me, I’ll probably get a referee license and stay on the pitch until someone asks me to leave! Go Cosmos!
Senior Marketing Consultant
I do not consider myself a good cook, but I do love to cook for my family. With three toddlers, cooking healthy and tasty meals is a constant experiment – kind of like a moving target! My 4 year old and 3 year old love to cook with me, so it has reached a new level of enjoyment for me. We all watch cooking shows together, and the kids pick recipes from the shows they want to cook for the family. I have a few tried and true recipes that seem to hit home runs with the toddlers every time I make them – pasta fagioli, creamy mushroom noodles, and one pan, oven-baked sausage and veggies. Feel free to reach out to me for the recipes – happy to share with our Rebalance family!
Senior Marketing Associate
Ever since I won a coloring contest in kindergarten, I have had a knack for the arts. Art and design has been the most consistent passion throughout my life. Sure, I love other things like running, fitness, animals, and music, but the visual arts have always been a huge part of my world. When I’m not working, you can often find me perusing local museums, designing save the dates for friend’s upcoming nuptials, or simply drawing in my sketchbook. I love to experiment with different artistic mediums, and am so happy to be able to flex that creative muscle within my role at Rebalance as well. As a Baltimore-based designer and digital marketer, some of the museums I recommend in the area are the Baltimore Museum of Art (incredible sculpture garden), the American Visionary Arts Museum (really unique “outsider art”), and the Walters (an impressive collection that spans centuries). Baltimore’s such a small city that if given the opportunity – you can visit all three in one day!
Don’t forget to tweet us your passions! @rebalanceira
