by Krista Wallace, CFP®, AFC®
Kamryn Hafer is the newest addition to the SoundView team. Originally from Palm Desert, California, she recently made the move to the Pacific Northwest to start a new chapter in her life. I sat down with her this month to learn more about her and what she brings to the team.
KRISTA: Tell me more about your life before SoundView. What adventures have shaped your story so far?
KAMRYN: It has been an adventure! I grew up in the Palm Springs area, which is mostly a vacation and retirement community. I attended UC Santa Barbara and spent time studying abroad in Siena, Italy (near Florence), before moving to Lake Tahoe for a year. Then I taught English in Prague before returning to California to work with Autistic children in Orange County and Sacramento. Add in a couple of years as a dental assistant, and I full-circled back to resort life.
KRISTA: Wowza! And you still managed to squeeze in experience in wealth management? What skills transition well to SoundView?
KAMRYN: Yes, I spent several years in operations at another RIA, so when I heard that part of the role would involve transitioning client accounts to Fidelity, I knew I had found my moment. Of course, I had to make the interview memorable by joking that I was no longer interested and pretending to get out of my seat. Thankfully, Nate and Lisa “got it,” and we all realized our personalities would work well together.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt more cared for or supported—the collaboration on this team is such a gift.
KRISTA: Any special draw to the PNW? We’re a little different than Palm Springs…
KAMRYN: Yes! My brother and sister-in-law live here. On a very recent visit with them (and my 5-year-old nephew), I felt like it was the right time to transition—I want to be a good Auntie! So, I put a deposit on an apartment and applied for the role at SoundView. Thankfully, the universe aligned with my spontaneity, and as they say, the rest is history.
KRISTA: Can we (or our clients) help with the transition in any way?
KAMRYN: Hmm… I’d love recommendations for vegan restaurants, vintage shops (I collect vintage purses!), and any opportunity to work with animals. I was previously on the board of an animal sanctuary and would love to find a volunteer opportunity again.
This or That?
Streaming or Movie Theater?
BOTH! Movie theaters are nostalgic, and streaming is comfy.
Handwritten or typed?
Handwritten! I’m known for writing letters & birthday cards. My grandma and I have been writing letters to each other since my junior year in high school.
Beer or Wine?
Beer—I prefer citrus and love to embrace nostalgia with beers from countries I’ve lived in. Two memorable examples are enjoying Birra Moretti in Italy and Pilsner Urquell in Prague.
Festivals or Concerts?
Concerts! I’ve been known to travel abroad for a concert. I have eclectic taste in music, so long as it’s live. I recently saw Joseph at the Neptune theatre.
Love or Money?
Oh, LOVE. But we also need money to live. I’m a mushy mush.
Baseball or Football?
Baseball! I try to see stadiums when I travel, and I hear a few SoundView Clients have a similar passion. I grew up playing softball (starting when I was 7) and played travel, varsity, and in college.
Team or Solo projects?
Before coming to SoundView, I would have said solo. But this team has quickly reminded me how much better the adventure can be when you have great people alongside you.
Dogs or Cats?
I have a sweet cat named River. She fell out of a tree at my mom’s office, so I brought her home, bottle-fed her, and was hooked from there. She’s been with me for 18 years (through all of my adventures!) and speaks English, Italian, and Czech 😉