Just as a healthy tree grows new branches to provide greater support and strength, Legacy Ridge Private Wealth continues to grow in ways that allow us to better serve our clients and community.
We are excited to welcome the newest member of our team, Ellen Shafer, who joins Legacy Ridge Private Wealth as an Investment Assistant. Ellen's passion for finance and desire to serve others through thoughtful financial stewardship have guided her to this role, and we are thrilled to have her on board.
We recently sat down with Ellen to learn more about her background, her interest in the financial industry, and what drew her to Legacy Ridge Private Wealth.
Tell us a little about yourself and where you grew up.
I was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. I have a long-standing love for Sheridan, Wyoming, rooted in four generations of family time at Eaton's Ranch, where my brother and I made some of our most treasured memories.
After graduating from TCU, I joined the Eatons' Ranch staff and truly fell in love with the Bighorns while spending a summer waiting tables. I then moved to Denver to work in real estate private equity at Pennybacker before being introduced to Frank and Legacy Ridge through a friend and mentor.
I grew up sailing and love to cook, fly fish, and snowboard. On the weekends, you can usually find me at a live music venue, near a body of water, or spending time with the people I love. I could not be more excited to call Wyoming home.
What did you study in school, and how did you first become interested in a career in financial services?
I graduated with a BBA in Finance and a Leadership Emphasis from the TCU Neeley School of Business. I loved my time as a Horned Frog and was involved in the Neeley Leadership Program, Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, and served as a co-founder of the Neeley Next Step Mentorship Program.
My interest in financial services began through participation in a finance-focused program geared toward asset management and transaction-related roles. I was significantly impacted by the talented and high-performing professionals I encountered through that experience.
My interest in investments and wealth management continued to grow through managing a philanthropic investment fund, the William C. Conner Educational Investment Fund, where Dr. Larry Lockwood, CFA, served as our advisor. He was an outstanding mentor, a strong advocate for careers in financial services, and an incredible source of knowledge and encouragement throughout my time at TCU.
That experience, combined with his mentorship, inspired me to continue building my knowledge of the industry. Ultimately, I have a passion for serving people, and I enjoy leveraging my curiosity about investments and asset management to help others pursue their goals.
How do you define success when working with clients?
Success means building genuine relationships that help clients pursue their investment goals and contribute to the prosperity of their families, both today and for generations to come, through proactive service and thoughtful stewardship.
In my role, that starts with gathering, organizing, and communicating client information with accuracy and care. Over time, it grows into helping communicate the investment knowledge and strategies that support the legacies clients are building for their families.
What attracted you to Legacy Ridge Private Wealth?
I was drawn to Frank and Susie's vision for the firm as a full-service family office designed to address the full range of an investor's needs. I was also inspired by the team's commitment to building trust and helping families create legacies through thoughtful stewardship.
Legacy Ridge is a team of entrepreneurs who are passionate about what they do and committed to serving clients the right way. I love that everyone genuinely enjoys coming to work each day, and it is a privilege to work alongside them as we continue building the firm while learning new ways to serve our clients.
What are you most excited to contribute to the team?
I am genuinely excited about Legacy Ridge and the experience we create for our clients. I am motivated to make an impact by filling gaps and stepping up wherever I can, whether that involves client relations and administration, investments, financial planning, or business development.
Each area presents an opportunity to contribute to the growth of the firm and the exceptional service we provide. I am grateful to be building my career here in Sheridan, and as I continue to settle into the community, I look forward to finding meaningful ways to serve and connect with others.
Looking Ahead
Ellen's passion for serving others, combined with her enthusiasm for the financial services industry, makes her a wonderful addition to our team. We are confident that her dedication, curiosity, and commitment to excellence will have a positive impact on both our clients and our firm.
Please join us in welcoming Ellen to Legacy Ridge Private Wealth. We are excited for what lies ahead and look forward to helping more families build, protect, and preserve their legacies for generations to come.