Leadership
Kim Tillotson Fleming
president, Hefren-Tillotson Inc.
Smart Business Pittsburgh | October 2008
Being an effective leader for one of the
largest wealth management companies in the
Pittsburgh area should take up enough of
someone’s time. However, don’t tell that to
Kim Tillotson Fleming. The president of
Hefren-Tillotson Inc. devotes endless hours
to a long list of charitable organizations and
remains committed to the success of the
Pittsburgh region.
Fleming is committed to having a close relationship within the region by showing support
for many charitable organizations throughout
the area along with support for Pittsburgh
sports franchises. She sits on many local
boards, including the Pittsburgh Civic Light
Opera, Securities Industry Institute, Duquesne
Club, Allegheny College, Pennsylvania
Economy League and Pittsburgh Theological
Seminary, and on advisory boards for Family
Guidance and Family Enterprise Center.
She is also on the Capital Campaign committees for the Children’s Institute of
Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Cancer
Institute and Children’s Hospital. Fleming is
co-chair of the Women’s Leadership Council
for the United Way and actively supports the
American Heart Association, along with
being the elder and youth leader at Hiland
Presbyterian Church. Fleming also supports
Gwen’s Girls, Hosanna Industries, Leukemia
& Lymphoma Society, Family House, March
of Dimes, ALS, Pittsburgh Leadership
Foundation, Women’s Center and Shelter,
Malawi Partnership and World Vision.
On top of all of that work, what makes
Fleming a pacesetter in the area is her company’s MASTERPLAN Approach, which is a
lesson in solid customer service.
The company’s MASTERPLAN Approach
process was created to establish a sound
process for gaining a deep understanding of
each client’s individual needs. Once the goals
are established and documented, the company takes a team approach to developing and
implementing comprehensive wealth management strategies that are always driven by
your vision for a life that’s truly rewarding.
The MASTERPLAN Approach is based on
four steps:
First, Hefren-Tillotson reviews financial
goals and establishes a written plan for its
client. An initial and ongoing review of a personal financial situation and goals is a critical
component in any successful investment program. The MASTERPLAN Approach is the
cornerstone of the company’s approach and seeks to coordinate all aspects of a financial
situation, including investments, tax, estate,
retirement planning and insurance.
Second, the company formulates an investment strategy. The process of building and
managing your portfolio begins with proper
asset allocation. The objective is to identify a
mix of financial assets best suited to return
expectations and risk tolerance. The company then applies a disciplined approach that is
firmly based on its core foundation: a conservative, long-term approach to investing.
Third, security selection becomes a priority.
Once asset allocation is determined, Hefren-Tillotson uses a disciplined approach in
selecting individual securities and/or world-class money managers. As a privately held
firm, the company’s independence allows it
to be objective in managing your investments
without the conflicts of interest or restrictions involved in using proprietary products.
Finally, there is ongoing management and
performance monitoring. Hefren-Tillotson
continually monitors clients’ accounts and
the financial markets to identify opportunities to reduce risk, generate income, limit
taxes and increase returns. As a client in the
company’s Investment Advisory program,
customers can expect regular updates from a
financial adviser regarding individual holdings, while he or she monitors the performance of investments in relation to a customer’s own personal financial goals.
Fleming’s leadership through the MASTER-PLAN Approach has made the company one
of the largest full-service wealth management firms with headquarters in western
Pennsylvania, as it has grown to more than
$4 billion in client assets.
Fleming is a graduate of Northwestern
University with a degree in economics and
holds several professional designations. She
is a Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder and has completed the Center for
Fiduciary Studies Certification program at
the University of Pittsburgh to become an
Accredited Investment Fiduciary Auditor.
In 2003, she was honored by the Pennsylvania
Department of Community and Economic
Development as one of “Pennsylvania’s 50
Best Women in Business.” And she was
named an Athena Award finalist for 2004 and
received the 2005 YWCA “A Tribute to
Women Leadership” award for business.
HOW TO REACH: Hefren-Tillotson Inc., (888) 405-0990 or
www.hefren.com
