In the realm of Human Resources, Lesa Evans, the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at MAI Capital Management, stands as a beacon of courage and unwavering dedication. Her journey to the pinnacle of HR leadership is a testament to the power of saying “yes” to the unknown and the remarkable outcomes that follow.
Joining MAI Capital in 2019 as the CHRO, Lesa assumed a role that encompassed all aspects of Human Resources, from strategic vision to operational execution, working closely with the executive team to shape the company’s future.
Rick Buoncore, Managing Partner at MAI Capital, recognized the exceptional qualities that Lesa brought to the table: “Her credibility, enthusiasm, and genuine care for people make her a perfect partner because, at MAI, we place people first. Lesa’s strategies and practices help us expand our business while holding true to our core values.”
Lesa’s journey to MAI Capital was paved with significant experience and a track record of success. Before taking on her role at MAI, she served as the Chief Administrative Officer for a large organization’s corporate and investment banking departments, as well as the HR Director responsible for 2,500 colleagues in corporate banking, risk management, and asset management.
What sets Lesa apart in the world of HR is not just her impressive resume but also her deep industry qualifications, including expertise in the 360° Feedback System, Lominger Career Architect, and Myers Briggs. Her background spans crucial HR domains, such as succession planning, people management, recruiting, onboarding, employee development, training, culture leadership, and compensation structures.
Jim Kacic, President of M&A and Shared Services at MAI, describes Lesa as an invaluable asset to the organization: “Lesa can approach any facet of the business, be effective, and add value. She’s compassionate and a jack-of-all-trades, which is an unstoppable combination.”
Lesa Evans’s journey to the top of the HR ladder is not just a story of professional success; it’s a testament to the transformative impact of courage, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of people within the organization. Under her leadership, MAI Capital Management is not only expanding its horizons but also redefining what it means to place people at the heart of its operations.
From Extroverted Beginnings to HR Leadership
Lesa’s career story unfolds as a compelling narrative that traces her transformation from an extroverted newcomer seeking kindred spirits to a seasoned HR leader. She embarked on her professional journey in HR training, an arena she was instantly drawn to, relishing the classroom ambiance and the ceaseless engagement with inquisitive individuals who shared her fervor for the industry.
Rather than adhering to a conventional corporate ladder, Lesa describes her progression as akin to a lattice—a dynamic framework that allowed her to explore various facets of HR over the years. During this odyssey, she methodically constructed her own blueprint for success. She did so by discerningly observing practices that resonated with her and those that did not, assimilating existing principles, and ingeniously formulating her own.
Lesa’s transformational pivot towards a career in HR can be traced back to a pivotal moment when she daringly said yes to sales training, despite her lack of familiarity with the domain or clarity on how she could contribute. This audacious step ignited her professional trajectory and ignited her fervent passion for the HR domain. Her journey, marked by an unwavering commitment to embracing the unfamiliar, ultimately led her to her current role as the CHRO of MAI Capital Management.
Lesa’s narrative serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of seizing opportunities that lie beyond one’s comfort zone, and her dynamic career path underscores the limitless possibilities that await those who dare to step into the unknown.
Redefining Wealth Management
MAI Capital Management stands as a national powerhouse in the realm of comprehensive wealth management. With unwavering commitment, the firm empowers its clients to streamline, safeguard, and nurture their wealth, thus granting them the freedom to savor its rewards. Its team of advisors don the mantle of financial physicians, dedicated to soothing clients’ anxieties, preserving their financial health, and guiding them toward their aspirations.
At the core of MAI’s ethos lies an unswerving fiduciary duty—to perpetually act in the best interests of its clients. The firm’s white-glove solutions are a testament to this dedication, offering a panoply of services to address the full spectrum of client needs. As a holistic wealth management entity, MAI places its clients at the vanguard, continuously adapting and broadening its service portfolio in tandem with their evolving requirements.
Boasting over 250 proficient advisors and staff, MAI extends its expertise across diverse domains, encompassing financial and estate planning, investment management, tax strategizing and preparation, insurance and risk management, accounting and bill payment, and philanthropic counsel. Moreover, it offers niche services such as family office assistance and specialized solutions tailored for individuals in the sports and entertainment industries.
MAI’s distinctiveness is accentuated by its clientele, ranging from millionaires to billionaires. This diversity in client portfolios empowers the firm to provide a rich array of investment opportunities and financial services to cater to a wide spectrum of needs. MAI views its services as so unique, client-centric, and customizable that it defies easy categorization among competitors. While keeping a watchful eye on industry developments, the firm remains focused on internal introspection, seeking avenues for improvement and crafting strategies to elevate client service.
The grand vision of MAI Capital Management is clear and ambitious: to ascend to the pinnacle as the nation’s premier wealth management firm. The firm’s roadmap entails continuous geographic expansion, diversification of its product offerings, and an augmentation of its financial services to provide a comprehensive suite of solutions that transcends all client expectations. In the realm of wealth management, MAI aspires to be the unrivaled first choice for those seeking financial stewardship.
Redefining the Role of Human Resources
Lesa’s professional journey has allowed her to redefine the significance of Human Resources (HR) in the corporate world. She understands that HR professionals are integral to a company’s strategic management of human capital, focusing on motivating employees, aligning them with the organization’s culture, and nurturing relationships.
At MAI Capital, Lesa thrives in an environment that truly values the essence of HR. Under the leadership of Managing Partner Rick Buoncore and President Jim Kacic, she cherishes her role. Rick and Jim firmly believe that people are the key to success, emphasizing relationship-building and mutual support. Lesa considers herself fortunate to work in a place where people are the top priority.
Looking back on her past experiences, Lesa acknowledges that she encountered obstacles when working with leaders who viewed HR solely as an administrative department responsible for tasks like payroll and benefits management. In contrast, Rick and Jim recognize that a thriving business relies on hiring individuals who share the company’s values, acquiring companies with similar cultures, and inspiring employees to embrace the organizational vision.
The culture at MAI Capital originates from its top leadership, particularly with Rick’s unwavering commitment to client care, employee well-being, and community engagement. This ethos fosters an environment where employees are motivated to serve clients, forge meaningful relationships, and uphold the highest ethical standards. By embedding integrity into MAI’s core values, the company has cultivated a community of clients and employees who align with its vision and trust its ability to innovate and exceed expectations.
Lesa also acknowledges that modern technology has transformed certain facets of the HR industry by automating self-service processes for employees. With these changes in service delivery, HR leaders now have the opportunity to pivot towards advising on overall business strategies, transcending their traditional roles as service providers.
For Lesa, the most gratifying recognition she receives is witnessing her team’s growth and the attainment of new career milestones. Her primary goal is to ensure that her team and the employees at MAI are thriving both personally and professionally. If her team is achieving their goals, she believes she is fulfilling her role to the best of her ability. The collective motivation within her team is fostered through goal setting, celebrating achievements, nurturing a continuous improvement mindset, and focusing on work that holds meaning and purpose.
Embracing Failure as a Stepping Stone to Success
Lesa firmly believes that accepting failure as a natural part of the journey is the key to achieving success. She recognizes that without a delicate equilibrium between triumphs and setbacks, one cannot learn how to adapt and thrive in challenging situations. Some of the most significant milestones in her career have emerged during periods of uncertainty, where she ventured into the unknown and devised solutions in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Lesa asserts, “I genuinely believe that failure is acceptable because it brings invaluable experience, fresh insights, and the resilience to forge ahead in the decision-making process. A blend of achievements and setbacks, combined with active learning and robust problem-solving skills, fosters more victories and innovative thinking, often leading to monumental successes in life.”
To underscore her point, Lesa shares a quote from the illustrious Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Lesa underscores the importance of confronting challenges, a fundamental aspect of life. She notes that while HR professionals frequently encounter daunting situations, the industry is currently grappling with the unique challenge of managing a workforce spanning five generations. Balancing the diverse communication styles and work approaches, as well as catering to distinct personality types, can feel like an intricate endeavor. Nevertheless, when the equilibrium is struck, and a solution is found that unites these generations on common ground, the effort expended in every challenging moment becomes profoundly rewarding.
Navigating HR with Courage and Integration
Lesa, self-described as courageous, emphasizes that no two days at work are alike, and that’s what makes her role as CHRO exciting. In her position, people shape her day, and people are inherently unpredictable. She categorizes her responsibilities into distinct areas, such as consulting with leadership, offering coaching and advice, formulating and implementing HR strategies, handling mergers and acquisitions, and more. Lesa elaborates, “Ultimately, my responsibilities revolve around answering the question, ‘How can I help?'”
Lesa openly acknowledges that she abandoned the pursuit of work-life balance long ago, recognizing that it implies an unattainable equilibrium. To alleviate the pressure of attempting to balance everything perfectly, she embraces the concept of work-life integration. By aligning her decisions and time management with this model, she can effectively manage her expectations, those of her family, and her colleagues’ expectations.
She elaborates, “One day, I might need to leave the office early to attend my daughter’s band performance (even if it means arriving just in time and scrambling for the seat my husband saved, but I make it!). The next day, work commitments might require me to miss family time. Through it all, I evaluate the scales, check the balances, and have the courage to establish boundaries when necessary.”
Lesa’s personal objectives are perpetual learning, attentive listening, and continually reimagining her approach to her role. She emphasizes her commitment to keeping people at the forefront of her decision-making process while devising strategies that contribute to the business’s achievements and success.
In her parting advice to budding HR professionals, Lesa advises them to start by mastering the fundamentals of HR. She encourages them to become HR experts and then immerse themselves in the business they serve, gaining an insider’s understanding. By acquiring this knowledge, they can seamlessly integrate people into the overall business strategy, delivering holistic value beyond their department.
In conclusion, Lesa expresses her pride in working for leaders who highly value strategic HR. She emphasizes that when leaders’ passion fuels the development and implementation of HR strategies, it creates a transformative impact. Lesa underscores the deep trust that exists within the organization, from overarching business plans to complex mergers and acquisitions, all grounded in the belief that people profoundly influence the firm’s success. According to Lesa, HR thrives at MAI Capital because its leaders consistently invest in and recognize its inherent value.
