Sheila Shaffer, CFP®
Sheila began her career with Merrill Lynch in Winston-Salem, North Carolina as a broker trainee. In 1987, she joined Legg Mason to open their first office in Winston-Salem. Sheila moved to Washington, DC and was instrumental in helping Legg Mason develop their branch network, growing from 29 offices to 129. During this time, Sheila held various management and corporate position within the firm.
In 1993, Sheila returned to the private client and wealth management side of the firm as a financial advisor with Legg Mason. She formed a team that specialized in multi-generational advice, asset management and wealth transfer. Sheila and her team remained with Legg Mason through various mergers and acquisitions, Smith Barney 2005, Morgan Stanley 2008, joining Janney in 2009.
In 2023 Sheila accepted an invitation to join Rockefeller Global Family Office as a Private Advisor, Managing Director. Sheila and her team are looking forward to continuing to meet the expanding needs of their clients through Rockefeller’s tailored private wealth and family office services.
Awards and Accolades:
• Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” 2023
• AdvisorHub “25 Women Advisors to Watch”, 2022
• Forbes “Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisors”, 2023, 2022
• Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors”, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018
• Forbes “America’s Top Women Advisors”, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
• Financial Times “Top 400 Financial Advisors”, 2017, 2015, 2014
• Financial Times “Top 100 Women Advisors”, 2014
• Barron’s “Top Women Advisors”, 2006
Community Involvement:
• The National Museum of Women in the Arts – NMWA; Board of Trustees (2008-Present); President of the Board of Trustees (2014-2016); Treasurer of the Board of Trustees (2010-2014), Treasurer of the Board of Trustee, Chair of Building Oversight for $70 million dollar renovation(2020-Present)
• International Women’s Forum of Washington, DC (2015-Present)
• Wake Forest University BA Economics 1983; National Wake Forest Clubs – Past President; Wake Forest Club, Washington, DC – Past President; Alumni Council – Past Member
The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rankings discussed above were designated in 2023 and last for a period of one year until new rankings are released. The Forbes Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisors rankings discussed above were designated in 2022 and 2023 and last for a period of one year until new rankings are released. The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors rankings discussed above were designated between 2018-2023 and last for a period of one year until new rankings are released. The Forbes America’s Top Women Advisors rankings discussed above were designated between 2017-2021 and last for a period of one year until new rankings are released.
Each advisor—selected by SHOOK Research—is chosen based on an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria, including: in-person interviews; industry experience; compliance records; revenue produced; and assets under management. No compensation has been provided in connection with obtaining or using this award.
The Barrons Top Women Advisors rankings discussed above were designated in 2006 and last for a period of one year until new rankings are released.
The general methodology criteria for Barron’s includes the following: Each advisor—selected by Barron’s—is required to respond to a survey about their practice which Barron’s verifies and applies a proprietary rankings formula along with sub calculations to generate each designation. The formula features three major categories of calculations: assets, revenue, quality of practice. No compensation has been provided in connection with obtaining or using this award.
The AdvisorHub 25 Women Advisors to Watch rankings discussed above were designated in 2022 and last for a period of one year until new rankings are released.
The ranking recognizes advisors across the country for their quality of practice, professionalism, character and community involvement. Criteria considered included: assets under management, production/revenue, team size and more. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance.
The Financial Times “Top 400 Financial Advisors” rankings discussed above were designated in 2014, 2015, and 2017 and last for a period of one year until new rankings are released. The Financial Times “Top 100 Women Advisors” rankings discussed above were designated in 2014 and last for a period of one year until new rankings are released.
The formula the FT uses to grade advisers is based on six broad factors and calculates numeric score for each advisor. These factors include assets under management, AUM growth rate, years of experience, compliance record, industry certifications, and online accessibility. Advisers must meet minimum criteria of 10 years of experience and $300m or more in assets under management.