Q&A: TD Bank’s Sherry Varrelman Reveals Her Best Career and Financial Strategies

Q&A: TD Bank’s Sherry Varrelman Reveals Her Best Career and Financial Strategies

In conjunction with Philadelphia magazine’s 11th annual Trailblazer award, we’re picking the brains of Philly’s brightest, most influential, and business-savvy women. For today’s installment, we spoke with TD Bank‘s Senior Vice President, Regional Wealth Leader Sherry Varrelman about everything from her favorite book to the intersection between staying ‘fiscally fit’ and physically fit (turns out, they’re not that different!).

How do you stay fiscally fit?

Like physical fitness, staying ‘fiscally fit’ also requires that you set goals and objectives. From there, you build a plan, monitor your progress, and measure your success. It’s a matter of making it a priority. That’s how we recommend our clients leverage these strategies in making both physical and ‘fiscal’ fitness a priority.

Who has been the most influential woman in your life?  

The most influential woman in my life was my mother. She was a very intelligent and well-educated person who had incredible passion for learning and a natural curiosity about the world around her. She was devoted to her family and really instilled in my siblings the importance of family, learning, and giving back to the community.

What’s been the most pivotal moment in your career?

I found that stretch assignments and project have often lead to really pivotal moments in my career; they have always become important learning opportunities. These kinds of opportunities can be critical for both career and professional growth, and embracing pivotal moments for stretch assignments can be deeply gratifying and rewarding.

As someone who is also involved with Corporate Executive Board of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Board of Trustees of the Kimmel Center, and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in addition to your career, what strategies do you have for maintaining your free time?

This is always a work in progress, but I my very best to be very disciplined in managing my time. As it is for so many women, balancing the responsibilities of work and family, or volunteering and community involvement really requires active management. With so many competing priorities, I constantly work to ensure that I’m creating quality time for my husband, my family and also for myself.

What was the last goal (big or small) that you achieved? What made it significant?

Our team was recently tasked with a complex and challenging project that provided a great opportunity to collaborate with partners across our organization and develop a custom solution for a client. It was immensely rewarding to see the team at TD Bank rally to partner so effectively and seamlessly to not only meet, but exceed, the clients’ set of needs.

What’s your favorite method of communication (i.e. email, text message, phone call) and why?

Even in the age of social media, my favorite method of communication is the phone since it seems so much more personal. The business of wealth management business is very relationship driven, and I find that phone calls with clients really sustain and deepen the relationships.

As a leader of team of accomplished wealth professionals, what tips do you have for women looking to standout in the work place?

For women looking to grow in their careers, don’t be afraid to raise your hand to take on a stretch assignment. Also proactively seek out mentors — both male and female — who can offer you objective guidance and valuable career advice.

What’s your all-time favorite book?

My favorite book of all-time is Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude. His writing really taps into the celebration of magic and beauty that is inherent in everyday life. I first read it in high school, and I think I’ve read all of his books.

What’s an easy, impactful financial swap or strategy someone can implement today?

It’s really important for young people planning for retirement to write down financial objectives and goals, set a time period for reaching these goals, and get started implementing their plan as soon as possible. After your plan is in motion, it is important to monitor your success along the way. TD Bank can gladly help you get started on this journey!

For more tips on getting yourself fiscally fit, visit TD Bank, here.