Ryan McManus
Whatearlyexperiencesorinfluencesshapedyour careerpath?
Early in my career, my manager received an unsolicited note from a client about me. The client mentioned how much they had enjoyed watching me grow into my role and expressed hope that Ballentine Partners shared their confidence in my future and that I would remain involved in their relationship.
At the time, much of my work was behind the scenes, and I was experiencing a degree of imposter syndrome in client meetings – as many do early on in their careers. That feedback gave me confidence that I was on the right path and reinforced that clients notice when you consistently do the small things well.
Whatadvicewouldyougivetosomeonejust startinginthisindustry?
Be patient with your development and take full advantage of opportunities to learn from those around you. Early in your career, it’s less about having all the answers and more about building a strong foundation, both technically and in how you partner with clients.
Focus on the details, ask thoughtful questions, and be open to feedback. Over time, those habits compound, and clients will begin to recognize and trust your approach. The relationships you build early, both with clients and colleagues, will shape your career more than any single milestone.
WhatdrewyoutoBallentinePartners?
I joined Ballentine Partners early in my career. In an industry where many firms expect advisors to bring in clients immediately and focus primarily on investment management, Ballentine Partners stood out for its mentorship/apprenticeship model. New advisors are given the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues and develop the skills needed to deliver truly holistic wealth management. That commitment to teaching and mentorship across all aspects of a client’s financial life was exactly what I was looking for.
Howdoyouapproachbuildingtrustwithclients?
I focus on being consistent, clear, and actively listening. Our clients rely on us to sweat the details, so they don’t have to. Setting clear expectations and communicating proactively have been foundational to building trust, which are habits I developed early in my time at Ballentine Partners.
As my role has evolved, I’ve also found it important to be open and share my own experiences with clients. Much of this work is deeply personal, and building genuine relationships is essential to earning and maintaining trust.
Whatdoyouenjoydoingoutsideofwork?
Travel and golf are two of my biggest interests outside of work. My wife, Christina, and I didn’t travel much growing up, but after our first trip to Spain and France in 2017, we were hooked. Since then, we ’ ve visited 10 additional countries and are looking forward to a trip to Italy this summer.
During the summer, I spend as much time as I can on the golf course. I joined Charles River Country Club in Newton just before the pandemic, which turned out to be perfect timing. When I’m not there, I could be at the annual Newton Commonwealth scramble with college friends or working my way through my goal of playing the top 100 courses in the U.S.
Whataccomplishmentareyoumostproudof?
I am most proud to see how much the firm and my team have grown over the past 10 years, and knowing that I played even some small part in that. When I first started, there were 8 of us working in the High Net Worth Practice at Ballentine Partners and we were working with around 75 families. Now, we are a team of 20 and closing in on working with 200 families. That growth has come primarily from our clients referring family, friends, and colleagues, which is the greatest compliment that we can get.
