Podcast Summary: Second in Command - Episode 488 with Jeana-Rae Kendall, COO of TNG Private Wealth

In Episode 488 of the "Second in Command" podcast, host Cameron Herold sits down with Jeana-Rae Kendall, the Chief Operating Officer and Integrator at TNG Private Wealth. Released on July 1, 2025, this episode delves into Jeana-Rae's journey, leadership philosophies, team-building strategies, and insights into managing a woman-led, remote-first organization in the wealth advisory sector.

Introduction to Jeana-Rae Kendall and TNG Private Wealth

Jeana-Rae Kendall shares her transition from corporate America to becoming the COO of TNG Private Wealth. Her career pivot occurred during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that catalyzed significant personal and professional changes.

Jeana-Rae Kendall [04:38]: "I love working and leading people. I love being able to execute strategy. I love being able to just kind of figure out hard ways to solve problems."

Jeana-Rae emphasizes her passion for leadership and strategic execution, which drew her to TNG Private Wealth, a woman-led private wealth advisory practice franchising through Ameriprise Financial Group. The firm's unique positioning in a traditionally uniform industry highlights its commitment to simplifying financial complexities for clients through a team-oriented approach.

Joining TNG Private Wealth: A Serendipitous Connection

Jeana-Rae recounts her unexpected hiring process, initiated by a random connection through her husband. This fortuitous meeting with Carolyn, the CEO, led to her recruitment without prior notice to the other co-founder, Jen.

Jeana-Rae Kendall [07:37]: "Little did I know, however, she hired me without telling her business partner, Jen."

This unconventional hiring story underscores the agility and trust within the leadership team at TNG Private Wealth. Jeana-Rae swiftly implemented a structured hiring procedure to align the organization's growth trajectory.

Leadership Dynamics: Balancing Vision and Execution

The conversation explores the dynamics between Carolyn, Jen, and Jeana-Rae, highlighting their complementary leadership styles. Carolyn, characterized as a "quick start" with a high adaptability score, balances Jen's methodical and systems-oriented approach.

Jeana-Rae Kendall [11:09]: "We have created systems. If there's something that we need to get her into the weeds on and get done with her, we'll set that time for her."

Jeana-Rae acts as the integrator, ensuring that the CEOs' visionary ideas translate into actionable strategies while maintaining organizational focus. Their collaboration is fortified by a deep-seated trust and a shared commitment to the firm's mission.

Women-Led Organization: Empathy and Strategic Leadership

Jeana-Rae elaborates on the distinct advantages of a woman-led organization, particularly in fostering empathy-driven leadership and facilitating hard conversations with care.

Jeana-Rae Kendall [12:38]: "Women have a different perspective to bring. They bring a different sense of leadership and one that's really grounded in empathy."

This leadership style promotes a culture of vulnerability, trust, and open communication, enabling the team to address challenges head-on and collaboratively develop solutions.

Remote Work and Team Building: Creating a Cohesive Remote Culture

TNG Private Wealth operates with a predominantly remote team, a model that Jeana-Rae champions for its flexibility and ability to attract talent regardless of geography. She emphasizes the importance of robust systems and a strong culture to maintain productivity and team cohesion.

Jeana-Rae Kendall [23:31]: "If you build a system and a team and like a culture where you're building your relationships consistently, then it doesn't really matter if you're in person or remote."

Her structured onboarding process ensures that new hires receive a comprehensive introduction to the company, fostering a sense of belonging and clarity in their roles from day one.

Navigating Regulations and Compliance in Wealth Management

Operating within the stringent regulatory framework of the financial industry, Jeana-Rae highlights the role of Ameriprise in providing essential support to navigate compliance and legal requirements.

Jeana-Rae Kendall [19:05]: "I wouldn't say any regulations are burdensome. They're there for a reason. They're ultimately there to protect clients."

This partnership ensures that TNG Private Wealth maintains the highest standards of integrity and client protection, allowing the team to focus on delivering exceptional advisory services.

Onboarding and Employee Development: Building a Strong Foundation

Jeana-Rae discusses the comprehensive onboarding strategy employed at TNG Private Wealth, which includes a rotational approach to provide new employees with a holistic understanding of the company's operations and culture.

Jeana-Rae Kendall [26:09]: "We have an onboarding structure where every single person coming into the team has the exact same first week, no matter what role you're going into, no matter what department you're going into."

This method ensures consistency, promotes cross-departmental collaboration, and equips employees with the necessary resources to thrive in a remote environment.

Personal Growth and Leadership Evolution

Reflecting on her tenure, Jeana-Rae talks about her evolving role from establishing systems and accountability to focusing on driving sales and organizational growth. She underscores the importance of continuous learning and adapting leadership skills to meet the company's expanding needs.

Jeana-Rae Kendall [29:47]: "It's really more on the growth. We've built a great foundation over the last several years, and now it's really learning and developing how to really drive the sales part of the organization."

Advice to Her Younger Self: Embracing Uncertainty and Collaboration

Jeana-Rae offers profound advice to her younger self, emphasizing the realization that everyone in business is continually learning and striving to improve. This mindset fosters empowerment and the ability to make impactful decisions.

Jeana-Rae Kendall [33:09]: "When you're starting your career, you think everyone has it all figured out, but I think there's a point in your career where you get to a level and you just kind of get that curtain pulled back."

Conclusion: Insights and Takeaways

Jeana-Rae Kendall's insights provide a comprehensive look into the workings of a modern, woman-led wealth advisory firm. Her emphasis on empathy, structured systems, and a strong remote culture offers valuable lessons for second-in-command professionals aiming to be effective integrators within their organizations.

This episode not only highlights Jeana-Rae's personal journey and leadership strategies but also underscores the importance of trust, communication, and adaptability in driving organizational success.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeana-Rae Kendall [04:38]: "I love working and leading people. I love being able to execute strategy. I love being able to just kind of figure out hard ways to solve problems."

• Jeana-Rae Kendall [07:37]: "Little did I know, however, she hired me without telling her business partner, Jen."

• Jeana-Rae Kendall [12:38]: "Women have a different perspective to bring. They bring a different sense of leadership and one that's really grounded in empathy."

• Jeana-Rae Kendall [23:31]: "If you build a system and a team and like a culture where you're building your relationships consistently, then it doesn't really matter if you're in person or remote."

• Jeana-Rae Kendall [19:05]: "I wouldn't say any regulations are burdensome. They're there for a reason. They're ultimately there to protect clients."

• Jeana-Rae Kendall [29:47]: "It's really more on the growth. We've built a great foundation over the last several years, and now it's really learning and developing how to really drive the sales part of the organization."

• Jeana-Rae Kendall [33:09]: "When you're starting your career, you think everyone has it all figured out, but I think there's a point in your career where you get to a level and you just kind of get that curtain pulled back."

For more insights from top COOs and industry leaders, visit COOAlliance.com and subscribe to the "Second in Command" podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.