Building confidence, navigating career detours, and leading with care takes more than ambition—it takes resilience, clarity, and heart.
In this episode, Claire O’Keefe, Partner and Head of Partner Development at Cerity Partners, shares how resilience, intuition, and care have shaped her unconventional journey from the classroom in Ireland to leadership in one of the fastest-growing independent wealth management firms in the country.You’ll hear how Claire built confidence through practice, turned unexpected pivots into stepping stones, and discovered that leadership is ultimately about the people you grow and the legacy you leave behind.
Tune in to learn how to navigate detours with clarity, cultivate resilience through challenges, and lead with heart in every stage of your career.
Key Takeaways:
- Confidence Through Practice – Why preparation, feedback, and persistence are the foundation of confidence.
- Detours as Stepping Stones – How unexpected turns can accelerate growth.
- Leading with Care – Why empathy and authentic connection are the ultimate leadership tools.
- Clarity from Intuition – Listening to your gut to align your career with your values.
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Highlights
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[00:27] The Importance of Critical Feedback
[01:12] Claire O'Keefe's Journey
[05:16] Building Confidence and Resilience
[12:34] Personal Branding and Leadership
[15:41] Overcoming Fear and Embracing Growth
[22:07] Welcoming New Colleagues with a Theme Song
[23:09] Daily Rituals for a Balanced Life
[25:53] Building Meaningful Relationships
[29:42] Navigating the Hybrid Work World
[31:45] Legacy and Leadership
[34:56] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts -
Lightning Round
Q: What book has greatly influenced you?
A: Trillion Dollar Coach by Bill CampbellQ: What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
A: People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel by Maya AngelouQ: What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
A: Caring
Q: What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
A: Exercise in the morning
Q: What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
A: Happy by Pharell Williams -
Quotes
I want to have a positive impact on the people I care about and love the most. To be remembered in that way would be the greatest legacy I could leave.
Claire O'Keefe
Failure is not an option for me when it comes to the end goal. That doesn’t mean I haven’t had many failures along the way, it just means I’ve learned to appreciate and understand them differently.
Claire O'Keefe
Clarity comes from listening to yourself, not from taking on board everyone else’s opinions and assuming them as your own.
Claire O'Keefe
Lean out and reach for help. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel if the wheel has already been invented.
Claire O'Keefe
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About
Claire O’Keefe serves as Partner and Head of Partner Development, and member of the Leadership Team at Cerity Partners. She has a deep appreciation for the unique fabric of our firm which she regularly refers to as her “forever home”. Central to Claire’s philosophy is human connection.
As Head of Partner Development, she is passionate about building relationships with both current and prospective partners and colleagues who are excited by the vision of our firm, share our cultural values, and are committed to serving the best interests of clients, colleagues, and the communities in which we operate. She believes that authenticity, empathy, active listening, high emotional intelligence, and genuine curiosity, form the bedrock of effective communication and trusted relationships. In her words, “The magic of our partnership is our people.”
Cerity Partners is more than just a firm; it’s a community. A community where everyone’s voice counts, where an entrepreneurial spirit thrives, and where decisions prioritize our clients, free from external pressures. Prior to joining Cerity Partners, Claire served as Chief Operating Officer and client advisor for two wealth management firms. In these roles, Claire’s responsibilities included strategic planning, client and colleague development, and client advisory for affluent individuals, business owners, executives, and nonprofit organizations.