MEET Joena Bartolini Mitchell, founder and president, JBM Advisors. An Individual Member of the FSDA

We are speaking today with

Joena Bartolini Mitchell, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born in a south suburb of Chicago but raised in the Tampa Bay area. This means I love deep-dish pizza and the smell of the Gulf of Mexico! I have an undergraduate and a masters degree from the University of South Florida and Juris Doctor from Stetson University, College of Law. I have spent over 20 years (!) in financial services where I have been fortunate enough to work in many different facets of the industry including sales management, operations, risk, and business leadership. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and friends, preferably outdoors!

Tell us a little about your firm:

At JBM Advisors, we collaborate with wealth managers, RIAs, and independent broker-dealers seeking to expand their business, modify their affiliation model, optimize operations, or manage risks. We aid firms in choosing the appropriate custodian or clearing firm and support strategic business growth through a focus on change management, enhanced efficiency, and risk mitigation.

We also provide litigation support services to lawyers and law firms. This includes conducting mock depositions and exams, witness preparation, and case analysis, all under the guidance of legal counsel. This service proves particularly beneficial to highly skilled legal teams who may require assistance in navigating the operational intricacies of broker-dealers, custodians, or wealth management offices. Leveraging our unique qualifications and extensive real-world experience, we effectively and efficiently bridge the gap between counsel and their clients.

Why is it important for JBM Advisors, to be a member of the FSDA?

This field is complicated and the only constant is change. It is incredibly important for us to stay connected with stakeholders to share best practices and learn from each other.

I have also really been inspired by the work the FSDA does in the community around protecting senior and at-risk investors and working to ensure that financial education is available to all Florida students.

I know the members are incredibly involved locally in the Tampa Bay area. Please tell us a little bit about that involvement and your firm’s “give something back” initiative.

Community involvement is at the heart of what we do. JBM Advisors is passionate about creating spaces for education and giving others the tools to excel.

I serve on the board of Southeastern Women in Financial Services (SWIFS) and Holy Family Catholic School. Additionally, I am a board member and part of the Pace Center for Girls, Hillsborough executive committee where I serve as co-chair of the advocacy committee. I am also an active member of the University of South Florida’s Women in Leadership and Philanthropy, where I am honored to serve on the Scholarship Committee

Joena, thanks for taking time to speak with us today.