Get to Know Trevor Isham, CFP®

Tell us a bit about your role at Curi Capital.

I’m a senior wealth manager at Curi Capital, and I lead the Milwaukee and Western Suburbs offices. My time is balanced between three key areas: advising clients, coaching advisors and associates on my teams, and meeting new families to introduce them to the exceptional advisors I work with.

What was your background before coming to Curi Capital, and what led you here?

I started my career as a high-frequency trader at a proprietary trading firm in Chicago. That experience gave me a deep, inside-out understanding of the markets. Over time, I realized I wanted a more relationship-driven career, so I transitioned to a family office where I had the opportunity to learn the advisory business under the mentorship of seasoned industry veterans.

That momentum led me to launch my own RIA. However, as a solo advisor, it eventually became too much to manage on my own. That’s when I sought out — and found — a great opportunity at Curi Capital, which was then RMB Capital, as an advisor. I’m proud to have been the first direct-to-advisor hire at RMB.

What keeps you busy when you’re not in the office or focused on clients?

My wife and I have three daughters, ages 6, 8, and 10, who fill our lives with energy, laughter, and love. We’re also avid golfers and take several trips each year with friends, building memories around a game we enjoy deeply. In the winter, you’ll find us at Ausblick, our local skiing country club, three to four nights a week. It’s a special community where we embrace the Wisconsin winter with outdoor fun —and the occasional adult beverage in the lodge.

As someone who leads teams across multiple offices, what aspects of Curi Capital’s culture or values have shaped your leadership approach? How do you see your role in furthering those as the firm grows?

A rich tradition of mentorship is at the core of the firm’s advisory model. We place a strong emphasis on investing in the next generation of advisory talent, and that philosophy is central to my role.

My first mentor at Curi was Paul Joyaux. I had the pleasure of spending countless hours in the car with him, driving back and forth from St. Joseph, Michigan. During those trips, I had the chance to ask questions about advising, finances, and life. Paul never hesitated to give me opportunities to grow and work with clients, which helped me flourish as an advisor. Inspired by his example, I’ve carried that same spirit forward, mentoring many wealth management associates who have gone on to build successful careers of their own. Today, that process continues with my teammates in Milwaukee and the Western Suburbs.

I’m grateful for the time I spend coaching, encouraging, and empowering advisors to do meaningful work for the families we serve. I’ve always believed that a servant’s heart leads to a happy life, satisfied clients, and motivated teammates. My goal is to continue embodying that style of leadership and, in doing so, hopefully inspire others across Curi Capital to do the same.

What’s a principle or practice that you value in your leadership and financial planning but that others might not expect from a financial advisor?

Vulnerability. Being open and real encourages others to do the same.

“A big part of advisory work is financial therapy, and clients and colleagues won’t engage on a deeper level unless they feel you’re being authentic. That means showing up fully, not just presenting the polished version of yourself.” What are your clients thinking about and asking about these days?"

Right now, clients are thinking a lot about politics — probably too much, in my opinion. It’s a trap that I believe can distort their worldview, which can include their approach to investments. The data shows that historically, markets and political party control are largely uncorrelated (we had a great piece on this topic in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election in last year’s edition of INVESTED), and letting politics influence your investment strategy can be a dangerous detour.

Is there any messaging you would share broadly to help individuals and families through times of economic uncertainty?

“I double-majored in religion and economics in college, and I often say, ‘It takes a lot of faith to invest.’ It’s a lighthearted line, but it carries serious weight. Long-term investing requires a fundamental belief that the future will be better than the present.”

Without that belief, it’s easy to get spooked by short-term setbacks and make poor decisions, like exiting the market at exactly the wrong time. I believe that confidence in human progress is the bedrock of a sound investment philosophy.

Looking ahead, how do you envision your teams adapting to new market conditions or emerging client needs in the coming years?

Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry, and financial advisory services are no exception. I believe early adopters will be well rewarded, and I’m excited about Curi Capital’s commitment to leveraging AI for the benefit of our clients. Early adopters stand to benefit by being at the forefront of one of the most significant technological, cultural, and economic shifts of our lifetimes. I expect Curi Capital will continue to adopt and develop AI tools that enhance the client experience in the months and years ahead. From internal models that refine our processes and procedures, to meeting assistants that take notes and generate summaries, to external chatbots that handle routine client requests, I’m excited about how these innovations can elevate the quality of our service, improve client outcomes, and allow us to focus more energy on delivering thoughtful, personalized advice.

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