NY Professional Spotlight

What does it take to build a successful career in financial advising? For Benjamin Williams, it starts with resilience, learning, empathy, and understanding what each client truly wants to achieve.
In this episode of the NY Professional Spotlight Podcast with Roman Kirzhner, Roman sits down with Benjamin Williams, MBA, a financial advisor who works with individuals, families, and businesses to help them plan for their financial goals.
Benjamin shares the unique path that brought him into financial advising. Before his current career, he worked in corporate America in research, development, innovation, and business transformation. He helped organizations improve areas such as their profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow. Today, he brings that experience to his work with individuals, families, and business owners.
Benjamin also discusses why resilience is so important when building a financial advisory practice. He explains why professionals should never stop learning and how greater knowledge can lead to greater confidence.
Roman and Benjamin also talk about retirement planning and Benjamin's goals-based approach to working with clients. His process begins with understanding where a client is today and where they want to go. From there, he looks at whether those goals are achievable, develops a plan, and continues meeting with the client to help keep that plan on track.
The conversation also explores one of Benjamin's biggest professional challenges: helping build a diversity and inclusion group from the ground up within a company. He shares how education, communication, and explaining the benefits to senior leadership helped him overcome the challenge.
For Benjamin, financial planning isn't about using the same answer for everyone. It's about listening to each client, understanding their goals, and creating a plan around their individual needs.
Connect with Benjamin Williams
Benjamin can be found on LinkedIn as Benjamin P. Williams, where he shares weekly reflections. He can also be reached through his Edward Jones website.
Listen to the NY Professional Spotlight Podcast with Roman Kirzhner on Apple Podcasts and discover conversations with professionals sharing their experiences, lessons, and ideas.
 
Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://nyprofessionalspotlight.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What happens when blockchain, artificial intelligence, and traditional capital markets come together?
In this episode of the NY Professional Spotlight Podcast with Roman Kirzhner, Roman speaks with Kelly Ye, Co-Founder and CIO of CoinBridge, about her work at the intersection of finance and innovation.
Kelly shares how CoinBridge is working to connect capital with assets on-chain and expand access to private investment opportunities. Drawing on 18 years of experience in capital markets and financial innovation, she explains why curiosity, trust, and understanding the needs of the end investor have remained important throughout her career.
Roman and Kelly also discuss tokenization and why simply putting an existing financial product on-chain may not be enough. Kelly explains why she is interested in using blockchain infrastructure to give investors access to opportunities they may not have had before.
The conversation explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in finance. Kelly discusses how AI can support research, due diligence, underwriting, and the analysis of large amounts of data. At the same time, she stresses that experienced professionals still need to ask the right questions, evaluate the results, and provide proper oversight.
Kelly also shares lessons from her career, including the importance of reinventing yourself as industries change. Her journey has taken her from structured credit to ETFs and then to crypto and blockchain. Through those changes, she has learned that ideas alone are not enough. Execution, perseverance, and the willingness to start small are critical.
Looking ahead, Kelly discusses opportunities she sees in private assets, short-duration asset-backed lending, energy production, AI infrastructure, and new approaches to connecting investors with opportunities through tokenization.
 
Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://nyprofessionalspotlight.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What happens when powerful technology meets strong human leadership?
In this episode of the NY Professional Spotlight Podcast with Roman Kirzhner, Roman speaks with Nidhi Sharma, a senior software engineering leader at Cox Automotive with more than 15 years of experience working with enterprise Salesforce and AI platforms.
Nidhi shares the four pillars she believes set her apart: execution, original thinking, trust and credibility, and giving back through mentorship.
She also talks about one of the biggest challenges of leadership: finding the right balance between getting results and taking care of people. For Nidhi, great leadership is not about being the boss. It is about creating an environment where people trust their leader, feel comfortable sharing problems, and know they will receive support.
Roman and Nidhi also explore the changing relationship between people and artificial intelligence. Nidhi explains how AI can handle routine work and help customers around the clock, while human judgment remains important when situations become complex or sensitive.
Rather than fearing AI, Nidhi believes professionals can learn how to use it wisely. When people have the right skills and training, AI can free up time for more meaningful work.
Nidhi also discusses her work helping unify Salesforce across more than 12 business units and her excitement about expanding the use of AI for customers and employees.
Outside of her daily work, Nidhi is an IEEE Senior Member, published AI researcher, international conference speaker, session chair, and mentor to emerging technology professionals.
For professionals wondering how to move forward in a fast-changing world, Nidhi offers a simple message: find work you enjoy, keep learning, speak up, and take responsibility for your own path.
 
Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://nyprofessionalspotlight.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.
 

What does it take to build a world-class medical career while staying curious, innovative, and passionate about helping people? In this episode of the NY Professional Spotlight Podcast, Roman Kirzhner sits down with ophthalmologist Dr. Samir Jabbour to discuss the experiences that shaped his journey from France to Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom before joining a prestigious ophthalmology practice on Park Avenue in New York City.
Dr. Jabbour shares how studying and working in different healthcare systems expanded his perspective and strengthened his ability to provide exceptional patient care. He explains why curiosity, imagination, and finding your true passion are the foundations of long-term professional success.
The conversation also explores one of today's biggest topics—artificial intelligence in medicine. Dr. Jabbour discusses how AI is already improving healthcare by helping physicians quickly access medical evidence while emphasizing why human judgment, creativity, and ethical decision-making must always remain at the center of patient care.
Roman and Dr. Jabbour also discuss entrepreneurship, consulting opportunities for physicians, creating additional income streams, and the importance of continually looking for ways to improve healthcare systems. Looking ahead, Dr. Jabbour shares his vision of becoming more involved in international ophthalmology organizations that bring quality eye care to underserved communities around the world.
 
Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://nyprofessionalspotlight.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What does it take to spot investment opportunities before everyone else? In this episode of the NY Professional Spotlight Podcast, host Roman Kirzhner sits down with investor and hedge fund manager Brad Lamensdorf to discuss the mindset behind successful long-term investing, the value of patience, and why diversification remains one of the most important principles for building wealth.
Brad shares his unique journey from working alongside legendary investors in Texas to managing hedge funds, private equity investments, and large-scale real estate developments. He explains why he considers himself a contrarian investor, how he evaluates opportunities that others overlook, and why having confidence in your research can be more valuable than following the crowd.
During the conversation, Brad discusses his investment philosophy, including balancing liquid investments with real estate, gradually adjusting portfolios instead of making emotional decisions, and the importance of working with experienced partners built on trust. He also provides fascinating insights into his major projects, including a luxury hotel development in Turks and Caicos, the turnaround of a gold mining company, and the launch of a new quantitative hedge fund.
The discussion also explores artificial intelligence, its rapid evolution, and the challenges businesses face trying to keep pace with technology that advances faster than traditional investment cycles.
Whether you're an experienced investor, a business owner, or simply interested in wealth-building strategies, this episode offers valuable perspectives on patience, discipline, risk management, and thinking independently.
 
Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://nyprofessionalspotlight.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

Can you retire with confidence? In this episode of the NY Professional Spotlight Podcast, host Roman Kirzhner sits down with financial professional Domenick D'Andrea, who shares over 30 years of experience helping retirees, business owners, and families build financial confidence through thoughtful planning.
Domenick explains why financial success isn't about chasing quick wins—it's about creating a personalized plan that can withstand both good markets and challenging ones. He discusses how technology, including artificial intelligence, has improved client communication while reinforcing that personal relationships and trust remain at the heart of financial planning.
During the conversation, Domenick shares practical advice on developing healthy financial habits, preparing for market downturns, and understanding the importance of generating retirement income that can support your lifestyle for years to come. He also reflects on lessons learned from major market events throughout his career and explains why planning for uncertainty is just as important as planning for growth.
In this episode you'll learn:
Why financial planning should combine technology with personal guidance.
How AI helps financial professionals serve clients more effectively.
Why building small financial habits leads to long-term success.
The importance of preparing for market downturns before they happen.
Common retirement planning mistakes and how to avoid them.
Why trust is the foundation of every successful client relationship.
 
Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://nyprofessionalspotlight.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.
 
 

What does it really take to retire with confidence? In this episode of the NY Professional Spotlight Podcast, host Roman Kirzhner sits down with retirement specialist Robert Cannon, who shares why successful retirement planning is about much more than simply growing investments. With more than 35 years of experience, Robert explains how taxes, Social Security, inflation, healthcare costs, and investment risks all work together to shape a secure retirement.
During the conversation, Robert discusses why acting as a fiduciary—always putting the client's best interests first—is the foundation of quality financial advice. He shares stories from his own career, explains why many investors unknowingly pay excessive fees, and highlights the importance of getting a second opinion when making major financial decisions.
The discussion also explores how artificial intelligence is beginning to assist financial professionals while emphasizing the importance of verifying AI-generated information with experienced experts. Robert explains why education, careful planning, and personalized advice remain essential for anyone preparing for retirement.
Whether you're years away from retirement or already planning your next chapter, this episode provides practical insights into protecting your wealth and making informed financial decisions.
 
Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://nyprofessionalspotlight.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

How do you build a career that helps people every day?
In this episode of the NY Professional Spotlight Podcast, Roman Kirzhner talks with Anthony Liberty, Senior HR Associate at Bellevue Hospital.
Anthony shares how he moved from college admissions into healthcare human resources during the pandemic. He explains why trust, employee support, and hiring the right people are so important in healthcare.
They also talk about Bellevue Hospital's mission to care for everyone, no matter their insurance or ability to pay. Anthony shares details about the Bridge to Home program, which helps psychiatric patients return to independent living with the support they need.
The conversation also covers career growth, financial planning, investing, and creating opportunities for the future.
 
Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://nyprofessionalspotlight.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What does it take to lead one of the busiest trauma centers in the United States while staying focused on compassion, resilience, and community service? In this episode of the NY Professional Spotlight Podcast, Roman Kirzhner sits down with Cristina Contreras, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, to discuss her inspiring leadership journey and the lessons she's learned throughout more than three decades in healthcare.
Cristina shares how her background in social work shaped her leadership style, why caring for people has always been her greatest strength, and how overcoming language barriers and breaking through leadership barriers as a Latina executive helped define her career. She also discusses the importance of setting goals, staying focused through challenges, and remembering that health should always come before work.
The conversation also explores Cristina's extensive community involvement, including mentoring women, supporting seniors, advocating for Alzheimer's research, and promoting educational opportunities throughout New York City.
Finally, Cristina shares her vision for the future of Lincoln Hospital, including expanding access to quality healthcare, improving behavioral health services, strengthening maternal and infant care, and ensuring Bronx residents receive world-class medical care close to home.
 
Be A Guest
Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://nyprofessionalspotlight.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.