Madison Broyles, Executive Vice President at Astra Wealth Management, works with ultra-high-net-worth clients in a multi-family office setting, alleviating financial burdens through personalized wealth management. With over a decade of experience in financial planning, she holds a degree in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Arkansas and is licensed in insurance and securities. Outside of work, Madison enjoys competitive tennis, volunteering for Make-A-Wish North Texas, and spending time at her ranch with her husband, Bradley.
Defining Success through Empowering Teams and Building Client Trust
Madison prioritizes creating a thriving work environment for both staff and clients. She states, “I gauge my success now more by the happiness of my staff than the fulfillment of clients.” Her leadership journey has been shaped by overcoming skepticism and navigating complex industry dynamics.
Her passion for wealth management stems from her upbringing among financiers and entrepreneurs. After early roles in home health care and a demanding position at Merrill Lynch, Madison embraced her purpose of empowering business owners, female executives, and multi-generational families with personalized financial solutions.
Breaking Barriers in Finance with Determination
One pivotal moment in Madison’s career was deciding to start her book of business as a private wealth advisor. Although she lacked clients, she was determined to succeed. “I knew that with relentless hard work, mindful dedication, and a little luck, I would not only survive in this industry as an advisor but thrive.” Her breakthrough came when a female entrepreneur entrusted her with a $50,000 IRA rollover. “The rest was history,” she recalls.
Madison faced skepticism early in her finance career due to her lack of an FA title. “I was told repeatedly that I had to put in the time to earn a chance at the position,” she recalls. Opting for independence, she built her client base from scratch and joined a family office in Dallas in January 2020, just before the pandemic hit. “We made it work,” she emphasizes, adapting by conducting meetings from her car.
A pivotal moment came when she met mentor David M. Darst, a former Goldman Sachs executive and published author, who reshaped her perspective on the industry. “He showed me what it meant to really care,” Madison reflects. His guidance helped her gain confidence and expand into alternative investments despite doubts from colleagues about her potential.
A New Path Forward in Financial Advisory
Madison prioritizes relationship-building in her advisory work, stating, “I want a seat at the table from the beginning to the very end.” Passionate about legacy planning, she questions the value of asset growth without a strategic end plan. Reflecting on her experience at a previous firm, where the focus shifted toward products over management, she emphasizes, “You learn the value of your clients.” As the only female advisor facing operational challenges, her commitment to clients remains strong.
Madison identifies her most significant professional achievement as meeting her business partner, Brad Vineyard. “After five minutes of meeting with him, I knew we could accomplish anything together,” she states, emphasizing their shared goals and moral integrity. Since their partnership began in January, they have launched Astra Fiduciary Services, a corporate trustee company.
Passionate about training younger advisors, Madison introduces the STARs subscription-based app to help young investor earners grow their money. STARs, or Successful Today Almost Rich, offers accessible financial planning tools and innovative support for young professionals and high earners, empowering them to take control of their financial futures.
Madison highlights their unique approach, stating, “While free education is an ideal, its not the reality we live in. That is why providing an affordable financial platfrom to younger generations is truly remarkable. We are able to supply advise that traditional advisors typically don’t offer” she asserts, positioning Astra as a leader in financial education.
The firm believes in empowering all individuals, unlike traditional Wall Street firms that cater only to those with significant investable assets. Madison emphasizes teaching future generations how to save, allocate their 401(k)s, and navigate financial markets. To promote accountability in the industry, she has built an insurance department, called Astra Insurance Solutions, that highlights the importance of comprehensive estate planning: “Estate tax is real.”
Through Astra Fiduciary Services, Madison aims to foster a supportive, client-focused environment, noting, “We like to think that we’re more family-friendly.” This commitment to nurturing talent and fostering meaningful relationships positions her firm as a leader in the industry, enhancing client loyalty through transparency and genuine care.
From Overcoming Obstacles to Personal Fulfillment
Madison’s definition of success has evolved throughout her career. In her early days, success was about proving herself in a male-dominated field. “When I was first hired by Merrill Lynch at age 24, I focused on demonstrating competence, earning respect, and achieving milestones despite the odds.” Her determination led her to complete the Certificate Program in Financial Planning from Southern Methodist University in just one year while working full-time. “Initially, my view of success was tied to tangible achievements like promotions and professional recognition, as they symbolized progress.”
As her career progressed, Madison shifted her focus toward building influence and creating meaningful impact. “I realized that to evoke change, I had to be in a position of leadership.” This realization drove her to seek opportunities at firms that exemplified moral integrity and a relationship-based approach. Astra Wealth Management became the embodiment of her new definition of success.
Now, as Executive Vice President of Astra Wealth Management, Madison sees success as encompassing personal fulfillment, well-being, and work-life balance. “I prioritize aligning my work with my values, making a meaningful difference for my clients, and empowering my staff.” For her, success means achieving a balance where professional demands do not compromise personal happiness. “When you love what you do and are surrounded by like-minded individuals who share your vision, work becomes a source of joy.”
Empowering Women in Finance Through Resilience
Madison’s values and experiences have profoundly shaped her professional approach and leadership style. “Throughout my career, I found a lack of moral alignment with the male advisors I worked for,” she shares. “I did not understand why we would sell our clients products that we would not own ourselves.” Guided by a strong sense of transparency and integrity, Madison has consistently used her moral compass to inform her client interactions, which ultimately motivated her to establish her own book of business.
In the male-dominated finance sector, she faced numerous setbacks, including exclusion from key meetings and restrictive expectations. “I was once asked by management to dye my hair because it was ‘too controversial,'” she recalls. Despite these pressures, Madison took on additional roles due to understaffing while her male counterparts faced fewer demands.
Her breakthrough came when she built her own book of business, recognizing the effort needed to succeed independently. “I wish there were as many opportunities for females in the advisory training programs as there are for males,” she advocates, pushing for greater equality in the industry. At Astra Fiduciary Services, Madison collaborates with experienced women to create a more inclusive environment.
Empowering Financial Futures with Ethical Growth and Client-Centric Service
Founded by former Wells Fargo advisors, Astra has quickly gained traction. “We have 6 to 10 client facing meetings per week,” Madison shares, highlighting collaboration as key to referral-based growth. The introduction of Astra Fiduciary Services allows the firm to serve as a corporate trustee, addressing a critical market need for personalized trustee, executor, and asset management services, ensuring estates are managed according to clients’ wishes.
Astra’s commitment to integrity distinguishes them in the industry. “In a few short months, we’ve been entrusted to oversee over $80 million in trust assets,” Madison notes. She aims to elevate Astra Wealth Management to $5 billion in assets by leveraging custodial support from Fidelity, enhancing service quality, and focusing on sophisticated estate planning for aging baby boomers.
Plans for expansion into Texas prioritize client protection over profit as clients transition from other advisors. Critiquing wirehouse practices, Madison promotes Astra’s transparent fee structures, stating, “We do not charge for cash or cash equivalents because it is for the bettermint of our clients.”
Madison notes the impressive growth of Astra Wealth Management since her arrival. The firm has expanded significantly, acquiring neighboring offices to support its rapid development. Organic growth is driven by satisfied clients and strong referrals, reflecting the team’s commitment to quality service.
With an average of one to three new client referrals each week, the firm demonstrates that relationship-building is paramount: “It’s more about the relationship than it is about the product.” Amid this growth, Madison faces challenges such as limited office space. The influx of interest in joining the team indicates a strong company culture. “I’ve had coworkers from previous jobs reach out, asking to be hired,” she reveals.
Astra’s philosophy prioritizes values over market performance — a principle Madison cherishes. “How our clients evaluate our performance as advisors has nothing to do with how the market performs,” she asserts, emphasizing that genuine client relationships endure despite market fluctuations. This commitment to ethical standards has solidified client retention, showcasing Madison’s leadership and the firm’s core values.
Resilience and Empowering Leadership in Finance
Madison’s journey in finance highlights her commitment to empowerment and personal connection. She believes in accountability, stating, “You can only be mad at yourself if you don’t close a client. It’s on you,” and shows dedication by remembering clients’ birth dates, marriage dates, and extended family members’ birth dates. Despite challenges, she prioritizes personal relationships in client engagement: “It is very much a face-to-face interaction.”
Joining Americana Partners in March 2020 provided vital resources during a critical time: “It was a godsend.” Gratitude fuels her resilience, particularly towards her father and her husband, who supported her launch. Madison knew she had only one chance, and gave it her all. As Executive Vice President at Astra Wealth Management, she focuses on strategic leadership and team development. She emphasizes long-term growth, with a focus on meeting clients’ financial goals.
Madison cultivates a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability. In high-stress situations, she maintains clarity: “I remove emotion from any problem and decision.” She inspires her team through resilience and inclusivity, fostering open dialogue: “It is my hope that my transparency creates a supportive environment.” Reflecting on her resilience in a male-dominated industry, she emphasizes, “I’ve learned not to give up.”
Mentorship is crucial to Madison’s leadership style; she nurtures future leaders, especially those feeling marginalized. With high standards and a belief that “the sky is the limit at Astra,” she promotes a growth mindset and celebrates successes, contributing to their recognition as one of the Dallas Business Journal’s Best Places to Work for 2024.
Prioritizing Well-Being for Sustainable Leadership
Madison emphasizes the importance of balancing her executive responsibilities with personal well-being. “Balancing well-being with the demands of a high-level executive role is crucial,” she says. Regular tennis matches and mindfulness practices bolster her mental health. “It has dramatically helped my well-being,” she notes.
Setting clear boundaries is vital; she allows her operational staff to leave at 4 PM and informs clients that calls after hours will be addressed the next morning. “Clients are informed when the office is closed and to respect the work-life balance of our staff,” she adds.
Madison advocates for respectful workplace culture, believing that “if your client isn’t respecting that boundary, then they’re not respecting you.” Her commitment to well-being fosters a thriving environment where staff feel valued and motivated. “Empowering your staff is crucial to your success,” she emphasizes.
With a supportive family and mentor network, Madison makes time for meaningful connections. Reflection and goal-setting keep her aligned with her values. “Taking time to reflect on your achievements helps you stay balanced,” she states. She recognizes the importance of fun and camaraderie, stating, “The small things need to be valued.” By cultivating a positive workplace, she inspires her team to grow and succeed.
Empowering Women in Finance to Lead with Confidence
Madison aspires to empower the next generation of female advisors, insisting, “If you want to become a financial advisor you do not need to spend 10 years mastering every aspect of the industry as I was once told. Apply now, and let us guide and shape your development. Let us teach and mold you.” She offers essential advice for aspiring women leaders in finance, emphasizing the importance of building a strong network early in their careers:
- Build a Strong Network Early: Relationships are vital in finance. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and actively seek mentors who can guide and advocate for your success.
- Be Confident and Assertive: In a male-dominated industry, women often feel pressure to downplay their strengths. Believe in your expertise and don’t shy away from making your voice heard. Confident communication inspires trust and establishes leadership.
- Invest in Continuous Learning: Financial services constantly evolve. Pursue certifications, attend workshops, and stay current with industry trends. Staying knowledgeable positions women as valuable assets to their teams and clients.
- Be Authentic: The only way a client-advisor relationship is successful is if it is based on trust. Authenticity fosters trust, empowering women to lead confidently and establish meaningful connections in their careers.
Conclusion
Madison Broyles exemplifies a transformative leader dedicated to redefining wealth management. Her commitment to empowering clients, training the next generation of advisors, and advocating for transparent financial practices sets Astra apart in a competitive industry. With a vision rooted in education and client well-being, Madison is shaping a future where financial literacy and trust become the cornerstones of wealth management, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their financial status, has the opportunity to thrive.
