Stephanie K. Triola, FSCP, has been a proud NAIFA member since 2023 and serves clients throughout Fernandina Beach, Florida, as a financial professional with New York Life Insurance Company and registered representative with NYLIFE Securities LLC. Her path into financial services was anything but predictable — and that’s exactly what makes her story so compelling.

Originally on track to become an optometrist, Stephanie reached a pivotal moment when she realized the path she was pursuing was no longer aligned with the life she wanted to build. Stepping away from a doctorate program forced her to rethink her strengths, her purpose, and the type of work that would energize her long-term. After a few career explorations, she found her place in financial services — a profession that, in her words, finally “snapped into alignment.” Today, she still feels like she uses her diagnostic skills, just differently: identifying financial blind spots, prescribing strategies, and helping individuals and families protect their long-term wellbeing.

Stephanie was drawn to this industry by its blend of purpose, autonomy, impact, and long-term growth potential. The ability to build a legacy-based practice while creating clarity and confidence for clients made financial services a natural fit. She especially values the transformative nature of her work — being able to meet clients at vulnerable moments and guide them toward strategies that can change the trajectory of their future. Each conversation, she says, creates a ripple effect that supports families for generations.

Her practice focuses on financial solutions for pre-retirees and retirees, helping clients preserve wealth, generate income, and navigate the complexities of longevity, lifestyle, and legacy. She is also expanding her expertise into advanced solutions, including tax-efficient retirement strategies, multi-generational wealth transfer, and an array of financial wellness.

Stephanie learned early in her career that staying connected to the broader professional community was essential, which led her to NAIFA. Mentors emphasized NAIFA’s role as the advocacy backbone of the industry, and she quickly recognized the importance of being part of the association that protects the tools and strategies financial solutions rely on every day. To her, NAIFA’s political advocacy is mission-critical — safeguarding tax advantages, retirement structures, and the regulatory environment that supports financial professionals and the clients they serve.

She stays actively engaged by participating in NAIFA events and staying involved in organizations throughout her county. Stephanie believes that legislators must understand the value advisors provide to their communities, and she sees advocacy not as optional but as a responsibility tied directly to protecting her clients’ financial futures.

NAIFA has played a significant role in her growth by offering community, mentorship, leadership opportunities, and a seat at the table where major industry decisions are shaped. The experience has sharpened her professionalism, expanded her network, and strengthened her credibility — all of which have elevated her practice.

When asked why she would recommend this career, Stephanie is quick to say it has been “the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” She feels deeply aligned with her purpose, going to bed each day knowing she has made a meaningful impact. A people-oriented professional at heart, she values the deep relationships she builds and the unmatched flexibility that allows her to stay engaged in her local community. For those driven by service, purpose, and connection, she believes there is nothing more fulfilling.

She recommends NAIFA for those who want to build a strong, sustainable career rooted in professionalism and advocacy. It connects advisors with high-caliber peers, keeps them informed on regulatory changes, and provides the platform to influence policy — ensuring the long-term health of the profession.

Beyond her work with NAIFA, Stephanie is an active leader in her community, currently serving on the Northeast Florida Board as YAT Chair and participating on the boards of the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce and Fernandina Beach Main Street. Community involvement is central to her mission — keeping her grounded in the people and businesses she serves and reinforcing the responsibility advisors have to show up and lead.

Stephanie is committed to building a practice centered on clarity, legacy, and long-term strategies, and she credits NAIFA as a key force accelerating her trajectory. Her dedication to her clients, her profession, and her community exemplifies the spirit of a true financial professional—and NAIFA is proud to spotlight her as a leader shaping the future of financial services.

*Stephanie Triolla, Registered Representative for NYLIFE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC), A Licensed Insurance Agency. 10375 Centurion Parkway N.Suite 300, Jacksonville FL 32256 and a New York Life Company. Neither New York Life Insurance Company, nor its agents, provides legal, tax, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, or accounting professionals before making any decisions.