The 2020 Rising Stars of the Profession: Dave Leopold

While still in college, Dave Leopold really didn't know what he wanted to do after graduating. At a campus recruiting event his senior year, one of the big firms told him that a consulting career would afford him the opportunity to do a bunch of different and exciting work, get to travel to fabulous places all the time, and work half days on Fridays! 

So, perhaps the recruiter oversold some of that and Leopold says: "While those last two things haven't been true… the first one certainly is, and I've loved consulting ever since," he says. "The accomplishments that mean the most to me are when clients ask my team and me to do more work. That's how I know we're making a difference and lets me know that our hard work is paying off."

Paying off in a Rising Stars of the Profession award for Excellence in Client Service for the principal consultant with Liberty Advisor Group.

"It is an honor to be part of such an esteemed group of award winners. However, just being nominated for this award by my company is the most meaningful part," Leopold says. "I work with an incredible group of individuals. To be nominated for this award over anyone else from Liberty is something I never expected and will appreciate for years to come."

Leopold says he got some advice his first year in consulting that he didn't appreciate until only a couple of years ago. in consulting, despite whatever else is going on, do what's best for the client. 

"I know this sounds cliché, but I find this advice brings clarity to situations when dealing with politically charged environments within a client, project, or even my own team," Leopold says. "The clients we work for recognize when you're trying to do right by them, and they recognize when you're not, so simply do the right thing, and everything else sorts itself out."

The constant refreshed challenges that the job presents let Leopold learn many different things in a very short amount of time, he says. 

"No two projects are the same. Additionally, since joining a smaller firm, I've been energized by the work I do to mature some of our internal operations," he says. "It's really great to be able to help build something that impacts my peers."

Q&A: What's been the biggest factor to your success so far?

Leopold: "I have a very low tolerance for inefficiency and nonsense and don't really sugarcoat things. I like to eliminate what I call "noise" on a project so everyone around me can focus on what's important so we can all be successful. I think (most) of my clients appreciate this."