Hanna Sheppard

Every person has a story worth understanding before a solution is ever offered.

That belief is at the heart of how I approach both life and my work as Relationship Manager. I believe the best experiences begin with taking the time to truly understand the people I serve. My goal is to help ensure every family we serve feels welcomed, supported, and confident as they plan for the life they want to live.

A Curiosity That Shaped My Path

My path into financial services was not a straight line. I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology because I was drawn to understanding people; what motivates them, how they think, and how strong relationships take shape. While I realized psychology was not the career I wanted to pursue, my desire to understand people never changed.

Growing up in a middle-class family, topics like investing, taxes, and long-term financial planning were lightly touched upon but were not typical dinner-table discussions. My father was an air traffic controller, and my mother dedicated herself to raising our family. While finance was never their profession, education, hard work, and preparing for the future were always priorities in our home. My father came from very humble beginnings and built the life he wanted through perseverance, hard work, and education and because of that, he encouraged us to challenge ourselves, work hard, and never settle for the bare minimum. Those values instilled a strong work ethic and a lifelong commitment to learning in me that can’t be undone.

Turning Questions into a Career

The more I realized how much I did not know, the more determined I became to change that. The more I learned, the more I realized there was still so much to discover. It did not sit right with me that there was an entire world I had yet to understand, so I pushed myself to learn more. That curiosity led me to earn my MBA with a concentration in finance and begin my career in wealth management at Morgan Stanley.

Throughout my career, I have seen how much personalized attention, proactive communication, and attention to detail can shape a family’s experience. I earned my Series 66 license early in my career and continue expanding my knowledge so I can deliver more value to the families we serve.

One of the things I appreciate most about Mitlin Financial is that learning never stops. The firm encourages us to keep growing so we can continue showing up for the families we serve.

I enjoy the technical side of finance, but what I love most is helping people understand it. I know what it is like to hear unfamiliar financial terms and feel unsure about what they mean. That’s why I care so deeply about making complex ideas and industry jargon easier to understand. I want the families we serve to understand the thinking behind each recommendation.

Redefining What Is Possible

Much of the empathy I bring to my work comes from my own life experiences.

At the age of 13, I sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury after a diving accident and was told I would never walk again. I chose not to let that prediction define me. Through years of determination, rehabilitation, and an unwavering belief that more was possible, I regained much of my independence. Along the way, I learned one of the most important lessons I carry with me today: progress rarely happens all at once, but incredible things are possible when you refuse to stop moving forward.

That experience shaped far more than my resilience it shaped the way I connect with people. It taught me the importance of meeting people where they are, celebrating progress rather than perfection, and never underestimating what someone is capable of achieving. As someone who proudly identifies as a person with a disability, I am passionate about fostering inclusion and challenging outdated perceptions. I want people to feel seen, respected, and valued for who they are.

Whether I am helping someone navigate important financial decisions or offering reassurance during uncertain times, my goal is the same: to make people feel understood and cared for. Financial guidance is not just about numbers; it is about helping the people behind the numbers enjoy today while planning for their ideal tomorrow.

Embracing Life Beyond the Office

Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with friends and family. You will often find me at the gym or taking my trike out for rides. I am drawn to discovering new places and embracing adventures that push me outside my comfort zone. Although I am very comfortable with technology, some of life’s best moments happen when we put our phones down and focus on the people right in front of us.