Leader Q&A

After practicing law for more than a decade, AMANDA MIARS decided it was time for a change. Serving as a wealth and estate adviser with the professionals of Live Oak Private Wealth was the opportunity for that necessary transition.

“Through my experiences advising high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners at a well-respected, local law firm, I came to realize the tremendous value a local wealth adviser well versed in personal and business succession planning, asset protection, complex wealth transfer structures, and taxation could offer to clients in connection with the creation and implementation of their financial plans,” Miars says.

In her new role, Miars facilitates thoughtful discussions with her clients that are backed up by the more than 230 years of combined experience Live Oak Private Wealth’s team members possess.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

“I am a proud Seahawk and Fighting Camel! I earned my B.S. in business administration (International) and B.A. in French from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2006 and my juris doctorate from Campbell University School of Law in Raleigh, graduating cum laude in 2012. I am also a proud graduate of the WILMA Leadership Institute class of 2018. These experiences played important roles in my story, and I am forever grateful for the positive impact they have had on my life.”

What led you to become a lawyer? What kind of law did you practice?

“Ever since I was little, I have been endlessly curious and an avid reader. As I grew up, I realized how important it was to me to leverage my curiosity and appetite for learning to empower and advocate for those around me in my areas of personal and professional expertise.

Prior to my career transition, I specialized in both tax and non-tax-driven estate planning, with a significant focus on succession and exit planning strategies for businesses. These can be highly technical and nuanced areas of practice that frequently involve family dynamics.

Articulating and actualizing a client’s legacy involves more than legal documents; it’s about preserving values, memories, and aspirations. Likewise, the role of an adviser extends beyond technicalities; it involves crafting client-specific strategies for smooth transitions of wealth within families and businesses. Families entrust you with their most intimate matters and rely on you to analyze intricate scenarios and provide sound advice. It is an enormous responsibility and privilege to serve in this role for a client and is at the core of why I became a lawyer and why I chose to leave the practice of law to become a wealth adviser.”

When did a career transition become a possibility for you?

“It began over lunch with a wealth adviser with whom I had collaborated for the benefit of several mutual clients during my legal career. I asked if there was anything he was trying to accomplish in the near term. He shared that they were ready to grow the team with the addition of a new wealth adviser.

After asking him a million questions on the vision for the role, I shared with him my interest in stepping back from drafting and negotiating legal documents, so I could concentrate my focus on the advisory work I was doing for families and business owners – the work that empowers these clients to make informed decisions about their wealth and their businesses.

The conversations continued from there, but I knew at this first meeting that my background combined with the team’s extensive experience and an organization rooted in technology and innovation was a recipe for significant positive impact.”

Why would you advocate for switching gears professionally when the opportunity arises for those looking for more out of their careers?

“Work, like life, is a journey, and a career move can contribute to your unique story. Changing roles or careers allows you to identify and capitalize on your strengths.

It’s an opportunity to pivot toward work that aligns with your natural abilities and maximizes the positive impact you can make in your field.

Change involves risk, but calculated risks can lead to breakthroughs. Seize opportunities, take calculated risks, and live fully – you only get one chance!”

What else are you involved in within the community?

“I enjoy finding ways big and small to make a positive impact on the community that has made such a positive impact on me and my family.

I have served on the board of directors of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, the Junior League of Wilmington, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I presently serve on the board of directors of the Beacon Foundation Inc. – the foundation that supports the incredible education opportunities being provided at Spark Academy and the Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (G.L.O.W.); the board of visitors of the University of North Carolina Wilmington; and as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington.

In addition, I am privileged to serve as a mentor for a highly motivated eleventh-grade student at New Hanover High School through the Future Leaders Program, which is part of WILMA’s Women to Watch Leadership Initiative.”

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATIONS

“A Book I cannot wait to read is CheerLEADERship by Stefanie Adams, of WNY (Why Not You?) People Development, which is set to be released in fall 2024.

WAY TO UNWIND

“For me, it is the greatest resource of our region: the ocean. It is where I can go to recalibrate and be present. Witnessing the vastness of the ocean and how it does not cling to the waves is therapy for me.”

WOMAN TO KNOW

“Collen Coons, head of strategic marketing and business development with Monteith Construction. She is an intelligent and articulate powerhouse invested in our community.”

To view more of photographer Terah Hoobler’s work, go to terahhoobler.com.

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