“How can I add value?”: One Pivotal Partnership of Portfolios and Philanthropy

It all started with a virtual raised hand.

“[A colleague] here at Pinnacle [Financial Partners] reached out to me,” shared Boozer Downs. “They were familiar with [the Professional Advisors Network], had some involvement and just wanted to know if anybody in the office had had some interest. I raised my hand.”

This April, Boozer is celebrating two years as a Portfolio Manager with Pinnacle. But he’s worked in the wealth management space for over two decades. 

“In college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do yet, and I figured if I took a personal finance course, it would at least benefit me down the road,” he said.

While taking the class, he realized this field could become his career.

“I very much enjoy numbers and math, but I also enjoy working with people. There just aren’t a whole lot of opportunities that let you spread your wings in both of those directions. Working in the wealth management space allows me to do that,” Boozer explained.

“I get to stare at my computer screen and play with numbers, but I get to know new clients and make a difference in their lives, too,” he said.

His career started in Birmingham, then he transitioned to the Atlanta and North Georgia markets, where he’s worked ever since. 

As a portfolio manager, Boozer is very involved with his clients’ estate planning, which often includes donor-advised funds.

“As long as the tax code is friendly to donor advised funds, we need to be knowledgeable about options,” he said.

When his colleague approached him about partnering with the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia’s Professional Advisors Network (PAN), it felt like the perfect time to get involved.

“My wife has spent her whole career working for nonprofits, so I speak the ‘language’. I understand some of the challenges,” he shared. “Now that my kids are grown up, I can get involved with organizations like [the Community Foundation].”

Boozer can’t point to a big moment of generosity that inspired his passion for philanthropy, but through his career, he’s prioritized surrounding himself with people with good intentions — and doing good along the way! 

For him, connecting with the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia was a “no-brainer.”

“I don’t think there are too many people out there who speak both ‘languages’, who understand fundraising and can speak an [estate planning] language with my clients,” he explained.

While not every client will be a fit for the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, Boozer’s partnership with PAN adds value for clients seeking expert help to reach their giving goals.

“For me, the return on investment is knowing that I’ve done some good,” he said, “but I’m also going to walk away after learning a few things that make me a little bit more ‘dangerous’ in conversations with other clients!”