Anna Fedosova-Caldera, MBA, CTFA, is Sunstone Trust Company’s Chief Fiduciary Officer. She has worked for private wealth and trust companies, including U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, and First Bank, for 20 years as a senior fiduciary and trust manager.

A top-ranked financial adviser with an exceptional clientele, Anna has helped high-net-worth clients accomplish their short- and long-term goals thanks to her in-depth understanding of fiduciary matters and her sophisticated estate and trust planning abilities.

Anna worked as a vice president and senior trust advisor at U.S. Bank’s private wealth management business before joining Sunstone Trust, and before that, she was a vice president and senior trust officer at Wells Fargo Bank’s wealth management division.

She moved from Russia to the United States after graduating from Moscow University with a Bachelor of Science Degree and then from Moscow University of Statistics and Economics with a Master’s Degree in Finance. Being fluent in English, Russian, and German, Anna moved to United States wanting to capitalize on the freedom and opportunities offered by America.

Journey to becoming a Financial Expert

“You don’t always need to understand your journey in life, you just need to trust that you are going in the right direction” – Steven Aitchison

While in college pursuing her MBA, Anna was looking for a job and sent out her CV to multiple companies, seeking any position to pay her bills. She received a call from the Trust and Wealth Management Division of First Bank and was invited to the interview. She recalls, “I knew nothing about trust and wealth management, yet as I was learning about the role and duties and this division’s value proposition, I was intrigued with the concept.” She further adds, “I remember saying to myself, “I would be very interested in pursuing this line of business“.” Later that day, she received a call from First Bank offering her this job, and just like that, it launched her career in the financial industry.

In Los Angeles, Anna started her career in finance with a 12-year stint as a Trust Officer and Relationship Manager at First Bank’s Wealth Management Group. As Anna points out, leaving U.S. Bank for Sunstone Trust Company is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join an innovative organization that is reinventing the wealth management sector in a C-level position. “I am excited to share my experience and knowledge with my new team and help them succeed,” says Anna.

Stepping in as Chief Fiduciary Officer

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Oliver Goldsmith

Anna’s primary duties at Sunstone Trust will be to establish fiduciary policies, supervise the screening of new customers, and make sure they get the precise goods and services that are needed to meet their individual needs. She states, “I will personally handle some of the largest client relationships and lead the team in growing the Trust, Fiduciary, and Wealth Management business lines.” She will also be leading and mentoring the trust officers and advisors and promoting their talents both internally and externally. As a member of the C-suite, she will participate in strategic decisions about the company’s direction.

The Company

Trust corporations have a rich history of strength and stability in the United States. The Title Guaranty & Trust Company was created as the first in California in 1895, whereas Alexander Hamilton founded the Bank of New York and Trust Company in 1784. Both businesses are still in business today.

The Department of Financial Protection & Innovation regulates Sunstone Trust Company, and it is frequently audited to make sure it maintains the necessary capital levels and abides by all relevant regulations. In California, where it has existed for 125 years, the trust firm industry has remained steady.

The main office of Sunstone Trust Company is in Irvine, California, and it has knowledgeable employees all around the state. The trust is keen to advise its international customers on how to transfer their assets to California and how to acclimate to life there because it resides and works there.

The majority of Sunstone Trust Company’s clients choose California because of its favorable climate, plenty of locally grown fresh food, high standard of living, active lifestyle, and capacity to safeguard all or a portion of their American assets. Its staff are prepared to welcome new immigrants and are eager to collaborate with those who are already present.

The trust’s regulators, such as the DFPI Trust Services Division, strictly enforce laws that require it to be well-capitalized, to segregate client assets from corporate assets, and to strictly honor its duty to act as a true fiduciary for its clients.

Changing Demands in the Finance Sector

The world is seeing a shift away from commodity service offerings such as standard brokerage account portfolios and towards high-touch offerings like small private investment funds. Anna opines, “Our clients want both a slick user interface to see their holdings as well as instant access to their human advisors. They want exclusive access to exciting products and they want advice from people they like and trust.“ A lot of what Anna will be doing in her new position is curating these sorts of opportunities for the firm’s clients and empowering them to do their own research. Sunstone is agile, innovative, and staffed with talented and honest people. The teams are busy launching innovative, tech-powered products and services.

Anna feels it is important to not get distracted by the latest shiny object in financial services and to stay focused on understanding clients and meeting their evolving needs.

The Definition of Success Isn’t a Title

“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.“ – Arthur Ashe

Like most individuals, Anna has had ups and downs on her path to achievement and has encountered numerous obstacles. But according to her, without a challenge, there is no incentive to develop, outperform, show yourself, be successful, and go forward in the world. Despite this, she is assuming this new leadership role and perhaps a partnership. She asserts, “The definition of my success isn’t a title; the title is what I was working towards to have something tangible next to my name, but to get to this level was success on its own. And my road isn’t finished yet, I am motivated to get to the highest level I can.”

Recognition as a Professional

Anna has been recognized on a few occasions as a Legend of Possible, a prestigious award for top-ranked advisors while at U.S. Bank. She has also been named one of the “10 Most Inspiring Women Leaders of 2022” by Industry Era Women Leaders Magazine, as well as one of the “Top 50 Women Leaders of Los Angeles” for 2022 by the Women We Admire organization.

A Look Ahead to the Future

Anna hopes to one day rank among the top executives and leading professionals in the wealth management sector. She anticipates reflecting in five years and is proud of her role in establishing one of Southern California’s most dynamic and prosperous asset management firms. The company anticipates that customers will be clamoring to use the incredible private investment funds available through the firm’s platform. She says, “The funds we administer are at the center of a burgeoning innovation ecosystem, and that will be exciting to see grow.” She also shares that Sunstone Trust is launching its own first-of-its-kind credit card for the wealth management industry and it has other innovative developments underway. As per Anna, the firm will be the club everyone wants to join!

Advice From Experience

Anna is very enthusiastic and an optimistic person, both professionally and personally. She applies the same emotions when it comes to her career as her personal/social life. She works and lives with a concept that “my glass is half full”, never “half empty”.

“Life isn’t about finding yourself; Life is about creating yourself.” – George Bernard Shaw

While advising emerging women leaders, Anna mentions that while it is challenging, no doubt, find your passion and trust your instincts. She states, “When you trust your instincts, your true self emerges in the most authentic way. Always push yourself to learn as much as you possibly can and never settle for the status quo. Turn your passion, excellence, and enthusiasm towards laying the foundation for progress. Support and empower other women.”

Website: www.sunstonetrust.com