Vance Team Member Spotlight: Meet Kathy Spencer, Director of People and Culture

As the firm’s Director of People and Culture, Kathy Spencer is dedicated to helping the team create balance in business and life, so they can all achieve more together.

Raised in Santa Clarita, Kathy earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing with an emphasis in communications from California State University, Northridge. She began her career in sales for Pactel, a position that eventually grew into management and sales training as Pactel became Verizon.

After a decade in sales, Kathy branched out to HR with California Pavement Services, as she handled their payroll, bookkeeping and accounts. Most recently, she worked for Andy Gump as the office manager with responsibilities in customer service, billing and more. Through these opportunities, Kathy learned she really loved working with people to create growth across the board.

In fact, her passion for helping people grow was part of what drew Kathy and her husband, Greg, to Vance Wealth when they needed a financial planner.

“We had just come aboard as clients, and I was sharing my goals with John,” Kathy recalled of their first meeting. “I wanted to create a better balance in life, and I was looking for a role where I could give others the opportunity to grow and develop their skills, the same way I had received that opportunity many times in my own career. When the position became available at Vance Wealth, it just seemed like the perfect fit!”

Today Kathy oversees the human resources and payroll aspects of the job, while also helping the team stay on track with goals and find support whenever needed. She most enjoys working for a company that prioritizes employee growth and dedicates time to developing systems that support team goals.

“What I really like about our firm is the desire to invest in each team member, which really comes from the top down,” Kathy shared. “Everyone is given the resources, support and time they need to develop their skill sets and grow their roles according to their strengths.”

Outside the office, Kathy and Greg love taking walks in the evening, but when they’re up for something more adventurous, you can find them boating, water skiing or wakeboarding. They also get away to Denver, Colorado to visit their daughters any chance they get.