Like mother, like mentor

BY LINDSEY GIARDINO, FREELANCE CONTRIBUTOR

When Deniz Franke first came to the United States, she asked her university adviser what the hardest class was. The answer? Finance.

“I took that as a challenge,” Franke said. “After graduating in the 1980s, the financial advising profession was an emerging field, and its potential immediately drew me in.”

Franke began her career with IDS (now Ameriprise Financial) as one of only three women in her starting group. That experience fueled her determination not just to succeed, but to help carve out space for more women in the industry. Years later, one of those women would become her daughter, Bianca Rowland.

“Growing up with my mom in financial advising, I learned early on that this profession goes far beyond just the numbers,” Rowland said. “I watched her walk clients through some of the hardest financial decisions of their lives — sometimes having tough, honest conversations that people genuinely needed to hear.”

Rowland also noticed that no two days ever looked the same. Every situation required a different solution, a different level of care and a different strategy.

“Hearing her talk about the creative ways she helped clients and seeing the relief and confidence she brought into their lives, really stuck with me,” Rowland said. “It showed me how meaningful and dynamic this work is, and that’s what first sparked my interest long before I knew I’d eventually follow in her footsteps.”

At their core, Franke and Rowland — private wealth advisers at OriGen Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise — both love helping people, and the financial advising profession allows them to do that every day. 

Working side by side 

Working together as mother and daughter has been a positive experience for Rowland and Franke, even if it isn’t perfect every single day.

“We’re both strong individuals with our own perspectives, and while we think alike in many ways, there are moments when we’re not completely aligned — and that’s OK,” Rowland said. “Those moments create space for growth, both personally and professionally.”

She notes that what makes their partnership so strong is what happens behind the scenes. They’ve learned how to communicate, challenge each other respectfully and ultimately come back into alignment where it matters most: serving their clients.

“Our different viewpoints often spark better ideas, and our shared values give us a unified foundation,” Rowland said. “In many ways, we build off each other’s strengths, which allows us to show up as an even more effective team for the people who trust us with their financial lives.”

Navigating a male-dominated industry

Working as women in financial advising — a field often associated with male professionals — has certainly brought its share of challenges for Franke and Rowland.

“There were times when I wasn’t taken seriously, moments when my voice was overpowered in conversations and situations where I had to work twice as hard just to be acknowledged,” Franke said. “None of that was easy, but those experiences shaped me — and they influence the way I support Bianca today.”

The duo has navigated these challenges by staying grounded in who they are and how they choose to show up. They approach their work and the people around them with empathy and understanding while remaining firm and confident in their expertise.

“Over time, those experiences have not only strengthened our resilience but also deepened our commitment to advocating for women in this field and creating space for others to thrive,” Franke said. 

For Rowland and Franke, being a “fearless” woman in this industry reflects an ongoing commitment to taking bold steps forward, even when the path isn’t always clear or comfortable.

“Fearlessness doesn’t mean having everything perfectly together,” Rowland said. “In fact, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that asking for support is a strength, not a weakness. When we allow ourselves to be supported, we not only set ourselves up for success but also become better, more grounded versions of who we’re meant to be.”

If she can show other women that they don’t need to have all the answers — just the courage to keep moving — then Rowland feels she’s living up to what being “fearless” truly means.