Scholarship Spotlights
The Investments & Wealth Foundation scholarship program has helped talented professionals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences earn the certifications and expertise that define great careers in wealth management. Below, we share some of those stories and the role the Foundation played in their journey.
Meet Your Peers in the Investment & Wealth Institute
Jaime R. Villalobos, CPWA®, CIMA®, RMA®
Senior Associate
Private Wealth Management
What is your current title?
I am a Senior Associate in private wealth management, where I work with individuals and families on investment management, wealth planning, and long-term financial goals within the private wealth and family office space. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is next-generation education, helping families prepare future generations to become thoughtful and responsible stewards of wealth.
Can you share your journey to becoming a professional in the financial services industry and how your Hispanic heritage has influenced your path?
Growing up between the United States and Mexico gave me a unique perspective on money, family, and opportunity. During my formative years in Mexico City, I was surrounded by people who were incredibly entrepreneurial. I watched family members, friends, and neighbors build businesses from the ground up and work tirelessly to create better futures for their families. Those experiences sparked my interest in how wealth is created, preserved, and passed on across generations.
My education at Loyola University Chicago, along with the opportunity to study abroad at Sophia University in Tokyo, further strengthened my passion for finance while broadening my appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. Together, those experiences ultimately led me to a career in wealth management.
Today, after more than 15 years in the profession, my Hispanic heritage continues to shape how I serve clients. The values of family, trust, resilience, and long-term thinking influence my approach to building relationships and my commitment to helping families achieve their financial goals and create lasting legacies.
In what ways do you believe your Hispanic heritage contributes to your perspective on your profession and client relations?
My heritage reminds me that every family has a unique story. Financial decisions are rarely just about numbers. They are shaped by personal experiences, values, sacrifices, and the hopes people have for their children and grandchildren. Because of that, I try to spend as much time listening as I do talking. Building trust starts with understanding what matters most to someone before discussing solutions.
Throughout my professional journey, including earning the CIMA®, CPWA®, and RMA® designations and participating in executive education at Chicago Booth, I came to appreciate the important role that behavioral finance and psychology play in wealth management. Technical knowledge is essential, but understanding a client's background, motivations, and values is what allows us to provide advice that is both technically sound and personally meaningful.
I believe understanding a client's story is one of the foundations of building trusted relationships. My own background has reinforced the importance of approaching every relationship with curiosity, empathy, and respect.
How did receiving the scholarship from the Investments & Wealth Institute’s Foundation impact your career goals?
Receiving a scholarship from the Investments & Wealth Foundation has been both an honor and a source of encouragement. It allowed me to continue my education while learning alongside talented professionals from across the industry.
Through the scholarship, I was able to pursue the Institute's three premier certification programs. Each one challenged me in a different way and expanded my knowledge of investment management, private wealth strategies, and retirement income planning. More importantly, they reinforced the importance of continuous learning and striving to better serve the individuals and families who place their trust in us.
I am grateful for the Institute's investment in my development. The experience strengthened my commitment to lifelong learning, and I hope my journey encourages others to continue investing in their own education and professional growth.
How do you celebrate your Hispanic heritage in your professional life?
I celebrate my Hispanic heritage by carrying forward many of the values that shaped my upbringing, including family, hard work, education, resilience, and respect for others. Those values influence how I approach every relationship. I strive to build trust, listen carefully, and understand what is most important to the individuals and families I work with before offering guidance.
I also enjoy helping families think beyond creating wealth to preserving it, preparing the next generation to make thoughtful financial decisions, and building a lasting legacy. Mentoring younger professionals is another way I enjoy giving back. If sharing my
experience encourages someone to explore wealth management or continue investing in their professional development, I consider that incredibly rewarding.
Past Spotlights
Invest in the Future of the Financial Profession
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Your tax-deductible gift to the Investments & Wealth Foundation helps grow the financial profession by actively engaging members who both represent and serve a variety of communities, genders, ages, and ethnicities.
The costs of the Foundation are underwritten by Investments & Wealth Institute, so 100% of your donation to the Investments & Wealth Foundation supports scholarships.
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