Maria Salvia works at the intersection of client service and creative production at Parkwoods. As a Client Service Manager, she supports three Parkwoods advisors and their clients – handling everything from new account openings and custodian coordination to the digital tools and paperwork processes that make the client experience run smoothly.

Before joining Parkwoods, Maria built her career in operations at Buckingham Strategic Wealth, where she rose from an entry-level client service role to become a Client Service Trainer for a rapidly growing team. In that role, she developed a multi-layered training program for new associates as well as experienced professionals joining the firm through acquisitions – building the kind of replicable, adaptable systems that growing firms depend on. She and her husband Derek live in St. Louis, where they’ve built a home after following his soccer career there nine years ago.

Below, Maria shares how she works behind the scenes, what clients can expect, and why Parkwoods’ willingness to adapt is something she genuinely values.

How do you help clients?

I work directly with three of our Parkwoods advisors to support their clients’ service needs. My time is spent working with our custodian partners to open new accounts and service existing accounts. My goal is to help facilitate our clients’ requests with ease.

What should clients expect when they work with you?

I am not always the fastest on our team of Client Service Managers, but my focus is on the details. I strive to provide accurate information and take some of the input responsibilities off their plate. My hope is to simplify the paperwork experience – using digital signing platforms where possible and making sure clients feel comfortable with those tools before we’re done.

What’s a recent improvement you made that helps clients?

Recently I was able to help a client move their statements, trade confirms, tax documents, and other mailings from Charles Schwab to a fully digital option. It’s a small and quite easy change, but it saved the client a ton of extra mail each month across their many accounts. Added bonus – it may even save a tree or two.

What’s one misconception you often clarify?

That my job is opening accounts all day. While I do love working on the service side of our business, I’ve also been able to expand my scope into other departments here at Parkwoods. I’ve spent time with our marketing team learning how we communicate with clients and prospects, and I enjoy helping create some of our visual deliverables. I’ve always loved to create, and splitting my time this way has been a true joy. Parkwoods looks for every opportunity for people to succeed in the work they’re drawn to, and I’m grateful to be able to wear more than one hat.

Why does Parkwoods fit how you like to serve clients?

Parkwoods is a young firm. But if you combine the industry experience of everyone on our team, you’ll see an extensive amount of time and knowledge that our people bring with them. Parkwoods is focused on providing a seamless client experience, and we’re willing to tailor our approach when new service methods become available. We aren’t locked into a “this is how we’ve always done it” mentality – and that’s something I truly appreciate. In an ever-changing world, clients expect us to help them navigate those changes, and Parkwoods has shown every sign of being able to do just that.

Can you give us a behind-the-scenes detail that improves the client experience?

We set recurring tasks for things like client RMDs. Sometimes we know ahead of time when a client would like to take them – but other times we don’t. Simple reminders like this help alleviate the stress of trying to take your RMD in the final days of the year.

What are the three questions you can answer fastest for clients and advisors?

Can you help my client roll over their 401(k)? Yes – let’s connect on a call to complete it together.

Do you need a statement? Yes, nine times out of ten we do – so it’s always good to have one ready.

How do you make sure things go well for clients? By leaning on my team. If I don’t know the answer, there’s a good chance someone else does. There’s help to be found at Parkwoods, and we lean on each other whenever we can. It makes us stronger.

What’s your favorite book you’ve read recently?

“The Familiar” by Leigh Bardugo. A work of historical fiction set during the Spanish Inquisition, it follows the main character Luzia through a story where magic, science, and a good deal of fraud come together to challenge the powers that be. It’s a unique read.

What’s a favorite local spot?

Two, actually. Platypus has incredible popcorn chicken, a few great pinball games, and local music on the weekends – it checks all the boxes for me.

My husband and I also recently became members of the Missouri Botanical Gardens. It’s within our neighborhood, and we love everything they do – free Wednesday night concerts in the summer, the Japanese Festival in the fall, and their conservation work in Missouri. Becoming members has given us a chance to walk there regularly, and what we’ve loved most is watching the plants change and grow by the week. It’s become our oasis.

What’s a fun fact (that’s actually fun)?

My husband and I were both Division I athletes. I competed in gymnastics and have stepped away from the sport since, but he has built his career through soccer – which is what brought us to St. Louis nine years ago. We’ve been happy to call it home ever since.

Schedule a 20-minute conversation with a Parkwoods advisor. We’ll talk through your situation and help you understand your next steps.