Courtney Joyner – 20 Under 40

Courtney Joyner shares a passion for helping Tolleson Wealth Management clients live out their values through financial investment and philanthropy with her father.

Joyner joined Tolleson in 2015 after a 2.5-year stint in wealth management in New York. She’s since worked her way up in the company from a senior analyst to her current role as director of philanthropy and family engagement.

“I grew up with my father working for the company that I now have the opportunity to work at. I saw him wake up every day excited to go to work and have a passion for serving client families,” Joyner said. “I knew that I wanted to work in the same industry and ultimately at the same company with the same people. For the past 7.5 years, we have been able to work together, and I love it.”

Her team at Tolleson supported clients in donating more than $21 million nationwide in 2022.

“The private foundations and donor-advised funds that our team supports at Tolleson Wealth Management are very involved in their local communities. Many support Highland Park ISD schools, the independent schools in Preston Hollow as well as many excellent nonprofits located in the Park Cities, like the Belong Disability Ministries at Highland Park United Methodist Church,” Joyner said. “Although our client families support organizations across the nation, they are very mindful of the needs in their own neighborhoods.”

Outside of work, Joyner enjoys volunteering and supporting animal rescues Hearts and Bones and Dallas Pets Alive.

“We have fostered many dogs in the past few years through both of these organizations, and I love their mission and unique approaches,” she said. 

Which leadership skills were the most challenging for you to develop and why?

Learning that I do not have to be the loudest voice in the room to be a good leader. As a young professional, I thought that I needed to share my opinion as much as possible to be valued. Thankfully, with guidance from those around me, I have been able to learn when to speak up, when to ask questions, when to listen to others, and when to give others the opportunity to lead.

What would you tell an 18-year-old you?

I was very critical of myself as a young person, and I still am to some extent. However, at that age, I listened to all the voices around me equally. If I could tell my teenage self something, I would tell myself to pick a handful of people whose voices matter to you – those that truly care about you – and only listen to those voices.

What’s on your bucket list?

During college, I went sky diving in the mountains right before they closed for the winter season, so I think that I have crossed off my riskiest bucket list item. I would really love to visit all 50 states.

Biggest business/career success in the past 12 months?

Anytime we are able to bring client families together and increase engagement in the next generation, it is a huge win for the family, and it brings me a lot of joy. A few client families that I work with have really seen an increase in excitement and engagement in the rising generation, especially around the topics of values-based investing and philanthropy. I love seeing a spark that leads to more learning, leadership development, and overall engagement for next-generation family members.

Fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?

I am very good at assembling furniture, and I love to do it, including IKEA furniture.

Who’s your biggest inspiration and why?

My parents have both been very inspirational to me. They live out their values in their everyday life. They are both so generous, intelligent, kind, and hard-working.