Danita has been passionate about finance from a young age, starting when she began reading the NYSE section of the New York Times at just nine years old. After graduating from college in 1999, she joined a “big box” financial firm, where she gained invaluable insights into traditional wealth management. In 2004, she began working with professional athletes and their non profit organizations, aligning their philanthropic goals with impactful strategies. Over the years, Danita expanded her expertise to include helping small business owners develop business development strategies and financial plans. Her experience also includes raising capital for startups and supporting both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. This diverse background enables her to blend financial acumen with strategic vision at GUICE Wealth Management, creating tailored solutions for clients across various industries.
GUICE Wealth Management is a boutique, holistic wealth management firm dedicated to offering personalized financial strategies that align with their clients’ unique goals and values. They specialize in risk mitigation, estate planning, family office services, and business consulting, providing tailored solutions for high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses. Their expertise extends into alternative asset class acquisition, helping clients diversify their portfolio with assets such as art, real estate, and collectibles, ensuring both potential and resilience in evolving markets. At GUICE Wealth Management, the belief in a comprehensive, client-centric approach to wealth goes beyond traditional financial planning, integrating all facets of wealth preservation, intergenerational transfer, and legacy planning. Their commitment to excellence and discretion has established them as trusted advisors, supporting clients in securing and enhancing their wealth for generations to come.
At GUICE Wealth Management, Danita leverages over 30 years of experience in finances and alternative asset management to bridge the gap between traditional finances and innovative FinTech solutions. By integrating technology with personalized strategies, she enables her clients to diversify their portfolios, enhance wealth management, and maximize their philanthropic impact. Her work focuses on making FinTech approachable and effective for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and nonprofits. She is particularly passionate about using FinTech for philanthropic matchmaking, streamlining charitable giving while ensuring compliance and maximizing impact. Her holistic approach also promotes financial literacy and innovation across diverse demographics, empowering individuals and organizations to use FinTech as a tool for growth, legacy, and change.
Danita constantly challenges herself to stay ahead of emerging trends and to adapt strategies to meet her clients’ evolving needs. Balancing the complexities of wealth management with philanthropic goals requires both creative problem-solving and strategic foresight. She distinguishes herself by blending a deep understanding of financial systems with a personalized, relationship-driven approach. Her expertise in alternative investments like art, yachts, and real estate enables her to craft tailored solutions for clients seeking to diversify their assets. Additionally, her focus on philanthropic matchmaking sets her apart by connecting clients with impactful causes that align with their values. This dual focus on growth and giving defines her leadership style and makes her work especially fulfilling.
This year, Danita is excited about the increasing adoption of AI and blockchain technologies in wealth management, particularly concerning alternative assets. These innovations simplify valuation, enhance transparency, and create more accessible platforms for asset acquisition and diversification. One trend she notes is the rise of tokenized assets, which facilitate fractional ownership in high-value investments such as fine art and real estate. Looking ahead, she anticipates FinTech driving greater democratization of investment opportunities. Furthermore, the integration of financial planning with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals is shaping a future where profitability and responsibility coexist.
More on Danita
Where you currently live: New York, NY
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
What is one piece of advice someone told you that resonated with you that can give to other women in FinTech?
Trust your Instincts and embrace your expertise - no one knows your journey better than you.
This advice resonated with me deeply because it empowered me to advocate for myself in a male dominated industry. I encourage other women to build confidence in their knowledge, speak up when it matters, and never underestimate their contributions. Being intentional about networking and finding allies has also been invaluable in my career. By owning your unique perspective and remaining open to learning, you can turn challenges into stepping stones.
What's the best job decision you ever made?
The best decision I made was marching to the beat of my own drum and transitioning from mainstream, big box, traditional finance to a niche market in philanthropic matchmaking and alternative investments. By focusing on tangible asset classes and legacy/ philanthropy, I’ve been able to offer unique solutions that go beyond numbers to build legacies. This move also enables me to work with a diverse range of clients, from helping clients create family offices and managing them to working with family offices to nonprofits, adding depth and meaning to my career. Pursuing this niche has not only differentiated me in the market but also made my work deeply fulfilling.
Can you tell us about a time someone encouraged you to try a task or take on a project you didn’t think that you would know how to do/or be good at?
Early in my career, I was tasked with leading a high-profile succession planning project for a family office - a responsibility I initially felt unprepared for. A colleague reminded me of my strengths in relationship-building and strategic planning, encouraging me to trust my expertise. With their support, I leaned into the challenge, breaking the process into manageable steps. The experience taught me that growth happens outside of the comfort zone and asking for help/guidance isn’t a weakness rather a strength.
What is the most important lesson you have learned from a mistake you’ve made in the past?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the value of transparency. Effective and clear communication during complex conversations that are clear and concise are powerful in asking for what you want. Being direct and bold enough to ask for what you want without beating around the bush is necessary. It is as important as keeping all stakeholders informed of the process, especially when missteps occur. To err is human, but owning them and using them as learning opportunities and pivoting tools is what leaders are made from.
Do you have any productivity hacks? What keeps you motivated? How do you maintain a work/life balance?
My top hack for productivity is delegation and empowering others. I use time-blocking techniques to focus on deep work while leaving space for unexpected challenges. Staying motivated comes from seeing the tangible impact of my hard work, whether it’s helping clients achieve their goals or hearing other professionals double down on theories and positions I have been communicating to my clients. To maintain work/life balance, I set clear boundaries and carve out time for family. Admittedly, I can get locked in and sacrifice my personal self care - so implementing small gestures like drinking more water provides a small pathway to lead me back to expanding the space and engaging in physical activities I enjoy. Regular reflection and mindfulness help me stay grounded. I have learned balance isn’t always about adding another something on my plate but about intention and how I allocate my time and energy.
Daily Diary
6:30 am: Rise and shine - get myself and my little one ready for the day.
8:15 am: Drop off little one to school and start my commute to client meetings or to my office
10 am - 10:30 am: Take first client meetings depending on the meeting, may only need 30 min - 1 hr. Intake meetings are typically done by my assistant, however for certain clients I’d rather take on myself.
11:45 am: Exiting meeting into checking emails/returning calls missed while in meeting
12:00 pm: I try to make this my lunch hour, and may multitask with an intriguing virtual seminar to watch or read while I eat.
1 pm - 3 pm: Afternoon meetings - The latest appointment I take for meetings is 3pm, it allows decompression time at 4pm for the day to take stock into what was accomplished and what needs to be done for the next day. On days with no meetings, this time is used for research into potential new clients, networking events, building my networking, and one-on-one coffee meetings. I use this block to stay in touch with people, refine marketing efforts, or prepare for the next edition of GUICE Magazine - our quarterly alternative asset publication where we educate and inform clients and potential clients about possible asset acquisition.
4 pm: Wrapping up day
After 6 pm: Occasionally, I have late networking that is done with potential new clients or current clients who are in town and I would like to take them to dinner. My client travel time is in the NYC Metro area only, as outside this, clients travel to me. We have clients based in several states/countries.