Her Story
About Allison
Allison Small, CFP®, SE-AWMA®, MPA, is a Financial Advisor with RBC Wealth Management in Syracuse, New York, bringing approximately four years of experience in the financial services industry. She specializes in working with athletes and entertainers, using her firsthand experience as a former Division I athlete to understand the unique financial challenges and opportunities they face. Originally from outside Toronto, Canada, Allison came to the United States to play Division I ice hockey at Syracuse University. After transferring and restarting her academics, she earned a B.A. in Policy Studies and later a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, with a focus on public policy, economics and government finance. She began her financial services career at UBS before joining RBC Wealth Management, where she has progressed through wealth planning and advisory roles.
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Allison takes a personalized, long-term approach to helping clients build financial strategies around their individual goals and circumstances. Her work with athletes and entertainers includes navigating career earnings, contracts, endorsements, changing income streams and the financial complexities that can accompany success at a young age. She is particularly passionate about helping young athletes navigate financial uncertainty, including the evolving NIL landscape, and believes they deserve trusted guidance as they begin making significant financial decisions. Her own experience as an athlete gives her a unique perspective on the discipline, preparation and transition required both during a competitive career and beyond it. Allison is driven by a desire to help others and recognizes that money can often be a confusing and intimidating subject.
Beyond her career in wealth management, Allison is committed to youth development and expanding access to hockey. She serves on the board of Sticks Together, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching ice hockey in communities across Africa, and runs her own national spring ice hockey program for girls. Her commitment to mentorship and leadership also extends to her work with young athletes, where she emphasizes confidence, discipline, teamwork and personal growth. Allison attributes much of her professional drive to her desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, and she encourages young women entering the financial services industry to bet on themselves, pursue opportunities with confidence and recognize their own potential.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Allison
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my genuine desire to help other people. Money can be a confusing and overwhelming topic, and I find purpose in helping clients better understand their financial lives and make informed decisions. Knowing that I can make even a small difference in an important area of someone’s life is what continues to motivate me. For me, success is not just about building a career; it is about being a trusted resource, providing clarity and guidance, and helping people feel more confident about their financial future.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to focus on helping people and making a meaningful difference in their lives. That perspective has been especially important to me in financial services, where money can be confusing even for people who are highly successful in other areas. I find fulfillment in helping clients understand and navigate that part of their lives with greater clarity and confidence. I try to carry that same purpose into my nonprofit involvement with Sticks Together, where I’m grateful to contribute to an organization that introduces children in communities across Africa to ice hockey. Ultimately, I want my career to be defined not only by building my business and expanding my practice, but by the positive impact I can have on the people and communities I serve.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Bet on yourself. Believe in your abilities, trust your instincts and do not be afraid to pursue opportunities that challenge you or take you outside of your comfort zone. Your career may not always follow a straight path, but every experience can help you grow. Be willing to learn, build meaningful relationships, advocate for yourself and have the confidence to take up space. Most importantly, recognize your value and trust that you are capable of achieving more than you may initially believe.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Helping others is one of the most important values I bring to both my work and personal life. In financial services, money can often feel complicated or overwhelming, and I value being someone clients can turn to for clarity, guidance and confidence. I find purpose in helping people navigate this important part of their lives, simplifying complex financial matters and providing thoughtful support that allows them to make informed decisions and move toward their goals.
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