Meet Our Interns

Hi! My name is Sara Mantei, and I am a rising junior at Yale University studying Behavioral Economics and Finance. This summer, I worked with Team Lisa/Danny and Team Lisa/Jason, and I am immensely grateful to Lisa, Danny, and Jason for taking the time to teach me and include me throughout the summer.

Over the course of my internship, I gained incredible firsthand exposure to both the investment and client-facing sides of wealth management. I especially enjoyed sitting in on client meetings and learning how Cola’s advisors thoughtfully approach portfolio construction tailored to each client’s goals and needs. Furthermore, having the opportunity and encouragement to strengthen my skills by analyzing financial planning materials, conducting investment research across both debt and equity markets, and taking ownership of independent projects significantly deepened my understanding of the industry and made my time at Cola invaluable.

Looking back, this summer showed me just how important strong relationships are in wealth management. Seeing the trust the advisors have built with their clients and the genuine care they bring to every conversation was especially meaningful, and I am incredibly grateful for this experience. I look forward to staying connected with the firm and continuing to build upon everything I learned this summer!

My name is Lillian Smith, and I am a senior majoring in Finance and Accounting with a minor in Spanish at the University of South Carolina. This summer, I really enjoyed getting firsthand exposure to the advisory and client-facing side of wealth management while working on Team Lisa Mantei. Learning how to schedule and manage client appointments, sitting in at meetings, and seeing how relationships are built over time gave me a much better understanding of the firm and the advisors' role.

I want to give special thanks to Danny Klemm, Parker Rominger, and Robert Morin for taking the time to explain difficult concepts and giving me the best intern experience, as well as to Lisa Mantei for supporting the interns and being an amazing role model.

I learned the fundamentals of client account paperwork and how to properly set up and manage a client's file from the start. I also learned the key differences between brokerage and advisory accounts, including how each is structured and regulated, and how that impacts the way advisors collaborate with clients. Beyond the technical and administrative side, I learned how relationship building matters, saw firsthand how personalized a client's financial plan can be, and picked up strategies related to taxes.

I am Alex Cote and I am a student at The University of South Carolina. My major is Finance & Supply Chain with a concentration of Data Analytics. A special thank you to Jonah, Jason, and Lisa for taking the time to guide me throughout my internship and include me in so many distinct aspects of the wealth management process. I am grateful for everything they taught me and for the opportunity to gain real-world experience while learning from such a supportive team.

One of my favorite parts of the internship was being able to collaborate with my team and the other interns while getting direct experience in the financial industry. I especially enjoyed sitting in client meetings, researching investments, and presenting weekly stock pitches because it gave me the opportunity to build my confidence and better understand how investment decisions are made. 

Throughout my internship, I learned a lot about investment strategy, financial planning, and the day-to-day responsibilities involved in managing client portfolios. I gained experience analyzing stocks, annuities, CDs, bonds, interest rates, and yield curves, while also learning how important accuracy and organization are when maintaining client records and account data. Most importantly, I learned how concepts I have studied in school can be applied to real client situations and investment recommendations.

Hi, my name is Cameron Walsh, and I am a senior at the University of South Carolina. I am pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a Finance Major and Business Analytics Concentration. This summer, I have had the privilege of working as a wealth management intern on Lisa Mantei’s team. I would like to thank Robert Morin for all your training and guidance, and Lisa Mantei for being such an incredible role model. Also, a special thanks to Darrell Mantei for taking the time to teach me the foundations of the business and how to build client relationships.

Throughout my internship, I have gained firsthand experience in client portfolio management and investment analysis. By preparing for and sitting in on client meetings, I learned how to tailor portfolios to align with clients’ goals and risk profiles. Additionally, I have been able to shadow my advisor and learn so much about their day-to-day responsibilities. I have genuinely enjoyed my time here and am excited to be returning in the fall to continue collaborating with this incredible team!

I am Madison McCarrin and a student at The University of South Carolina. My majors are Finance and Marketing. Special thanks to Atul, Greer, and Kathy for taking the time to train and showing me, how financial planning business operates. I have gained valuable experience in wealth management with them and am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work here. I have enjoyed making connections with my fellow interns and coworkers at Cola Wealth. Having the support of my coworkers with their willingness to help me and share knowledge has made this experience truly meaningful.

During my internship, I have gained valuable direct experience with the operational side of wealth management. By preparing annuity applications and client data, I have learned how important accuracy and organization is when collaborating with client accounts and financial products. I have also learned how to apply financial concepts learned from undergraduate education to real-world client situations.