Carter Otey

What sparked your interest in financial planning? What fuels you every day in your work?

I started college with a strong desire to build a career centered around helping people and making a meaningful impact in my community. Unsure of what that would look like in practice, I explored a variety of paths from psychology, church leadership, and nonprofit fundraising. A conversation with a professor introduced me to financial planning as a field that perfectly blended all three of my interests. It offered the opportunity to understand people deeply, build lasting relationships, and provide guidance through a financial lens that could genuinely improve lives. Five years later, I am still driven by that same passion: connecting with individuals and families to help them navigate their financial journeys with clarity, confidence and empathy.

What do you feel is a strength that you have?

I am incredibly grateful that I love what I do and am energized and enthusiastic about this vocation. I recognize how fortunate I am to have found a profession that aligns so closely with my values and interests, and to be part of a team that shares the same passion. When you are excited about what you do and who you do it with and for, growth becomes natural – both personally and professionally. That energy helps me to stay engaged, build authentically strong relationships, and continue to develop the skills needed to serve people well. It is a quality I am grateful to have and one that is reinforced daily by the people I work alongside.

How do you do good in your community?

I have always had a passion for music and love to volunteer as a worship leader at my local church when time allows. The church I serve has multiple locations around Charlotte, so I have been contributing recently as an on-call substitute – stepping in when leaders become unexpectedly unavailable for Sunday. It has been a meaningful way to support others while connecting to a variety of communities across the city. Each campus and its surrounding areas have its own unique character, and I have loved the opportunity to build relationships and serve wherever I am needed.

Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?

I had the unique experience of relocating frequently growing up, moving from the greater Chicago area to Charlotte several times each before ultimately finishing out high school in Charlotte. After graduation, my family moved again to Sarasota, FL, but I quickly realized how much Charlotte meant to me and chose to return home after college – making it my home for the third time. With deep family ties to West Virginia and other family and friends all over the country, I am grateful to have meaningful places to go and people to see wherever I may be.