Daren Dearden

Subject matter expert in our goals-based planning tool

As a Product Manager on the AdvisorEngine team, I liaise between the business units and development resources – playing an important role as a subject matter expert in a goals-based planning tool integration between the two firms.

What brought me here

I was a high school teacher turned Financial Advisor turned Product Manager. My firm was a customer of AE when I was a Financial Advisor – happy to have reunited with the team as now a part of the team, many years later!

How I balance life

Working from home helps me maintain balance with my family -–casual encounters in the break-room in-office are replaced with small interactions with my kids on the way from my office to the fridge – I love it! I have 3 children and I feel most present when I’m with them! It feels boring to say, but I feel like work and family keep me busy enough to not have many extracurriculars. I'm lucky when I get some time in for my physical health, my favorite fitness activity is running. I'm actually training for another marathon right now.

My favorite quote

“The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” -- Russell M Nelson

What I want to know most in life

I feel like I have a satisfying answer to most of life's questions. I watch a lot of murder mystery/documentaries, and I often think when I get to the other side I’ll finally be able to find out “whodunnit?!”

Who inspires a sense of adventure in me

My wife and kids.