A different kind of educating

Andrew Noga says his career trajectory, from school principal to financial adviser, actually makes sense when you think about it.

“I still see myself as being an educator to some degree, providing clients with scenarios and options and getting them to think about things that are fairly difficult, whether they be family related or business related,” he said. “I don’t think it’s much different than the way it was in school. You have conversations about how things are going to affect their children and what it means to other family members.”

Noga was principal of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School for three years before making the switch to AXA Advisors in 2006. He said “a lot of heavy lifting” had to be done to right Brebeuf’s finances, and, “when you have an operation that is doing that kind of revenue, you need to think about how you’re answering to your shareholders—your alums, parents and student body.”

He said after three years there, he had done what he could. “I think we turned the corner in a way that brought those different constituencies together and really solidified the value proposition to those shareholders.”

Noga

Though his college degree was in education—he earned his master’s from Harvard University—half his courses had been in the business school, so he was prepared to work in finance. As a financial adviser, he concentrates on closely held businesses and assists his clients in evaluating their needs and those of their families regarding their estates and wealth transfer.

Noga said his new career has given him many different opportunities. This year, he is slated to take over as president of the not-for-profit Estate Planning Council of Indianapolis, a group of attorneys, accountants, financial advisers, insurance professionals and trust officers who work in estate planning.

“I get a little squeamish,” he said, “in places where they pigeonhole you and say, ‘This is all you’re going to do.’”•

— Marc D. Allan