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2021 Finance Awards Honoree: Matthew J Dernis, CFP

Matthew J. Dernis is a Certified Financial Planner who is passionate about helping executives and business owners with a meaningful and efficient approach to pursue their financial goals. In addition, Matt focuses on retirement plan consulting, working with businesses to implement and manage 401k accounts that will help make a difference in people’s lives.

Favorite Quote: “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” – Ricky Bobby

Fun Fact: After never having a dog growing up, my family got a Goldendoodle puppy.

What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them? Providing financial planning advice and managing money through several recessions has been challenging and helping people prepare for those risks can be difficult when you have to consider their emotions. In order to be effective, I try to listen better and understand the drivers of their decisions so we can offer advice that is in their best interest.

What has been the most monumental moment of your career thus far? Getting through 2020 with more clarity about what we do for clients.

What’s the one piece of financial advice you regret not taking? While this may not be financial advice, it definitely impacts your profitability. Make sure you know your value proposition and stick to it. If you veer off track from your value proposition, you will be burning cash.

What’s the biggest financial mistake most people make? Being too optimistic or emotional can cloud your view and can keep you from seeing the risks that can set you back.

How do you get first-time investors to alter their thinking on investing? Education. Walk them through the potential outcomes so they can remove the emotions and understand all of the risks and opportunities objectively.

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Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.