Spotlight On: Mark Parthemer, chief wealth strategist of Glenmede

November 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Mark Parthemer, chief wealth strategist of Glenmede, emphasized the importance of personalized, holistic planning in today’s complex wealth management landscape. “Our goal is to empower clients in shaping their financial futures. That requires a holistic, yet highly customized approach,” he said.

What is Glenmede’s overall wealth management philosophy and how does that distinguish the firm?

At Glenmede, we focus on the idea that every client represents a universe of one. Families, endowments, and foundations all require tailored wealth management solutions. These services span investment advice, philanthropy, next-generation education, trust and estate planning, tax strategies — the full spectrum. Our goal is to empower clients in shaping their financial futures. That requires a holistic, yet highly customized approach.

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Given the current economic climate and fluctuating markets, how has Glenmede adjusted its strategies to help clients protect, project, and grow their wealth?

Much of what we do involves continuous engagement with our clients. We apply robust analytics and perform ongoing assessments of how likely they are to achieve their financial goals, factoring in macroeconomic conditions, taxes, and market volatility. Based on that analysis, we design portfolios that aim to improve the probability of success. It’s an iterative, personalized process. Each client has unique goals, family dynamics, risk tolerance, and perspectives on wealth. We account for those individual factors — alongside current and anticipated economic shifts, like inflation trends or geopolitical risks — and we incorporate them into the strategy we craft. It’s all woven into the framework we build to manage their investments.

How do these tax policies shape your wealth management strategies for clients in the region?

Florida is clearly a tax-favored state. There’s no personal income tax, no estate tax, and no inheritance tax. When you combine that with the climate and a vibrant business environment, it’s an appealing destination for high-net-worth individuals and businesses. However, making the transition requires strategic planning, not just to establish Florida residency but also to sever ties with previous states like New York or Connecticut, which could still claim tax jurisdiction. That process includes lifestyle and legal changes to support residency status. From an investment standpoint, the absence of state income tax opens the door for more favorable investment opportunities. Certain investments become more attractive without the drag of state taxes. Additionally, it’s important to consider where assets like trusts are located. For instance, if a client relocates to Florida but their trust remains domiciled in California or New York, that trust could still be subject to those states’ income taxes. So, changing the situs of a trust can be critical. It’s all part of our effort to ensure a client’s wealth is aligned with the most efficient tax jurisdictions.

How is Glenmede leveraging technology and innovation to enhance the client experience, streamline investment strategies, and provide real-time financial insights?

We’re all seeing the growing presence of artificial intelligence, particularly generative large language models. Glenmede is cautiously optimistic about the efficiencies AI can bring to internal operations, like using AI bots to support business processes. However, we’re very clear that these technologies are not used to provide client advice. Each client’s situation is unique, and personalized advice still requires human judgment. That said, we’re actively integrating technology to better serve clients, whether through remote meetings, document sharing, or data management. We’re also mindful of the risks technology can pose, particularly cybersecurity threats, such as phishing or attempted fraud. We’ve implemented robust cybersecurity policies to protect client assets. It’s an evolving challenge, but one we take very seriously.

How do you approach client education in areas such as investment strategies, market trends, and long-term financial planning?

I’m Glenmede’s national chief wealth strategist and also serve as the Florida regional director. My focus is on tax, estate, and trust planning, not investments. That said, we work closely with clients on structuring their wealth to be protected and transferred effectively. This includes strategies for minimizing taxes, shielding assets from divorce or creditors, and ensuring wealth supports family members without derailing their purpose or productivity in life. So, while I’m not the one providing investment advice, I do educate clients on the broader planning side — how to build a structure that supports their long-term vision and legacy.

How does Glenmede help clients align their wealth strategies with their philanthropic and social impact goals?

Glenmede’s roots are deeply tied to philanthropy. The Pew family, founders of Sun Oil (now Sunoco), established the Pew Charitable Trusts in the 1950s, and Glenmede was created to manage the trusts’ assets. That legacy continues today. We now manage around $8 billion in those trusts and have a dedicated division focused on endowments, foundations, and philanthropic strategy. High-net-worth clients increasingly seek strategic ways to give. Recent tax law changes have added complexity, limiting deductions and adding new requirements, so our role includes helping clients navigate those shifts effectively. We provide structured guidance to ensure their charitable giving is both impactful and tax-efficient.

What strategies do you implement to ensure a smooth wealth transition across generations?

We’re actively involved in what’s often referred to as the “Great Wealth Transfer” as baby boomers pass significant assets to the next generation. Our approach starts by separating the conversation into two parts. First, we ask: What does your estate plan look like? Who gets what, and how? Once those objectives are clear, we explore the tools available to meet them efficiently. These tools include generation-skipping trusts, grantor-retained annuity trusts, spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs), and others. As a former private practice tax attorney, this is an area I’m passionate about. These structures aren’t one-size-fits-all. They’re matched carefully to each client’s goals. The end result is a strategy that reflects their values and ensures their legacy is protected and passed on as intended.

What are your expectations for the wealth management landscape in Palm Beach over the next few years?

Palm Beach has long been a destination for high-net-worth individuals, and that trend isn’t slowing. The wealth management industry here is thriving, which keeps all of us operating at a high level. I expect that to continue. We’re seeing more top-tier firms and talent establishing a presence here because this is where many key clients reside. A major development to watch is commercial real estate. West Palm Beach, just across the bridge, is experiencing rapid growth in office space development. While costs are rising, the demand indicates confidence in the area’s future. For example, ServiceNow recently announced it would move its headquarters from San Francisco to West Palm, taking over hundreds of thousands of square feet. That’s a powerful sign that the region continues to attract not only wealthy individuals but major companies and talent.

How do you approach crafting individualized strategies for clients, particularly when complex family dynamics or unique financial goals are involved?

It all begins with truly getting to know the client. You can’t walk into a meeting and start recommending solutions without understanding who they are and what matters to them. We ask questions, we listen carefully, and we continue that dialogue throughout the relationship. That insight informs not only portfolio construction but also estate planning, tax strategies, and philanthropic goals. Every aspect of the plan is shaped by what the client has shared as being most important. So, the foundation is always: listen first, then build.

What are your top priorities moving forward?

Glenmede is deeply committed to educating future generations. We’ve been doing this for 65 years, and we know how important it is to prepare children and grandchildren to become responsible stewards of wealth. We offer structured learning modules — both in-person and virtual — on everything from taxes to investing to understanding what it means to be the next generation in a wealthy family. Studies show that families with well-educated heirs have a much higher chance of preserving their wealth. In addition, we have a dedicated sustainable investing division and also offer lifestyle support services. We tailor solutions based on what’s most important to our clients and build a team of experts to meet them at their point of need.

Want more? Read the Invest: Palm Beach report.