Anita Knotts

Lotus Women’s Institute is dedicated to attracting, developing, and advancing women in the financial services industry while championing the economic empowerment of women everywhere. Why? Because when women are economically empowered, they reinvest in their families and communities, creating a ripple effect of transformative growth that benefits all of society—not just women. Join us in building a future where women lead, thrive, and drive change.

Led client experience committee consisting of cross-business-unit team members. Delivered client service model to achieve consistent client experience and quality of service. Created high-performing culture in which people operated to deliver strong client outcomes. Accountable for client satisfaction and client service experience. Accomplishments: Achieved annualized client retention rate of 97%. Increased assets under management (AUM) by 30% in challenging 2020 business climate. Established consistency in how client data captured in CRM platform. Continued to represent Calamos Wealth Management brand in community.

Charged with developing and executing firm’s growth strategy in Midwest region. Recruited, hired, managed, and developed director of marketing, director of operations, project manager, administrative assistant, and team of four wealth advisors and two client service associates. Led efforts to provide highest level of service and meet wealth management needs of high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, and foundations. Business Development Accomplishments: Played key role in 22% annualized AUM growth, 95% annualized retention rate, and 93% annualized AUM retention rate with 20% operating margins during tenure. Impacted 34% AUM increase in Midwest sales team and capture of highest average fee in all three regions in 2019 by coaching team to target direct sales and reduce reliance on third-party referral channels. Performed instrumental role in recruiting, hiring, and growing team from 12 in 2014 to 32 in 2019, and client base from 650 in 2014 to over 900 in 2019. Supported president actively by engaging in recruitment of chief investment officer and head of wealth planning and trust. Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: Initiated and launched Women & Wealth initiative, designed to educate, encourage, and empower women to take ownership of financial independence. Realized 200% increase in referrals of women and by women in two years. Spearheaded and launched Calamos Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) in 2016 for women employees to connect, mentor, and discuss professional development topics. Served as founding member of Calamos Diversity & Inclusion Task Force. Marketing Accomplishments: Earned national recognition with win of InvestmentNews Diversity & Inclusion Award, See It, Be It Role Model, 2019. Garnered increased online presence by driving development of social media campaigns, and enhanced client experience through redesign of online portal.