Meet the Team: Tricia Lowney

At Yeske Buie, we believe every member of our team plays an integral role in shaping the Client experience, whether they’re meeting with our Clients directly or supporting them behind the scenes. Today, we’re delighted to introduce Tricia Lowney, our new Communications Support Specialist, whose thoughtful creativity and passion for connection help ensure our communications reflect the care, clarity, and purpose that define the Yeske Buie experience.

We hope you enjoy the following interview with Tricia to help you learn more about her curiosity, intentionality, and appreciation for “the invisible work.” We’re so grateful to have her on the team!

Yeske Buie: Welcome, Tricia! We’re looking forward to learning more about you through this Meet the Team spotlight. To begin, tell us a little about yourself and what brought you to Yeske Buie.

Tricia: It feels like such a long road! I started at Virginia Tech, took a few years away from school, then finished at Colorado State. Along the way, I gathered industry experience wherever I could, and I believe that the combination of good experiences and hard lessons alike helped me grow into someone who can be successful in this role.

As for finding Yeske Buie, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity without going to Virginia Tech and meeting Sydney Woodward. Everything that followed that pivotal experience – school, work, and the breaks in between – set off a domino effect that ultimately led me here, in ways I couldn’t have planned.

And, of course, I can’t forget my two dogs, Rosie and Zeph – they’ve been my constant companions through it all!

Yeske Buie: That’s a wonderful story. Your journey sounds full of persistence and purpose – kudos to you for your resilience! Shifting to your role specifically, while your work may be seen and felt more behind the scenes, it has a direct impact on how Clients experience the firm. How do you see your work as a Communications Support Specialist strengthening that connection?

Tricia: I’ve spent most of my career in client-facing roles, so working behind the scenes feels new, and it’s given me such an appreciation for what I call “the invisible work.” All of the non-financial planning work that Clients see – the Digest, events and webinars, or even the way our communications look and feel – only appears seamless because of the team supporting it.

Within the support team, we have the opportunity to ask ourselves, “What else can we do for our Clients to help them feel heard, seen, and connected to who we are?” It reminds me of the old Claymation movie Jack Frost. At the end, Jack brings in the snow but remains invisible to humans. The change of season still happens beautifully, even though they can’t see him. That’s what the behind-the-scenes work feels like for me – quiet but powerful, and if it’s done right, people may not notice you, but they’ll feel the impact. I take this as a beautiful opportunity to be creative and let my passions shine.

Yeske Buie: That’s such a beautiful analogy, and that sense of intentionality really stands out in what you’ve shared. When you’re preparing a piece of communication – whether a newsletter, invitation, or update – what’s most important to you in making sure it resonates with Clients?

Tricia: I want Clients to walk away feeling like they’ve gained something – maybe new knowledge, maybe a sense of calm or clarity. When I edit or help produce content here, I often find myself learning something that leaves me feeling more at peace, and that tells me our message is doing what it’s meant to do.

One of the things I love about Yeske Buie is the intentionality behind every piece we create. It’s never about producing content for the sake of it – it’s about asking why we’re doing it and making sure it’s genuinely valuable. That level of care is rare in today’s media landscape and is something I really appreciate.

On a personal note, my dad worked in a similar field, and his voice is always in my head when I’m writing and editing: ‘Double-check your work! Call the phone numbers! Read it twice!’ He was my editor for years, and I like to think I’m still learning from him with every project I take on.

Yeske Buie: We love that sense of purpose and care – it’s something we value deeply as a firm and appreciate that you naturally bring to your work. Your mention of the “why” behind every message ties perfectly to our philosophy of helping Clients Live Big^®. How do you see your work supporting Clients in living their Live Big lives?

Tricia: When people are informed, they’re empowered to make better choices, and that’s the foundation for living big. If our communications can give Clients the confidence to say, “I’m not worried about that anymore,” it frees up mental and emotional space for them to focus on what really matters.

I also love that Live Big isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, that means adventure. For others, it might mean slowing down. Our content encourages people to explore that freedom and to define what “big” means to them.

Yeske Buie: That’s such a thoughtful perspective. It’s clear that you see connection, understanding, and openness as key ingredients in living fully. Speaking of which, what’s your favorite way to Live Big?

Tricia: For me, it’s all about connection – finding new ways to meet people and share stories. Whether it’s karaoke nights with my fellow Hokies or trivia nights with FPA folks, I love the unexpected conversations that happen when you’re open to them.

I’ve learned that being open to new experiences – whether that’s trying something you’re unsure about or supporting others in doing the same – is one of the best ways to grow. My philosophy is to try things at least once. I might genuinely not enjoy it or do it again, but at least I can say that I tried. It’s not about being fearless, it’s about being open, realistic, and willing to learn from whatever happens.

Yeske Buie: That open-mindedness and curiosity really shine through. You seem to approach life with a sense of learning and wonder. Looking ahead, what’s something you’re excited to learn or experience this year?

Tricia: My genuine thought within the first two weeks at Yeske Buie was, “I’m going to learn so much!” I’m eager to get more comfortable with numbers and finance, to keep developing my skills, and to continue bringing new ideas to my work.

That curiosity naturally spills over into my life outside the office, too. I’d love to dive into learning new languages or even pick up the piano! I really believe there are endless opportunities to learn something new every day, especially from the people around us. It’s amazing how much perspective you can gain just by listening.

Yeske Buie: What a wonderful mindset to have — lifelong learning is such a powerful way to grow both personally and professionally. Let’s end on a lighthearted note: if you could instantly master a new skill, what would it be and why?

Tricia: Physics! I’ve tried it before and… it didn’t go so well. I’d love to master something completely outside my comfort zone. I can see myself learning languages or music over time, but physics? That would be magic.

Yeske Buie: We love that answer – your curiosity and enthusiasm for learning truly embody what it means to Live Big.

It’s been such a joy getting to know you, Tricia, and we appreciate everything that you’ve shared. We look forward to seeing how your creativity and passion continue to shine in the months ahead!