With a list of certifications demonstrating his expertise in the world of financial planning, Todd Bryant is certainly a successful College of Business alumnus. As an Accredited Investment Fiduciary®, Chartered Financial Consultant® and Certified Financial Planner™ professional, Todd Bryant is also the founding partner of Signature Wealth Advisors and the UCF Mentorship Chair and Mentor. He is our Alumni Spotlight. 
From interning at Merrill Lynch to starting a business of his own, Bryant is leading the way for many students to follow. Throughout his career at UCF, he was a part of numerous internships and volunteer organizations but later came back to be a part of UCF’s mentorship program, where he helps train and shape the next class of UCF College of Business graduates. He is a leading example of utilizing every experience, lesson and opportunity made available to him. Bryant additionally lends his time as a Board Member for Outreach Love Inc., whose mission is to positively impact the lives of Orlando elementary aged children through tutorting, mentorship, and education. He has volunteered with the organization since learning about them his Junior year at UCF.
What sets UCF apart from all the other universities?
I chose UCF because it presented me the opportunity to be a part of new traditions that were forming, instead of going to a school that already had those traditions in place. UCF is special for many reasons including the beautiful campus, the faculty, students, and great alumni that care deeply for our alma mater.
What was the most essential thing that UCF has taught you that has led to the success of your career?
I majored in Marketing, which has been crucial to my success in growing my Financial Planning practice. However, I had the opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty from the Sports Business Management program, and they taught me the importance of networking and building relationships, which has been critical to the success of my business.
What advice would you give students looking to walk in your footsteps?
With so many classes being virtual, you really miss out on the interactions with your fellow students and faculty. The relationships you form with your peers can carry with you throughout your career and life. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors and visit them during office hours to start building a relationship. They wouldn’t be there if they didn’t want to make a difference, and they cannot make much of a difference if you don’t ask them for help. Start acquiring as many mentors as possible now.
What would you say is the most important activity for students to engage in at UCF?
I became an “Internship Junkie” by having 6 internships and 1 externship. I typically would have full class schedule, at least 1 internship (3 at one time once), and always a part-time job. On top of that, I still had time for a social life. There is no excuse not to graduate with at least 1 or 2 internships.
How has UCF changed since you left?
The campus has a new building every time I go…and I’m there frequently. I believe my class was the first to graduate from the new arena (December 2017), so the past 12 years there have been a lot of changes. I look forward to swimming in the lazy river one day soon ?.
What is your favorite UCF memory?
There were so many great ones: living on campus at Academic Village my freshman year, participating in intramurals, storming the field after beating Marshall to end the 17 game losing streak in football, but by far my greatest UCF memory and accomplishment was meeting my wife, Lindsey, my last semester. Without that, we wouldn’t have two little future Knights, Cambrie & Colton. As an alumnus, my favorite UCF memory was attending the Peach Bowl with many of my closest friends to watch UCF beat Auburn.
If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Joined more student organizations. I was a part of NSCS and played in intramurals, but could have benefited by joining more.
About Your Career
What do you do?
Founding Partner/Financial Planner with Signature Wealth Advisors, LLC in Orlando, FL.
Why did you choose this career? Did UCF influence that decision?
UCF was a big influence on this decision as out of my 7 internships/externships, 4 of them were in the field of Finance. If it wasn’t for those experiences, I might not have found the field I’m in. I chose the career for the impact that I could have in helping people make smart financial decisions with their money and to give me the flexibility and independence to run my own business.
What aspect of your job are you the most passionate about?
The ability to make a significant impact in someone’s life by guiding them to make smart financial decisions that benefit generations of family wealth.