Leading Through Change | Five Questions With Steve Leivent

Today, we are launching “Five Questions With…,” a series of conversations with senior leaders from around SS&C. These conversations offer insight into the experience and vision shaping the future of wealth management technology. For our first interview, we sat down with Steve Leivent, Senior Vice President and Co-General Manager of SS&C Wealth & Information Technology.

You’ve been with SS&C for 25 years. That’s a rare tenure in WealthTech. What originally brought you here, and what’s kept you engaged for so long?

Two things. First, I’ve always loved this industry. Watching the RIA space evolve over the past two decades—from a cottage industry built on fiduciary values to the dominant model for the fastest-growing firms—is deeply rewarding.

Second, I’ve had the opportunity to grow. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats, including operations, relationship management, and business development, and I’ve moved across both departments and geographies. As the industry has evolved, I’ve been able to take on new challenges and grow with the business.

In a market full of change, what’s the biggest advantage of a long-standing leadership team for advisors?

Great advisors build trust by deeply understanding their clients and staying focused on long-term goals. That same principle applies to technology partners. Our leadership team has decades of combined experience, and we’ve built genuine trust with one another and with our clients. That leads to stronger decisions and a lasting focus on delivering value.

What does continuity in leadership allow you to do that wouldn’t be possible otherwise? How do your day-to-day responsibilities shape your strategic priorities?

I draw energy from working with clients. Whether I’m helping a prospect rethink their model or jumping in to resolve an issue, those interactions ground me. Long-standing leadership ensures those insights don’t get lost. We connect daily challenges to long-term strategies.

You’ve helped guide Black Diamond through major product expansions. Which innovation are you most proud of?

I’ve seen the platform evolve through three generations, multiple acquisitions, and the launch of game-changing features like Timeline and our Rebalancer. Yet, what I’m most proud of is our reputation for quality and service. We serve as a true extension of our clients’ businesses, treating them the way they treat their own clients. That mindset defines us.

What role do advisor relationships play in how you shape the platform roadmap?

Over the past 20 years, advisors have gone from being asset managers to full-service financial life coaches. Our platform has evolved with them. What began as Black Diamond Performance Reporting is now the SS&C Black Diamond Wealth Platform, a name that reflects a broader shift in how we serve the industry. Features like Trust, Timeline, and Accord were built by listening closely to advisors and anticipating where they’re headed, not just where they’ve been. And that evolution isn’t slowing down. In fact, we’re on the cusp of something even bigger.

Steve’s story is only the beginning. In August, we’ll sit down with Jen Becher to continue exploring how long-standing leadership and bold innovation is shaping the future of wealth management.

For more information on how SS&C’s Black Diamond Wealth Platform can help your firm do more for your clients, request your personal demo, call us at 1-800-727-0605, or email info@advent.com today.