By Jennifer Russo

When thinking of financial services, it’s easy to focus on markets, numbers, and forecasts. But for Gary Shilman, the heart of his work has always been people.

Gary serves as a financial advisor with Edward Jones, where he works with individuals, families, and business owners to build long-term financial strategies tailored to their goals. His approach centers on understanding what matters most to clients, whether that’s preparing for retirement, planning for education expenses, navigating life transitions, or creating a legacy for future generations. However, he believes that going above and beyond is based on a much simpler idea: networking and connecting people. 

For the past 24 years, Gary has called Natick home. He and his family have grown alongside the community, attending local events, supporting area businesses, and forming friendships that extend well beyond the workplace. That interpersonal connection, he says, is one of the most meaningful aspects of both his personal and professional life.

“I’m not just someone’s advisor,” he explains. “I’m their neighbor. I get to interact with so many different people every day, and I love building those relationships. Listening to what people really need and helping them navigate life and its changes is something I deeply care about.”

Gary also serves as the Vice President of the Natick Rotary Club, an organization going into its 100th year of dedication to community service and charitable initiatives both locally and globally. Through the Rotary, he helps support projects that strengthen the fabric of the town, reflecting his belief that thriving communities depend on people willing to give back. He volunteers for adaptive bike riding events on the Cochituate Rail Trail through All Out Adventures and Friends of Natick Trails, which he said resonates strongly for him, having a daughter with special needs.

Additionally, Gary is an ambassador for the Metrowest Chamber of Commerce, plays basketball once a week through the town recreation program and loves to explore and take road trips around New England, finding all of the most interesting spots that many people miss along the way.

“Take the backroads,” he advises. “So many cool things can be found along the drive when you don’t take direct routes to get somewhere. Old houses, hole in the wall places, great hiking and biking areas, one-off funky restaurants or diners…it’s a lot of fun.”

Gary brings a degree in business and decades of experience in financial services, something that he shares was not necessarily a passion-driven choice initially, but a practical one that he grew to really enjoy over time. 

Being community-driven, the core of Gary’s work at Edward Jones is a simple but powerful principle: relationships come first. He understands that financial planning is rarely just about money; it’s about family, security, independence, and peace of mind.

“Taking the time to really get to know people makes all the difference,” he shares. “It’s the human side of the equation that matters most.”

Learn more about Gary at www.edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-advisor/gary-shilman or reach out to him at
781-694-8138. 

The content of this article was sponsored by the local Edward Jones office of Gary Shilman.

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