Orvil Savery Employee Spotlight – Black History Month

Orvil Savery is a senior manager on Hightower’s People Analytics team, partnering firmwide to streamline processes, improve decision-making, and support Hightower’s growth. With a background in consulting, Orvil enjoys bringing clarity to complicated situations, simplifying solutions, and giving teams the confidence to move forward.

Q: Tell us about your role at Hightower and the experiences that shaped your path to where you are today.

A: I work in a strategic, advisory-focused role at HT on our People Analytics team, partnering across groups to strengthen decision‑making, improve processes, and support how we scale.

My path hasn’t been linear, and that’s shaped how I show up. Working in complex environments with high expectations taught me the value of clear thinking, adaptability, and staying focused on what truly moves the needle. Those lessons guide how I approach my work every day.

Q: What does Black History Month mean to you personally?

A: For me, Black History Month is a moment to pause and reflect on progress and the values that made it possible: education, discipline, and long‑term commitment.

It’s also a reminder that preparation and opportunity tend to compound over time, and that creating space for people to grow and contribute benefits everyone.

Q: What advice would you give to young people of color looking to enter the finance industry?

A: Focus on building real skills and a reputation for being dependable. Finance is a relationship‑driven business, and trust is built through consistency and good judgment.

Find people who are willing to give you honest feedback and stay patient with the process. Long‑term growth matters more than quick wins.

Q: What achievement or project that you’ve completed in your career are you most proud of and why?

A: As a recovering consultant, I’m most proud of the work where I’ve helped bring clarity to complicated situations; aligning perspectives, simplifying decisions, and helping teams move forward with confidence.

Q: What action(s) can colleagues take to support diversity and inclusion in their community?

A: Honestly, the things that make the biggest difference are usually the simple ones, taking time to mentor, giving real feedback, and trusting people with meaningful responsibility.

Q: How would you describe the community and culture at Hightower?

A: Hightower has a thoughtful, collaborative culture with people who genuinely care about building something that lasts. There’s real respect for expertise and a willingness to learn from one another, which makes it a rewarding place to work.

Q: Is there a historical black figure or person who is meaningful to you that you’d like to spotlight for Black History Month? What impact have they had on you?

A: I want to take a moment to acknowledge my parents, they’re the ones who instilled a lot of the values that guide me today. That’s part of why Booker T. Washington’s work resonates with me. His focus on education, self‑reliance, and building institutions that create opportunities over the long haul feels very aligned with what I was raised to believe.