Preserver Partners is a diverse-owned and women-led Memphis investment management firm whose leadership reflects the clients the firm serves. And Memphis-born Dana Pointer, Preserver Partners’ CEO for the past two years, has been there from the beginning.

Dana joined Dr. Floyd Tyler as he founded the company in 2009. She served as chief operating officer and chief compliance officer before becoming CEO in January 2023 following the sudden and unexpected death of Dr. Tyler.

“My biggest career achievement was successfully stabilizing the firm by retaining a majority of our clients following the devastating loss of my partner, achieved with the dedicated support of my team,” she said.

Dana has spent three decades working in finance, compliance and management roles in the investment industry.

She joined First Tennessee Bank as a staff accountant immediately after graduating from the University of Tennessee Martin. She was soon promoted to work in accounting at what is now FHN Capital Markets, where she quickly became interested in and excited about investments and compliance. Within a year she became a licensed compliance officer. After 15 years with FHN, she decided to act on her entrepreneurial spirit and join Dr. Tyler as he started Preserver Partners.

Memphis-based Preserver Partners has a team of five managing institutional assets for clients nationwide. Preserver manages assets for public pension plans, endowments, foundations, corporations and family offices. Long-time local clients include MLGW Retirement Plan, Shelby County Retirement Plan, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and Christian Community Foundation.

“Our passion and commitment to giving back to the Memphis community led Preserver to start Preserver Partners Foundation in 2018,” Dana said. “The foundation supports organizations and programs doing great work in education, economic development and social justice.”

Dana’s personal passion aligns with the foundation’s – financial literacy and economic empowerment. That passion has led her to serve on boards including the Downtown Memphis Commission’s Center City Revenue Finance Corp., MATA and RISE Memphis.

She also champions Preserver’s investment in the Chairman’s Circle. “Aside from our city’s rich history and charm, I am excited about the endless possibilities of growth the Chamber helps create,” she said.

She’s also passionate about her family. “My husband, Levi, is a phenomenal partner,” she said. “We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. He encourages me to pursue big goals and provides the grounding and balance that helps keep me sane! I’m incredibly proud of my two young adult children, Landon and Demi. Their intellect and thoughtfulness have shaped them into very confident individuals. It’s so inspiring to watch them grow and navigate life with such clarity and purpose.”

She encourages her family with the best advice she’s received herself: You don’t have to be twice a good, just be yourself!

Dana and her family enjoy vacationing “anywhere there’s an ocean,” and says she “LOVES listening to music. It allows me to unplug and clear my mind! My favorite genres are gospel and hip-hop/rap! LOL.” She’s also an avid reader. She’s currently reading Traction by Gino Wickman. “It’s been very helpful in taking Preserver to the next level,” she said. “My overarching professional goal is to achieve long-term success for both clients and the firm by building strong, trust-based relationships with clients and industry leaders, generating returns that exceed client expectations and growing the business sustainably.”