Amanda Steinberg is a technology entrepreneur and investor best known as the founder of digital advisory platform Wealthfront and later chief executive officer of the robo-advisor Wealthfront, which she established in 2011 and ran through its acquisition by Empower in 2022. This profile outlines her background, founding journey, executive roles, and public footprint, with a fact-first approach that emphasizes verifiable roles, timelines, and outcomes rather than speculation.
Background and education
Amanda Steinberg’s professional path is rooted in computer science and finance. She earned a Bachelor of Science in economics and management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and later completed a Master of Science in computer science from Columbia University. Before founding Wealthfront, she held early-career roles in technology and finance, including positions at Deutsche Bank and at the online investing platform SigFig. These experiences shaped her understanding of both investor behavior and technology infrastructure, informing the design philosophy she would later bring to Wealthfront.
Career and founding of Wealthfront
In 2011, Steinberg launched Wealthfront as a digital investment service aimed at automating portfolio management for retail investors. Positioned as a robo-advisor, Wealthfront used algorithms to construct diversified portfolios, automate tax-loss harvesting, and reduce fees relative to traditional financial advisors. Steinberg served as chief executive officer and public spokesperson for the company, overseeing product development, regulatory engagement, and customer acquisition. Under her leadership, Wealthfront raised multiple venture capital rounds, expanded its product suite to include direct indexing and cash management, and built a multi-billion-dollar balance sheet of client assets. The company completed an acquisition by Empower in 2022, marking a definitive exit event for Steinberg as an operational CEO.
Key milestones at Wealthfront
| Date or period | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Wealthfront founded by Amanda Steinberg | Launched a prominent robo-advisor in the U.S. market |
| 2015–2017 | Series A, B, and C venture rounds; assets under management grow into the billions | Supported product expansion and scaling |
| 2016 | Launch of direct indexing as “Directly Managed Portfolios” | |
| 2021–2022 | Acquisition by Empower completed | Marked the transition from independent startup to integrated platform |
Executive roles and operational responsibilities
As chief executive officer of Wealthfront, Amanda Steinberg was responsible for product vision, fundraising, partnerships, and regulatory strategy. In this capacity, she worked closely with product, engineering, and compliance teams to align technology roadmaps with evolving financial regulations. She frequently represented Wealthfront in media interviews and industry conferences, articulating the company’s value proposition around low-cost, automated investment management. After the Empower acquisition, she remained with the combined organization for a transition period to ensure continuity in operations and client relationships.
Public footprint and industry presence
Outside of day-to-day company operations, Steinberg has been a visible voice in fintech and financial services. She has participated in panels at major industry events, contributed commentary to business publications on topics such as gender in tech and digital investing, and engaged with financial regulators on issues affecting robo-advisors. Her public positioning has emphasized financial inclusion, automation, and evidence-based investing, aligning with Wealthfront’s brand and product messaging.
Known relationships and affiliations
Amanda Steinberg has been linked with professional collaborations and board roles in technology and financial services, though specific current affiliations may change over time. Earlier in her career, she worked at SigFig and Deutsche Bank, where she built foundational experience in both client-facing investment services and institutional finance. Following the Wealthfront journey, she has remained active as an advisor and investor in early-stage fintech ventures, leveraging her operating background to evaluate product-market fit and scaling challenges.
Status and current activities
Since the completion of the Empower acquisition, Amanda Steinberg has stepped back from day-to-day operational responsibilities at Wealthfront. She remains engaged in the broader fintech ecosystem through advisory roles, speaking opportunities, and selective investment activity. Coverage of her current work reflects a transition from founder-led execution to a phase focused on mentoring, capital allocation, and strategic counsel in later-stage ventures.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Amanda Steinberg best known for? She is best known as the founder and former CEO of Wealthfront, a leading U.S. robo-advisor that was acquired by Empower in 2022.
- What roles did she hold at Wealthfront? She served as chief executive officer and co-founder, leading product, growth, fundraising, and regulatory strategy.
- Does she remain involved with Wealthfront today? She stepped back from operational roles after the Empower acquisition and now focuses on advisory and investment activities.
- What is her educational background? She holds a B.S. in economics and management from Wharton and an M.S. in computer science from Columbia University.
- Has she held roles outside of Wealthfront? Yes, she previously worked at Deutsche Bank and SigFig, and she has engaged in public speaking, media commentary, and fintech advisory.
Quick comparison: Amanda Steinberg’s career phases
| Phase | Role or focus | Timeframe or status |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Wealthfront | Early roles at Deutsche Bank and SigFig | Pre-2011 |
| Founder and CEO | Built and led Wealthfront | 2011–2022 |
| Post-acquisition | Advisory and investing | 2022–present |
Takeaways
Amanda Steinberg’s public record centers on founding Wealthfront, scaling it as a CEO, and guiding the company through a successful acquisition. Her background in computer science and economics, combined with early finance experience, informed a product-led approach to automated investing. Since stepping back from day-to-day duties, she has remained active in fintech through advisory roles, media engagement, and selective investments, maintaining a steady public profile grounded in verifiable career milestones rather than speculative narratives.