Earning Trust Through Action

DBA student Darren McGraw, a wealth risk advisor, reflects on his professional journey, why he loves the work he does, and how George Fox’s doctor of business administration program has helped him become a better critical thinker and more thoughtful writer and researcher. 

Tell me about yourself – where you’re from, where you live now, and any other personal details you’d like to share.

I serve as president of Mechelsen Private Client, a wealth risk advisory firm that guides behaviors that de-risk successful families against unfortunate events, lawsuits, and unscrupulous people. And four years ago, I founded Risk Frameworks, a software that helps financial advisors counsel families to improve cybersecurity behaviors.

My wife and I live in Sammamish, Washington, where we raised our two daughters. As lifelong residents of the Pacific Northwest, we’ve always appreciated the incredible towns, hikes and lakes surrounding us. I’ve been fortunate to have loving and supportive parents, a close-knit network of family and friends, and a spouse who is also my best friend. I never take these blessings for granted, and they inspire a deep sense of responsibility – to use what I’ve been given to contribute meaningfully to others.

Tell me about your professional journey. When did you first become interested in being a wealth risk advisor, and what life experiences led you to it?

I began as an insurance and litigation analyst, developing a deep understanding of financial risk. Wanting to apply that knowledge more broadly, I transitioned into financial planning, becoming an investment advisor and launching my own financial planning firm.

Along the way, a series of chance introductions led me to an unexpected opportunity – helping other financial planners navigate the risks embedded in their clients’ financial plans. As demand for this expertise grew, I spent more time advising advisors than directly serving my clients. Recognizing this shift, I sold my client-facing firm to focus exclusively on helping wealth advisors integrate risk management into their practices.

While traditional risks like litigation and asset loss have always been central to financial planning, the landscape is evolving. Today, my work increasingly addresses emerging risks such as cybercrime, reputational damage, inheritance complexities, family governance challenges, and the impact of climate change on businesses and residences. By equipping wealth advisors with structured frameworks for assessing and mitigating these risks, I help them deliver more comprehensive and forward-thinking financial strategies for their clients.

Why are you passionate about what you do?

It's natural to feel some skepticism about sharing deeply personal financial and family matters. And unfortunately, the financial industry has its share of professionals who focus more on their interests than stewardship. But I’ve also had the privilege of knowing many advisors who exemplify the highest integrity – dedicated professionals who genuinely care about the families they serve.

I’m passionate about being part of this group: advisors who commit themselves fully to ensuring that the families who trust them receive expert guidance and unwavering integrity. I take pride in earning that trust through action, consistently delivering thoughtful, ethical and client-centered advice. Advisors are critical trust buffers between families and financial institutions, helping navigate complex decisions with transparency and care. So, I’m passionate about delivering measurable contributions to a family's confidence and contentedness.

Which aspect of the field do you find most rewarding?

Two things: Continuously learning something new and hearing a client say they learned something new. 

Do you have any professional or personal goals that you’d like to accomplish in the future?

One of my biggest aspirations is to teach, whether at the college level, in professional development settings, or through adult learning programs. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to learn from exceptional mentors, experiences and ongoing research. Teaching is an opportunity to turn that learning into something greater than myself – something that can empower others to think critically, make better decisions, and confidently navigate complexity. 

Tell me about your involvement in martial arts. How did you get into it, and why is it important to you?

I began training shortly after my daughter did 17 years ago. At the time, I was looking for a physical challenge and a long-term goal of achieving a black belt. Since then, it has become more important to me than I could’ve imagined. There is nothing more rewarding than watching someone push past their own perceived limits, overcoming frustration, building confidence, and achieving more than they thought possible.

Guiding others through that journey helped me realize how much I enjoy teaching and mentoring, which continues to shape my professional and personal goals. In addition, martial arts has given me a diverse and tight-knit community. Training alongside people of different ages, backgrounds and cultures has deepened my appreciation for how we all learn, grow and support one another. Although martial arts is an individual discipline, the strength of the journey comes from the people you train with.

Now let’s step back to the time you were applying to grad school. Why did you come to George Fox – what drew you here?

I had been curious about pursuing a doctorate for many years, often finding myself casually researching programs designed for working professionals. On one such occasion, a simple Google search led me to the George Fox doctor of business administration program. The name immediately resonated – my nephew and his wife had recently graduated from George Fox, and I had visited the campus before.

As I dug deeper into the program, I was struck by its balance of academic rigor, prestige, and a strong sense of community through its cohort model. The more I learned, the more it felt like the right fit. Looking back, I think I knew from the very beginning that I was meant to be at George Fox; it just felt like it was for me.

What do you like most about your professors? Any in particular you'd like to highlight?

I could offer specific compliments for each professor I’ve had, as every one of them has demonstrated a deep commitment to both my academic growth and personal development. They consistently balance high expectations with grace and flexibility – something I imagine is no easy task. Yet, they create an environment where students feel both challenged and supported.

What stands out most is how each professor fosters a sense of belonging. I never felt like just another student in the group; I always felt like I had a seat at the table where my contributions were valued. Their humility in allowing students to shape the learning dynamic and classroom culture has made the experience collaborative and engaging.

Beyond their approachability, I’ve been deeply influenced by their subject expertise and wealth of real-world experience. Their passion for the DBA program is evident, particularly in its director, Dr. Tim Veach, whose enthusiasm and leadership reflect the dedication, energy and commitment that every professor leading a DBA class has shown. 

How are you applying what you learn in the classroom to what you do at work?

Through my DBA experience, I’ve become a noticeably more thoughtful writer and researcher. It feels like I’ve adopted a new framework for critical thinking that has sharpened my ability to ask better questions, vet sources more rigorously, and refine my discernment in decision-making.

I’ve become quicker at dismissing weak business considerations while becoming more deliberate and strategic in choosing a specific direction. I attribute this to an increased ability to identify not just key elements but the most critical elements and then focus my energy where it matters most.

Perhaps the most valuable lesson has been recognizing just how much there is to know. The more I learn, the more I appreciate the power of humility – acknowledging what I don’t know opens far more possibilities than assuming I already have the answers. As a result, I now see business decisions through a much broader lens, recognizing that the opportunities for research, insight and innovation are far greater than I once imagined.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

One of the most influential and rewarding aspects of the DBA program at George Fox has been the other students. We are all working professionals from different parts of the country, and it would be easy for each of us to treat this as an individual pursuit. Yet, the collaboration, shared insights, and mutual support within the cohort have become a defining part of my experience.

My classmates have challenged my thinking, broadened my appreciation for diverse perspectives, and humbled me with their generosity, offering thoughtful feedback and insights despite their own demanding schedules. The cohort model at George Fox is an underrated yet invaluable benefit of the DBA program. The level of learning and support I’ve received from fellow students has far exceeded any expectation I could have imagined.