In 2023, we had the honor to award women designations beyond the WMCP® thanks to the generous contribution from LPL Financial. We applaud their dedication and commitment to advancing their knowledge and expanding their opportunities.

• Amanda Corral
• Anna N'Jie-Konte
• Carol Parrish
• Cherie Stueve
• Christina Vaughn
• Jasmine Bridges
• Kristin Feliz
• Lisa Macbeth
• Macey Markowitz
• Megan Mills
• Meredith Dean
• Mónica Clesse Meléndez
• Paula  Kurday
• Rachel  Sims
• Sara Griffin
• Sasha Walters

As this cohort embarks on this educational journey, we encourage women to make the most of the opportunities available to you. Their success is not only a personal triumph, but also a testament to the collective strength of women in the financial services sector.

Congratulations to all our scholarship recipients! Their commitment to excellence is inspiring, and we look forward to witnessing their continued growth and success in the financial services industry. May this scholarship be a stepping stone toward achieving their aspirations and making a lasting impact in the field.

We are thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to the exceptional individuals who have been awarded scholarships for their pursuit of excellence in financial services education. Among these outstanding scholars, seven have been granted the prestigious Ameritas Scholarship for the Wealth Management Certified Professional® (WMCP®) Program. We applaud their dedication and commitment to advancing their knowledge and skills in the field of wealth management.

Ameritas Scholarship for WMCP® Program Recipients:

• Amber Valdovinos
• Andrea Cohen
• Brittnei Washington
• Diedre Braverman
• Megan Harkins
• Michelle Piper
• Vanessa Johnson
   

Their applications shone brightly in a competitive field, capturing the attention of the scholarship committee. Their professional excellence, leadership qualities, and unwavering commitment to ongoing education are exceptional.

In the ever-dynamic exploration of leadership in the world of wealth management, the Center for Women in Financial Services’ collaboration with Investment News shines a spotlight on the powerful journey of women in financial services from leadership roles to influencing critical decisions to propelling better outcomes for clients and businesses alike. Here are five key lessons that the Center learned at the Investment News Women’s Events:

1. Inclusivity Drives Effective Leadership: Embracing inclusivity in decision-making is a key factor in becoming a more effective leader, as demonstrated by the experiences and transformative decisions shared by the industry executive.
2. The Power of Authenticity: Authenticity emerges as a potent platform in wealth management, fostering trust with clients, enabling diverse perspectives, and serving as a catalyst for business growth—highlighting the importance of being true to oneself in the industry.
3. Strategic Model Selection for Growth: Success in wealth management involves recognizing and leveraging the unique strengths of different business models, whether as a broker-dealer, independent advisor, or RIA, offering opportunities for advisors to optimize their approach and potentially reshape their professional lives. Learn more about this from our Research.
4. Collaboration for Future-Proofing: Fostering collaboration within the industry is identified as a strategy for future-proofing businesses, emphasizing the collective approach to staying ahead in the evolving financial services sector and meeting the changing needs of clients.
5. Harnessing Unique Perspectives for Innovation: Women advisors and clients, with their distinct perspectives and approaches, are driving innovation in wealth management, suggesting the importance of identifying and capitalizing on unique opportunities for long-term success in the ever-evolving financial landscape.

As we reflect on these lessons, one thing becomes clear: The future of wealth management is bright, driven by the innovation, collaboration, and authenticity of women leaders who continue to redefine success in this dynamic industry. The Center for Women in Financial Services will continue to collaborate with organizations to foster inclusion for the industry at large. 

The American College of Financial Services is proud to announce the combining of leadership for the Center for Special Needs and the Center for Women in Financial Services. This exciting move follows the retirement of Hilary Fiorella, former executive director of the Center for Women in Financial Services. Moving forward, both centers will be led by Executive Director, Joellen Meckley.

“The Center for Women in Financial Services has made great strides over the past few years supporting the advancement of women in the industry. I am thrilled to join the team as we continue working toward a more equitable future together,” 
Joellen Meckley, Executive Director. 

The Center for Women in Financial Services appreciates your continued support as we undergo these exciting changes. We encourage you to take part in this journey moving forward, as we, along with the Center for Special Needs, work together to transform the landscape of financial services and create a more inclusive industry.

 In her recent article featured in Financial Advisor Magazine, Sophia Duffy, an assistant professor of business planning at The American College of Financial Services, discussed the effectiveness of tools such as revocable living trusts (RLTs) in planning as one ages.

Duffy compares the RLT to power of attorney (POA) and explains how RLTs can be even more effective than a durable POA.

Read on to learn more about this topic as Duffy enlightens readers to the usefulness of this tool!

Read More

Their services improve the quality of life for veterans and their families and reduce potential factors that can contribute to veteran suicide. These services act in support of their vision to create stability for military families in crisis.

USA Cares was launched through a grassroots partnership between WAVE-3 TV in Louisville, Kentucky, the Mid-South Division of Kroger Food Stores, and the Association of the United States Army Fort Knox Chapter. The organization was dubbed Kentuckiana Cares, with a goal to raise funds to help military families in financial crises through the sale of “Support Our Troops” yard signs. In October 2003, in response to the increasing number of requests for assistance, Kentuckiana Cares evolved into what is now USA Cares, a 501(c)(3) national non-profit organization that has assisted thousands of veterans and military families facing hardships related to service.

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