This commitment marks the company’s second significant contribution in support of The College’s efforts to expand its near century of financial education expertise to additional audiences, so that all segments of society can prosper. 

“Truist’s generous support is empowering innovative initiatives designed to advance financial education equity, leadership development, and new career pathways for underserved communities," said George Nichols III, president and CEO of The American College of Financial Services. "The College is tremendously grateful to Truist for their continued partnership as we both work to advance a shared mission to diversify the financial services industry.” 

The grant funds will help expand the audiences that The College currently serves by democratizing financial education, ensuring inclusive access to financial services, and promoting diversity and retention in the profession. 

“In recognition of Truist Insurance Holding’s 100th anniversary, the Truist Charitable Fund grant will help The American College of Financial Services support programming to build career pathways and promote educational equity and leadership development,” said John Howard, chairman and CEO of Truist Insurance Holdings and chairman of the board of The College. “These goals tie directly to our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities, while expanding financial services programs so that all segments of society can prosper.” 

In April 2022, Truist Foundation made a $500,000 grant to support the development and a pilot cohort of the Black Executive Leadership Program – tying back to pillar three of The College Center of Excellence the American Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality®’s Four Steps Forward initiative focusing on an executive leadership program for up-and-coming Black leaders. 

Since launching the Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality® in August 2020, over $13 million in corporate, foundation and individual commitments have been made to support Four Steps Forward—the Center’s signature initiative to promote upward mobility and wealth building in Black communities. This funding has helped build the Center’s capacity and launch important initiatives, including: 

• Black Executive Leadership Program – The carefully crafted, culturally-relevant, and customized program is aimed at preparing the next generation of Black leaders to move from middle management into senior management and executive roles, including corporate Board service 
• Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth – A first-of-its-kind financial education program from The College delivered to the HBCU community 
• Black Women, Trust, and the Financial Services Industry Study – The Center’s first research project focused on a critical community—Black women. The study paints a holistic picture of Black women’s perception of financial services and money, their wants and needs, and their role in the household and the community 

Learn more about the Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality® and our committed partners at Equality.TheAmericanCollege.edu. 

ABOUT THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF FINANCIAL SERVICES 

Founded in 1927, The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s largest nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services professionals. Holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has educated over 200,000 professionals across the United States through certificate, designation, and graduate degree programs. Its portfolio of applied knowledge also includes just-in-time learning and consumer financial education programs. The College’s faculty represents some of the foremost thought leaders in the financial services industry. Visit TheAmericanCollege.edu and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.

ABOUT TRUIST CHARITABLE FUND 

The Truist Charitable Fund is a donor-advised fund advised by Truist and administered by The Winston-Salem Foundation. 

ABOUT TRUIST 

Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.

Hosted by the American College Center for Women in Financial Services, the two-day event brings hundreds of women from across the industry together for two days of networking, inspiration, and a shared mission to help advance women in the profession. 

Kristin Lemkau, CEO of J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, will be this year’s keynote speaker. In a fireside chat with Wall Street Journal reporter Veronica Dagher, Kristin will discuss her experience taking on a new business and rebuilding the advisor experience at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management. “Whether it’s growing their business or helping a client navigate a major life change, never underestimate the power of a woman in wealth,” said Lemkau. “I’m looking forward to speaking with women who are helping their clients leave a legacy for the next generation.” 

Attendees will honor the recipients of this year’s Women Working in Wealth Awards, created to recognize inspirational women who demonstrate how to advance other women in financial services. The gathering will commence on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, with the networking opportunity, "Clips, Cocktails, and Conversations," a welcome reception followed by a private preview of “$avvy”, a documentary that investigates the historical, cultural, and societal norms around women and money. Attendees will be given access to the full-length documentary after the event to watch with clients, colleagues or anyone who needs to better understand her personal finances. Prior to the conference opening on day two, guests can opt to take part in a walk on Wall Street. 

The Center for Women in Financial Services is committed to promoting the advancement of women in the financial services profession through research, education, and awareness. Part of their work to #EmbraceEquity and #BreaktheBias includes dismantling myths about women and providing tools and resources to women and their allies to create a more inclusive industry. 

This year’s agenda features two tracks: one for practitioners and one for leaders. The practitioner track will provide three hours of CFP® Continuing Education (CE) credits and CE from The College. Attendees will also have access to two additional hours of CE post-event. 

“We are thrilled to be back together on International Women’s Day at the Women Working in Wealth Summit and Awards to support female financial professionals with access to a supportive community and educational opportunities through The American College of Financial Services,” said Hilary Fiorella, Executive Director of The American College Center for Women in Financial Services. “The Center for Women in Financial Services is grateful for this opportunity to gather to share ideas and best practices to help women working in financial services face unique challenges and build their careers.”

ABOUT THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF FINANCIAL SERVICES 

Founded in 1927, The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s largest nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services professionals. Holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has educated over 200,000 professionals across the United States through certificate, designation, and graduate degree programs. Its portfolio of applied knowledge also includes just-in-time learning and consumer financial education programs. The College’s faculty represents some of the foremost thought leaders in the financial services industry. Visit TheAmericanCollege.edu and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.

In her position, Meckley will oversee the Center for Special Needs’ research, programs, and outreach to provide support for families and caregivers of people with special needs to create a secure financial future.

“26% of adults in the United States have a disability, and that number is growing. Throughout her career, Joellen has proven to be a genuine leader and champion in the field of special needs planning who is passionate about helping vulnerable seniors and individuals with special needs,” said Nichols. “We are confident Joellen will continue to support our mission to educate and empower families and caregivers to ensure that individuals with disabilities and special health care needs lead rich, active lives with security and stability.”

Established in 2014 by a transformative gift from MassMutual, the Center for Special Needs seeks to be the nation’s leading voice on financial planning for professionals working with the loved ones, guardians, and caregivers of those with special needs. Formed from expert thought leaders in the field and backed by the best-in-class knowledge and know-how of The College, the vision of the Center is to offer information, programs, and education that focuses on this underserved but growing part of our communities.

“I’m always seeking new ways to provide understanding, encouragement, and opportunities to help individuals with special needs to lead productive and fulfilling lives. The opportunity to lead a Center of Excellence like this, and work for an institution like The College that sets the gold standard of financial services education is a personal and professional honor,” said Meckley. “The College through the Center for Special Needs has proven they are committed to elevating the knowledge of financial planning professionals in the area of special needs planning and promoting strategies and solutions that aid individuals with special needs as well as their caregivers.”

Meckley most recently was a partner at Begley Law Group where she concentrated her practice in special needs planning, elder law, estate planning, and guardianship. She is licensed to practice law in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Meckley earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with high honors in Psychology from The University of Michigan, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and her Master’s in Health Finance and Management from Johns Hopkins University. Following graduation, she became licensed in New Jersey and Maryland as a nursing home administrator and spent several years running nursing home and assisted living facilities in different states. Through that work with the special needs community, older adults and their caregivers, she found herself increasingly drawn to helping clients plan proactively for the challenges of disability and aging. That passion led her to obtain a degree from the Temple University Beasley School of Law and many years in private practice as an Elder Law and Special Needs Attorney.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF FINANCIAL SERVICES 

Founded in 1927, The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s largest nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services professionals. Holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has educated over 200,000 professionals across the United States through certificate, designation, and graduate degree programs. Its portfolio of applied knowledge also includes just-in-time learning and consumer financial education programs. The College’s faculty represents some of the foremost thought leaders in the financial services industry. Visit TheAmericanCollege.edu and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.