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Conference

6th Annual Diversity Summit

Inclusion 360 … Profession, Planner, Community

November 9, 2023

The 6th Annual Diversity Summit was held on November 9, in person, focused on actionable solutions to advance diversity in financial planning.

CFP Board also hosted a Virtual Diversity Career Fair on November 8 connecting employers with qualified candidates, including current and aspiring CFP® professionals, with special focus on women and people of color.


OPENING Keynote 

Daisy Auger-Domínguez

Accomplished Executive, Dynamic Leader and Author

summit agenda:

This year’s Diversity Summit delved into what it means to be inclusive, showcasing best practices as well as challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the financial planning profession in order to make a meaningful impact on the business, on the profession, among planners and for the community in general. It highlighted the importance and the difference between being diverse and being inclusive. Throughout the Summit, attendees learned how a holistic inclusion strategy leverages the full potential of existing and future talent within organizations, ensuring the profession, the planners and the diverse communities served are considered as part of an impactful winning workforce and business strategy for growth.

   

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

5:00 - 6:30 pm

 WIN Champagne Toast & VIP Reception

Judith A. Lee, CFP®, CRPC™,  SE-AWMA™, SVP, Resident Director, Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch

Nancy Kistner, CFP®, WIN Council Chair

   

Thursday, November 9, 2023

7:30 - 8:15 am

Community Breakfast

Catch up with old friends and include some new ones in your circle.


8:25 - 8:40 am

Welcome and Greetings

Welcome from Dawn Harris, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, CFP Board and Introduction of Event Emcees:

  • Justin Sullivan, CFP®, Senior Vice President and Market Leader, PNC Private Bank for Georgia
  • Rianka Dorsainvil, CFP®, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of 2050 Wealth Partners

Welcome Remarks

  • Kevin Keller, CAE, CEO CFP Board
  • Matthew Boersen, CFP®, CFA, Managing Partner, Straight Path Wealth Management, and 2023 CFP Board Chair-elect

8:40 - 8:45 am

 

Guided Interactive and Motivational Inclusive Mindset Activity

  • Pamela Benson Owens, CEO, Edge of Your Seat Consulting, Inc., DEI Facilitator

Start the day with an opportunity to get rooted in the extended growth opportunities and learning that will come with the Summit. Oftentimes societal norms expect us to have all of the answers, but what if we start the day with the opportunity to reflect on some important questions. Who are we in the room? Come ready to have full permission to be who you are and hold space for learning more about yourself and others. Inclusion is as inclusion does.

8:45 - 9:20 am

Opening Keynote

Daisy Auger-Domínguez is accomplished executive and dynamic leader widely recognized for her ability to lead organizational transformations on the leading edge of culture. As the former Global Chief People Officer at Vice Media Group, Daisy managed the end-to-end employee experience, DEI, ESG, and corporate facilities. Daisy’s thought leadership extends beyond her professional achievements. She authored "Inclusion Revolution" and has been published in outlets like Harvard Business Review and IDEAS.TED.

Join Daisy Auger-Domínguez, author of "Inclusion Revolution: The Essential Guide to Dismantling Racial Inequity in the Workplace," for insightful guidance on driving lasting diversity, equity, and inclusion change within organizations.

Enjoy this transformative journey toward building collaborative, inspired, and inclusive teams.

Key Takeaways

  1. Confronting the Uncomfortable: Progress requires a willingness to engage in avoided discussions directly and with care.
  2. Nurturing Steadfast and Courageous Commitment: Inclusive management is built on deliberate fundamentals - inclusive and equitable behaviors, practices, and processes - not flashy grand gestures.
  3. Co-Creating Thriving Workplaces: Achieve systemic and cultural resets beyond fleeting trends, taking one step at a time.

9:20 - 10:00 am

General Session 1:
“Inclusion Best Practices” - A Dialogue with Leadership

Leadership starts from the top. During this session, senior leadership from leading financial services firms will share their personal and company's best practices and the impact inclusion can have on company culture, planner results, and the bottom-line.

During this session, participants will:

  • Identify the importance and value of inclusive leadership
  • Gain exposure to the narratives of demonstrated leaders who have walked the talk in leading with a focus on inclusion
  • Expand overall perspective regarding the importance of organizational culture and the impact on productivity and profitability

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Farnoosh Torabi, creator of the “So Money” podcast and author of “A Healthy State of Panic”
  • Jen Auerbach-Rodriguez, Strategic Growth Markets & Client Development Executive, Merrill Lynch
  • Sam Lalanne, Head of Diversity & Inclusion for Institutional Securities Group (ISG), Investment Management (MSIM) and International, Morgan Stanley
  • Thomas Carroll, CFP®, Principal & President, Incoming CEO, Homrich Berg

10:00 - 10:30 am

Building Relationships (Break)

Leverage this time to ask colleagues what their more helpful takeaways are based on what they’ve heard and learned thus far.

10:30-11:30 am

General Session 2:
"Strategies for Closing the Economic and Wealth Disparity Gap: A Round Table Conversation"

Join in a dynamic dialogue with those who deeply understand the impact of systemic economic inequities and its impact on diverse communities' abilities to amass generational wealth. Learn how inclusive strategies can inform how the CFP® community assists in addressing economic and wealth disparity gaps.

During this session, participants will:

  • Define and more fully understand the historical and current nuances and implications of economic disparities and the wealth gap
  • Identify the importance of leveraging inclusion efforts and strategies to assist the CFP® professional more effectively serve their clients

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Kate Dore, CFP®, Personal Finance Reporter, CNBC
  • Marla Bilonick, President & CEO, National Association Latino Community Asset Builders
  • Michelle Singletary, Nationally Syndicated Personal Finance Columnist, The Washington Post
  • Cy Richardson, Senior Vice President for Economic & Housing Programs, National Urban League, and Chair of CFP Board Diversity Advisory Group

11:30 - 11:37 am

CFP® Pro Talk
Justin Lacey, CFP®, Senior Vice President Resident Director - Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch

11:37 - 12:08 pm

General Session 3: "Rooted in Research: Leaning Into Insights for Solutions"

Two research-based projects will be shared highlighting insights referencing two specific communities. One will focus on more fully understanding clients who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community and the unique needs of those investors, and the other will delve into best practices for engaging diverse college students.

During this session, participants will:

  • Learn how LGBTQIA+ planners and financial professionals view the profession and its ability to serve the community
  • Understand the best practices for engaging diverse college students to consider the financial planner profession and CFP® certification

Speakers:

  • Laura LaTourette, CFP®, Founder, Family Wealth Management Group, and CFP Board Ambassador
  • Miranda Reiter, Ph.D., CFP®, Assistant Professor of Personal Financial Planning, Texas Tech University

12:08 - 12:15 pm

CFP® Pro Talk

Diverse professional shares career experiences and describes challenges and opportunities as a person with a diverse background in the profession.

Speaker:

  • Laura LaTourette, CFP®, Founder, Family Wealth Management Group, and CFP Board Ambassador

12:15 - 1:15 pm

Lunch, Learnings from Exhibitors and Book Signings

1:30 - 2:15 pm

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

1. Exploring Fintech & AI's Impact on Planners Reaching Diverse Audiences
This session will explore how the use of these tools impact bias, accessibility, personalization, cost efficiency, cultural and language considerations, and inclusion. How does its use impact the profession and ultimate ability to make a positive impact in diverse communities? This session will explore the current and future impact AI may have on the profession and the role of the planner - what it can and can't replace and the impact on equitable inclusiveness.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Madison Sargis, Head of Quantitative Research, Morningstar
  • Jennifer Davidson, Executive Director, Analytics, Data & Innovation, Morgan Stanley
  • Celeste Revelli, CFP®, Director, Digital Planning – Financial Planning and Advice Services, Fidelity Investments
  • Dana L. Wilson, MBA, Founder, CHIP (Changing How Individuals Prosper)

2. Demystifying the CFP® Certification Exam Process
Whether you already have your CFP® certification or are a candidate or a student, this session will help demystify the exam process, including explaining more about how the questions are created and what is taken into consideration during the exam review process. We'll also share specific support provided by the CFP Board to help everyone mentally through the process, and share ways you can get involved and help weigh in on future exam questions as a volunteer.

Speakers:

  • Ibi Layi-Ojo, M.S., ICE-CCP, SPHR, Director of Examinations
  • Melissa Sotudeh, CFP®, Managing Director and COO, Halpern Financial, CFP Board Council of Examinations Chair
  • Amanda Zapata, Marketing Manager, CFP Board

3. Intersectionality and Inclusion: Strategies for Success
Intersectionality was first coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw and refers to the ways in which individuals are often subjected to multiple forms of discrimination based on different aspects of their identity. Through examples financial planning executives and planners will showcase how they have seen the face of wealth change over their years in the profession and how they have grown their portfolios and where opportunities can be missed based on biases and lack of understanding of intersectionality.

During this session, participants will:

  • Identify what the term intersectionality means and the impact
  • Explore the ways in which inequity is compounded and doesn’t live in isolation
  • Explore strategies for addressing intersectionality in workplace
  • Identify how to ensure that your organization does not perpetuates patterns of oppression

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Brandon Dixon-James, CFP®, Resilient Wealth Management, Inc
  • Debra A. Whitney, CFP®, CAP®, AEP®, MS, Partner & Senior Client Advisor, Ballentine Partners
  • Hasan Ibrahim, Vice President, Prudential Advisors
  • Tiffany Haley, Head of Global Talent Acquisition, Vanguard

4. Creative Retention Strategies - Cases Studies in Practice
Three leading financial service firms go into detail about the case studies shared in the 2022 CFP Board Diversity Summit white paper: Creating a DEI-Driven Culture of Retention in Financial Planning: Lessons Learned from Industry Leaders.

During this session, participants will:

  • Gain an understanding of proven retention and inclusion strategies leading firms employ to keep and grow diverse talent
  • Review of proven retention tactics that can be implemented easily within various types and firm sizes

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Richard Shaw, CFP®, CFP Board Director, Principal, Senior Client Advisor, Bessemer Trust
  • Jennifer Engeling, Principal, DE&I, Edward Jones
  • Lindsey Woodward, MBA, CFP®, Co-Chief Investment Officer, Abacus Wealth Partners
  • Leslie Yambao Tabor, Director, Advisor Services Business Consulting & Education, Charles Schwab

2:15 - 2:30 pm

Building Relationships (Break)

2:30 - 3:23 pm

General Session 4:
"In Her Shoes: Women CFP® Professionals in Leadership"

The CFP Board's Women's Initiative (WIN), in its 10th year, has been working to address the challenges of the underrepresentation of women in the financial planner workforce. In this session, esteemed women CFP®'s and a candidate for CFP® certification who is a scholarship reciepent, will share the story of their own experiences while climb the ladder in the profession. They will share some of the best practices they've seen or experienced to attract more women to the profession and explore how the profession can benefit from and be more effective in including women at the table at all levels. Attendees will learn through the stories of others why inclusion is the next step once diversity is at the table, and how it plays a significant role in talent development and retention.

During this session, participants will:

  • Understand the unique experiences, challenges and opportunities for women planners or those striving to be planners
  • Learn effective examples of inclusion to deploy with women planners
  • Discuss the intersectionality that exists with women planners
  • How to support the WIN endowed scholarship

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Mindi Marisa, Head of High-Net-Worth Advice - Personal Investor, Vanguard
  • Liz Miller, CFP®, CFA, Founder and President, Summit Place Financial Advisors, and 2024 CFP Board Chair-elect
  • Nancy A. Kistner, CFP®, Managing Director, Wealth Strategy Executive and Head of Business Strategy, Bank of America Private Bank; Past Board Chair of CFP Board; and Chair of CFP Board Women’s Initiative (WIN)
  • Kamila Elliott, CFP®, CEO and Co-founder, Collective Wealth Partners, and Immediate Past Board Chair, CFP Board
  • Bridgett Graham, Financial Empowerment Manager, National Disability Institute and candidate for CFP® certification and scholarship recipient

3:23 - 3:30 pm

CFP® Pro Talk

Diverse professional shares career experiences and describes challenges and opportunities as a person with a diverse background in the profession.

  • Elaine King, CFP®, Founder of Family and Money Matters™, CFP Board Ambassador

3:30 - 4:30 pm

General Session 5:
"The Critical Role Community Involvement and Pro Bono Play in Financial Inclusion"

Giving back to communities is one way to elevate the CFP® professional in the eyes of the general public and the communities in need of the services planners provide, but for many, planners don't always know where or how to start in communities that aren't typical of their current portfolio of clients. Learn from others on ways to give back in various ways to increase the inclusion of individuals and communities that often think these services are not needed, not for them, or out of reach.

During this session, participants will:

  • Learn effective ways to provide pro bono planning that makes the most impact on a community
  • Understand the power of giving back and providing pro bono financial counseling
  • Be inspired by exchanging ideas and offering suggestions of what pro bono activities are efficient and effective

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Louis Barajas, MBA, CFP®, CEO and Co-founder, International Private Wealth Advisors; CEO and Co-founder, Business Management LAB; and CFP Board Director
  • Matthew Boersen, CFP®, CFA, Managing Partner, Straight Path Wealth Management, and 2023 CFP Board Chair-elect
  • Martha Borowski, AFC, Financial Empowerment Program Manager, Financial Empowerment Center with Britepaths
  • Erica James, CFP®, Wealth Advisor, Signify Wealth

4:30 - 5:00 pm

Closing Keynote Fireside Chat
Inclusive Growth Strategies: Learning from the Past to Catapult the Future

  • Craig Young, Mid Atlantic Division Executive, Merrill Lynch with Adrienne Hughes, Managing Director, National Client Experience Executive, Merrill Lynch

5:00 - 5:05 pm

Review/Recap/Bringing it Full Circle

  • Pamela Benson Owens, CEO, Edge of Your Seat Consulting, Inc., DEI Facilitator

5:05 - 5:10 pm

Reflection, Future Focus, Thank You and Invitation to Reception

  • Dawn Harris, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, CFP Board
  • Cy Richardson, Senior Vice President for Economic & Housing Programs, National Urban League, and Chair of CFP Board Diversity Advisory Group

5:10 - 6:30 pm

Closing Reception

6:30 - 7:30 pm

Social Circle

Hotel Lobby (Optional)

 

Learn more about the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning's diversity initiatives.

For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Dan Limbago, Institutional Giving Officer, CFP Board Center For Financial Planning, dlimbago@cfpboard.org or 202-864-5250.