That’s one of the reasons having women in finance is so important — with a deep understanding of the financial challenges women face, women financial advisors can help their clients overcome them and secure the best possible financial future.
This women’s history month, we’re celebrating just a few of the women financial advisors that make our team so great. Read on to learn who they are, how they help clients, and what financial advice they have for women.
Rachael Grattan, CFP®
- Location: South Florida
- Loves working with: Women, Young Professionals, and Retirees.
- Fun Fact: “I have a Cairn Terrier named Toby who just turned 16 years old.”
Talk a little about your career path — how did you end up here at Team Hewins?
I’ve always been interested in finance, budgeting, and looking at numbers. I studied finance in college but didn’t really realize financial planning was a profession at the time because we focused so much on business finance. Once I graduated, though, I was lucky enough to come across a small, fee-only financial planning firm near me that was hiring.
I started working there in client service, mainly with account paperwork and administration. But while there, I started taking CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® courses, and as I progressed, I was able to take on more of the planning and advising. I realized that being able to help clients figure out their goals and work on complex planning items is really what I like to do. Eventually, I became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, and I haven’t looked back since.
After five years, I decided I wanted to work for a bigger company where I didn’t have to focus on client service and operational tasks as much. I was thrilled to join Team Hewins because we have a dedicated team for that, so I can focus directly on working with and bringing value to my clients.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
I think it’s showing someone their financial plan for the first time when they realize, “I’m on the right track, I can reach my goals,” whether that’s retiring when they want to or buying the second home they’ve been looking at. It’s amazing to see that lightbulb moment when they realize their dreams can be a reality.
What are some specific financial challenges women face, and how do you help your clients overcome them?
A lot of women take time off for caregiving purposes, either to raise kids or to help support older parents, so it’s important to take advantage of all the savings and retirement plans that they’re able to while they are working. Women are sometimes also more risk-averse than men, so I help my women clients figure out what asset allocation level is best for them and understand that there will be ups and downs.
What’s your advice for somebody considering a financial advisor?
Find someone who you can trust. You should feel comfortable going to them for the help that you need. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. I think people are sometimes afraid to do so because they think they should already know the answer, but it’s just like in the medical field: If you don’t understand what your doctor is saying, you should ask them to explain it.
Read More: What to Look for in a Financial Advisor: 6 Essential Qualities
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Shelby Miller, CFP®
- Location: South Florida
- Loves working with: Women, Divorcees, Widows/Widowers, and Young Professionals
- Fun Fact: “In the second grade, I won the state spelling bee and one word I struggled with during my practice was icicle. My mom taught me a trick to remember it, and it was one of the words I had to spell on the day of the competition – Thanks, Mom!”
Talk a little about your career path — how did you end up here at Team Hewins?
When I was a child, my mom took care of our finances, and she really taught me about it from a young age, from earning an allowance to the trade-offs between spending and saving your money. Then, when I got closer to going to college, I knew I wanted to do something with business. I really loved business, finance, and math, so the financial services industry felt like a natural fit.
I started interning at a boutique wealth management firm, where I was able to leverage my skills and my extroverted personality to help others. It was the perfect match for me. I decided to work there full-time after college and began studying for my CFP® certification. That’s where I really built the foundation of my career.
When my husband got a job in South Florida, I remember telling him, “I’m not going to move for just any job. I don’t want to sell products — I want to put people first.” I wasn’t going to compromise my integrity, honesty, or how I provided service to others. I found Team Hewins and learned they were a fee-only company. We don’t get any kind of commission for certain investment products, which eliminates conflict of interest. So it felt like the perfect fit.
What’s your favorite part of being a woman financial planner?
I love working with people to come up with a financial plan that’s tailored to their unique circumstances. I work with a lot of women who are going through a divorce, which is always difficult, even if it’s amicable. Many of them weren’t previously very involved in their personal finances, but now they have to figure it all out, like whether they can continue to afford their current lifestyle or will they need to go back to work? I really enjoy providing financial clarity for clients, which can be a big relief. They start to feel like they can make it through the divorce process — that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
What are some specific financial challenges women face, and how do you help your clients overcome them?
There are a lot of different areas that affect women, like going on leave to care for children, risk aversion in investing, the gender pay gap… Women also tend to live longer than men, so they’ll often have greater long-term care expenses than men do. It’s important for me to make sure that my clients have diversified portfolios, are saving enough for retirement, and have the right kinds of insurance policies (in coordination with our clients’ insurance professionals).
What’s your advice for somebody considering a financial advisor?
I think there are a few things that are really important. Your advisor should:
- Demonstrate honesty and integrity, especially when it comes to how they’re paid (fee-only is the best way to avoid conflict of interest).
- Work closely with both partners in a couple. When one party isn’t as involved, they’re at a disadvantage.
- Understand your goals and create a clear path to reach them.
- Create a low-cost, diversified strategy. Investing shouldn’t be expensive or complicated, and you don’t always have to take big risks to get a good return.
Carolyn Kelly, CFP®
- Location: San Francisco Bay Area
- Loves working with: Retirees, Young Professionals, Women, Widows/Widowers.
- Fun Fact: “I’m a diehard fan of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. I even wrote a poem about them!”
Tell us about your career path — how did you end up here at Team Hewins?
I actually received my degree in Sociology, which I really enjoyed! However, after I graduated, I started working at a wealth management firm. It was more of a supportive role, but the longer I was there, the more interested I became in finance. I wanted to learn more. I then transitioned to a new firm and started taking classes at night and really built up my financial education. I was so glad that I did this because I was learning so much and I was able to meet with clients and help them set retirement goals. At that time, I focused a bit more on retirement plans but when I joined Team Hewins and became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® practitioner, it was great because I got to dive deep into financial planning, work closely with individuals and families, and get to know them on a personal level. It’s been a rewarding and exciting experience.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
One of the most rewarding benefits is when you see a client reach their goals. But my favorite aspect is the partnership you build with your clients. Growing up, I saw friends and family go through difficult times such as a divorce. They did not have an advisor to work with, and it was really overwhelming for them. They were always worried about their financial future. I really enjoy being able to partner with my clients so that they can replace that worry with a sense of confidence.
What are some specific financial challenges women face, and how do you help your clients overcome them?
Women tend to be the caregivers, which often removes them from the workforce for several years, whether it is for taking care of children or being the caregiver for their aging parents. This can end up hurting their ability to save for retirement, which is why planning is so important.
What’s your advice for somebody considering a financial advisor?
I think it’s important to find an advisor who you connect with, someone you feel comfortable sharing your concerns and questions with so they can help you achieve your personal and financial goals.
Clari Nolet, CFP®, CDFA®
- Location: San Francisco Bay Area
- Loves working with: Divorce, Widows/Widowers, and Women.
- Fun Fact: “I’m in a Rotary Club action group that’s helped 80 clubs around the country create a lithium-ion battery recycling program.”
Tell us about your career path — how did you end up here at Team Hewins?
This is a second career for me. I was originally in the semiconductor industry, but I pivoted to financial advising. I have a master’s in finance, and I went through a divorce many years ago, so I thought it would be helpful to share my background and experience with clients. I started with a smaller firm that also did mortgages, which ended up really strengthening my position as a financial advisor for women going through a divorce. I have an eye for making sure that clients are able to qualify for a mortgage after a divorce.
What’s your favorite part of being a woman financial planner?
I love our team structure. We’re able to combine specialists to create a team specifically for each client’s needs. Team Hewins also really takes women and women’s issues seriously.
What are some specific financial challenges women face, and how do you help your clients overcome them?
My niche is divorce and loss of a loved one. Those are both times when you must make decisions about almost every aspect of your finances and insurance. I work with family law attorneys to provide female clients with a coordinated and thorough approach. I break down the steps to make it less stressful and help clients visualize the short- and long-term impact of decisions, so that they can make informed choices. It’s a great opportunity for me to bring my experience and background to add value beyond just advising on investments.
What’s your advice for somebody considering a financial advisor?
Working with an advisor is absolutely critical when you’re going through a divorce. You don’t want to look back and say, “I wish I had known that,” or have regrets about the decisions you made. Working with a financial planner allows you to make informed financial decisions based on facts rather than emotions. We have visual software that helps people look at the long-term impact of those decisions and whether they’ll be good for them over time.
Thuong Thien, CFP®
- Location: San Francisco Bay Area
- Loves working with: Women, Retirees, Intergenerational Families, Young Professionals, and Busy Professionals.
- Fun Fact: “I love traveling. I try to take one international trip a year. My favorite country I went to recently was Turkey. I also try to take small trips throughout the U.S.”
Tell us about your career path — how did you end up here at Team Hewins?
I’ve always loved big-picture planning, but when I was in college, they didn’t really have financial planning as a major. It was only when I started working and began studying for the CFP® certification that I thought about financial planning as a career. I like how financial planning connects everything, from cash flow to taxes to investments. At first, I thought I’d just have a supporting analytical role, but the more I worked with clients, the more I enjoyed it. After seven years at my first firm, I started working with Team Hewins, and I’ve been here for 10 years now.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
I love seeing people’s satisfaction when they realize they’re making progress toward their goals, and the relief and peace of mind they feel knowing they have a secure financial future. I also just love strategizing.
What are some specific financial challenges women face, and how do you help your clients overcome them?
A lot of women — whether they’re single or in a relationship — manage the day-to-day cash flow but aren’t as confident about investing. But that’s an important part of building wealth — it’s all connected. You want to make sure that you’re not only managing your living expenses but also maximizing your savings, optimizing your tax strategies, and investing in a way that helps you accomplish your goals while maintaining the right amount of risk. You need to look at that big picture.
What’s your advice for somebody considering a financial advisor?
I think you should look for an advisor who has experience in an area that you aren’t an expert in yourself, someone you can connect to and feel comfortable with. Think about what you value in other professionals you work with, whether that’s communication style, proactivity, or any other factor. Then really dig deep into the structure and business model of the financial advisors you’re considering, and ask them questions: How do they do investment research? Who’s going to take my calls if my advisor is on vacation? How many times will we meet per year? How many clients do you have? How do advisors get paid? What’s your firm’s investment philosophy, and how do you select investments?
Patrice Cresci, CFP®
- Location: San Francisco Bay Area
- Loves working with: Women, Young Professionals, Young dual income families, Retirees, Intergenerational Families.
- Fun Fact: “I joined Team Hewins out of college and never left!”
Tell us about your career path — how did you end up here at Team Hewins?
I studied business finance in college and joined Team Hewins right after graduating. Coming out of college, I wasn’t thinking that this would be a lifelong career at first but I just fell in love with it. I spent my first three years on the operational side of the business, placing trades and handling account administrative items. In 2009, I had the opportunity to join the advisory team and I’ve stayed there ever since. I love building relationships with my clients and helping them see their financial potential.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
I love helping people’s dreams become reality. I feel lucky to have my clients’ trust when they share their goals and wishes, and then help them understand the path and tradeoffs to achieve their goals.
What are some specific financial challenges women face, and how do you help your clients overcome them?
As a mom with kids, I know how hard it is to balance your career with your family life. I think it’s important to delegate and partner with other professionals where you can because you can’t do it all — you only have so much time and energy.
What’s your advice for somebody considering a financial advisor?
Find someone who you feel comfortable speaking with and asking questions. You should be aligned on communication, investment philosophy, and their approach to working with clients. It should be a long-term relationship, so those fundamentals and non-negotiables should be aligned.
Find Women Financial Advisors
If you would prefer to work with someone who understands the unique challenges women face, you have options. The CFP Board reports that 23.8% of CFP® professionals are women.1
We are proud to have such a diverse and experienced set of female financial advisors on our team. If you’re looking for women financial advisors who can help you identify your goals and come up with a strategy to reach them, Team Hewins is here to help. Contact us to schedule your free consultation!
1 https://www.cfp.net/knowledge/reports-and-statistics/professional-demographics