Embodying Our Mission

In my time with The College, one of the aspects of our community that has left an impression on me is how involved our alumni are and how willing they are to volunteer their time. One such group is our FinServe Network. The FinServe Network is comprised of ambassadors who voluntarily take on the responsibility of strengthening The College’s connection to the financial services community we seek to educate and advance. In this way, they have become an invaluable resource in their roles as advocates, advisors, and thought leaders in the industry.

After recently getting the opportunity to spend some quality time with our ambassadors at The College’s annual FinServe Summit, it allowed me to reflect on the relationship between The College and the FinServe Network. There’s a whole host of benefits created by our working together, but the one I want to focus on today is the opportunity they provide The College to embody our vision for the financial services profession moving forward.

Members of our FinServe Network come from a variety of different backgrounds and communities, have varying levels of experience in the industry, fill different roles in their organizations, and possess expertise across numerous different specializations. Ambassadors in the program hail from 12 different states and territories, hold 40 unique designations, certifications, or advanced degrees — and, most importantly, they’re your peers. These individuals do not represent some unattainable pinnacle the advisor can never hope to reach. These are advisors that you work alongside. You may sit across the office from them, go out to lunch with them, or rely on them for advice. However, it’s important to remember these successful advisors are people from communities like yours and mine, and that the most important part of being an ambassador is giving a voice to financial professionals as we work to provide education that aligns with the needs of the industry.

Recently, I had the privilege of welcoming ambassadors of the FinServe Network to our campus for the annual FinServe Summit. I always enjoy spending time with members of our College community, and this talented, passionate group represents the best of us. At that gathering, I was pleased to welcome a couple new members of the FinServe Network into the fold. Ethan Hokanson, M.Jur., CFP®, ChFC®, and Carolyn Humphrey, RICP®, TPCP®, WMCP®, CLF®, ChSNC®, RSSA®, are joining The College as our two newest ambassadors. I am proud for them to enter our ranks as we continue leveraging the FinServe Network to address the needs of the financial services profession.

Additionally, I was able to congratulate several outstanding individuals who are moving on from the FinServe Network, and who will now be considered ambassadors emeriti. They’ve made a difference by generously volunteering their time, talent, and energy for the benefit of The College and the profession:

• Mónica Clesse Meléndez, MBA, FPA  
• Nancy Du, MBA, RICP^®, CFP^®
• Mary Fischer-Nassib, CAP^®
• Ande Frazier, CFP^®, CLU^®, ChFC^®, RICP^®, ChSNC^®, CDFA^®, CEPA, CExP™, BFA™
• Centario Grier
• Rick Peck, CFP^®, ChFC^®, CAP^®, IPA
• Alanah Phillips, MBA
• Andrew Tudor, CFP^®, RICP^®, CAP^®
• Fatima Williams, FSCP^®
• Marco R. Williams, CFP^®, MBA

On behalf of The College, I’m deeply grateful to these volunteers and many others for the efforts they have made to deepen our relationship with the financial services profession. As many experienced professionals will tell you, relationships are perhaps the most crucial element of becoming a successful advisor. The same is true here at The College.  

Thank you again to all the members of our FinServe Network, new and old, our outgoing ambassadors emeriti, and all those involved in the many other volunteer groups in our College community. We are stronger together, and we would not be where we are today without all of you. 
 

More From The College

Meet the members of the FinServe Network

Learn about The College’s mission