Mariana Llamas

Xena Financial Planning

I first began my journey of becoming a financial planner at eight years old after moving to the United States, where I was simultaneously required to learn English and acclimate to a foreign culture. To be clear, I did not yet realize what I wanted to do for my career, but notably it was those earliest experiences in America that steered me in the direction of financial advocacy for independent women and minorities. Going from living in a poor Mexican border town to an upper class county along the Main Line in PA was certainly overwhelming.

While obtaining my degree in International Business at West Chester University, I started working for an independent financial advisory firm servicing high net worth clients. It was here that I first learned about financial planning and the impact of building generational wealth. 

Although I enjoyed the work of helping individuals and their families, I struggled to reconcile that the focus in the industry was primarily on particular audiences of considerable wealth, and at the expense of people early in their careers and from diverse backgrounds. As a result, I’ve made accessibility and inclusivity in the financial services industry my mission — after all, money is an essential tool in our society. At Xena Financial Planning, I am excited to realize my dream of working with young professionals seeking more than stock tips, but financial advice that is tailored to their specific income and lifestyle.

I recently made the big move from Philadelphia to New York City (cue Frank Sinatra) with my partner. While we do miss our favorite breweries and hiking spots, we are having the time of our lives exploring a new place. If you have any recommendations, or happen to be visiting the city, let me know! Meanwhile, you might find me gawking at dogs in Prospect Park, or eating tacos and sipping horchata.