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Representation Press
Pathways to Prosperity
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA—July 7, 2025—The American College of Financial Services announces the upcoming 19th annual Conference of African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP), which will take place from August 11 to 13 at Signia by Hilton in Atlanta, GA. This year’s conference will revolve around the theme “Pathways to Prosperity,” a call to enhance representation within the industry, and to foster more opportunities for growth and success.
“We are proud to be able to bring together such promising professionals every year to develop strategies for not only strengthening representation in our industry, but also laying the groundwork for transformational impact across generations,” said George Nichols III, CAP,® president and CEO of The American College of Financial Services. “We aim to make the CAAFP more than the typical conference experience, and instead provide participants with insights, tools, and networking opportunities to enable professional growth and benefit their communities.”
This year’s conference will feature 20 breakout sessions led by renowned industry experts, veteran practitioners, and change agents. Keynote speakers from a variety of backgrounds will share their insights. Speakers include:
- Chaunté Lowe, four-time Olympic medalist, author, TEDx speaker, and breast cancer thriver
- Denise M. Thomas, founder of The Effective Communication Coach
- Ryan Wilson, CEO and co-founder of The Gathering Spot
- Michael Finke, PhD, CFP®, professor of wealth management, WMCP® program director
- David Blanchett, PHD, MSFS, CFA, CLU®, CHFC®, CFP®, adjunct professor of wealth management
- Terrell Dinkins, MBA, ChFC®, RICP®, president and founder of OBN Wealth Advisors, LLC
- Don Graves, RICP®, CLTC®, CSA, business development manager at Mutual of Omaha Reverse Mortgage
- Angela (Angie) Ribuffo, CFP®, RICP®,ChFC®, CDFA, CLTC, WMCP®, president of Raion Financial Strategies LLC and registered representative at Cambridge Investment Research
Workshops will cover three strategic themes: Wealth Life Cycle, Scalable Sustainability, and Leading Forward, designed to equip attendees with the tools to grow wealth, build resilient businesses, and elevate leadership impact. Sessions will explore strategic planning, sustainable growth, and leadership development to empower professionals to drive innovation and deliver lasting impact for their clients and communities.
Last year’s CAAFP attracted nearly 1,000 financial professionals from 20 U.S. states, as well as more than 50 scholars from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and affiliates, and 450 first-time attendees. The 2024 CAAFP also featured almost 200 industry professionals with more than 20 years of experience and was supported by 20 corporate sponsors dedicated to expanding opportunities.
“The CAAFP is a powerful industry resource for helping African American professionals thrive, and soar, individually and together,” said Mai Skyles, MBA, managing director of the American College Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality®. “This annual marquee event is key to our mission to promote inclusivity. We encourage African American financial professionals — and all financial professionals who serve our communities — to join us for the chance to forge new ‘Pathways to Prosperity’ for their businesses and their clients. Together, we are not only reshaping the financial services landscape — we are building a legacy of generational wealth, leadership, and economic advancement.”
To learn more about the CAAFP and register for this year’s conference, please visit https://events.theamericancollege.edu/caafp-2025/.
For more information, contact:
Jared Trexler
610-526-1268
jared.trexler@theamericancollege.edu
Taylor Genovese
973-524-4949
americancollege@jconnelly.com
About The American College of Financial Services
The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s largest provider of financial planning education through its CFP® Certification Education Program* and ChFC® designation program. The College goes beyond foundational education with rigorous programs, ethical standards, and experience requirements for professionals who wish to specialize in areas such as retirement income planning, tax planning, philanthropic planning, and more.
Connect with The College on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities.
*Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
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About The College Practice Management Press
Study: Clients of Financial Planners Stay the Course During Volatility
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — June 26, 2025 - The American College of Financial Services (“The College”), the nation’s largest nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services, announced today the results of its Advising Through Uncertainty Study. The study crystallized around one central focus: determining how currently uncertain financial markets are affecting the work professionals do with their clients.
The study’s initial results demonstrate market volatility is indeed weighing on clients’ minds: 53% of all respondents said their clients’ focus has shifted amid recent market uncertainty, and 76% say their clients are more anxious. However, advisors who focus on offering comprehensive financial planning services are significantly less likely than those who solely provide investment management services to field client requests to make changes to their investments (23% to 43%). In addition, nearly 9 out of 10 investment managers say their clients are feeling either somewhat or very anxious about market uncertainty; on the other hand, only around 7 in 10 financial planners said their clients felt the same. There was also a marked difference between the anxiety clients felt when being advised by College designees vs. those without College designations.
“These results send a clear message: knowledge counts in uncertain times, and a broader array of services and specializations among financial professionals can help tame client anxiety,” said Jared Trexler, senior vice president and chief marketing and strategy officer at The College. “Financial professionals must continuously serve clients and counsel them to make the best possible decisions no matter what storms may arise. An all-weather financial planner, comprehensively educated and well-versed in high-demand knowledge areas, is more likely to succeed in keeping their clients on track to reach their goals.”
Much has been said about the benefits of financial planning approaches involving “behavioral finance” or “financial psychology”: the idea that during market downturns, clients are less likely to make rational decisions and may hastily choose short-term gains over long-term financial health. The College’s study took this notion to its logical conclusion, surveying a broad array of financial services professionals about how their clients are responding to market uncertainty and the services and advice they are able to offer in return. Respondents to the survey comprised both investment managers, solely involved in portfolio construction and management for their clients, and financial planners educated on a wider array of strategies, needs, and services.
Financial planners voicing their success navigating marketing uncertainty with clients specialize in a variety of in-demand planning areas including retirement accumulation planning, retirement withdrawal and income planning, estate and legacy planning, and tax planning and strategy, among others. Read the full results of the study on our microsite page.
For more information, contact:
Jared Trexler
610-526-1268
jared.trexler@theamericancollege.edu
Taylor Genovese
973-524-4949
americancollege@jconnelly.com
About The American College of Financial Services
The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s largest provider of financial planning education through its CFP® Certification Education Program* and ChFC® designation program. The College goes beyond foundational education with rigorous programs, ethical standards, and experience requirements for professionals who wish to specialize in areas such as retirement income planning, tax planning, philanthropic planning, and more.
Connect with The College on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities.
*Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
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Ethics In Financial Services Insights
Perspectives on Ethical Leadership 2025
The Mitchell/The American College Forum on Ethical Leadership provides a unique opportunity for a candid exchange of views on ethical matters facing the financial services industry and for sharing best practices. This year’s Forum brought together twelve leaders comprised of industry executives and academics from some of the nation’s most prestigious educational institutions. Together, they discussed how companies are integrating business and ethics in their strategic discussions on responsible AI. Throughout the discussion, they explored effective ways to integrate ethical behavior with effective leadership.
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Tax Planning About The College Insights
Recognizing the TPCP® Inaugural Class of 2025
With tax-informed financial planning in growing demand amid financial uncertainties and a changing world, the TPCP® Program was created to provide financial professionals with a long-term view of the impact of taxes on clients’ financial goals and how to minimize their burden.
The program was a tremendous success, and professionals from across the country answered the call, exceeding Zoom capacities and making headlines for taking on this groundbreaking designation. As TPCP® holders know and others soon will learn, a strong understanding of tax policy and regulations can improve all aspects of financial planning. From retirement planning or special needs planning to legacy and estate planning, tax planning touches all components of a client’s comprehensive financial planning.
The TPCP® Inaugural Class
Below is an ongoing list of all those who earned their TPCP® designation in 2025, becoming the first financial professionals to hold the designation and demonstrating their commitment to ongoing learning and superior client service.
- Robert Alderfer, JD, CFP®, MSFS, WMCP®, QPFC, CAIA®, TPCP®
- Michael Bins, CFP®, RICP®, TPCP®
- Kay Blunck, CFP®, CAP®, CRPC®, ChFC®, AEP®, TPCP®
- Kathleen Cashatt, CFP®, CPA, PFS, TPCP®
- Jonathan Davis, CFA®, CFP®, CTFA™, ChFC®, TPCP®
- Harris Doobrow, CFP®, TPCP®, RICP®, ChFC®, MBA
- Wendy Dudley, ChFC®, TPCP®
- Cole Ferrier, MSFP, ChFC®, RICP®, TPCP®
- Nolin Frias, CFP®, CPWA®, TPCP®, CIMA®, CSRIC
- Gregory Harris, JD, MBA, TPCP®
- Stuart Hunsicker, CFF®, ChFEBCSM, CEPA®, ASBC®, TPCP®, NSSA®, IRMAACP
- Steven Kibbel, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, CLU®, TPCP®
- John Knoll, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, TPCP®
- Abduhl Mashhoon, CFP®, TPCP®, CEPA®, CRPSSM
- Brian McKinney, CFP®, RICP®, TPCP®
- Brad Pistole, RICP®, TPCP®, CFF®, CAS®, IRMAACP
- Clark Randall, CFP®, MJur, AIF, CRPC®, CLU®, AEP®, RSSA®, TPCP®
- Christopher Reddick, CFP®, RICP®, TPCP®
- Robert Smith, TPCP®
- Christopher Sparks, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®, CRPC®, TPCP®
- Louis Spence, CFP®, RICP®, TPCP®
- William Spencer, CFP®, TPCP®, CFT™, FBS®
- Sima Tamaddon, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, TPCP®
- Benjamin Wacek, CFP®, CKA, TPCP®
- Rock Wang, TPCP®
- Todd Yeiter, CFP®, CASL®, CEPA®, ChFC®, CLU®, TPCP®
- Andrew Barnes, TPCP®
- Andrew Spafford, ChFC®, ChSNC®, TPCP®
- Aric Jacobson, JD, LLM, CFP®, TPCP®
- Ashley Thon, JD, CLU®, TPCP®
- Brandon Schumacher, CFP®, TPCP®
- Charles Lewandowski, CFP®, TPCP®
- Daniel VanDusen, CFP®, TPCP®
- David Lynch, TPCP®
- Devon Rauth, CFP®, TPCP®
- Dustin Burns, TPCP®
- Edward Rossi, CFP®, CPWA®, CTS™, CES™, NSSA®, TPCP®
- Elizabeth Marks, CLU®, ChFC®, TPCP®
- Eric Bronnenkant, CPA, CFP®, TPCP®
- Eric Sachetta, ChFC®, CFP®, TPCP®
- John Depaola, BFA, ChFC®, CFP®,TPCP®
- John Knoll, ChFC®, CFP®, RICP®, TPCP®
- Jon Maitz, ChFC®, ChSNC®, CLU®, ChSNC®, RICP®,TPCP®
- Joseph Alfonso, CFP®, ChFC®, EA, RICP®, RSSA®, TPCP®
- Joseph RoosEvans, CTFA®, AEP®, CFP®, RICP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CLF®, CASL®, MBA®, CAPP®,CWPP®, CASL®, WMCP®, TPCP®
- Josh Hill, TPCP®
- Julio Lopez-Brito, MBA, RICP®, TPCP®
- Keyana Russ, CFP®, RICP®, TPCP®
- Maimoona Ahmed, TPCP®
- Mark Werner, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, TPCP®
- Mary Rosai, CFP®, TPCP®
- Matthew McManus, TPCP®
- Matthew Ramaekers, CFP®, ChFC®, TPCP®
- Matthew Sumrall, CFP®, ChFC®, TPCP®
- Michael Cutbirth, CRPC®, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RSSA, TPCP®
- Miguel Delgado Rivero, TPCP®
- Osvaldo Morales, JD, MSFS, ChFC®, CLU®, TPCP®
- Peter Dillon, CFP®, TPCP®
- Robert Bennett, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, CLU®, WMCP®, TPCPTPCP®
- Robert Hope, CFP®, TPCP®
- Samuel Katuzienski, CFP®, TPCP®
- Steve Boeckmann, CFP®, ChFC®, CRPC®, TPCP®
- Wai Ngan Yu, CFP®, TPCP®
More From The College
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Special Needs Planning Retirement Planning Insights
Long-Term Care Planning: Key Questions for Clients
Long-term care planning can affect clients in a variety of situations, including those with lifelong or recent disabilities, health care needs arising from old age or other factors, and even caregivers for individuals with special needs who may be supporting a loved one or dependent through a health crisis. In this way, the issue straddles the border between retirement income planning and special needs planning and is a critical point to bring up in conversations with clients.
“The role financial professionals can play in long-term care planning is beyond that of the asset manager,” Kaylee Ranck, PhD, director of College research, said in a recent College webcast about long-term care planning. “You can be that navigator in times of transition, help clients protect their dignity and avoid family conflict, as well as avoid irrevocable financial losses that drain retirement savings or can disrupt estate plans and force the loss of a home.”
Want a comprehensive guide to all the important questions you may face with clients planning for long-term care needs? Download our crisis plan checklist now!
Preparing for Long-Term Care Planning
The facts about long-term care planning needs are stark: according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of Americans turning 65 will need long-term health care later in their lives. AARP reports the median length of care is around two years, but for one in five Americans the duration of their care can last over five; additionally, over 53 million Americans are already providing unpaid care services to family members or other dependents due to sudden, unforeseen crises such as injuries, disabilities, or illnesses.
When considering these realities, the need for a knowledgeable financial professional becomes clear; as Joellen Meckley, JD, MHS, ChSNC®, managing director of the American College Center for Special Needs notes, financial advisors don’t need to be medical professionals or be experts on conditions or diagnoses, but they do need to understand the basics of their clients’ conditions — and quickly — to make timely and helpful decisions.
Just a few of the important factors to consider early on in a case requiring long-term care planning can include how old the client is, whether they are living with someone else or in a relationship, what their work benefit situation is (if any), whether they hold any kind of long-term care insurance or have other documents like a Power of Attorney or Healthcare Directive in place — and, most importantly, what the client is trying to solve for on behalf of themselves or their loved ones or dependents.
Caregivers’ Role in Long-Term Care Planning
Long-term care planning can get even more complicated when considering not just the needs of the person struggling with health issues, but also those of their caregivers. There are financial implications for caregivers that can go far beyond simply the care they give to another person, including how it can affect their own retirement income planning and savings, employment situation, personal income, or long-term life financial goals.
If a caregiver client is paying for a loved one’s care, a natural place to start could be evaluating how they are funding that care and whether it’s a sustainable strategy. If caregiving affects a caregiver’s work hours, options such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or other employee assistance programs may be on the table. Caregiving expenses can also be written off on taxes, so clients should be encouraged to keep detailed documentation.
Finally, financial professionals should be aware that caregiving can create emotional and physical strain; approaching conversations about long-term care planning with empathy and patience is key. Establishing a backup caregiving plan, including support options if the primary caregivers becomes unavailable, can also help set caregiver clients’ minds at ease.
More From The College
Learn more about our Center for Special Needs and Center for Retirement Income
Specialize in retirement income planning with the Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designation
Prepare to serve caregiver clients and their dependents with the Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®) designation