As a college graduate with a major in French, my choice to join a multinational bank seemed like a good first step into the workplace.  After a year-long training program, I was assigned to the US banking area as a lending officer. However, after a few years in the role, I realized that banking is more sales than anticipated, and I didn’t even get to use my French!

It was Spanish, not French, that I needed when I married a fellow banker, and we were transferred to Colombia.  I studied Spanish in the local university before finding a job teaching nursery school. Teaching made banking look easy!  The bank relocated us after only two years because of corporate kidnappings in Bogota.  I loved Colombia and its people and left reasonably fluent in Spanish.

After ten years raising four daughters, my sister suggested joining her in a business endeavor-a BEAD store in Harvard Square.  She was the creative one, and I took on the finances.  The first of two stores was an instant success, and we learned the art of running a small business over the following eight years.

When we sold our stores, my tennis partner Robin Sherwood mentioned that she needed administrative help in her financial planning office. We are still working together 21 years later!

After a few years in client support, I realized that earning a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® certification would combine my interest in helping people with my finance background.

It is Immensely satisfying to help a client identify goals, organize current financial accounts, and use this information to plan for retirement success.

I divorced a few years ago.  It is never an easy transition, emotionally or financially, but I realized that my financial planning skills made a difference in the process.  That led me to study for credentials as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® professional.  This specialization is primarily an enhancement to my CFP, but I enjoy making the financial elements of divorce less daunting for others.

When not working, I am up at the crack of dawn rowing in the Norwalk Harbor.  On land, I like spending time with my girls and five grandchildren, hiking, exploring near and far, and baking.