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How To Create A More Diverse Financial Planning Profession

July 08, 2019 Financial Advisor

America’s demographics are rapidly changing. Over the last 50 years, we have seen a younger, more diverse society emerge. Companies, large and small, as well as professional groups, are scrambling to adapt to the new landscape. Some are doing well with the new normal. Some are not.

The financial planning profession is one of those professions that needs to play catch up….

Many firms have publicly expressed their commitment to creating a more diverse profession. That’s a positive first step. But firms are still struggling to achieve real change. That’s why CFP Board launched the Center for Financial Planning—to convene firms, educators and experts across the profession to address this systemic issue together.

Last year at the Center’s inaugural Diversity Summit, the Center released Racial Diversity inFinancial Planning: Where We Are and Where We Must Go, a research-based thought leadership paper that outlines actionable solutions to create a more inclusive profession.

On November 13 in Washington, D.C., the Center will hold its second annual Diversity Summit with thought leaders within and outside financial planning. The event’s objective is accountability. What are stakeholders actually doing to move the needle toward greater ethnic and gender diversity in financial planning?

Our profession has come a long way in 50 years. Yet, we are at a tipping point: we must diversify the profession to ensure that all Americans have access to competent and ethical financial planning services.

It took just a few people in 1969—the founders of financial planning—to spur a movement that would change the way we provide financial services to consumers forever. We must now position the profession to be relevant for the next 50 years.