CFP Board Center for Financial Planning Highlights Call for Change in Third Annual Diversity Summit & Career Fair

The CFP Board Center for Financial Planning (Center) hosts its third annual Diversity Summit and Career Fair today through November 20, 2020 from 12-3 p.m., EST. At the Summit, the Center will release its thought leadership report, “Diversity in Action: How to Sustain the Financial Planning Profession.” The report features financial planning firms that are answering the call for change with initiatives and programs to increase racial and ethnic diversity.

The report also provides advice on how to replicate and scale these efforts throughout the profession. The case studies from six leading firms underscore the important role of individuals, firms, and the profession in transitioning from talking about change to implementing change. The case studies include reports from Charles Schwab, Fidelity, HoyleCohen, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Northwestern Mutual and Wetherby Asset Management.

“Racial and ethnic diversity is critical to the sustainability of the financial planning profession,” said CFP Board CEO Kevin R. Keller, CAE. “Now is the time for change. The Diversity Summit provides the occasion to learn from industry experts who are sharing new viewpoints, overcoming challenges, creating successful opportunities, and taking notice of what is indeed working to advance diversity and inclusion in our profession.”

“The points made in this important report will prompt actions among financial planning leaders, firms and other key stakeholders to expand the talent pipeline and broaden our service to all Americans,” added Keller.

The 2020 Diversity Summit will focus on “Sustainability” – strengthening the profession through diversity – and highlight metrics-driven, long-term, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. This year’s Summit coincides with the five-year anniversary of the Center, which was founded in 2015 with the goal of creating a more diverse and sustainable financial planning profession so that every American has access to competent and ethical financial planning advice.

Taking place online, the Summit seeks to advance efforts to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive financial planning profession. At the Summit, nationally renowned diversity pioneers and financial planning profession leaders will discuss their experiences and perspectives on leading actionable solutions to drive profession-wide inclusiveness.

“This era of racial reckoning calls for exceptional action. Through the Diversity Summit, we can and must work together to transform the financial planning profession,” said Center Managing Director D.A. Abrams, CAE. “Since its founding five years ago, the Center has emerged as a driving force to help broaden and diversify the financial planning workforce.”

In addition to the Summit featuring high-profile keynote speakers, presenters and panelists, a Virtual Career Fair will connect diverse job seekers with employers seeking their services through one-on-one video chats on Friday, November 20 from 12-3 p.m., EST.

Confirmed Diversity Summit speakers include:

• Bernard J. Clark, Executive Vice President and Head of Schwab Advisor Services, Charles Schwab
• Frank Dobbin, Henry Ford II Professor of the Social Sciences, Harvard University
• Sharon Epperson, CNBC Senior Personal Finance Correspondent
• Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO and President, Ariel Investments
• Brian Lamb, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion, JPMorgan Chase
• Andy Sieg, President, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
• Oris Stuart, Executive Vice President and Chief People and Inclusion Officer, National Basketball Association
• Renee Tirado, Founder, VegaRobles Consulting; Former Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Major League Baseball
• Alicin Reidy Williamson, Senior Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer, Endeavor

The 2020 Diversity Summit sponsors are:

• Merrill Lynch, Premier Sponsor
• J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, Major Sponsor
• Ameriprise Financial, Signature Sponsor
• Edelman Financial Engines, Signature Sponsor
• Morgan Stanley, Signature Sponsor
• TD Ameritrade Institutional, Lead Founding Sponsor
• Charles Schwab Foundation, Founding Sponsor
• Envestnet, Founding Sponsor
• Northwestern, Founding Sponsor

Editor’s note: Reporters interested in covering the Summit should email media@cfpboard.org for registration information and to access the Diversity Summit Media Kit.