2024 Report to Philanthropic Partners
Center Achievements and Updates
The American College Center for Women in Financial Services strives to promote gender parity in the profession through meaningful connections, research, and signature events. Led by Managing Director & Chair Lindsey Lewis, MBA, ChFC®, CFP®, the Center for Ethics in Financial Services achieved several significant milestones in 2024.
Publications in FA Magazine and Investment News highlighted how the Center continues to be an industry-recognized leader while bolstering its reputation in financial services.
Lewis was proudly recognized with several awards in 2024. Investment News named Lewis the Female Trailblazer of the Year, an honor celebrating an outstanding female trailblazer in wealth management and financial planning. Lewis was also presented with the Alumni Impact Award by her alma mater, Utah Valley University. The award cited her as a “trailblazing force in the intersection of women and finance, guiding women to take charge of their financial futures.” Finally, Aspioneer named Lewis as one of 2024’s Inspiring Leaders in Finance, placing her among fellow innovative leaders within the profession.
Lindsey Lewis, MBA, ChFC®, CFP®, Managing Director and Chair, The American College Center for Women in Financial Services
Program Highlights
CAAFP Mentoring Meet-Up
The Center hosted a Mentoring Meet-Up at The College’s annual Conference of African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP). Made possible thanks to the generosity of Lenox Advisors, the event empowered women to continue shaping the future of financial services through one-on-one mentoring sessions with industry leaders. Featured speaker Marvine Laurent, CPA, MBA, inspired attendees to continue educating and connecting with women leaders.
Attendees established connections with other financial professionals
Shares Podcast
The Center was prominently featured on Shares, a podcast hosted by The College that explores topics in the financial services profession. As a host, Lewis led conversations with prominent guests including: Cary Carbonaro, CFP®, Managing Wealth Advisor, Ashton Thomas Private Wealth; Dr. Valencia Gabay, PhD, CFEI®, Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth®’s Program Manager; and Vanessa Martinez, CEO and Managing Partner at Expressive Wealth.
Scholar Review
Last year, the Center hosted a call reuniting former scholarship recipients from The College. The call showcased women of wide-ranging backgrounds and ambitions, all of whom benefited from their time at The College and the generous benefactors who made their experience possible.
The Center’s cohort-based scholarship program fosters a sense of community and trust among participants. This approach has proven to benefit the personal and professional outcomes of participants. Women feel comfortable enough to share their personal stories, from struggles to successes, in a space that is welcoming and empathetic.
Beyond sharing impact stories, the call included an opportunity for former scholarship recipients to review over 40 applications for the next cohort of scholars. The next generation benefits from those who helped pave the way.
Research and Thought Leadership
The Center is proud to recognize Alisha Cook as a 2024 Research Fellow. Thanks, in part, to the generosity of donors including Mary Wright, Cook is currently working on a project to understand the career interests and work preferences of Gen Z.
Cook approaches her research with the goal of attracting and retaining Gen Z talent for careers in financial services. As project lead, she is responsible for creating a survey, submitting necessary materials to The College’s Institutional Review Board for approval, and partnering with Amplified Planning for survey distribution. With over 1,000 respondents, the project surpassed expectations and led to a variety of responses surrounding Gen Z working trends. Results are expected in summer 2025 and will shape recruitment strategies as a new generation begins to find success in the workforce.
Upcoming Plans
In 2025, The Center is set to develop and launch a new leadership training program, designed for use with corporate internal training and agent development. The program will have a specialized focus on preparing the next generation of women for a career in financial services.
By developing a pipeline of talent, the program addresses leadership development gaps and shortcomings of the past, while remaining in alignment with The College’s mission to elevate the profession and benefit society.
A Legacy of Industry Leadership
Founded in 1927, The American College of Financial Services is the nation's largest nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services professionals. Holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has educated over 200,000 professionals across the United States through certificate, designation, and graduate degree programs. Its portfolio of applied knowledge also includes just-in-time learning and consumer financial education programs. The College's faculty represents some of the foremost thought leaders in the financial services industry. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.
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The American College of Financial Services provides equal opportunity to students and employees, regardless of race, color, and national or ethnic origin. 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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