Contributed by: Laurie Renchik, CFP®, MBA
30 years ago, Marilyn Gunther and Estelle Wade, along with a select group of financial planning professionals, joined together to establish the Center for Financial Planning. Back then financial planning was still an emerging profession. Marilyn Gunther and Estelle Wade were trailblazers who became influencers in a new, primarily male-dominated profession. They took leadership roles in professional organizations with a commitment to strengthen the standards of financial planning practitioners and enhance the public’s understanding of the financial planning process.
Unwavering commitment to The Center values and a comprehensive financial planning foundation that were envisioned by Marilyn and Estelle in 1985 are still firmly anchored in our business today. In fact, if you visit our Founders’ conference room, you’ll find yourself surrounded by wise words from these two women:
“The art of financial planning is listening to clients with your eyes, your ears and your heart.” –Marilyn Gunther
“From the beginning we have strived to treat every client with respect and honesty while helping them meet their short-term and long-term financial goals.” –Estelle Wade
While Marilyn and Estelle have retired, they continue to serve as role models for women at The Center. Today, their leadership torch has been passed on to three female partners Laurie Renchik, CFP®, Sandy Adams, CFP® and Melissa Joy, CFP®. This March, in honor of Women’s History Month, we give a special word of thanks to Marilyn and Estelle. They created our workplace, they changed our profession, and they lead the way.
Laurie Renchik, CFP®, MBA is a Partner and Senior Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. In addition to working with women who are in the midst of a transition (career change, receiving an inheritance, losing a life partner, divorce or remarriage), Laurie works with clients who are planning for retirement. Laurie was named to the 2013 Five Star Wealth Managers list in Detroit Hour magazine, is a member of the Leadership Oakland Alumni Association and in addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she manages and is a frequent contributor to Center Connections at The Center.
Five Star Award is based on advisor being credentialed as an investment advisory representative (IAR), a FINRA registered representative, a CPA or a licensed attorney, including education and professional designations, actively employed in the industry for five years, favorable regulatory and complaint history review, fulfillment of firm review based on internal firm standards, accepting new clients, one- and five-year client retention rates, non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered, number of client households served.