Professional Focus and Services

My role as a financial planner and investment advisor is to assist my clients in reaching an understanding of the money matters in their lives and making informed financial decisions. My practice, since 1985, has focused upon values- or mission-based investing, also known as sustainable and responsible investing (SRI). My clients include individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

Diversity and balance are key principles in my investment management philosophy. I work with clients to develop portfolios that fit their life goals, time frames, and risk tolerances. As a fiduciary, I place my clients’ interests first, provide full disclosure of fees and relationships, and consistently use fiduciary best practices in our work together.

Our clients benefit from the commitment to full disclosure. I clearly explain up front the options for services that we provide and the costs associated with them. I work on a fee-basis, either based upon the amount managed or on an hourly schedule. The first hour of consultation with prospective clients is without charge. Using this time to explore a client’s requirements and goals, in the context of the services we offer, insures a good fit.

Clients often engage me on an hourly basis for financial planning. Most often the plans focus on goals for retirement or education financing; a variety of issues may be explored this way.

Some clients ask for a general financial checkup. This includes the following steps:

• A fact-finding overview. This diagnostic step focuses on legal/estate protections, insurance and risk management, tax management, cash flow and debt management, and investment goals. This and the other steps may be accomplished face-to-face or by phone or Skype.
• Analysis of financial information to identify areas that require attention.
• Development of a financial plan that lays out the strategy for achieving financial goals
• Periodic reviews to assess progress toward goals.

As an Investment Advisory Representative of First Affirmative Financial Network, I am licensed to advise clients from any state in the United States.

As a public speaker, I offer financial seminars on basic financial wellness, investment portfolio management, fiduciary best practices for managing endowments, and, of course, sustainable and responsible investing (SRI). I’ve spoken to many civic, religious, professional, school/academic, and employee groups on these topics.

Professional Affiliations

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, currently serving on the Sustainability Accounting Advisory Group
• Financial Planning Association
• Green America
• Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Board of Trustees
• Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry Energy Council
• Social Investment Forum
• Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Education and Experience

Credentials

• Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) Designee
• Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) Certificant
• Certified Public Accountant – Personal Financial Specialist

Education

• MS in Accounting; University of Wisconsin, Madison
• MS in Resource Economics; University of New Hampshire, Durham
• BA in Botany and Ecology; Goddard College, Plainfield, VT

From 1979 to 1996, eventually becoming a tenured associate professor, I taught undergraduate business and accounting courses at the University of Wisconsin, Marshfield/Wood County campus. For two of those years I administered the adult continuing education program there. Also during that time I took a year-long sabbatical to teach in Malaysia. This and my other travel experiences have been important in deepening my global perspective. I have also benefited from extensive training on fiduciary practices and the Natural Step principles and processes.

Community Involvement

In the mid-70’s my husband and I made a decision to build our lives in the rural heart of Wisconsin. Community involvement has been a significant focus for both of us. Over the years, I have actively served on the following: the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation Board of Trustees, the City of Marshfield Sustainable Marshfield Committee, Central City Credit Union Board of Directors, the Marshfield Area Community Foundation Board of Trustees, UW Marshfield/Wood County Investment Committee, and Ministry Health Care/Saint Joseph’s Hospital Board of Directors.

I am past president of the Marshfield Rotary Club, Main Street Marshfield, and Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry. One of my favorite local activities has been as a team leader in Main Street’s Flower Power Project since, as an avid gardener, it got me out of the office and into the soil. Other civic programs important to me include the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair, Sister Cities, and the Marshfield Cultural Fair. All have helped to open connections from our rural community to the larger world.

Disclaimer
Investment Advisory Representative of First Affirmative Financial Network, LLC
First Affirmative is an independent Registered Investment Advisor (SEC File #801-5687).
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