On May 12, financial professionals from across the country gathered in New York City for the second annual Savvy Ladies Volunteer Summit, an afternoon dedicated to collaboration, learning, and advancing the organization’s mission of empowering women through financial education and trusted guidance. Invest in Others was pleased to be there in collaboration with Savvy Ladies and as sponsor of their Volunteer of the Year award and to provide thought leadership and insights during one of the event’s fantastic panel discussions.
Held at the Hippodrome Building in Midtown Manhattan, the Summit brought together current and prospective volunteers from the Savvy Ladies Free Financial Helpline community, including CFPs™, CPAs, ChFCs, CLUs, EAs, CSLP®s, CDFAs®, MSFSs, and MBAs with financial planning concentrations. Together, attendees explored the evolving role financial professionals can play in helping women build confidence, reduce financial stress, and take meaningful action toward their goals.
The event opened with networking and community-building opportunities before diving into a series of timely panel discussions centered on the power of volunteerism and financial education.
The first panel, Purpose, Trust, and Confidence: How Advisors Can Build Credibility by Leveraging Volunteering, explored how pro bono work not only strengthens communities, but also deepens trust and authenticity in advisor-client relationships.
Panelists, including Invest in Others Board member Abby Salameh, discussed how volunteering through initiatives like the Savvy Ladies Free Financial Helpline enables professionals to lead with empathy while making financial guidance more accessible to women who may otherwise lack support.
The Confidence Gap: Helping Women Move from Financial Uncertainty to Action was a panel focused on the emotional and behavioral barriers many women face when navigating financial decisions. Speakers shared insights on how advisors and educators can foster greater confidence by creating judgment-free spaces, simplifying complex topics, and encouraging incremental action.
The afternoon concluded with Financial Education is Stress Prevention, a discussion centered on the connection between financial literacy and overall well-being. Panelists emphasized that access to clear, compassionate financial guidance can help reduce anxiety, improve decision-making, and create long-term stability for individuals and families.
Beyond the panels, the Summit reinforced the strength of the Savvy Ladies volunteer network and the shared commitment among attendees to expand access to unbiased financial education for women nationwide. The day ended with a happy hour and networking reception, giving volunteers and industry professionals additional time to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen relationships within the growing community.
As the Savvy Ladies volunteer network continues to grow, the Volunteer Summit highlighted the meaningful impact financial professionals can make when they use their expertise in service of others, helping more women gain the knowledge, confidence, and support needed to take control of their financial futures.
This reflects the shared values between these two great organizations, committed to using financial expertise as a force for good. Through its mission to amplify, celebrate, and inspire the charitable work of financial advisors, Invest in Others recognizes the powerful role the industry can play in strengthening communities and expanding opportunity. Events and collaborations like this one with Savvy Ladies demonstrate what is possible when financial professionals come together not only as advisors, but as educators, advocates, and volunteers dedicated to helping others build more secure futures.
