The President’s Message: The Power of Paying it Forward

Written by: Ann Lentell, CFA, AFC^®, CFP^®, AFCPE Board President

Earlier this year when I stepped into the role of Board President, I chose the word “community” to anchor our work for 2026. When I think about that word, I’m reminded of the interconnection points amongst us all and how we all got here to be part of this community.  

As we navigate our careers as personal finance professionals, it is easy to get caught up in the here and now of our daily work. But if we pause for a moment to reflect on our own journeys, most of us can point to a specific person who cleared the path for us. 

For me, it was my dad. He was my first teacher in financial literacy, and I credit him for instilling in me my own agency in my financial wellness. I still remember as a teenager getting my first part-time job with a real actual paycheck, and my dad sitting me down to make sure I understood every line of that thing. When it was tax time, he took me to the library to pick up paper copies of a 1040. We sat down at the kitchen table with a pencil and calculator, and he taught me what it all meant as I filled it out myself.  

 What a gift that was for me, and what a privilege it has been to have a career where I can bring that same knowledge and encouragement to others, the way my dad gave that to me.  

Think about who that person is in your life. Whether it was a mentor who shared their wisdom, a professor who sparked a passion for financial counseling, or a colleague who provided encouragement when things got tough, we all have someone who helped us get to where we are today. 

Their belief in your potential didn’t just change your career; it likely changed the lives of the clients, students, and colleagues you work with every day.  

Today I’m inviting you to honor that individual and pay it forward. Help other personal finance professionals find their place in our community by giving to the AFCPE Strategic Impact Fund in their honor. 

Donate here: Click this link

When you give to the AFCPE Strategic Impact Fund, you are directly investing in the future of our field. Your contributions support:  

• Scholarships: Assisting in removing obstacles to obtaining financial counseling education, training, and certification for financial professionals. 

• Researcher-practice collaborations: Fostering relationships, creating models, deepening knowledge of evidence-based practices, and improving access, equity, and capacity for financial professionals and the communities they serve.  

• Enhancements to AFCPE’s education programming: Ensuring that our programs continue to meet the needs of diverse learners and advance the mission and vision of the organization.  

When you give, I invite you to make your donation in honor of that individual or in memory of someone who left a lasting mark on your life. It is a powerful way to say “thank you” while simultaneously opening doors for others. As for me, I’m donating in honor of my dad. 

We are proud to share that the AFCPE Board of Directors is a 100% giving board. Every single member of our board personally contributes to AFCPE because we believe deeply in our mission to improve financial well-being for all.  

No gift is too small – any amount helps us ensure that the high standards and diverse, passionate community we’ve built remain accessible to all who wish to be a part of it. 

Thank you for your continued passion and belief in this work and for supporting AFCPE. 

Ann Lentell is a Chartered Financial Analyst, an Accredited Financial Counselor®, a Certified Financial Planner® and AFCPE Board President.  Connect with Ann on LinkedIn.

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