As a kid, I always liked numbers. I would spend hours creating math problems and solutions. Whenever I wanted to play math teacher, my brother was forced to be my student! Given my love of facts and figures, it’s really no surprise that I chose a career where I work with numbers.

But the numbers are a small piece of the puzzle when it comes to financial planning. I believe that you can use your dollars and cents to create and live a meaningful life unique to your own dreams and desires. In fact, you will see in my email tag line the phrase, “Life is about events, supported by your dollars and cents.”

I started Rooted Planning Group because I wanted to offer PLANNING services. Our profession has a tendency to focus on “assets under management,” but I wanted to focus on the journey of your life (what I refer to as your financial “vineyard” or “tree line”). I truly believe that, like wine, life and finances have different palettes that should be celebrated and not judged.

I also believe that everyone has their favorite “tree line” view. What does that mean? Well, one of my hobbies is hiking. I particularly love hiking up mountain trails. If you have ever hiked up a mountain, sometimes you hike above the tree line. A point where the trees stop growing and the mountain starts to show its evolution. That is my favorite spot. I’ve made it through the “thick” of it and can clearly see the beauty around me. If you put that in perspective of life, isn’t that what we are all really striving for? When we talk about building a plan, isn’t the goal to build beauty around you? Life is never a straight path, it’s curvy, full of trip hazards and risks, but when those tree line moments show themselves, we realize the plan worked. Those are moments of real joy.

Professional Tree Lines

My journey as a business owner was not a direct path; it’s more of a long and winding road. Over the course of the past 32 years, I’ve worked in various financial services positions, but I’m most proud of the ensemble of women that I’ve brought together at Rooted Planning Group.

I am the author of Uncork Your Finances and the podcast host of Money Roots.

I also co-founded the Southern Tier Women's Financial Conference in 2014. This was an annual event dedicated to collaboration, networking, and financial education for women. Although we retired the event in 2024, I continue to be proud of the education and connections made during that phase.

Education

I hold a Master’s Degree in Financial Planning and the following designations: Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®), Enrolled Agent (EA), Certified College Financial Consultant, Master Planner Advanced Studies® (MPAS®), Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®), and Certified Financial Therapist (CFT-I™).

Community

In addition to serving on several boards, I am honored to mentor other women in the profession. I also sit on the NAPFA Foundation (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors) in hopes of influencing the number of women in the profession (or lack thereof) and supporting a community of like-minded fiduciary financial planners.

Am I the right planner for you?

Have you worked hard for what you've accumulated thus far? Have you given it the old college try and just need to use a little more than muscle to get to the next level? Are you a hard-working household that feels like you're doing all the right things, but watching those around you have more fun? Do you feel like you're caught up in the grind of life and wondering how your hard-earned income is going to help you achieve your "perfect life?" Do you feel like you have climbed a ladder, but perhaps it is up against the wrong building?

Do you want someone who will look beyond your numbers and understand you as a person and what you would like your life to look like? Do you want a financial planner who looks at the total financial picture and shows you how your investments are a tool to help you achieve your goals—but are not THE plan? Are you seeking education and ready to make changes and implement the advice given to you by your financial coach?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, then I get you—and I tend to work well with you. A few examples of the types of jobs you might hold include attorneys, teachers, nurses, small business owners, and employees who work for Corning Inc.