The financial planning profession is among many fields that recognize the value of increased diversity and inclusion in its ranks. The CFP Board Center for Financial Planning is a nonprofit organization. Dedicated to supporting professional standards in personal financial planning. Eventually it offered its annual Diversity Summit on November 18-20, 2020, held in a virtual format.
Accordingly the goal of the Diversity Summit is to explore “actionable solutions to advance diversity in financial planning,”. According to the website. Consequently this year’s theme of Sustainability reflects the importance of long-term diversity. And inclusion programs in financial planning education and in the workplace.
All about the fair
CFP Board is strongly committed to expanding and sustaining diversity. It focuses on the financial planning profession. And those it serves to better align with the U.S. population.”
The Summit agenda includes the release of a new report on case studies. Particularly of successful diversity and inclusion initiatives in the financial planning profession. Eventually attendees can discuss these studies. They can also explore the successes and challenges. Moreover give a practical approach to the studies.
Other key events include “CFP® Pro Talks,” with personal reflections from CFP® professionals of color,. A executive roundtable of leaders in financial planning firms. And discussions of specific recommendations that firms can apply immediately to improve their diversity and inclusion initiatives.
A highlight of the summit
A highlight of the summit is the Virtual Career Fair. Although not the same as in-person networking, the Summit organizers have adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic situation and designed a forum in which certified financial planner candidates who are women and people of color have opportunities to connect with employers, experienced CFP® professionals, fellow students, and potential mentors. The Career Fair occurs on November 20 and requires a separate online registration from the Diversity Summit, but with no charge to attend.
The target audience for the CFP Board Diversity Summit is financial planning professionals and students who are working to become certified financial planners, as well as individuals who are considering careers in financial planning. The audience also includes executives, diversity and inclusion professionals, and recruiters from financial services firms. Program directors from colleges and universities with financial planning programs can benefit from the summit topics to help support their goals for greater diversity and inclusion in academic programs