Tag: CFP Board
Why CFP Certification Is Becoming More Important in Financial Planning with Dane Snowden

Why CFP Certification Is Becoming More Important in Financial Planning with Dane Snowden

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What will financial advisors and wealth management firms need to prepare for as consumer expectations, technology and the financial planning profession continue to change?

From attracting the next generation of financial planners to using AI responsibly, the profession is facing decisions that could shape how advisors build trust, serve clients and grow in the years ahead.

In this episode of Focused On The Future, host Suzanne Siracuse speaks with Dane Snowden, chief executive officer of CFP Board, about his vision for making CFP certification essential to consumers, firms and financial professionals. Dane explores the profession’s talent pipeline, CFP Board’s workforce initiatives and its evaluation of the bachelor’s degree requirement for CFP certification.

He also shares his perspective on AI, professional judgment, ethical accountability, public trust and expanding access to financial planning earlier in people’s lives.

Dane discusses:

  • Moving CFP certification from consumer awareness toward an expectation when people seek financial planning
  • Building a stronger talent pipeline through career awareness, early opportunities, mentorship and training
  • Evaluating the bachelor’s degree requirement while protecting the rigor and relevance of CFP certification
  • Using AI to increase advisor capacity and client connection while keeping human judgment and accountability central
  • Expanding access to trusted financial planning so more people can receive guidance earlier in their lives

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 About Our Guest:

Dane Snowden serves as Chief Executive Officer of CFP Board, the professional body for more than 110,000 CFP professionals in the United States. He joined CFP Board in 2023 as Chief Operating Officer after previously serving as a public member of its Board of Directors from 2017 to 2020. Throughout his career, Dane has held senior leadership roles across communications, technology, government, and public policy, including President and CEO of the Internet Association, Chief Operating Officer of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, Vice President of External and State Affairs for CTIA, and Chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission following his appointment by President George W. Bush. As CEO of CFP Board, he is focused on strengthening the organization’s role in advancing competent, ethical financial planning, expanding public awareness of CFP certification, supporting academic and professional pathways, addressing emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, and maintaining strong competency standards as the profession grows. Dane holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from William & Mary and has served on numerous nonprofit, education, and industry boards throughout his career.

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The Power of Evolution: Building a Purpose-Driven Firm with Liz Miller

The Power of Evolution: Building a Purpose-Driven Firm with Liz Miller

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In this episode of Focused on the Future, host Suzanne Siracuse speaks with Liz Miller, founder and president of Summit Place Financial Advisors and current chair of the CFP Board, about how she’s built a purpose-driven firm that prioritizes clarity, culture, and continuous evolution.

Liz shares her journey from institutional portfolio management to launching a boutique firm focused on multigenerational families, and why personal connection became central to her definition of impact. She also reveals how a marketing mindset and persona-based messaging help attract the right clients.

From community service to professional development and the growing role of artificial intelligence, Liz emphasizes the importance of staying flexible and always evolving to meet client and team needs in a changing profession.

Resources:

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 About Our Guest:

Liz Miller, CFP® CFA®, is the founder and President of Summit Place Financial Advisors, LLC, an independent SEC-registered advisor, offering personalized investment management and financial consulting to elite families and individuals.

Previously, Liz was a principal owner of the investment manager, Trevor Stewart Burton & Jacobsen Inc., in NYC. In addition to managing portfolios and client relationships, she led the firm’s equity research activities and stock selection of the investment committee. Liz started her career as a mergers & acquisitions analyst for The First Boston Corporation. She went on to become a portfolio manager for Oppenheimer Mutual Funds. In 2008, she founded Summit Place Financial Advisors, LLC to focus on the complex financial needs of today’s multi-generational families.

Liz has been a leader in the development of wealth management. She led the first Private Wealth Management committee at the CFA Society of NY, where she was honored with a Volunteer of the Year award, and later served on the Board of Directors. Liz also served on the Wealth Management task force for CFA Institute, contributing to the initial curriculum on wealth management for CFA candidates.

Liz is the author of “Clutter-Free Wealth: A Goal-oriented Guide to Gaining Control of your Affluence” and is a member of the editorial advisory board for Trusts and Estates Magazine.

Liz received a B.S in economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. from Columbia University. Liz is the proud mother of grown twin daughters, and she and her husband reside in New York City.

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