Scholar Stories

Brielle Parkinson, CFP® 
Wealth Advisor, Divergent Wealth Advisors
2023 Envestnet Scholarship Recipient

My passion for personal finance and investing first began in high school when I enrolled in a personal finance course. This initial spark led me to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Finance at Brigham Young University, where I furthered my knowledge and skills in the financial field. During my time at BYU, I interned for Divergent Wealth Advisors where my fascination with the world of investments, strategic approach, and a client-focused engagement style was kindled. It was then I realized financial planning was the path I wanted to pursue.

After graduating, I quickly decided I wanted to continue learning and began the coursework for the CFP® certification. This learning journey was fulfilling as I acquired the knowledge necessary to assist both current and prospective clients in achieving financial wellness and literacy. The Envestnet Scholarship became a vital support in the process, allowing me to focus on my education without the heavy burden of financial concerns.

I'm excited to share that I recently earned the title of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional after successfully passing the CFP® exam and completing the required experience. In my role as a Wealth Advisor at Divergent Wealth Advisors, my goal is to continue empowering clients, with a particular focus on helping women in the workplace gain a better understanding of finances and investing.

Tianna Johnston
Director of Operations, Genexa
2022 Facet Scholarship for Increased Diversity in Financial Planning Recipient

I decided to transition to financial planning to combine my planning skills and my passions for personal finance and meaningful, deep relationships with people. I am driven to transition my career into finance to educate people on financial literacy and help clients wholistically manage their financial health, especially those in minority populations.

The Facet Scholarship for Increased Diversity in Financial Planning is meaningful to me as a woman of color because not everyone is afforded the same opportunity to build wealth and use it as a tool to unlock their dreams. I want to create custom plans for clients that have nuances and present unique challenges. I would be the expert people can outsource their financial planning efforts to so that they can focus on their life's purpose. I want to be their “Chief Financial Officer,” sounding board, and consultant. It will be extremely satisfying to see the direct results of our successful planning and counseling. The opportunity to exercise creativity in planning roadmaps to financial freedom, security or any goal is one that I will not pass up. Because of the scholarship, I started the education requirement towards CFP® certification.

Volunteering with financial literacy programs and coaching is the best way to use CFP® certification selflessly. Commitment to a focus on youth programs specifically will bear fruit in the lives of those who will shape our country’s future. It can be the best opportunity to shift mindsets and develop others at an early age. As a CFP® professional, I can take my efforts one step further by placing a particular emphasis on reaching underserved communities, especially those of color who look like me. By connecting with those who are not just traditionally wealthy clients, I can bring equity to the financial sector by equipping those individuals and leveling the playing field.

Daniel Martinez
Student, Texas Tech University
2022 Charles Schwab Foundation CFP® Certification Scholarship

Before beginning college, I was unsure of what I wanted for a career. I did, however, know my core values and what I wanted to represent through my career choice. I knew I wanted to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, particularly the lives of others just like me. I was raised in a very poor Mexican household of 9. Having Mexican parents who had very little knowledge about finances was tough because I had to take on the responsibility of learning what seems like the simplest things like reading a bank statement and understanding what a retirement account was so that I could teach my parents. Because of these circumstances and the lack of financial literacy my parents had, I grew up knowing just as much as they did, which was not good at all. I knew I wanted to change that. And at the same time, I wanted to educate others on the importance of financial education.

Because I am a first-generation college student, I feel the urgency to stimulate a craving for higher education among the underrepresented communities like mine. I know as a financial planner that I can make a profound impact by educating my future clients and volunteering my time to teach financial topics to my local communities. I look forward to partnering with others so that I can make this become a reality and am convinced that I will create a difference through educating others in my future as a financial planner and educator. I am currently at Texas Tech’s School of Financial Planning, working on completing my education to sit for the CFP® exam. I plan on using the CFP® marks as well as the AFC® to maximize the impact I can have on others in need. Receiving the Charles Schwab Foundation CFP® Certification Scholarship has helped propel me to be much closer to this goal.

Megan Beckman
Insurance Agent & Student at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln – Certificate Program in Family Financial Planning
2022 Aspiriant Impact Scholarship Recipient

I decided to become a CFP® professional because I am passionate about financial planning when it comes to rural communities. I live in a rural area where farming and ranching are prevalent. Surrounding our town are family farms that have been in these families for generations. I want to help people in my community make sure that our family farms stay family farms. I don’t want to see people lose their farms to hardships that financial planning could potentially have helped with. I also want to help those in my community be able to plan for their retirement so that one day, they’re able to enjoy retirement and they’re not having to work through retirement instead.

I also am passionate about helping young families with their needs, whether it be life insurance planning, helping to fund their children’s education or even to just be proactive in planning for their future retirement. Earning this scholarship has meant that I can continue to provide for my family while pursuing my goals. The scholarship has allowed me to further my education. I plan to leverage my career as a CFP® professional by showing my clients that when they come to me, they are getting the gold standard to help them meet their goals and financial planning needs.