Symposium strives to increase diversity among financial planners

To address the lack of diversity in the financial planning industry, The University of Akron will host the “Financial Planning Women & Diversity Symposium – 2017” on Thursday, April 27, at UA’s Quaker Station Ballroom, 130 E. Mill Street.

Dr. Barry Mulholland

“There’s a critical need to increase diversity in the financial planning profession,” said Dr. Barry Mulholland, director of the Financial Planning program in UA’s College of Business Administration. “Only 30 percent of financial advisors are women, while more than 80 percent of advisors are white. Obviously these percentages are not representative of the overall population.”

Mulholland points out that African Americans, Hispanics, and members of the LGBTQ community are greatly underrepresented in the advisor ranks as compared to the general U.S. population

The symposium will identify best practices for recruiting a diverse population of college-bound students and career-changers into the financial planning profession. It is targeting people currently in the financial advising industry as well as “career influencers” — those who formally and informally advise and encourage students and career-changers on career choices.

Overcoming stereotypes

“Career influencers may hold some stereotypes about financial planning. At the seminar we will build understanding of the profession so everyone understands what satisfying and rewarding careers are available to women and people of diverse backgrounds in this industry,” said Mulholland.

The symposium has two tracks—one for career influencers and the other for those presently in the financial planning profession.

Career Influencers
Registration, 7:30 a.m.
Program, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Advisors
(7:30 a.m. optional arrival)
Program, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

The symposium is underwritten by Charles Schwab Investment Management, and includes other sponsors from the financial planning industry.

The Financial Planning Program offered by UA's College of Business Administration has perennially been included in Financial Planning Magazine’s list of the top financial planning programs in the country.