Independent registered investment adviser EP Wealth Advisors LLC has opened applications for the first Ballou/EP Wealth Diversity in Financial Services Scholarship. The program will provide a one-time scholarship for students pursuing a CFP®, connecting them to valuable resources and mentorship opportunities as they advance their studies.
Named in honor of Lynn Ballou, CFP® Emeritus, former Senior VP and Partner at EP Wealth, the scholarship extends Ballou’s mission of supporting more diverse voices in the financial services industry and is designed to identify and elevate the next generation of financial services leaders without regard for background.
The scholarship’s initial funding comes from the company, while EP Wealth employees, clients and friends of the firm are actively contributing for future awards, which are being administered in partnership with the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA).
Ballou joined EP Wealth in 2016 when her firm, Ballou Plum Wealth Advisors, partnered with EP. She made an immediate impact on the organization and played an active role in driving EP’s growth, helping to attract top talent and teams that laid the foundation for the client-centric mission and culture that define the organization today.
Ballou is regarded as a trailblazer in the financial services industry and has consistently advocated for increased diversity, mentorship and opportunity for a wider range of advisors. She was an active member of the CFP Board throughout her career, serving as the CFP Board of Standards Ambassador in San Francisco for more than a decade. Ballou retired from her advisory career in 2022 and today enjoys retirement in the Bay Area.
The scholarship program is open to US residents who are enrolled in a CFP Board-Registered certificate or undergraduate program, or plan to matriculate in a CFP Board-Registered certificate program within six months of application/award. Candidates must have a demonstrated financial need and a commitment to the financial planning profession.
Candidates wishing to apply must submit an application via NAPFA, which includes an essay and interview process. The winner will be announced in June 2023.
For additional information on the scholarship and qualifications, visit www.epwealth.com.
