FROM THE CHAIR

Spring Is in the Air

By Daphne Jordan, NAPFA Chair

Spring in Texas is one of my favorite seasons!

For those of you who will travel here for our Spring Conference in Fort Worth next month, you may be able to experience the tail end of our wildflower season. During this time, Indian paintbrushes, brown-eyed susans, buttercups, and bluebonnets dot and carpet our roadsides and parks.

Speaking of the conference, I offer a bouquet of thanks to Conference Committee members Abby Hasling, Craig Carnick, Kelly Metzler Randall, Dani Parris-Exline, and Rob Schulz. The Spring Conference theme is The Future is AI (Advisor Intelligence). I encourage you to register now for this well-crafted educational and community-connecting experience.

Just like a multitude of thriving wildflowers, our practices are peppered with diversity — whether you realize it or not. This month’s issue is dedicated to exploring the various veins of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). As you peruse these articles, you will find coverage on planning for the neurodivergent population, signs of when a client needs a financial therapist, and practical ways to embrace and incorporate DEI into your practice. Insights on the NAPFA DEI mentorship program and a few updates from the DEI Committee are also included. Whether you are viewing DEI from the angle of your clients or employees at your firm, at the end of the day, people want to feel they are welcomed, understood, and belong.

Branching out from the DEI topic are articles about business continuity and business valuation.

As we embrace springtime, I encourage you to continue to blossom and grow as seasoned planners, and — for the readers who are established advisors — to pour into another bud or floret.

I look forward to seeing you along the journey.