“Creative Planning has launched the Women’s Forum, Powered by Creative Planning, expanding an initiative originally founded in 2015 to empower women through targeted financial education, leadership development, and personal growth resources. The program addresses persistent barriers women face in wealth-building, such as career interruptions and longevity risks, while fostering networking among professionals from emerging leaders to C-suite executives. With the firm’s massive scale—managing or advising on approximately $700 billion in assets—this move underscores a broader commitment to closing gender gaps in financial confidence and leadership opportunities.”
Creative Planning Bolsters Women’s Empowerment Initiative
Creative Planning, a leading registered investment advisor with a nationwide footprint, has taken a significant step to amplify its support for women in professional and financial spheres. The firm recently announced the formal launch and expansion of the Women’s Forum, Powered by Creative Planning. This program, which originated within CAP STRAT before the integration, now operates under the Creative Planning umbrella to reach a wider audience of women seeking to advance their careers, enhance their financial acumen, and build lasting personal and professional networks.
The Women’s Forum was established back in 2015 by Creative Planning Directors Barbara Best and Nancy Rizzuto. Their vision centered on creating a dedicated space where women could overcome traditional obstacles to success. Women continue to encounter unique hurdles in wealth accumulation, including the lingering effects of the gender pay gap—where women earn roughly 83 cents for every dollar men make, a disparity that widens with age—and frequent pauses in career trajectories due to caregiving responsibilities for children or aging family members. These factors often result in lower lifetime earnings, reduced retirement savings, and greater exposure to outliving assets in retirement, given women’s longer average lifespans.
Through the Women’s Forum, Creative Planning aims to directly tackle these issues by offering a multifaceted platform. The initiative combines practical financial education with leadership training and community-building opportunities. Participants gain access to monthly workshops, networking events, and resources designed to promote empowerment across professional, personal, and financial dimensions. Topics range from thought leadership amplification and career navigation to strategies for creating a “portfolio life” that balances multiple pursuits, self-care practices, and discussions on independence in financial decision-making.
A core emphasis lies in financial literacy tailored to women’s realities. Sessions explore how to build resilience against longevity risks, where women may spend 20-30 years or more in retirement. Practical guidance includes maintaining liquidity buffers equivalent to three to five years of living expenses in short-term investments, disciplined saving habits despite income interruptions, and long-term investment approaches that account for extended time horizons. The forum encourages proactive steps to close wealth gaps, such as prioritizing consistent contributions to retirement accounts, seeking equitable compensation discussions, and leveraging compound growth through informed investing.
Leadership development forms another pillar. The program brings together a diverse group of women—from emerging talents to seasoned executives—to engage in meaningful conversations about advancement. It highlights the value of diverse perspectives in decision-making, risk assessment, and organizational growth. By fostering environments where women can amplify their voices, the forum helps participants build confidence in leadership roles, whether in corporate settings, entrepreneurial ventures, or personal financial stewardship.
The expansion under Creative Planning broadens the initiative’s impact. As one of the nation’s largest RIAs, the firm brings substantial resources and reach to the table. This includes integration with broader client services focused on holistic wealth management, where advisors address the specific needs of women clients navigating pay inequities, caregiving demands, and extended retirements. The move aligns with the firm’s ongoing recognition of female talent internally, as evidenced by multiple advisors earning spots on prestigious lists honoring top women in wealth management.
Networking remains a key driver of the Women’s Forum’s success. Events facilitate connections among like-minded professionals committed to empowerment and action. From virtual workshops to in-person gatherings, participants share experiences, exchange best practices, and form supportive relationships that extend beyond formal programming. This community aspect proves particularly valuable in an industry where women have historically been underrepresented, helping to cultivate mentorship opportunities and collaborative growth.
Creative Planning’s commitment extends to addressing systemic challenges in financial services. By elevating women’s leadership and education, the firm positions itself as a proponent of inclusive wealth-building. The Women’s Forum serves as a practical response to data showing women increasingly hold household financial decision-making power and contribute significantly to overall wealth transfers across generations.
As the program rolls out more widely, it promises to deliver ongoing value through evolving content that responds to participants’ needs. Whether through discussions on thought leadership, career recharging strategies, or targeted financial tools, the initiative equips women with the knowledge and networks to thrive in competitive landscapes.
Key Components of the Women’s Forum, Powered by Creative Planning
Financial Education Tracks : Focused on wealth-building strategies, longevity planning, investment basics, and overcoming gender-specific barriers.
Leadership Development : Workshops on amplifying influence, career progression, and inclusive decision-making.
Networking and Community : Events connecting C-suite executives, mid-level professionals, and emerging leaders.
Personal Growth Resources : Sessions on self-care, work-life integration, and creating balanced “portfolio” lifestyles.
Monthly Programming : Regular virtual and in-person opportunities for engagement and skill-building.
This expanded effort reflects Creative Planning’s dedication to not only serving clients but also cultivating an environment where women can lead with confidence and achieve greater financial independence.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice. Readers should consult qualified advisors for personalized guidance.