Chris Remedios, CFP®, Greg Friedman, M.S., CFP®, Virginia Asher, M.S., CFP®, and the FPA of New Jersey Pro Bono Committee to receive the 2023 Heart of Financial Planning Award
DENVER (July 11, 2023) — The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®), the leading membership organization and trade association for Certified Financial Planner™ professionals, is proud to announce Chris Remedios, CFP®, Greg Friedman, M.S., CFP®, Virginia Asher, M.S., CFP®, and the FPA of New Jersey Pro Bono Committee as recipients of the Association’s 2023 Heart of Financial Planning Award.
The 2023 Heart of Financial Planning Award recognizes financial planning professionals, firms, and organizations demonstrating remarkable commitment and passion for contributing or giving back to the financial planning community and/or public. Awardees exemplify the spirit of financial planning and represent FPA’s goal to elevate the profession that transforms lives.
“Over the past 18 years, we have been honored to recognize those from our community who have an important, profound impact on the public, their peers, and the profession with this important Award. The Heart of Financial Planning is a celebration of those each year whose impact has been felt—and will continue to be felt—in the years ahead,” says 2023 FPA President James Lee, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®. “Chris, Greg, Virginia, and the FPA of New Jersey Pro Bono Committee have touched many lives, and we look forward to celebrating their impact at FPA Annual Conference in Phoenix this September.”
Chris Remedios, CFP® (FPA of San Francisco): Founder of Remedios Financial Planning in San Francisco, Calif., Remedios served as pro bono director for FPA of San Francisco where she had a profound impact on the community and her peers. She volunteers as a financial counselor for Financial Planning Days, the Assessor’s Family Wealth Forum, Jewish Community Center programs, among others. Remedios also liaises with the San Francisco Treasurer’s Office of Financial Empowerment and the San Francisco Public Library to bring financial counseling resources and financial literacy to all San Franciscans.
Greg Friedman, M.S., CFP®: The Chief Strategy Officer and West Region Leader of Wealthspire Advisors in San Rafael, Calif., Friedman has spent more than 30 years dedicated to serving his clients and the profession as an innovator in tech, practice management, and culture. He was at the forefront of the industry's shift to transparent, non-hierarchical leadership, and his candid approach to communication established him as a highly influential thought leader. Friedman has authored three books for financial professionals on culture, leadership, and M&A integration, and he speaks at conferences and events on his journey and lessons learned. Friedman uses his voice and platform to encourage advisers to grow, reach beyond their comfort zone, and focus on what matters most— taking care of people.
Virginia Asher, M.S., CFP® (FPA of Greater Phoenix): Founder of Whealthy Living, LLC, in Phoenix, Ariz., Asher has been a long-time educator supporting the FPA of Greater Phoenix's financial literacy efforts. She has played a significant role in developing educational materials and presentations and providing presentations at several nonprofits, including women affiliated with the YWCA. Asher is recognized as a bridge builder by those in the Chapter and as an impactful teammate by all on the Chapter’s financial literacy team because of her eye on how those efforts impact the perception of FPA and the profession.
FPA of New Jersey Pro Bono Committee: As the second FPA chapter to win this Award, FPA of New Jersey’s Pro Bono Committee focused on maximum impact by leveraging partnerships and working with community organizations. The Committee provided volunteer tax preparation through the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, partnered with local United Way chapters, delivered financial wellness presentations at the Montclair Public Library, among other initiatives. In their nomination for the Award, the Committee wrote, “We hope to weave responsiveness and support into our Committee’s DNA. That way, we can do more than cultivate volunteers—we can build leaders who can carry the mission forward for years to come.”
Remedios, Friedman, Asher, and the FPA of New Jersey Pro Bono Committee will be recognized at a special Honors Reception at FPA Annual Conference 2023 in Phoenix, Sept. 27-29.
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About the Financial Planning Association
The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) is the leading membership organization and trade association for Certified Financial Planner™ professionals and those engaged in the financial planning process. FPA is the CFP® professional’s partner in planning by helping them realize their vision of professional fulfillment through practice support, learning, advocacy, and networking. Learn more about FPA at financialplanningassociation.org and on Twitter at twitter.com/fpassociation.