EP Wealth Launches New Scholarship Promoting Diversity in Financial Services

The EP Wealth/Ballou scholarship program will provide financial support and mentorship opportunities for underrepresented groups pursuing the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification

EP Wealth Advisors, LLC (“EP Wealth”), a leading independent registered investment adviser (“RIA”) on a mission to provide clients with personalized service through integrated financial planning, investment management and tax and estate planning, has opened applications for the first annual 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 Vice President 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).

"This scholarship is a continuation of Lynn's lifelong commitment to mentorship and diversity within our industry,” said Patrick Goshtigian, CEO of EP Wealth. “We hope this scholarship will empower underrepresented groups pursuing the CFP® certification and provide them with opportunities for growth and advancement."

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 U.S. 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.

"We believe that diversity of thought and background is vital to creating a more inclusive financial planning profession, while also yielding a better experience for all investors," said Ballou. "We take this responsibility seriously, and this scholarship will help break down barriers for underrepresented groups pursuing careers in this field."

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, please visit www.epwealth.com.

About EP Wealth Advisors

EP Wealth Advisors, LLC (“EP Wealth”) is a fee-only registered investment adviser and financial planning firm with more than 30 offices in 11 states, including California, Washington, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. The firm manages more than $16.1 billion in assets as of Dec. 31, 2022.

EP Wealth provides client-centric financial, tax and estate planning and investment management services to individuals and businesses. Headquartered in Torrance, California, EP Wealth is led by co-founders and Managing Directors Derek Holman, CFP®, AIF®, and Brian Parker, CFP®, along with CEO Patrick Goshtigian, CFA, and President Ryan Parker. For more information, please visit www.epwealth.com.

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