Anne Ward, CFP®, AIF®, MPAS™, CRPC®
Founder and Principal Wealth Manager
Anne Ward, CFP®, AIF®, MPASTM, CRPC® is the Founder and Principal Wealth Manager of Wisdom Wealth Management. She possesses more than two decades of experience in financial services and blends academically-sound research with a passion for personalized service. Her altruistic approach to helping clients achieve their financial goals harkens back to a mission trip she went on in high school to supply shoes to an orphanage in Mexico...
Many of the children were getting a pair of shoes for the first time, expressing joy and excitement over something that Anne took for granted—her first eye-opening experience that she could use money for good. Anne enjoys working with like-minded clients who strive to create a positive impact with their wealth.
Trading Risks for Advice
In early 2000, Anne held her first position in financial services at a discount brokerage firm where she placed trades for clients, without giving advice. It was during the “dotcom” era; many retirees were borrowing on margin and buying high-flying stocks, often risking their entire life savings. Anne wasn’t allowed to caution them that this “bubble” could soon pop —that’s when she decided to go into the “advice” business.
She gained financial planning and investment experience at a large national firm, earning the President’s award in her first year. However, Anne wasn’t comfortable with the conflict that their proprietary insurance and investment products represented, so she went to an independent advisory model in 2005.
A Highly Credentialed Fiduciary
By 2010, Anne had transitioned to “fee-only”, no longer working for a firm with commission-based insurance or financial products. Having earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification, Anne serves as a fiduciary, obligated to put her clients’ best interests first.
Anne is a life-long learner. After graduating with honors with a degree in Finance - Investments and minors in accounting and Spanish, she went on to graduate school and earned a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning. In addition to earning her CFP®, Anne holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) Designation, the Master Planner Advanced StudiesTM (MPASTM) and the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorTM (CRPC®).
Anne advanced in her career, becoming a Director and shareholder in her 30’s and holding executive leadership positions at prior firms. Anne has gained industry credibility. She has been recognized as a Five Star Wealth Manager nine years. She has been quoted in news publications such as Forbes, U.S. News, and MN Business, and has been a speaker on topics such as ESG & Socially responsible investing.
In the Community & Beyond
Anne’s interest in using her money for good has continued since the orphanage experience in her teen years. She has a heart for supporting non-profit organizations that combat homelessness and hunger, provide addiction and mental health services, support the Christian faith, and promote human rights advocacy.
As a firm, Wisdom Wealth Management supports financial literacy and services for recent widows & widowers.
Anne is married, with three children and two dogs. When she’s not serving clients, she spends time on the sidelines cheering on her children - lacrosse & flag football fields in spring and summer, and the hockey rink in the winter. A high energy individual, she enjoys exercising, travel, spending time with her family, and taking on various home improvement projects. Anne values meaningful work, relationships, faith, health, travel, philanthropy, and goal achievement.