People rarely meet a financial planner at the moment they most need one. In his latest message, K. Dane Snowden makes the case that the profession’s next chapter depends on reaching people earlier in their financial lives and explores how AI can help CFP® professionals extend the reach of human advice.
Richard Shaw, MBA, CFP® Elected 2027 Board Chair-Elect
The Board of Directors of CFP Board has elected Richard Shaw, MBA, CFP® as its 2027 Board Chair-Elect. A longtime financial planning professional and former Principal and Senior Client Advisor at Bessemer Trust, Shaw brings more than 25 years of experience advising individuals and families.
Current Chair-Elect Martin Seay, Ph.D., CFP®, will serve as Board Chair in 2027, with Shaw assuming the role in 2028. Read the full news release.
New Managing Director, Professional Practice Named
CFP Board has named Elizabeth (Liz) S. Lacey as Managing Director, Professional Practice. In this enterprise leadership role, she will help advance CFP Board’s professional standards and strengthen the experience of CFP® professionals throughout their careers.
Lacey joined CFP Board in March 2026 as Director of Continuing Education and Experience after nearly two decades with SHRM (the Society for Human Resource Management). Her experience spans education, credentialing, learning, partnerships and consumer products. Read more about Lacey.
Agenda Now Available: Start Planning Your Conference Experience
Explore the timely topics, emerging trends and practical strategies coming to CFP Board Connections Conference 2026. The agenda will continue to grow as additional sessions and speakers are announced.
Earn up to 15 CE credits when you join us in Las Vegas October 5-7. Connections brings together CFP® professionals, firm leaders, innovators, researchers, students and educators for three days of insight, innovation and collaboration.
The new issue of The Standard explores how CFP Board is advancing the profession, from helping CFP® professionals prepare for a future shaped by artificial intelligence to highlighting the people, ideas and initiatives making an impact. Read the latest issue of The Standard online.
CFP Board Seeks Public Comments for Proposed Revised Rules
On July 21, CFP Board released for public comment proposed changes to its Fitness Standards, Procedural Rules and Sanction Guidelines addressing criminal expungement.
Under the proposal, an expunged criminal conviction would be recognized as a potential mitigating factor. CFP Board’s Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (the peer-review body that makes ethics determinations) would determine whether mitigation is warranted based on the facts and circumstances of each case.
2026 Financial Planning Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
CFP Board will induct three distinguished leaders into the Financial Planning Hall of Fame in 2026: LeCount R. Davis, CFP®; P. Kemp Fain, Jr. (posthumously); and S. Timothy Kochis, JD, MBA, CFP®.
CEO Dane Snowden Talks AI and Financial Planning on The Exceptional Advisor Podcast
CFP Board CEO K. Dane Snowden joined Investments & Wealth Institute CEO Sean Walters on The Exceptional Advisor podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of financial planning. They discussed how AI can help financial professionals work more proactively and deepen client relations, the growing influence of social media “finfluencers,” and the human judgment and skills that remain essential to trusted advice. Listen or watch here.
Erin Koeppel, JD, CFP Board Managing Director, Government Relations & Public Policy Counsel; Kevin Roth, Ph.D., CFP Board Managing Director, Research; Jennifer Baick, CFP®, Vice President, Financial Planning Group at Mercer Advisors; and K. Dane Snowden, CFP Board CEO were on Capitol Hill for CFP Board's briefing on the impact of financial fraud on July 16.
Washington Update
With the House in recess and the Senate’s August recess approaching, lawmakers are turning their attention toward their home states and districts ahead of the midterm elections. Recent weeks have brought great progress on several measures CFP Board supports to help fraud victims. Read about these developments and other activity in Washington in the July 2026 Public Policy Update.
CFP® Exam Update: Registration Open for November Exam
Know someone preparing to take the next step toward CFP® certification? Registration is now open for the November CFP® exam. The testing window runs October 29 to November 5. Learn more and register at CFP.net/exam.
From LetsMakeAPlan.org: ‘The Instagram Effect: How Social Media Can Shape Your Spending Habits’
That impulse purchase, dream vacation or “can’t miss” investment opportunity may not be as spontaneous as it seems. CFP Board Ambassador Don Grant, CFP® explores how social media platforms and influencers can quietly shape spending, saving and investing decisions.
More than 10,000 CFP® professionals have already reported providing pro bono planning this year. Our goal is to double that number by the end of December and we need your help!
Pro bono service doesn’t have to be part of a formal program or organized event. Whether you’ve provided one-on-one financial guidance to someone in need, helped individuals or families navigate a financial challenge, led a financial education workshop, or volunteered through a community organization, your service counts.
Please take a few minutes to report your pro bono service today and help us reach 20,000 CFP® professionals reporting pro bono planning by year-end!
Support the Center's Work
Midyear is a good time to assess your charitable giving for 2026. A contribution to CFP Board Center for Financial Planning helps expand access to CFP® certification, strengthen the talent pipeline and bring competent, ethical financial planning to more Americans. Donate through your CFP Board account or at CFP.net/donate.
At CFP Board, we believe each employee contributes directly to our organization's growth and success. We're currently looking to fill several positions in our Washington, DC, office. View the list of currently open positions, and please share these opportunities with your colleagues who may be interested.
