FPA gave a sneak peek of the November video at FPA Annual Conference 2025 in Las Vegas. Take a stroll down memory lane in this condensed version of the "Official FPA 25th Anniversary Video". There's sure to be some familiar faces in it as they take us from the merger in 2000 to today. Give it a watch and be on the lookout for the full version coming soon. Celebrate FPA's 25th Anniversary:

The FPA of Puget Sound is pleased to announce our 2026 board of directors. The 2026 board is comprised of 12 industry leaders from 10 Seattle Area firms.

Newly appointed directors include Natalie Pond, CAP® with the Seattle Foundation; Blake Barr, CFP® with Wealthspire Advisors; and Louise Alexander, CFP®. “FPA Puget Sound is pleased to welcome the new members to the Board of Directors,” said FPA Executive Director, Melisa Hall. “Their industry experience and proven business leadership will serve the association well.”

We extend our sincere appreciation to these individuals for their dedication to the leadership of the FPA Puget Sound chapter.

We're excited to announce that the 2026 FPA Puget Sound Symposium is set for Thursday, April 16, 2026! We’ll be returning to the stunning Seattle Summit Convention Center for this highly anticipated event—the largest gathering of financial planning professionals in the region. Join us for a day designed to inspire, educate, and bring our community together.

🎤 Keynote Speakers You Won’t Want to Miss

• Ed Slott, CPA – America’s IRA Expert and one of the most trusted voices in tax and retirement planning. He’ll deliver timely strategies and guidance to help you better serve your clients and prepare for the evolving financial landscape.
• Carl Richards – Author and creator of The Sketch Guy. Known for his ability to simplify complex financial concepts, Carl will challenge and inspire you with fresh perspectives on communication, client engagement, and the human side of financial planning.

What to Expect

Beyond our keynote sessions, the Symposium will feature a full day of engaging breakout sessions led by top industry professionals, covering timely topics across financial planning, investment strategies, tax, practice management, and more. You’ll walk away with actionable ideas you can immediately apply to your practice.

Networking Opportunities

Connect with peers, thought leaders, and solution providers throughout the day. From dedicated networking breaks to conversations in the exhibit hall, you’ll have ample opportunities to share ideas, build relationships, and expand your professional community.

📅 Save the Date & Register Now

Mark your calendar now for a day of learning, growth, and connection. Early-Bird registration discounts and group discounts now available!

True leadership in financial planning isn’t about titles—it’s about behaviors. In the fifth article of the FPA® Competency Model™ series, Nicholas Nicolette, CFP®, and Kimberly Bridges, Ph.D., CFP®, share how leaders can build diverse teams, mentor the next generation, and create authentic, values-based firms that strengthen both their organizations and the profession. They explore how the Competency Model helps planners cultivate empathy, elevate their personal brand, and prepare the profession for the future. Read the article to see how today’s actions shape tomorrow’s legacy.

Elevate your firm’s growth with Snappy Kraken, the award-winning marketing automation platform built specifically for financial advisers. As an FPA member, you can take advantage of an exclusive 15% discount on solutions designed to help you attract leads and deepen client relationships with ease. Select from solutions that will help you attract, nurture, and retain clients through powerful, compliant marketing automation. You can reach more prospects, stay top-of-mind, and deepen client relationships—all while spending less time managing marketing tasks. Get this special offer today!

Struggling to explain market uncertainty in a way that clients understand and trust? At FPA SHIFT™ 2026 (formerly FPA Retreat) April 20-22 at the stunning La Jolla Torrey Pines, legendary investor and Dimensional Fund Advisors Founder David Booth will show you how to transform your investment conversations so they resonate on a human level. In this keynote conversation, Life, Invested™, you’ll learn how to use real-life experiences to help clients feel calmer, more confident, and more aligned with their goals. You’ll walk away with practical language you can use immediately to deepen relationships and build trust.


Learn more and register today with an early bird rate!

Explore AI with the FPAi Authority:

Your Hub for Cutting-Edige AI Guidance

Whether you’re already experimenting with AI or have no idea where to start, FPA’s new FPAi Authority gives you practical tools and expert guidance to help you work smarter, save time, and serve clients better. Built with Matt Reiner, CFP®, CFA, of Capital Investment Advisors and The FutureProof Advisor, FPAi Authority provides you with a curated hub of videos, demos, blog posts, and trend updates, so you don’t have to sort through the noise. You can already explore AI demos and peruse exclusive content, but stay tuned. New content will be added regularly to keep you on the cutting edge of this revolutionary technology. Get started!

Welcome Our Newest FPA Puget Sound Members

We are proud to announce and warmly welcome our newest members to the FPA Puget Sound community! Your decision to join us marks the beginning of an exciting journey together, filled with opportunities for networking, professional development, and collaboration. As part of our organization, you will have access to a wealth of resources, events, and a supportive community of financial planning professionals. We encourage you to get involved, participate in our upcoming events, and connect with fellow members. Together, we can continue to advance the financial planning profession and make a positive impact in our community. Welcome!

Jared Barclay

Melissa Johnson, CFP®, CEA, EA

Thomas Liddell, CFP®
Skyline Advisors

Cate McGee I Federated Hermes

Crystal McMahon, CFP®
Arrowroot Family Office

Natalie Pond, CAP®

Seattle Foundation

Michael Remedios, CFP®

Wonderland Financial Planning

Suzan Shayler, CFP®
Edward Jones

Sabdat Umar 
Amazon

Ellen Webber, CFP®

Celebrating Member Milestones

At FPA of Puget Sound we are proud to celebrate the dedication and commitment of our members as they reach significant membership milestones. Your continued involvement strengthens our community, inspires others, and contributes to the ongoing success of our profession. Thank you for your invaluable contributions, and here's to many more years of growth and success together!

Dive into the world of financial planning with "The Blueprint: An FPA NexGen® Podcast," where hosts Deshawn Peterson, CFP®, and Mike Zarrelli, CFP®, navigate you through the lives of the next generation of financial planners. Join them as they uncover the personal journeys, triumphs, and challenges of emerging professionals in financial planning. Whether you're just starting, a career changer, or a seasoned planner, find inspiration and valuable ideas in this podcast. Listen and subscribe today!