Woodward Financial Advisors: Quarterly Newsletter

Greetings!

As we move through the fourth quarter, this season invites us to slow down and focus on what matters most — reflection, celebration, and giving back. It’s a time to look back with gratitude on the year’s moments and milestones, to celebrate the relationships that make our work meaningful, and to support the communities we’re proud to be part of.

At Woodward, we’re thankful for the trust you place in us, and in this newsletter, we’re excited to share updates and stories that reflect the spirit of this special time of year.

Below you will find a list of our features in this newsletter:

Celebrations continue with certifications, volunteering spotlight, and giving back to the causes that support our communities!

Courtney Cubbin, CFP®, reflects on our experience at the Dimensional Fund Advisors' "Women and Wealth" Summit

In our "Getting To Know WFA" section, your Woodward team reveals their favorite holiday treat! (Warning: Reading may cause a sweet tooth!)

Lastly, our Business Operations Manager, Ashley Abdalla, FPQP®, wraps up our newsletter with ways to stay connected to WFA, including:

4th Quarter blog posts
4th Quarter "Your Money in 20" podcast episodes
WFA Social Media and Updates

Courtney Cubbin recently obtained her CFP® certification!

Congratulations to Courtney Cubbin for earning her CFP® (Certified Financial Planner™) certification! This prestigious designation requires rigorous education, extensive experience, and successful completion of a comprehensive exam covering the full scope of financial planning, including investments, retirement planning, tax strategy, insurance, and estate planning.

Courtney’s accomplishment reflects her dedication to professional excellence and her commitment to delivering thoughtful, high-quality guidance to the clients we serve. We’re proud to celebrate this milestone and grateful to have Courtney’s expertise on our team — well done, Courtney!

Giving back to our community is something we deeply value as an organization. We encourage team members to support causes close to their hearts by providing dedicated time off to serve. This quarter, we’re highlighting Alex Richani, CFP®, and Taylor Cole, CFP®, and sharing their experiences below:

"I chose to give back to my community by volunteering with Communities in Partnership and donating blood through the American Red Cross.

I spent the morning working alongside eight other volunteers to help set up for East Durham Community Food Co-Op, which is held the third Thursday of every month. Communities in Partnership has established relationships with farms that supply donated food items to be disbursed to support, primarily, the East Durham community. We bagged and organized hundreds of pounds worth of food!

Regular blood donations have been part of my routine for the past few years – I usually try to donate a “Power Red” as it allows me to donate less frequently while making just as big of an impact!" -Alex

"When I first spotted a sign to volunteer with Special Olympics Orange County back in 2019, I had no idea I was stepping into one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve coached everything from tennis and basketball to cheerleading but these days, disc golf, bocce ball, and cycling have my heart. One of my favorite parts of coaching is watching athletes’ skills grow. Season after season, their progress is incredible. I have watched an athlete go from simply dropping a bocce ball in front of them to rolling the ball 10 feet forward quickly followed by cheers and high fives!

But the ultimate highlight each year is the Special Olympics Fall Tournament, where athletes get to show off those hard-earned skills and compete for medals. And of course, we celebrate in style with a team dinner and a big victory dance that brings athletes, coaches, and families together.

I treasure volunteering with Special Olympics throughout the year because it reminds me to slow down, step outside of my daily routine, and focus on what truly matters. It helps me lift others up while also learning from them and honestly, it’s just plain fun!" -Taylor

As we approach the holiday season, we want to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for the trust you place in us throughout the year. We deeply value our relationship with you and are truly thankful for the opportunity to continue working together for many years to come.

In lieu of material gifts this year, Woodward Financial Advisors has chosen to give back in a way that reflects the generosity, compassion, and care we see in our clients every day. In your honor, we are pleased to make charitable donations on your behalf to organizations whose work strengthens our community and supports causes close to our hearts. Read more about these causes below:

Compass Center serves as a lifeline for survivors of domestic violence and relationship abuse by providing 24/7 crisis support, emergency shelter, court advocacy, prevention education, career and financial workshops, and more— helping individuals find safety, stability, and hope.

SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals supports families during difficult medical journeys by offering a welcoming, comfortable place to stay close to loved ones receiving care—bringing a sense of ease and reassurance during challenging times.

Through its dedication to literacy, Book Harvest ensures that children and families have access to books and resources that encourage reading and help young people develop the skills they need to thrive.

This November, several of the Woodward women attended Dimensional Fund Advisors’ Women & Wealth Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was a two-day event celebrating a decade of advancing women’s leadership, financial education, and client-focused wealth planning. The conference brought together advisors, industry leaders, and subject-matter experts to explore how we can better support women through the financial decisions and life transitions that shape their long-term well-being.

One of the most impactful conversations centered on navigating major life transitions, led by Jill Schlesinger, CFP®, and CBS Business Analyst. She highlighted the emotional and financial complexities that accompany moments such as career changes, retirement decisions, divorce, and loss of a partner, reminding advisors of the importance of thoughtful guidance during times of uncertainty. This theme continued throughout the conference, with focused breakout discussions on defining the “long view” and building stronger, more supportive communities for women investors.

The second day turned toward practical tools for strengthening financial outcomes. Sessions explored the intersection of life planning and investing, ways to expand the wealth planning toolkit, and deeper insights into the challenges women often face during divorce or the loss of a spouse. Speakers emphasized the importance of proactive planning, clear communication, and empowering women with education that supports confident decision-making. The Summit closed with a forward-looking session on enhancing women’s “health span”, which reinforced the connection between wellbeing, longevity, and long-term financial planning.

Our team walked away feeling energized and inspired by the conversations and best practices shared. It was a fun-filled two days with lots of strong, smart, and caring women sharing their experiences and advice as financial professionals. We look forward to applying these insights in our work with clients, supporting women and their families through every stage of their financial lives with clarity, empathy, and a long-term perspective.