FFP Taps Industry Vets to Steer Pro Bono Financial Planning's Future

WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 28, 2026 – The Foundation for Financial Planning (FFP), the nation’s foremost charity championing pro bono financial guidance, has announced a significant leadership refresh for 2026. The move installs seasoned executive Yonhee Choi Gordon, CFP®, as its new Board Chair and appoints five new trustees from across the financial services landscape, signaling a strategic push to expand its mission of serving vulnerable Americans.

Terri Fiedler, CRPC®, CIMA®, President of Retirement Services at Corebridge Financial, will serve as Vice Chair, poised to take the helm in 2027. The appointments come at a critical time, as economic uncertainty and rising costs continue to disproportionately affect the low-income families, military members, seniors, and crisis survivors that FFP serves.

A New Guard with a Renewed Vision

The new leadership team brings a wealth of experience in strategic operations and corporate leadership. Yonhee Choi Gordon, who has served on FFP’s board since 2021, recently retired from a long career at JMG Financial Group, where she was Chief Operating Officer. Her tenure was marked by a focus on operational excellence and expanding the firm’s community service efforts. Her deep involvement with FFP, including as Vice Chair and Chair of the Grants Committee, provides a foundation of continuity as she steps into the top leadership role.

“It’s an honor to serve as Chair of the Foundation for Financial Planning,” said Gordon. “FFP’s mission is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to thoughtful, high-quality financial guidance, especially during moments of crisis. I’m committed to working with our board, partners, and volunteers to extend that impact to even more people in need.”

Gordon’s vision is complemented by Vice Chair Terri Fiedler, who brings extensive strategic expertise from her leadership roles at Corebridge Financial and previously at AIG. Fiedler has been a trustee since 2011 and has co-chaired FFP’s Corporate Advisory Council, giving her a unique perspective on the intersection of corporate partnership and nonprofit impact. Her professional focus on helping Americans achieve retirement security aligns directly with FFP’s goal of building long-term financial resilience for its clients.

Bolstering the Board with Industry Heavyweights

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the announcement is the caliber and diversity of the five new trustees joining the board for a three-year term. Their collective expertise spans wealth management, institutional services, marketing, and operational strategy, fortifying FFP’s ability to navigate a complex industry and scale its programs.

The new trustees include:

• Jon Beatty, Managing Director and Head of Schwab Advisor Services at Charles Schwab. Beatty oversees the business supporting over 16,000 independent advisory firms managing a staggering $5.0 trillion in assets. His inclusion on the board represents a powerful endorsement from a titan of the industry and unlocks a vast network of potential volunteers and partners. Charles Schwab has been a longstanding partner of FFP, and Beatty’s direct involvement is expected to deepen that relationship. “I’ve long admired FFP’s work, and I’m thrilled to collaborate with this dedicated and talented group of trustees and staff to give back to the profession in a way that has a real impact,” Beatty stated.

• Kate Healy, CEO of AdvoKate IQ, LLC. A widely recognized advocate for the next generation of financial planners and women advisors, Healy brings decades of experience in marketing, talent development, and practice management from senior roles at TD Ameritrade Institutional and Merrill Lynch. Her expertise will be invaluable as FFP works to enhance its brand, recruit more volunteers, and refine its outreach to underserved communities.

• Stacey McKinnon, CFP®, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at Morton Wealth. McKinnon has been instrumental in growing her firm to over $3 billion in AUM, focusing on a culture of empathy and accountability. Her operational and marketing acumen will be critical in helping FFP scale its initiatives and ensure the efficient delivery of its pro bono services.

• Yusuf Abugideiri, CFP®, Co-CEO and Chief Investment Officer at Yeske Buie®. Abugideiri is deeply embedded in the financial planning community, with service to the Financial Planning Association® and the CFP Board. His personal experience providing pro bono services through an FFP-funded program gives him a ground-level understanding of the foundation's impact on both clients and volunteers.

• Ryan Fleming, CFP®, a Principal at Armstrong, Fleming & Moore, Inc. With over 30 years in the profession, Fleming brings a practitioner’s perspective and a strong commitment to mentorship, having previously led the Financial Planning Association of the National Capital Area.

Expanding a Critical Mission in a Time of Need

The strategic reinforcement of FFP’s board comes as the need for pro bono financial planning has never been more apparent. While some sectors of the economy have recovered, many families continue to struggle with financial instability, making them acutely vulnerable to unexpected life events like a medical diagnosis, job loss, or natural disaster. FFP exists to bridge this gap, providing objective, ethical financial advice to those who could not otherwise afford it.

Over its 30-year history, the organization has provided nearly $11 million in grants to nonprofit partners, activated more than 30,000 financial planner volunteers, and reached over 765,000 people in need. These programs serve a wide range of populations, from active-duty military members learning to manage their finances to cancer patients navigating overwhelming medical bills and domestic violence survivors seeking financial independence.

The diverse skills of the new board members are well-suited to address the key challenges in this sector, including recruiting a steady stream of volunteers and securing the funding necessary to support a national network of pro bono programs. The leadership of executives like Beatty and Healy is expected to amplify FFP’s message within the corporate world, fostering a stronger culture of pro bono service across the profession.

Building on a Pioneering Legacy

This new chapter for FFP is built on a formidable foundation laid by its founders and past leaders. The announcement also recognized the retirement of co-founder and longest-serving trustee, Alexandra Armstrong, CFP®, in 2025. A pioneer who was one of the first women to earn the CFP® mark, Armstrong was instrumental in establishing FFP and building its endowment to over $20 million, which fuels its grantmaking today. Her legacy continues through the Alexandra Armstrong Innovation Grant, which rewards creative approaches to pro bono service.

FFP CEO Jon Dauphiné praised the incoming and outgoing leaders. “FFP is fortunate to be guided by leaders who bring extraordinary depth of experience, perspective, and commitment to expanding access to financial planning,” he said. Dauphiné noted that Gordon’s thoughtful leadership and Fiedler’s strategic expertise will be invaluable, while the new trustees' collective experience “will strengthen our work and expand our reach.”

He also expressed gratitude for outgoing Chair Tony Svach, who will remain on the board’s Executive Committee as Immediate Past Chair, ensuring a seamless transition. This blend of new energy and veteran wisdom positions the Foundation for Financial Planning to not only continue its vital work but to significantly broaden its impact, ensuring that more Americans in crisis have a trusted professional to turn to for guidance.