VCI Member Spotlight - Lisa Buffington (Marsh)

PRACTICE SUMMARY -

I’ve been with Marsh McLennan Agency for 5.5 years and am part of the New England based regional team.?

THOUGHTS ON THE INDUSTRY -

Our industry has made great strides assisting individuals to prepare for retirement, and the focus on financial wellness as a way to help individuals meet their short-term and long-term goals and overcome challenges has gone a long way in helping individuals enhance their financial lives and optimize retirement outcomes.?

The biggest opportunity for our industry is to drive initiatives that promote diversity and interest for younger generations, women, and individuals from diverse backgrounds to join our industry.?Another big opportunity is for our industry to drive the societal shift across all generations (and younger generations in particular) on the Savings Mindset over the predominant Spending Mindset of working Americans.?Both of these opportunities can be supported with an emphasis on driving Financial Literacy Education for youth (in high schools, colleges, underserved communities).

COOL THING YOU ARE WORKING ON NOW -

I’m grateful to be partnering with a group of passionate and talented Advisors and partners on the Retirement Advisor Council 's (RAC) Financial Literacy Committee, including Amy Glynn .?We’ve worked hard over the past year to organize the launch of FinLitFuture$ , where our mission is to “Fuel Financial Futures” through financial literacy volunteerism and advocacy efforts. This initiative represents an organized collaboration across key stakeholders in the Retirement Industry to influence enhanced financial wellness and retirement security for future generations by advancing youth financial education.?We aim to support, organize and inspire the collective volunteer and advocacy efforts of those throughout our industry who share a commitment to advancing financial education in schools and community programs throughout the country.

There’s 3 simple steps individuals can take to participate in the FinLit Future$ initiative:

1) Visit the FinLitFutures.com website and access the vetted Financial Literacy Resources available to you.?There are no costs associated with accessing these resources, and the resources cover a broad array of financial literacy topics across grades K through 12 and are available in English and Spanish.?Please let us know if you have experience with other Resources that you think should be added to our curated resource library!

2) Identify opportunities in your local communities to volunteer to teach Financial Literacy education in schools and youth programs.?Our website includes a list of non-profit partners who coordinate volunteer opportunities in communities if you don’t know how to get started with this step.

3) Commit to conducting financial literacy education in your community.?Invite members of your team, network or community to join you in the effort!

We also invite our colleagues across the Retirement Industry to get social about your efforts you or members of your team are doing around Financial Literacy volunteerism or advocacy - share your updates on our FinLit Futures LinkedIn Page.?As financial advisors and key stakeholders across the Retirement Industry—it’s?the power of our passion to drive improved financial outcomes, broad network, and influence in our communities that will allow us to collectively make an impactful difference to advance youth financial literacy education.?

LAST VACATION OR UPCOMING VACATION -

My family and I leverage every opportunity we can to take extended weekends up in Wells Beach, ME at my parent’s home.? I have been vacationing there since I was a child.? In 2024, we are planning a big family cruise to celebrate my mother in law’s 80th birthday.? It will be great to get all of the kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews together to celebrate Meme!

FUN FACT -

I shared with the attendees of the Viking Cove Institute / WE Inspire. Promote. Network. (WIPN) 7th Annual Womens Leadership Summit that I was once crowned the “Kielbasa Queen” – a great honor I celebrate to this day. Anyone who’s curious what that’s all about is welcome to reach out to me or attend this year’s 8th Annual Summit!?

PERSONAL GOALS FOR 2024 -

Personal goals I’ve set for myself for the new year in support of my wellbeing point to “3 P’s” – Play more Piano, Play more Pickleball, and leveraging every opportunity I can to Polar Plunge!