Archive for the Recognition Category

We’re proud to share that Elaine Lee has earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification!

The CFP® certification is the industry standard for professional financial advisors. To earn the designation, professionals must complete university-level financial coursework and pass a six-hour exam covering 72 topics – ranging from risk management to investments, tax laws to retirement planning. Though Elaine is an experienced advisor, we encouraged her to pursue the designation; she shares that she enjoyed the added curriculum and she feels the program has enhanced her expertise.

Elaine joined Summit Place in 2016 after spending several years with a nearby firm. Elaine was drawn to our unique approach to wealth management, offering our clients comprehensive financial expertise along with concierge service. This approach resonated with her as she looked back on her earlier executive career in which she saw so many executives missing the value of a qualified advisor.

Elaine shares, “As my parents came to the ‘land of opportunity,’ it was ingrained in me that obtaining a good education was paramount and delaying gratification was a virtue. With this mindset, I spent my first paycheck wisely but also saved for my future. Years later, as the president and chief operating officer working with global brands, I was executing strategic growth plans and managing multi-million dollar budgets. Looking back, I wish I had a trusted professional helping guide my personal financial decisions when I was an executive. I was strapped for time and didn’t have the expertise to understand or manage the full picture around my finances. There’s a huge opportunity cost associated with not taking advantage of all the financial planning disciplines as you are accumulating your wealth. Investments, risk management, taxation, retirement and estate planning all work together to make sure you are preparing for your long-term goals; I’ve realized this is essential for successful executives.”

As a former executive, Elaine understands the challenges of balancing a demanding career and family. She has always wanted to guide people to take intelligent next steps with matters they don’t have time or expertise to address but are critical in doing so. Today, Elaine helps them consider and execute strategies to achieve their long-term goals so they can focus on their daily demands. Now, as a CFP®, Elaine feels she adds even more value to clients by helping them make sound decisions on an even broader array of financial issues.

Elaine emigrated to the United States from Hong Kong when she was just three years old, eventually settling in New York City. She earned her B.S. in business administration and marketing from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Currently, Elaine resides in Morris County, with husband and two daughters.

Congratulations Elaine for adding this designation to your career accomplishments! If you’d like to reach Elaine, you can send her an email here: elaine.lee@summitplacefinancial.com.

Liz was first introduced to The National Speakers Association by the other groups she’s a part of after sharing her yearly trips to speak at The Chautauqua Institute. For the past few years, the New York City chapter has welcomed Liz as a guest and encouraged her to prepare for the national membership process. As her speaking opportunities have grown with recommendations and referrals from Chautauqua and a number of community organizations, 2016 finally felt like the right time to Liz.

The National Speakers Association is a community made up of over 3,500 professional speakers.  By sharing their skills, expertise and experiences with one another in local chapters, they educate up-and-coming professional speakers and promote each other. The New York City chapter is one of the most active and the home to many well known professional national speakers.   NSA was founded in 1973 and has grown to become one of the most recognized public speaking organizations in the country. Members come from all different industry backgrounds so meetings are never boring!

Liz has been asked to speak for various groups for the past 15 years (before she even opened Summit Place Financial!).  In 2003, she joined the Special Studies staff of Chautauqua for the first time and her loyal participants have often asked her to come to their communities to speak on similar topics.  Additionally, Liz is often asked to join professional panel presentations and round table discussions, as well as formal group presentations. Today Summit Place can offer a number of proven topics to groups including not only Market Strategy presentations, but also “Cybersecurity to Protect Your Finances”, “Family Legacy Planning” and “How to Talk to Your Adult Children About Money” to name a few.  Liz is proud to have met the professional experience requirements to be accepted as a member of The National Speakers Association.   If we can ever provide a program to your organization, please let us help you.

This past month, SmartCEO recognized Liz as a finalist for its Money Manager of the year Award.  Recognizing bankers, wealth managers and advisors, SmartCEO’s Money Manager Awards program honors those that have dedicated their time and efforts to their clients’ financial well-being. Liz was honored as a finalist for the New York region because of the unbiased and unique financial expertise the firm provides individuals and families. The award recognizes the best in each region of those who have selflessly helped their clients navigate and manage the complex financial landscape of their lives and businesses. Finalists are chosen each October by a panel of independent local business leaders and are chosen by the 8 different regions they operate in. Although we are national company, Summit Place Financial Advisors was nominated in its home base New York City region.

SmartCEO recognizes that bankers and wealth managers have experienced an uphill battle in recent years thanks to 2008’s economic collapse which is why it is important to honor their uncompromising commitment. Individuals rely on the financial expertise of those credited to help them achieve their financial goals. SmartCEO recognizes that the best of these financial advisors are dedicated to their clients’ needs and take care of the numbers so that they can take care of their other priorities. This is why we are so honored to be a SmartCEO Money Manager Award Finalist.

(Award process note: Companies and individuals represented on the list were evaluated by an independent committee and selected based on their commitment to their business and individual clients. Area bankers and wealth managers were invited to apply online in 2015.)- http://smartceo.com/new-york-money-manager/

Although Summit Place Financial is a national company with clients and relationships all over the United States, we are honored to have been recognized recently for excellence in our own local community. The Summit Award Program “identifies companies that have achieved exceptional success in their local community and business category. The companies exemplify the best of small business; often leading through customer service and community involvement.”

Each year in and around the Summit area, the Summit Award Program identifies companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value. At Summit Place Financial, we have gained national attention for our unique goal-oriented approach to helping clients, and we are thrilled to be recognized on a local level as well as we to continue to play a role in making Summit, NJ a thriving desirable town.