Incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles into your financial practice can strengthen your firm while enhancing client service. This engaging panel discussion will explore how adopting DEI strategies contributes to business growth, fosters better client relationships, and creates a more inclusive workplace. You’ll learn how integrating DEI into your marketing efforts can lead to economic benefits, improve communication with your team and clients, and identify valuable NAPFA and industry resources to expand your service offerings and deepen your DEI knowledge.

This panel will be led by 2023 NAPFA DEI Award winner Mike Walther, founder of Oak Wealth Advisors, who has demonstrated excellence in serving diverse client populations. Joining him are Michelle Wilson, chair of the NAPFA Pride group and founder of Athens Impact, and Maha Gannavaram, chair of the NAPFA DEI Committee and office manager at Unique Financial Advisors. With decades of combined experience advocating for and working with underrepresented communities, these leaders bring a wealth of insight into the practical application of DEI principles, making this session a must-attend for advisors looking to create a more inclusive and successful practice.

1. Understand the economic benefits of adding DEI principles to your firm’s marketing efforts.
2. Improved communication with your team and your clients.
3. Identify NAPFA and other industry resources for enhancing your client service and growing your knowledge of DEI principles

Michael Walther MBA, CPA/PFS, CFP^®, CFA^®

Mike Walther founded Oak Wealth Advisors in 2008. His passion for helping people led him to open the firm so that families with loved ones with special needs could access fiduciary financial advice and build plans for their futures with advisors required to put their clients’ interests ahead of their own.

Mike has taught classes, lectured and built educational content related to special needs planning for multiple universities. He has contributed to several books and broadcasts with the intent of sharing his knowledge and experience in the special needs community.

Mike’s brother, who is on the Autism spectrum, motivates him every day. 

Michelle Wilson, AIF^®, CSRIC^®

Michelle Wilson, AIF^®, CSRIC^®, owns Athens Impact Socially Responsible Investments, a small firm in rural Ohio. Her personal activism work in LGBT+ and DEI initiatives led her to become an SRI advisor. Michelle is polyamorous and part of the LGBT+ and kink communities. Today she's focused on planning considerations for helping all kinds of families. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her partners, her dog, and being near her children and their families. On founding a business dedicated to sustainable practices, Michelle is grateful to be doing something that matters and makes a difference in the world.

Maha Gannavaram

Maha Gannavaram is chair of the NAPFA DEI Committee and office manager at Unique Financial Advisors.