Meet Shannon Fleener, CFP®

We were lucky to catch up with Shannon Fleener, CFP® recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shannon, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

At the heart of it, I’ve always been driven by a desire to help people. When it came time to choose a college major, I was naturally drawn to psychology and social work, eventually earning my B.S.W. with the hope of making a meaningful difference. Many years later, I discovered the CFP® designation—and I was instantly hooked. It genuinely felt “right” from the very beginning.

When I made the leap into financial planning full-time, I chose a less traditional path. Rather than joining a large bank or investment firm, I started working for a mission-driven financial wellness startup. That experience reinforced my belief that financial planning could be more human-centered and inclusive. Eventually, I launched my own firm to expand access to competent and compassionate financial advice, while creating a safe space for individuals and families to navigate their financial lives with confidence.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m part of a growing movement within the financial planning profession: financial planning for social good. I believe that everyone deserves not only financial wellness and stability, but also the tools and guidance to dream bigger, plan with intention, and find creative solutions to contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

My work is about so much more than numbers; it’s about creating clarity and empowering people to align their money with their values. With the right plan, personal financial security and bringing about social impact don’t have to be mutually exclusive- they can go hand-in-hand.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful ingredients in my journey have been curiosity, courage, and a willingness to explore outside the box. I didn’t grow up knowing this career path existed- in fact, I hadn’t even heard of the CFP® designation until about seven years ago. But once I did, it opened up an entirely new world.

To anyone just starting out: stay curious. Challenge assumptions. Trust your gut. We all live in some version of a bubble, but there’s a wide world of opportunities out there waiting for you to connect your passions and skills with the needs of others- to loosely paraphrase the Japanese concept of Ikigai.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal clients usually fall into one or both of two categories.

First, I specialize in working with First Generation Wealth Builders, who want to change their financial family trees for the better. Second, I also specialize in working with progressive professionals and investors who want to not only achieve financial security and freedom for themselves, but want to uplift their communities in meaningful ways and leave the world better than they found it.

At the end of the day, I work best with folks who are values-oriented, curious, and committed to building a financial life that reflects both who they are and the change they want to see.

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