Erica J. YountCFA, CFP®
Wealth Manager, Principal
Erica partners with business owners to help them grow and preserve their established wealth. Using comprehensive strategies, including tax and estate planning, she helps her clients avoid costly financial mistakes. Erica works seamlessly with her client’s other professional resources such as tax planners and estate attorneys to ensure their entire financial picture is in the clearest possible focus. She strives to help bring her clients peace of mind so that they can enjoy and share their success with the people who matter most to them.
What sparked your interest in financial planning? What fuels you every day in your work?
I have been drawn to personal finance from an early age. My father, a first-generation high school and college graduate, instilled in me the importance of planning wisely for the future while still enjoying and appreciating today. These valuable life lessons sparked my desire to ensure others have access to exceptional financial planning and sound investment management.
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, I see first-hand how robust financial planning and sound investment management can help to relieve worry in our clients and help them toward peace of mind.
What’s a particularly rewarding example of how you helped to create impact for a client?
After several years of working in financial services, I took a hiatus to spend time with my young family. My return to financial planning began when my in-laws both suffered significant health issues and needed extensive, hands-on help with their finances and next steps. It was extremely important to me that they were well cared for and protected.
I strive to approach all my client relationships with that same level of care and guidance, as if they were members of my own family. At Modera, I have continued working with clients to help them plan for life goals, professional goals, and retirement. It is rewarding to know that our clients have solid, holistic plans and investment management in place to help them both weather life’s challenges and enjoy its triumphs.
What do you enjoy most about working at Modera?
Modera is a larger company with a smaller company feel. So, while I have deep resources to rely on for expert advice on complex topics, I appreciate that at our core, the small company values of truly caring about our clients personally and professionally is our highest priority. I am proud to work for a firm committed to putting our clients’ best interests first always.
Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Wallingford, PA and then attended Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. I started my career as a financial analyst in Asheville, NC. When my husband’s Naval service took us to Jacksonville, FL, I worked as a trust investment officer. It was also at this time that I earned my Chartered Financial Analyst designation and honed my passion for investment management and financial planning.
I have lived in Charlotte, NC, with my husband and two (now young adult) children since 2003. During this time, I earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. I feel fortunate that Modera values and is committed to professional development.
Outside of work, I enjoy playing pickleball, running, and walking my dog. I am a sports enthusiast and love rooting for Wake Forest, UNC Chapel Hill, and Auburn athletics! Visiting our amazing National Parks is another passion of mine. To date, I have visited 27 of the 63 parks and am always planning my next adventure.