Erica J. YountCFA®, CFP®

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 towards peace of mind.

What fuels me every day is being an instrumental part in helping clients live their best lives.

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, growing 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 been able to continue working with senior clients to help them plan for all different retirement scenarios. 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 career 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 children since 2003. In 2019, I earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. I feel fortunate to have been supported through this journey by Modera and the firm’s commitment to professional development.