As I reflect on what drew me to Vanguard years ago, I think about how truly lucky I am to have found this organization. I came to Vanguard because I knew I wanted to work for a company that took a stand for every person, placed clients at the forefront of every decision, and provided an environment where I felt empowered to bring my authentic self to work.

I grew up in a single-parent household for much of my childhood. It was during those years that life quickly taught me how important it is to have a trusted financial guide regardless of where you fall on the wealth spectrum. As I entered my teenage years, I was fortunate enough to begin learning and understanding some basic financial concepts such as budgeting and savings. I remember reflecting during that time and realizing that if I applied these concepts sooner rather than later I could help change the trajectory of my family for generations to come. That’s when I knew that I wanted to focus my career and passion on helping people in every stage of life achieve financial peace.

I joined Vanguard upon my college graduation. I started on my path towards becoming a financial advisor in Personal Advisor Services (PAS) early on in my career journey, and I remember connecting with several female financial advisor mentors. What I quickly realized is that Vanguard is made up of a community of kind, collaborative, and humble human beings that genuinely want the best for you and others. They were instrumental in building my confidence to share my voice at the table and helped me overcome my test anxiety to successfully pass licensing and certification exams. I can honestly say that if it were not for the mentorship and development programs Vanguard sponsored, I would not have been successful in my goal of becoming a financial advisor and eventually a leader in Personal Advisor Services.

While working in PAS, I have never felt more connected to the Vanguard mission. Each day we work to help clients, to mentor others, and to develop ourselves. I am fortunate enough to see my peers supporting one another through new challenges, and I’m continuously encouraged to think outside of the box and learn skills that push me beyond my comfort level. I see these core principles demonstrated every day when I watch my team of advisors work tirelessly to assist clients. We take a stand for everyone, whether it’s the new family planning for a multitude of goals, the retiree nervous about leaving the workforce, or even the single parent with a story similar to my own upbringing.

Vanguard has been my home where I’ve grown personally and professionally for the past 5 years. I’ve been supported and encouraged as I came out to my family and eventually married my wife, as I worked to obtain the CFP ® designation, and as I continually challenge myself to develop new skills. While this has been a rewarding 5 years, I’m incredibly excited for the possibilities the future holds and what the next 10, 15 and even 20 years will bring.

– Ashley M.