The following article is a contributed article from Jessica Gibbs CFP®, Vice President and Partner at Monument Wealth Management - a Wednesday Women partner.
For so many women leaders and entrepreneurs, wealth isn’t just about numbers; it’s about aligning finances with purpose, values, and a long-term vision. The journey of Marla Sofer, founder and CEO of Knomee (and also a featured Wednesday Woman), takes us from Wall Street to fintech founder and is a testament to the power of intention in decision-making around our careers and finances.
In the latest episode of Monument Wealth’s OFF THE WALL podcast, Marla shares how money can be more than just a tool—it can be a reflection of who you are and how you show up in the world.
Why Even Financially-Savvy Executives Need Financial Advisors
Marla and her husband, both highly experienced in finance, still rely on a financial advisor. Why? Because money is emotional. Even the most financially savvy people can fall into decision-making traps due to psychological biases.
Marla gives three key reasons she and her husband turned to expert guidance:
Objectivity – Emotions can cloud judgment. An advisor can provide a clear, unbiased perspective to keep financial decisions aligned with long-term goals.
Bridging the Gaps – Partners and spouses often approach money differently. An advisor helps navigate these differences to ensure financial plans reflect shared values.
Complexity – Tax strategies, asset allocation, and long-term planning require expertise. As a business owner, Marla values professional insight to improve her holistic wealth strategy.
How to Give Your Money a “Voice”
True financial planning starts with a simple but powerful question: What does wealth mean to you? Too often, people default to words like “security” or “freedom” without diving deeper. Marla challenges women executives to define wealth in personal, tangible terms.
Is it the ability to retire early and mentor the next generation?
Is it funding a passion project?
Or is it about having the flexibility to step away from work and spend more time with family?
Knowing your definition of financial success is the first step toward making money work for you, not the other way around.
From Financial Literacy to Financial Alignment
Women in leadership often approach financial planning from a problem-solving mindset—seeking advisors when a major life or business transition is underway. Financial success isn’t just fixing problems after they come up, it’s having a plan before they occur. Marla and I discussed ways that women can be more proactive when it comes to financial success, such as Defining What Wealth Means to You.
Many women executives and entrepreneurs default to broad financial goals like “security” or “freedom,” but you should challenge yourself to dig deeper. What does security look like in your daily life? What kind of freedom do you want to create? Aligning money with purpose requires specificity.
Take an inventory of your behaviors and history around money. Review life events: past, present and future. Assess your relationship with risk. Review who is on your team: who you share money with and who gives you advice. Ask yourself, “What’s the money for?” Once you really understand your goals, you’ll be more empowered to take the next step.
Unlearning Limiting Beliefs About Money
Many high-achieving women come from backgrounds where financial success wasn’t always guaranteed. Whether it’s overcoming scarcity mindsets or redefining what “enough” looks like, financial growth often requires unlearning old beliefs. In our conversation, we talked about the importance of working with an advisor who understands the emotional and psychological aspects of wealth. Marla shared an example with me, saying, "I recently interviewed somebody who was raised poor, like by any definition—hungry, struggling to support her family. She came to America, built a career, and is now worth $45 million. But so many of her money beliefs are stuck in that mindset of, ‘I need to make sure I’m protected because I know what it felt like to have nothing.’
Part of an advisor’s role is to help clients feel comfortable—help them see, ‘You’re never going back there. Now, your purpose is to think about how this money serves you and your values.” It’s so important to shift our mindsets from a place of fear to one of empowerment and opportunity.
The Takeaway: Build a Financial Life That Reflects Your Values
There’s a common misconception that financial planning is just about spreadsheets and returns. While that’s important, it’s also about designing a life where money supports your highest priorities. This episode is a must-listen for women who want to live, lead, and invest with intention. If you’re ready to rethink your relationship with wealth, tune in for actionable insights on making your money more meaningful!
***Be sure to stick around to the end of the episode when Marla (who has over 13k followers) shares her top tips for growth and engagement on LinkedIn.
Interested in purposeful financial planning? Connect with Marla on LinkedIn. She specializes in helping high-achieving women pursue their values in alignment with their wealth.
Interested in a wealth advisor to help manage your financial well-being? At Monument Wealth, we work with high-achieving founders and executives who are consciously building wealth with purpose. Connect with me on LinkedIn or email at jessica.gibbs@monumentwm.com.
Note: Monument Wealth Management is a Registered Investment Advisor. PLEASE SEE IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION at www.monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures
About the author: Jessica Gibbs is a Private Wealth Advisor, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, philanthropic advisor, host of the OFF THE WALL podcast, speaker, and dedicated mom of two boys. She has received several industry recognitions by Forbes including being ranked as a Top Next-Gen Best-in-State Financial Advisor (2017, 2019, 2023) and as a Top Female Financial Advisor in Virginia (2023, 2025). She’s been interviewed by numerous publications including Forbes, Barron’s Advisor Podcast and Investment News.