2026 FPA NorCal Conference
Speakers & Sessions

At Cookman Law, we’re passionate about helping families with loved ones who will need extra support after the parents are gone. We help parents design an estate plan and build a professional team that provides scaffolding for their loved ones to thrive, ensuring financial security and protection. We then continue supporting families through our Client Care Plan, keeping their estate plan up to date as their needs evolve. When the time comes, we assist with trust administration, ensuring assets are transferred smoothly and securely to the next generation.

Ellen Cookman is the principal attorney of Cookman Law and a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law from the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. She received her J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law and her LL.M. in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate from Golden Gate University. Ellen lives in East Palo Alto with her husband and their two boys (her older son has high-functioning autism), a Siberian husky mix named Rosie, and a kitty named Skittles.

Chuck is a leading advocate for fiduciary care and advisor independence in the RIA space.

In addition to founding Sovereign Financial Group, Inc., one of the country’s fastest-growing RIA platforms, he is the host of goRIA: Fueled by InvestmentNews. Through goRIA.com, a media outlet dedicated exclusively to helping advisors transition to and succeed as RIAs, Chuck actively supports advisors exploring independence.

Chuck has been a financial advisor for more than 25 years. He began his career in the early 1990s in New York City as a “cold-calling cowboy” selling individual stocks, but from the start knew his long-term goal was independence.

That vision became reality in 1999 when Chuck opened an independent branch of Raymond James Financial. Around that time, he earned his CFP® designation and shifted his practice from individual stock selection to comprehensive financial planning.

Over time, Chuck’s firm evolved into what is now Sovereign Financial Group, Inc., an SEC-registered RIA with advisors across the country.

A founder and industry advocate, Chuck serves on the Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Association of Connecticut and is frequently quoted in the media on RIA trends, regulation, and the advisor breakaway movement.

David Grau Jr. is the CEO of Succession Resource Group, the nation’s leading consulting firm on advisor valuation, acquisition and succession planning. Over the last decade, David has been nominated and won numerous awards for SRG’s work and thought leadership in the financial services industry, and has personally assisted hundreds of advisors buy, merge, sell, and craft their transition plan for the sale of their business.

David is a published author and accomplished speaker on advisor M&A and is regularly cited and interviewed in the industry’s most widely read publications. He is one of the leading speakers in the financial services industry on mergers and acquisitions, with over 300 presentations to his credit, as well as serving as an expert for arbitration and litigation.

David holds a bachelor’s degree from Portland State University and his MBA from Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management, where he served as an adjunct professor. He spent most of his life in the Pacific Northwest, but recently moved to Austin, Texas with his wife and three kids.

Meredith Johnson, CPA, CFP® is a partner at BPM LLP in San Francisco, and leads the Private Client tax practice. Meredith holds an active CPA license in California and is also a Certified Financial Planner practitioner. Her professional leadership roles include serving as State Board Chair of the California Society of CPAs and head of the CalCPA AI Task Force. Meredith has been named Forever Influential by the San Francisco Business Times and has been recognized as one of America’s Top 200 CPAs and Best in State CPAs by Forbes in 2024 and 2025.

An ultramarathoner in her spare time, Meredith has completed endurance races across the U.S. including the Western States 100 and the Vol State 500k. Meredith also enjoys visiting national parks and scenic trails around the world.

With over 15 years of experience in the health insurance industry and a law degree, Margo Steinlage Kreider is a nationally recognized expert in Medicare and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Leading a trusted and experienced team that serves thousands of clients, she collaborates with wealth managers, CPAs, and HR leaders nationwide to seamlessly integrate Medicare and ACA planning into comprehensive retirement strategies. Margo’s mission is to simplify the complexities of healthcare coverage while maximizing value and confidence for clients. Her expertise, integrity, and client-centered approach have established her as a leading authority and educator in the evolving healthcare landscape.

Ben serves as the Chief Communications Officer at the Financial Planning Association, where he directs all communications and public relations strategies. His responsibilities encompass media relations, organizational messaging, media training, speechwriting, and overseeing all consumer-facing initiatives. Ben collaborates closely with the marketing, conferences, and publications teams to ensure the Association’s public presence is strategic, cohesive, and impactful.

With a career in financial services dating back to 1998, Ben has held diverse roles, including founding and serving as president of Perception, Inc., a premier public relations firm dedicated to serving financial advisory firms and institutions from 2002 to 2010. His experience also spans the political and non-profit sectors, giving him a well-rounded perspective.

A 1995 graduate of Bradley University, Ben is the author of the book “Perfecting the Pitch: Creating Publicity Through Media Rapport” (Larston, 2007). Outside of work, he is a passionate Boston sports fan, a devoted Tom Brady supporter, and a jelly doughnut enthusiast. He resides in Clarksburg, MD, with his wife, Wendy, and their daughters, Izzy (18) and Jillian (15).

Dr. Carolyn McClanahan is the founder of Life Planning Partners, Inc. She began her career as a physician practicing Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine. In 2000, Carolyn and her husband searched for a financial planner. Because most were mainly interested in managing their portfolio and not in providing the advice, she enrolled in the CFP® curriculum. Realizing the similarities between medicine and financial planning, and feeling empowered by helping people plan for their future, Carolyn made a career change.

Carolyn recognized the many intersections between health and personal finance, and began writing and speaking on topics such as insurability, health planning, and planning for illness and cognitive decline. She writes for numerous publications and serves on the CNBC and Investopedia Advisor Council. She is a highly sought-after speaker for industry conferences and is quoted regularly in multiple publications.

Carolyn has won numerous industry awards including the Alexandra Armstrong Lifetime Achievement Award, Investment News in 2024 and the NAPFA Special Achievement Award in 2016

Carolyn is a member of NAPFA, the FPA, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. She currently serves on the CFP® Board of Standards Resource Commission and continues to volunteer in medicine.

Ron Ricard is one of fewer than 150 people nationwide designated as a Certified Exchange Specialist®, as accredited by the Federation of Exchange Accommodators. He has taught 1031 tax exchange accredited courses to tens of thousands of investors, real estate and tax professionals, financial planners and attorneys over the past 24 years and is known as a true expert in the field. Ron is a frequent guest on local radio and television real estate shows and is a guest lecturer at the College of San Mateo, Foothill and Chabot Colleges. He served on the Board of Directors of the Commercial Realtors Association and the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors, which awarded him the 2010 Affiliate of the Year. Before joining IPX1031®, Ron had 18 years of experience in the energy industry, focusing primarily on regulatory, legislative and legal issues. He has a BS in Civil Engineering from UC Berkeley and an MBA in Marketing and is an active real estate investor.

Joy Slabaugh is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, licensed therapist, and educator specializing in the psychological and relational dynamics of wealth. With advanced degrees in taxation and mental health counseling, she bridges the gap between financial strategy and human connection, helping high-net-worth individuals, couples, and financial advisors navigate the complexities of wealth with greater clarity, purpose, and impact.

Joy’s expertise spans wealth management, behavioral finance, and advisor training, equipping financial professionals with the relational skills needed to build trust and deepen client relationships. She also works directly with ultra-high-net-worth individuals, guiding them through the emotional and identity challenges that often accompany significant wealth.

A sought-after speaker, consultant, and industry thought leader, Joy has worked with top financial firms and private clients, reshaping the way people think about money beyond numbers. Her work challenges the traditional wealth narrative, offering a more human, values-driven approach to financial decision-making. Whether through keynote talks, advisor coaching, or client consulting, Joy empowers people to align wealth with impact, ensuring their financial success creates lasting fulfillment and meaningful change.

Dr. Joaquin Wallace is a nationally recognized leader in behavioral finance and generational wealth development. He is the creator of the Seven-Stage Generational Wealth Model® and the Financial Genetic Code®, frameworks that help financial professionals better understand and influence client behavior. An accomplished speaker, educator, and consultant, he integrates emotional well-being, neuroscience, and financial planning to strengthen every phase of the Seven-Step Financial Planning Process. Dr. Wallace is the Amazon best-selling author of Generational Wealth Begins with Generational Knowledge®. His leadership has earned distinctions, including the Wells Fargo “Living History Makers” Award and recognition as one of the most influential Black contemporary leaders of the 21st century. A former appointee to the Quality Education Commission, he now serves as an adjunct instructor at Golden Gate University. He has also been featured in national periodicals for his work in marginalized communities. A former appointee to the Quality Education Commission, he currently serves as an adjunct instructor in the Financial Planning and Public Policy departments at Golden Gate University. He has also been featured in national periodicals for his work in marginalized communities and his efforts to break persistent systemic financial barriers.