CFW - Expert Panel

Financial Advisor 
Edward Jones 

Kirk's service at the Milgard School of Business surrounds financial literacy. In addition to instructing classes, Kirk advises the Finance Club and works with the educational team to develop, present, and fund programs of the Milgard Business School and the Financial Wellness Lab.

Kirk has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Since 2017, Kirk has distinguished himself as a financial advisor for Edward Jones. Dedicated to service on behalf of others in his professional and personal life, he has earned distinction as a client-oriented advisor, specializing in wealth management, estate planning, and retirement planning. He also provides coaching and guidance to fellow financial advisors as a way to give back to his company and his professional community.

Kirk earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with an emphasis on finance, from Western Washington University. He has also attained a Master of Management degree from Chancellor University. He is certified as an investment management analyst (CIMA®) and is a chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC™). He has worked for the biggest names in the financial advisement industry including serving as an Executive Director for both Morgan Stanley and UBS. In 2008, he became a Managing Director for Wells Fargo Advisors LLC and there was named as a Premier Manager in recognition of his work. In addition, he was named among the Top Ten Branch Managers in the United States by On Wall Street Magazine in 2012, 2013, and 2014. In 2017, he joined Edward Jones as a financial advisor in his hometown, Olympia, WA.

In addition to his serving as a financial advisor, Kirk is an instructor for a course entitled "Maximizing Your Retirement" at South Puget Sound Community College. He also serves as a board member for New Beginnings Church, which is based in Oklahoma City, and was previously the president of the Beaverton Aloha League, a local little league, and the Valley Christian Junior High School Parent Teacher Prayer Fellowship in San Jose, CA. While the President of the little league, Kirk spearheaded the building of an indoor practice facility that has served thousands of youth players in the Beaverton, OR area. The story of this facility buildout was filmed and distributed throughout Wells Fargo's 280,000 employee intranet, and this short film won a bronze Telly Award for outstanding corporate communication.

His service at the Milgard School of Business surrounds financial literacy. In addition to instructing classes, Kirk advises the Finance Club and works with the educational team to develop, present, and fund programs of the Milgard Financial Wellness Lab.

Ali A. Kemp, CFP®, CDFA™ 

President & CEO| Financial Insights 

Ali is the CEO & Owner of regional RIA, Financial Insights Wealth Management. Financial Insights was founded in 1981 and for over 40 years has been woman-owned and operated. Under Ali’s leadership, the firm has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing RIAs in the nation, and in 2022 Ali was recognized as 40 under 40 by Investment News Magazine. She has served as the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer and holds the CFP® designation. She currently leads a team of 17 amazing staff and is working on progressing the industry towards ethical business leadership, inclusive team dynamics & creating a firm that serves all stakeholders: clients, local community, and employees. FIWM serves high net worth & ultra-high net worth families in the Puget Sound Region. 

 

As a wealth advisor, Ali takes a comprehensive approach by analyzing all aspects of a person's life including short and long-term goals, estate planning, taxation, investment, retirement and special circumstances. She specializes in comprehensive wealth management to include investment management, retirement preparedness & execution, business sales & mergers/acquisition assistance and Tax advising. With a focus on financial literacy and education, Ali’s passion is working with complex retirement & estate situations.   

Don Clark, Jr CPA - Panelist

President & CEO at Sound Credit Union 

As the current President/CEO of Sound Credit Union, my overall focus is helping to build stronger communities through easily accessible financial tools and resources. 

 

Externally, I am responsible for making sure our members receive the help they need in order to achieve their financial goals and dreams. Internally, I focus on strategy, ensuring that our Sound team members have the tools and resources to better serve our members, while also ensuring Sound remains financially strong so we may continue to deliver quality service through the growth of our technology and other channels. Ultimately, I strive to lead Sound in a way that allows us to stand with our members and employees through all waves of life. 

Career

Sound Credit Union, 2012-Present

• President/CEO (April 2016 – Present)
• President (2015 – Mar. 2016)
• Executive Vice President/Chief Risk Officer (2012 - 2015)

Southwest Business Corporation, San Antonio, TX 2009-2012

• Senior Vice President (2009 - 2012)

Mountain America Credit Union, West Jordan, UT 2001-2009

• Executive Vice President (2004 - 2009)
• President Mountain America Financial Services (CUSO) (2001 - 2009)

Professional Involvement

• Board Member, GoWest Credit Union Association (2019 – present)
• Associate Board Member, CU Direct (Jan..2023 – present)
• Board Member, Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Council (2016 – present)
• Board Member, Milgard School of Business at University of Washington – Tacoma (2016 – present)
• Board Member, Bonifii (2019 – present)

Education

• BS, Accounting, Brigham Young University, 1989
• MBA, Milgard School of Business, University of Washington, 2014