In conversation with Senior Wealth Advisor, Christine Thibodeaux
To celebrate Women’s Wealth Month, we sat down with Christine Thibodeaux to discuss the unique challenges women face during major life transitions and how they can step confidently into financial leadership.
Q: Christine, you often talk about "Financial Leadership" for women. What does that look like in practice, especially during a major life transition like a divorce?
Christine: It really starts with a shift in mindset. I recently worked with a client navigating a divorce who suddenly found herself responsible for financial decisions that her former spouse had historically handled. English was her second language, which made the industry feel even more intimidating.
The first hurdle wasn't just the math; it was helping her understand my role as a comprehensive guide rather than just a portfolio manager. She had done an impressive job educating herself, but she was worried about losing control or facing excessive fees. It took time to build that foundation of trust—showing her that I didn't need to control her assets, I just needed visibility so we could make purposeful decisions together.
Q: Once that trust is established, how do you move from "organizing" to "strategy"?
Christine: We look for the levers that have the most impact. For this client, a large portion of her wealth was concentrated in a single stock. We developed a diversification strategy to reduce that risk while remaining mindful of tax implications and future Medicare premiums.
We even got the next generation involved. We identified low-cost basis shares to gift to her two daughters—transferring wealth in a tax-aware way—while selling high-cost basis shares in her own account to minimize capital gains. It’s about making the money work for the whole family’s future.
Q: You mentioned "tax-aware" planning. Is that a major focus when you’re modeling retirement?
Christine: Absolutely. We look at the "tax bucket" of every account—taxable, tax-deferred (like 401ks), and tax-free (like Roth IRAs). The order in which you use these assets has a massive impact on how long your wealth lasts.
For example, we examined the role of Roth conversions—paying taxes now at a potentially lower rate to reduce future required distributions. We even planned for Medicare "IRMAA" adjustments, where your income level can unexpectedly spike your premiums. If you don't plan for those details now, they become expensive surprises later.
Q: Looking back at that journey, what was the most rewarding part for you as an advisor?
Christine: The strategy is important, but the most meaningful shift was the confidence my client gained. She moved from feeling uncertain about financial decisions to actively engaging in them. Seeing a woman move from a place of "what do I do?" to "here is my plan" is why I do this work. That is true financial leadership.
Ready to start your own financial leadership journey?
If you’re looking to gain financial clarity and confidence, there are two great ways to connect with Christine. You can join her upcoming Wealth Creation for Women in Tech Workshop - a dedicated space designed to help women in technology master their financial futures. Or, if you’d like to learn more about her background and approach to wealth management, you can view her full professional profile here.
