Rebekah Curran

PLANADVISER: Have you had mentors or role models? Who are they and what lessons have you learned from them?

Curran: While fortunate to have had several mentors and role models throughout my life, credit for the most impact and influence on my professional and personal growth belongs to a single mentor, Becky McMillen.

Becky has taught me lessons that extend far beyond retirement plan consulting skills and plan administration knowledge. She has altered how I see the world and how I show up in it. Her mentorship has encouraged me to strive each day to do better.

Among the most meaningful lessons learned from Becky are to not shrink from challenges; rather, to lean into them, abandoning fear of failure and uncertainty, and embracing the opportunity for growth and connection. To this end, Becky encouraged me to “launch ugly,” helping me to understand that action often precedes clarity, and it’s OK to start without all the answers. Life is a process of learning, and having the courage to move forward even when the outcome is uncertain is crucial for sustaining continued growth, both professionally and personally.

Becky also taught me that integrity is non-negotiable in every aspect of life. By example, she led me to always do the “right thing,” especially when it is not the “easy thing.”

PLANADVISER: What have you done that you are most proud of at work? Personally?

Curran: One of the accomplishments I am most proud of intersects both my professional and personal life. As a nontraditional university student, with much hard work and persistence, I was able to complete my four-year bachelor of business administration degree in finance after nine long years of commuting to and from campus, enrolling part-time in university courses, balancing parenthood and marriage, and working multiple part-time jobs.

While this accomplishment may be taken for granted by more traditional university students, the determination and discipline required to continue on a path that was difficult in the moment was, at times, deflating. My belief that graduating university would open the door to opportunities that would provide a better future for my daughter was a key motivator.

This achievement, leveraged by both live experiences and academic knowledge, brought me to Columbus Ohio, where I met my mentor and friend, Becky McMillen. Her mentorship and guidance led me to Everhart Advisors, which has presented me with the opportunity to become a partner in a thriving financial firm.

My life gives me a unique perspective when connecting with others and is a testament to the power of perseverance winning the day.

PLANADVISER: What steps do you think will help improve the retirement industry and participant outcomes in the future (particularly ways in which your firm can help with that progress)?

Curran: One of the most impactful steps in improving participant outcomes is increasing financial literacy. While educational articles, short videos and risk assessments all have their place in participant engagement, personalized advice provided through one-on-one meetings with a Certified Financial Planner is one of the most powerful ways to improve retirement outcomes.

Retirement planning is deeply personal—factors including age, income, family dynamic, debt and health all impact individual outcomes. These factors, when reviewed in the confidence of a one-on-one meeting with a trusted adviser, can lead to optimized strategies being created for the individual.

Lack of financial literacy can cause many workers to delay action due to confusion or fear of making the wrong move. By educating participants on their unique financial circumstance with relevant conversation, advisers better prepare participants to meet long-term goals, sending the message to each individual that “your financial well-being matters.”

Financial literacy offered through one-on-one engagement is the foundation of building a more secure future.