Hey there, money mavens and financial curiosos! 🌈💰 We spoke with Laura Whiteland. Laura is the first openly trans portfolio manager and financial planner in Canada, breaking new ground in the financial industry.
She is the owner of Inclusive Financial Planning. This conversation took place on the latest episode of Trans Canada Stories and we’re excited to share it with you. Laura founded Inclusive Financial Planning, focusing on making financial advice accessible to those who are often underserved, including LGBTQ+ individuals. She received the Queen Elizabeth 2 Platinum Jubilee Medal for her work with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in rural Nova Scotia, showcasing her impact beyond her professional role.
Laura is the first to admit, she’s not everyone’s cup of tea. She is a straight-talking, no-nonsense financial professional. She is also funny, thoughtful, and is revolutionizing what it means to be a personal financial planner in Canada.
In this episode Laura shares with Cyn and Emma about how her transition coincided with becoming an entrepreneur, giving her a unique perspective on the challenges faced by trans business owners. She has experienced firsthand the disparities in progress between the broader LGBTQ+ community and the trans community specifically, and this episode we are talking equity, equality, and the eyebrow-furrowing phrase, “things are so much better now.”
This conversation is insightful, sometimes humorous, and brutally honest. Read on…
With fortitude and authenticity, Laura’s elevated the bar on career and community commitment. She is both a nationally recognized financial pro and a fierce advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. Bravo, Laura!
Here’s what we’re talking about:
- As Kenny Rogers would say, ‘You got to know when to hold ’em, and know when to fold them.’ Inclusion in the workplace isn’t about free therapy, and this episode offers advice for cis professionals on navigating education with sensitivity and timeliness.
- Listen up community: Are you really crunching the numbers correctly when it comes to 2SLGBTQIA+ people? Turns out, not all letters in the alphabet are created equal.
- Hey cis folks: Fake it ’til you make it! How to build fluency for inclusive professionalism.
- How to avoid being ignorant, even when you’re just trying to learn.
Known in some circles as, ‘Canada’s trans financial planner.’ Laura’s career path has been anything but smooth sailing. In an industry notorious for its male-dominated, conformity-first culture, this NSCC graduate (go Bearcats!) has advanced her career from Business Administration to a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation. She’s now a nationally-recognized Chartered Investment Manager.
Credentials onboard, Laura began her career in personal and business banking, where conformity is often prized above individuality. As she moved into wealth management, Laura began her transition. This wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a historic moment for the financial industry in Canada.
Laura prides herself in taking an unconventional approach to financial planning. Here’s a few things that make working with her extra special:
- She meets clients where they are, without preconceived notions or agendas
- Focuses on the client’s personal goals rather than traditional financial milestones
- Works on a project or hourly rate basis, not selling financial products
- Offers “pay what you can” options to make services more accessible
“Who is this better for? When did it happen?”
Laura Whiteland
One of Laura’s LEAST favourite sayings is, ‘Things are so much better now.’
All three of us agreed we hear this statement repeatedly at conferences, symposiums, in classrooms, and boardrooms. We hear it at 2SLGBTQIA+ events. If we had a quarter for every time we heard this, we would be basking under a palm tree in Tahiti… is it legal to be transgender in Tahiti? Check out our episode on ‘Traveling While Trans’ for more on that topic.
Laura strongly believes in supporting people and communities. She focuses on the LGBTQIA+ community in rural areas. She emphasizes trans inclusion and empowerment. Laura is a Co-Founder and past Chair of the Truro Pride Society. As well as a former co-chair of The Youth Project Society of Nova Scotia. Laura serves as a Commissioner on the Truro Police Service Board. She is also a member of the Town of Truro’s Diversity Advisory Committee. As well Laura is a Media Ambassador with FP Canada and educates on the importance of financial planning nationally.
Laura was born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. She now lives in Truro, Nova Scotia with her wife Courtney, child Elliott, and cats Oliver and Penelope.
Listen to The Podcast Here:
- Gender dysphoria impacts how young people relate to their bodies, intimacy, and care. But when stigma and misinformation get loud, affirming language and evidence-based resources matter more than ever. In this conversation, host Cyn Sweeney sits down with Hanley […]
- What if gender-affirming care included free access to pre- and post-op physiotherapy, holistic recovery planning, and safer binder use?In this powerful launch episode of Simply Beyond, host Cyndi Sweeney speaks with two dedicated professionals offering free, trauma-informed physio support […]
- Join host Cyn Sweeney (she/her) for a personal welcome to Simply Beyond, a Simply Good Form podcast. In this first episode, Cyndi shares why this rebrand matters, what’s changing (and what’s not), and how Simply Beyond brings together two […]
- Show Notes:Guest: Laura Whiteland, CFP®, CIM – owner of Inclusive Financial PlanningLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inclusive-financial-planning/Here's what we're talking about:As Kenny Rogers would say, 'You got to know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold them.' Inclusion in the workplace […]
- Trans Canada Stories is about sharing trans stories and celebrating trans people and allies, from coast-to-coast-to-coast. In episode 7 'AccessAbility Week and Toilet Talk', we’re shaking it up a little, in the spirit of celebrating equity and inclusion.This week […]
TD Connected Community Moment:
Today’s TD Connected Community Moment is all about you! We want to hear your financial wisdom:
Are you an active financial planner? What’s your secret sauce for managing money? Maybe you’ve got a budgeting hack that’s changed your life, or an investment strategy that’s working wonders.
Did something from today’s show with Laura Whiteland spark an idea? We’re all ears!
Share your financial insights, tips, or questions by clicking the link in our show notes. Your experience could be the game-changer someone else needs to hear.
Let’s build a community of savvy financial minds together. We can’t wait to read your thoughts!
Thanks for being part of our financial journey. Until next time, keep those dollars dancing!
Scientist Donella Meadows on being proactive, yet positive:
“There is too much bad news to justify complacency. There is too much good news to justify despair.”
Source: Thinking in Systems
