Allison (Ally) Baker, CRPC®, FPQP®

Paraplanner

EMAIL: a.baker@asendowealth.com

As a paraplanner, Ally works closely with our advisers to keep clients' financial plans accurate, up to date, and aligned with their goals.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, minor in economics, Otterbein University

• Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ (CRPC®)

• Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional℠ (FPQP®)

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

• Volunteering with co-workers at various local organizations

• Donating to my local food shelters and other nonprofit initiatives that serve families in need.

Q&A

What inspired you to pursue this profession?

I've always enjoyed working with numbers, and knew I wanted a career that combined analytical thinking with helping people. Ironically, not having many opportunities to learn about personal finance and financial planning before college is part of what sparked my interest in the field. I wanted to understand it better for myself, and the more I learned, the more I realized how critically important financial planning can be in people's lives. During my time at Otterbein University, professors like Dr. Whalen (Finance) and Dr. Aristotelous (Economics) brought so much passion to their teaching that it helped confirm this was the career path I wanted to pursue.

What part of your work gives you the most satisfaction?

While there are many meaningful aspects of my work, some of the most satisfying moments are when I get a cash flow spreadsheet, and can balance it to almost the exact dollar. Seeing all the numbers and data sources come together and align perfectly gives me the same sense of accomplishment as completing a large puzzle, and I love the challenge of both.

What book, podcast, or resource do you recommend?

For anyone who’s a big fan of the TV show The Office, I highly recommend listening to the Office Ladies podcast. Hosted by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey (who played Pam and Angela on the show), it dives into behind-the-scenes stories and fun facts from each episode while highlighting the genuine  friendship they’ve developed since filming. It feels like listening to couple of your friends chat, and I enjoy listening to it while I’m drinking my cup of coffee or tea in the morning.

Although I don’t have an “all-time” favorite book, two I recommend to almost anyone are Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir and The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.

Project Hail Mary is an amazing sci-fi adventure about a man who is humanity’s last hope to save the Earth. It’s not afraid to get nerdy, but at the same time is very digestible. I’ve read the book and not seen the movie, although it’s on my watch-list! The Nightingale, set in France during World War II, is a powerful historical novel about two sisters who experience the war in very different ways. Not many books make me tear up. This one did.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?

When I’m looking for a restaurant with a little bit of everything: Atlas Tavern. It has great sides, wings, drinks and atmosphere. My go-to order is hot buffalo boneless wings. For anyone looking for a restaurant and wanting to try something new, I recommend Meshikou. It has some of the most amazing ramen you’ll try locally. My go-to order is Fireball Miso with an extra egg, extra spicy.

What is a hidden talent or fun fact about you?

I love music trivia and have a knack for recognizing songs, lyrics, and artists almost immediately from a wide range of decades. One of my favorite family game night activities is Hitster, where players listen to songs and try to place them in the correct order based on when they were released. I am proud to say I am usually the winner of most games!

What’s your go-to coffee order?

I highly recommend Espresso Air in Westerville – they have some of the best local coffee and matcha you’ll try! My go-to coffee order is an iced latte with oat milk, no added sweetener. As for matcha, my philosophy is simple: the more it tastes like grass, the better.