Jennifer Collins, CFP®
Everyone’s economic and life situations are unique. Jennifer (Jen) Collins believes personalized service and objective advice are critical to develop a financial plan that truly reflects each client’s specific needs.
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Jen is dedicated to learning about clients’ personal goals and helping them to create a plan to achieve those goals. Their financial plan must match their personal or business situation and take into account their current stage in life. They might be purchasing a home, financing a child’s post-secondary education, planning for retirement, or their financial situation might have just changed. Jen works with clients to custom-tailor a plan, and then meets with them routinely to review progress toward their objectives and ensures they are comfortable that everything is moving forward according to plan.
Jen has over 30 years of financial services industry experience, with more than twenty years spent with River Wealth Advisors and its predecessor firm. She holds Series 63 and 65 designations and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Elizabethtown College.
Jen is a life-long resident of Central Pennsylvania and actively gives back to the community. Jen serves on CONTACT Helpline’s Board of Directors and United Way of the Capital Region’s Investment Committee as an industry expert, as well as volunteering for its Money in Your Pocket program. She also volunteers on a regular basis for Junior Achievement.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, doing creative activities, and being out in nature either hiking or kayaking.
Get to Know Me Better
What do you enjoy most about your current job?
I find it very rewarding to help clients develop a financial plan to help them navigate through life changes. Having a financial plan to help weigh alternatives is important for alleviating stress and making decisions a little easier. I am honored to be part of the resources that clients have available to them in creating a plan and adjusting it along the way to ensure it supports their evolving life goals.
What do you love most about being part of river wealth advisors?
The whole team at River Wealth Advisors is fantastic! From the top down, everyone genuinely cares about our clients, our community, and each other. It is wonderful to be part of a team that puts the needs of clients first and focuses on providing positive outcomes and exceptional service. We truly are a team with a shared mission, direction, and purpose.
What are your favorite hobbies?
Is spending time with grandkids considered a hobby? I love spending time with my grandkids and try to do it as often as a I can. Seeing the world through the eyes of a child is amazing. I also enjoying reading, visiting new places, and spending time in nature.
what is your favorite book?
I love to read and will read books from many genres. My favorite authors are John Sandford and Patricia Cornwell. While it is hard for me to pick just one book as a favorite, the one that I recommend most often is “Smart Women Love Money,” by Alice Finn. It changed the path of my career and offers great insight and education for women entering into investing.
what was your first job?
My first “real” job was at the Hills Department Store in Camp Hill. I worked mainly in the snack bar but also stocked shelves, especially around Christmas time. Prior to that job at age 16, I was a helper at a daycare center for a few years.
what are your bucket list vacation spots?
I want to visit all 50 states, Scotland, Iceland, and Australia. As for the US, I have the East Coast covered with a few other states, including Alaska and Hawaii, already checked off.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
I have received so much great advice, both personally and professionally, throughout my life. I think the advice that has served me the best and I often go back to is: Change is the only constant. If you are going through a tough time, hang on, as change will be forthcoming. If you are going through a good time, savor every moment for these are the memories that get you through the tough times.
