Community

Honoring America’s Veterans Names First Executive Director

By Jenna-Lee Neff

Local nonprofit Honoring America’s Veterans (HAV) recently appointed Navy veteran Paula Pedene to the position of executive director. The move comes as the organization develops virtual recognition events in place of their annual Phoenix Veterans Day Parade.

“As a Navy veteran and one who is a strong advocate for veterans and their needs, I have personally witnessed for decades the impact honor and recognition events offer in helping our veterans heal,” says Pedene. “Those personal stories of healing I have heard since 1997 make this a fulfilling role for me.”

Founded in 2012, Honoring America’s Veterans did not have an executive director before this point. Instead, the organization focused on growing and working with the board of directors to build out the position so they could easily identify the perfect candidate when the time came.

“It’s an honor for me to serve as the first executive director of Honoring America’s Veterans,” Pedene says, explaining the process the board took to establish what the organization needed from a leader. “Fortunately, the board knew I would be retiring from federal service, and due to my efforts in founding the parade, helping to create HAV, my operations and public relations expertise fit what they needed.”

Honoring America’s Veterans keeps the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade alive after Veterans Affairs moved away from the annual event, which began in 1997. With more than 500,000 veterans in Maricopa County, the organization now hosts the state’s largest Veterans Day event in order to pay tribute to those who have served and show them support in the healing process.

“Our veterans tell us that by remembering them on Veterans Day, we help them heal,” Pedene shares.

Recently, Honoring America’s Veterans decided to cancel the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade and transition to a virtual event instead. The decision came after the organization considered the risks and restrictions put in place to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, the celebration will be called U.S.A., A Beacon of Liberty and will feature “Honor Our Heroes” honorees. It will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube for all to virtually attend and enjoy.

Eligible honoree essays are chosen from veterans who served between 1941-2011 that demonstrate honor, respect and gratitude. The essays will focus on individual veterans’ military and community service. Once selected, honorees will be interviewed in order to tell their stories for the event.

Alongside the “Honor Our Heroes” program, students in grades 9-12 are participating in a creative essay contest on veterans and the impact of military service. Selected essays will be presented in the virtual event.

“Although we won’t have an in-person event, we’re working on creating a fabulous online event,” Pedene says. “We intend to interview the winners of these campaigns as part of our event.”

To learn more, visit honoringamericasveterans.org.

Now May Be the Time for A Financial Reassessment

By Renee A. Hanson, Private Wealth Advisor Affi nity Wealth Advisory Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

We’re experiencing a period of upheaval in the world today, which has also had an impact on the economy and markets. Given the spike in volatility and uncertainty we’re seeing in the broader economy, it may be time to step back and carefully review your fi nancial life.

Take some time to assess where you stand and whether it may be appropriate to make any adjustments in your strategy. Here are four key questions to ask about your current fi nancial circumstances.

#3 DO YOU HAVE A SOLID

PROTECTION STRATEGY IN PLACE?

This is an opportune time to make sure that you and your family are adequately insured. Health insurance is a good place to start, particularly if your work situation has changed in recent months. The importance of adequate life insurance is more evident in times like these to protect the wellbeing of your family. Look at other protection options too, such as disability income insurance and long-term care coverage to meet specialized care needs, especially as you grow older.

#4 IS YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN

STILL ON TRACK?

#1 DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH CASH Finally, take a careful look at your overall

TO MEET SHORT-TERM NEEDS? fi nancial plan. Are you still on track to achieve A healthy cash reserve is important in the key goals you initially established? Does times like these. A general rule of thumb is your plan require adjustments based on to have enough cash on hand (held in readily circumstances that have changed? Given all accessible accounts) to meet three to six of the events of recent months, this is the right months’ worth of expenses. But given today’s time to review your plan to make sure you are economic uncertainties, it may make sense to still heading in the right direction. set aside up to nine months’ worth of cash. Be sure to connect with your fi nancial advisor to #2 ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH explore these questions in more detail and keep

THE LEVEL OF RISK IN YOUR your fi nancial life in order.

PORTFOLIO?

Renee A. Hanson, CFP®, ChFC®, CEP®, CDFATM, CFS®,

Investment markets have been volatile since BFA®, APMA®, is a Private Wealth Advisor with Affi nity Wealth Advisory the start of 2020 and may continue to be for the Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona. She specializes in fee-based fi nancial planning coming months and maybe years. Unsettled and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 29 years. markets can be a real test of whether you are To contact her visit www.affi nitywealthadvisor.com or call (602) 923-9800. Her offi ce is located at 7010 E. Chauncey Lane, Suite #200, Phoenix, comfortable with your investment strategy or if AZ 85054-3115.

Putting the needs of clients first is the approach I believe in. I’ll work with you to find the level of risk in your portfolio is keeping you up at night. Given the disruption that’s been Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser. the right financial solutions to help you plan for your unique goals. And together, we’ll occurring, a portfolio review makes sense. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. track your progress over time, adjusting your plan along the way to help get you where you want to go.

Renee A. Hanson CFP®, CEP®, CDFA®, CFS®, ChFC®, APMA®

Private Wealth Advisor

Affinity Wealth Advisory Group

A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

602.923.9800

7010 E. Chauncey Ln Ste 200 Phoenix, AZ 85054 renee.a.hanson@ampf.com affinitywealthadvisor.com

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC.