Owning the Conversation – and the Outcome

Cary Carbonaro on Women, Money, and Financial Confidence

At the January 22, 2026 ARDA WIN Conference in Orlando, one of the most quietly powerful sessions of the day focused not on leadership titles, AI adoption, or advocacy—but on money. Specifically, on why so many women, including highly accomplished professionals, still hesitate to fully engage with their own financial futures.

That conversation was led by Cary Carbonaro, Managing Advisor and Women and Wealth Ambassador at Ashton Thomas Private Wealth. and author of The Money Queen’s Guide and Women and Wealth, Carbonaro’s message resonated deeply with the nearly 400 women in attendance at WIN—not because it was radical, but because it was honest.

Why Women Avoid the Topic—and Why That Matters

Carbonaro addressed head-on what many women quietly acknowledge but rarely discuss openly: money can feel intimidating, emotionally loaded, and easy to postpone. Even for women with strong careers and steady incomes, financial planning often sits on the “I’ll get to it later” list.

She noted that many women—including herself at times—have worried about financial insecurity or even homelessness. That underlying fear, she explained, can make financial literacy feel threatening rather than empowering. Instead of motivating action, it encourages avoidance.

Her goal, she told the audience, is to flip that dynamic—reframing financial knowledge as a form of safety, autonomy, and confidence rather than something to fear.

A Career Rooted in Financial Literacy—and Advocacy

Carbonaro’s perspective is shaped by a lifetime immersed in finance. Raised by a father who served as a senior vice president at JP Morgan Chase, she learned early that money was not a taboo topic but a practical one. While other families bonded over sports, she and her father bonded over financial conversations—attending foreclosure auctions, watching business programs, and spending time in corporate offices long before “take your daughter to work day” existed.

That early exposure normalized financial literacy for her—so much so that she didn’t initially realize how many people, especially women, felt excluded from it.

In college, she founded a national sorority focused on creating safe spaces for women and, informally, began teaching budgeting skills to her peers. After earning her MBA, she entered the banking world through JP Morgan Chase’s management and executive training programs, later holding senior roles at Citibank and Lord Abbett Mutual Funds.

Eventually, she launched her own financial planning firm, earned her CFP® (Certified Financial Planner®) designation—the gold standard in the profession—and later merged her firm with United Capital. Her career included professional success, personal upheaval, a divorce, a remarriage, and navigating the complexities of United Capital’s eventual sale to Goldman Sachs.

Through all of it, one theme remained constant: helping women feel safe, informed, and in control of their financial lives.

Financial Freedom Is Not One-Size-Fits-All

At WIN, Carbonaro emphasized that financial freedom looks different for everyone—but that it is achievable for anyone willing to engage with the process.

She urged attendees to understand the fundamentals rather than outsource decision-making entirely.

Topics she addressed included:

• The importance of having—and understanding—a personal budget
• Learning how markets work instead of fearing them
• Why, when possible, delaying Social Security benefits until age 70 can significantly increase lifetime income
• The value of actively participating in long-term financial planning, regardless of marital status or career stage

Her message was not about turning women into financial experts overnight. Instead, it was about removing intimidation and encouraging informed participation.

Changing an Industry That Wasn’t Built for Women

Carbonaro was candid in acknowledging that the financial services industry has historically been one of the least sympathetic to women. That reality, she said, is precisely why it has the most to gain by changing its approach.

Her life’s work has been centered on making the industry more accessible and female-friendly—whether through her advisory work, her book Women and Wealth and The Money Queens Guide for Women who want to Build Wealth and Banish Fear, her global speaking engagements, or her role as a CFP Board Ambassador. She also founded Women’s Leadership initiatives within United Capital, reinforcing her belief that representation and education go hand in hand. Learn more about her through her website (https://carycarbonaro.com/).

Testimonials from clients and organizations reflect that impact. Those who work with Carbonaro consistently cite not just her technical expertise, but her ability to listen, explain, and build trust—helping clients feel both informed and supported.

Related: What We Learned at the 2026 WIN

Why Her Message Landed at ARDA WIN

The ARDA WIN audience represented a wide range of roles, income levels, and life stages. Yet Carbonaro’s message cut across those differences.

What many attendees likely took away was not a specific financial tactic, but a shift in mindset:

• That avoiding money conversations does not reduce risk—it increases it
• That financial confidence grows through education, not perfection
• That asking questions and staying engaged is a strength, not a vulnerability
• And that financial independence is deeply connected to professional confidence and personal security.

For women who spend their careers managing complex operations, teams, and budgets on behalf of organizations, Carbonaro’s presentation served as a reminder: those same skills are transferable—and essential—when applied to one’s own financial life.

A Lasting Takeaway for the WIN Community

By the end of her session, it was clear that Cary Carbonaro had done more than share advice. She normalized a conversation many women have been conditioned to avoid and reframed financial literacy as a leadership skill in its own right.

For the WIN audience, the biggest takeaway may have been this: owning your financial future is not about fear, formulas, or flawless decisions. It is about participation, education, and the confidence that comes from knowing you are informed and prepared—whatever the future holds.