Karen Coyne
Karen Coyne, CFP® is the founder of Clarity Planning, an independent financial planning practice at Raymond James.
She is a financial advisor to entrepreneurial physicians and professionals who value their time, wellness, and relationships as much as any other asset. She serves as a guide and sounding board for her clients, helping them make sense of how their money will best serve their vision and values. Karen is also a financial author and writer, with articles published by Medical Economics, Physician’s Practice, and DentistryIQ.com. She is the podcast host of MONEY WITHOUT MATH (formerly Fresh off the Vine), and loves to explore the myriad of ways that finances intersect with so many other aspects of our lives.
The benefits of basic financial planning were made quite clear to Karen with the tragic loss of her father when he was just 40 years old. Because her parents had taken steps to help prepare for the unexpected, her family was able to avoid compounding an already painful situation. Karen is impassioned about being actionable and making decisions when you have options, before life makes your decisions for you.
Karen has attained the prestigious CFP® certification, one of the most respected financial planning credentials among consumers and a recognized standard of excellence in personal financial planning. CFP® professionals complete a rigorous and comprehensive program, which covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance.
Karen also holds the securities licenses Series 7, 24 and 63, life and health insurance licenses, and is a Registered Principal and Investment Management Consultant (IMC). * She earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from the American University of Paris, France.
She brings experience, but also generous doses of humor and perspective. She “deals in the real” and is the antidote to shaming and “shoulding.”
Karen is an advocate for women and diversity in financial services. She considers herself a member of the “leave it better than you found it crew” and has spoken at numerous conferences and events on everything from ESG to social media and thriving as your authentic self at RJ Elevate, Women’s Symposium, and most recently the Pride Symposium.
She has been named to the Investopedia 100 Top Financial Advisors which recognizes top advisors across the country. Investopedia 100 celebrates advisors who are making significant contributions to critical conversations about financial literacy, investing, and planning. With more than 100,000 independent financial advisors in the U.S., the Investopedia 100 spotlights the country’s most engaged, influential, and educational advisors.
Karen serves on the board of the Community Foundation of Washington County, Maryland and is the chair of Women’s Giving Circle of Washington County. She also serves on the Raymond James Women’s Advisory Council and the Raymond James Sustainable Investing Advisory Council. She enjoys staying active on the tennis courts and on her bike and is an unabashed food and wine enthusiast (currently trying to perfect homemade pita bread).
Karen grew up outside Chicago, Illinois. She has lived and traveled internationally, but is happiest surrounded by friends and family, wherever that may be. She lives in Hagerstown, Maryland and has two sons, Abe & Max.