The Financial Planning Association’s board of directors has elected D. Crystal Alford-Cooper as its president-elect for a one-year term that will begin in January.
At that time, Alford-Cooper will succeed incoming 2026 FPA President Daniel Galli.
Outgoing 2025 FPA President Paul Brahim cited Alford-Cooper’s dedication to the financial planning profession and her record of service to the FPA as key drivers of her election.
“From her work to educate the next generation of financial planners to her own professional dedication to her clients and firm, Crystal is a wonderful embodiment of a devoted planner who wants to keep the profession moving forward,” Brahim said in a statement.
In her day job, Alford-Cooper is the director of financial planning at Law and Associates Wealth Management and Planning in Glen Echo, Maryland. She also is a former adjunct professor at Howard Community College and has served as a committee member of the CFP Board’s Council on Education.
Additionally, Alford-Cooper was a past president of the Association of African American Financial Advisors. She will also be celebrating her 30th year as a CFP next year.
“I am excited to help FPA continue to help the profession evolve to ensure it’s meeting the needs of all who can benefit from the guidance of the financial planning community,” Alford-Cooper said. “I take very seriously the responsibility we have at FPA to represent the profession and ensure planners are always rising to the occasion to meet their clients’ needs and all people where they are.”
Other developments for next year and beyond include Juan Hernandez-Ariano serving as the 2026 FPA treasurer, with three new board members also being elected to three-year terms. They are Maria Castillo Dominguez, founder of Valoria Wealth Management; Gregory Furer, CEO of Beratung Advisors; and Otto Rivera, financial planner and investment advisor at White Lighthouse Investment Management.
In addition, Carl Christie, who is completing a three-year term on the board this year, was elected to a fourth year of board service.
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