Influential Woman · Financial Planning

Bailey Northcutt

Intern, Stable Waters Financial

Athens, GA

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree University of Georgia - Financial Planning degree (in progress) Member Financial Planning Association Member FinServ Foundation

Her Story

About Bailey

I'm currently in my first year as an intern at Stable Waters Financial while pursuing my financial planning degree at the University of Georgia. At the same time, I work as an operations manager at Shred The Gnar Wake School, where we teach people how to wakeboard and wake surf. I've been involved with Shred the Gnar for 2 years now, and this year I'm leading the wakeboard competition in Seneca, South Carolina, which I consider one of my most notable professional achievements. I'm passionate about helping people achieve financial satisfaction through my involvement with FinServ, where we focus on mentoring, coaching, attending webinars, and going to conferences. I also volunteer with VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), where we prepare taxes for people in need, and with The Ark, where we help provide financial resources for people in emergency situations and teach financial literacy to people in the local prison to help them start their financial journey when they get out.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Bailey

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would attribute my success to my mentors and my family. They have been instrumental in helping me get to where I am today, both in my academic journey and in my professional development in the financial planning field.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I've ever received is that success is not written on a yellow brick road, rather you have to take initiative for yourself. This advice has taught me that I need to be proactive and create my own path rather than waiting for opportunities to come to me.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would tell them to not get discouraged, because I know that it's mainly a male-dominated career, but that there are opportunities for everyone. Don't let the gender imbalance in the financial planning industry hold you back - there is room for women to succeed and make their mark.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I would say one that answers both is artificial intelligence. It's a challenge because AI can run numbers and help people create a budget, which might seem like it could replace some of what we do. However, people have to realize that a lot of our field is connection and trust, and emotional response - and ChatGPT or AI does not have that human element that is so critical to financial planning. On the other hand, I think it's an opportunity because now we can reach people across the world, or across the U.S., whereas before technology, we were only able to meet people within our area.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Family is very important to me - I very much care about family. I also deeply care about helping others, which is why I'm drawn to volunteer work and financial planning. Education is another core value of mine, as I believe in continuous learning and growth. Finally, self-improvement is something I prioritize, always working to become better both personally and professionally.

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