Influential Woman · Finance
Jennifer Little
Executive Director, SLD Solutions, Inc.
Fair Haven, VT 05743
Her Story
About Jennifer
Jennifer Little is an Executive Director at SLD Solutions, LLC; she is based in Fair Haven, Vermont, where she works nationally to help individuals, families, and businesses make sense of their financial futures and options. She joined the finance industry in late 2021 and became fully licensed in January 2022, following a nearly two-decade run as a middle school English teacher. That background in education turned out to be an unexpected asset: Jennifer draws heavily on her literacy training to break down complicated financial concepts for clients and to mentor newer advisors coming into the field. Her focus centers on retirement planning, children's plans, and life insurance, though what really drives her work is a commitment to financial education — she's less interested in pushing products and more invested in making sure people fully understand their options before they decide anything. Before finance, Jennifer spent 19 years teaching middle school English, reading, and language arts, along with stints in gifted education, literacy leadership, and eventually a move into high school English instruction. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and Secondary Education from the College of St. Joseph in Rutland, Vermont, where she graduated with honors, and a Master's in Literacy from the University of New England, supplemented by additional graduate coursework in brain research. That academic foundation, paired with two decades in the classroom, shaped the way she now approaches client relationships: with patience, clarity, and a teacher's instinct for meeting people where they are. What sets Jennifer apart, by her own account, is a stubborn streak of determination — something she credits in part to growing up with type 1 diabetes and constantly being told what she shouldn't do. That experience left her with little patience for being underestimated and a strong belief that access to information is a form of power, especially for women who haven't historically had equal footing in financial planning. She's built her practice around transparency, mutual respect, and the idea that an informed client is an empowered one, values that also show up in her volunteer work — from advising her former school's Model United Nations team to supporting Hoops for Heart and, earlier in life, Relay for Life in Rutland. In 2026, she was recognized as a featured honoree by Influential Women, representing Fair Haven, Vermont.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to determination and a drive to prove doubters wrong. I like to succeed and show people that I could make this happen after undertaking such a big career change. Growing up with type 1 diabetes, I was often told I shouldn't do certain things, and that only made me more determined. Ultimately, I want to help people get informed so they can make their own choices and become their own source of strength.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is not to take anything personally and not to let others' opinions of you determine your own self worth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to be strong and confident. Dig in your heels, and don't allow anyone to diminish your worth. Don't be dependent on others — get informed so that you have real choices. And when people are condescending or disrespectful, stand up for yourself. Always remember your own worth and know that what you are doing - and trying to do - makes a difference.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I see is the distrust people have due to their wariness of scams. Many people don't know who to trust and are afraid of being taken advantage of, so I have to meet people where they are to earn that trust with every client. Another significant challenge is that people only know what they know. If there are options they have not heard about previously or not been told about, they are skeptical. Too many advisors only inform on options they can personally offer and not on all options that could better meet clients' needs. People don't want to believe that they are intentionlly mislead - and maybe it was unintentional - but unfortunately, it does happen.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, transparency, education, and mutual respect are the values that matter most to me. I believe everybody deserves the right to be informed and treated with respect, regardless of their background. To me, knowledge is power. And while not all people with the same knowledge will make the same decisions, all must be privy to the same information.
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