Kimberly Helm, AFC®, BFA™
Kimberly Helm, AFC®, BFA™, is a dedicated financial communicator, educator, and leader with extensive experience in financial services, higher education, and marketing. Beginning her career in financial advising, Kimberly progressively advanced from intern to franchise owner at Ameriprise Financial, where she developed individualized financial plans, provided asset management and insurance guidance, and built lasting client relationships across multiple locations. Her early career foundation laid the groundwork for a lifelong commitment to helping individuals and families achieve financial literacy and independence.
Transitioning into higher education, Kimberly spent over a decade in roles including Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Bursar, and Adjunct Instructor. In these positions, she developed and facilitated financial literacy programs, taught students how to budget and plan for their futures, and coached staff on strategies to engage students in meaningful financial discussions. Her efforts extended beyond the classroom, as she assisted students and families in navigating scholarship opportunities and institutional funding resources, fostering long-term financial well-being.
Currently at Thrivent, Kimberly combines her expertise in finance, marketing, and education to create impactful content and programs that promote financial literacy and informed decision-making. In her roles as Marketing Strategist and Senior Marketing Specialist, she collaborates with business partners to develop educational articles, manages external and internal teams, and ensures clients’ needs are central to all content strategies. Through her work, Kimberly continues to inspire “a-ha” financial moments, champion inclusive education, and mentor colleagues and clients alike, while also running her own financial education venture, FinSpire Financial.
• Behavioral Financial Advisor™
• Accredited Financial Counselor®
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
• Concordia University (St. Paul) - MA
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life center around balance, purpose, and service. Professionally, I take a dual approach: maintaining Thrivant as my primary source of income while developing FinSpire as a passion project dedicated to financial education. Personally, I am deeply committed to supporting a variety of causes and organizations, including my church and initiatives addressing kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, and food insecurity. These commitments reflect my belief in using my skills and resources to make a meaningful impact on both individuals and the broader community.