Korinne Sugasawara

Korinne is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and meets with clients virtually across the U.S.

Areas of Specialty

I have two areas of specialty. 

California Public Sector Employees

After years of working on California State government public employment and pension legislation, I am knowledgeable and experienced in guiding California public sector employees through their CalPERS and CalSTRS retirement planning. I enjoy working with those who desire to be positive change-makers in their communities. 

Clients marginalized by traditional financial services

And as a queer woman of color who has lived experience with a disability, I welcome those who also live intersectional lives! My clients include members of the LGBTQIA+ and kink community. I work with clients who have disabilities (both seen and unseen) and clients who are neurodivergent.

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in History, University of California, Santa Cruz. 

Graduate-level summer program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

In the process to receive CFP® designation.

Background:

I worked in the public sector for over a decade, moving from the classroom to public policy, where I hoped to help address the systemic issues I saw students and their families grappling with every day. This desire took me to Washington D.C., where I worked as an advocate, and then back to my home state of California to work on legislation. I spent several years specializing in pension legislation and built a reputation as the “money person,” and soon became the person my colleagues would approach with their finance questions. After meeting a financial planner, I saw a place where all my skills and passions collided, and eventually transitioned my career.

On a more personal note, when I was a young educator, I met with a financial advisor to ask how to start investing for retirement. He turned me away for not making enough to be “worth his time.” I spent the next year reading all the personal finance books and blogs I could find (some helpful and others not so helpful), and learning through my mistakes. But I know that not everyone has the bandwidth or skills to do this. As such, I strongly believe from my own experiences that everyone deserves to work with a financial professional, not just those with a high income or net worth.  

Learn more about the Guiding Wealth Residency.