Sheila P. Padden is the founder of Padden Financial Planning LLC in Chicago, Illinois, and has been a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Florida and Illinois for over 25 years. Sheila was drawn to personal financial planning through her work with small business owners and through strategic planning work. Also, in her personal life, Sheila managed the family finances and became frustrated that their advisors did not have the big picture.
After completing Northwestern University's Certified Financial Planning Program and passing the rigorous 10 hour CFP Exam, Sheila knew that she would re-focus her career on Personal Financial Planning. At the NAPFA conference in Chicago, Sheila learned about fee-only practice models, met amazing fee-only advisors, and felt relieved that she could continue working as a trusted advisor and not sell commission-laded products.
Sheila graduated with Honors from the University of Notre Dame and holds a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Accountancy. As a licensed CPA in Illinois, Sheila completes at least 120 hours every three years of continuing education. Sheila is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and its Personal Financial Planning Section. As a CFP, Sheila is required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years.
Sheila is actively involved in Notre Dame Women Connect where she is national chair, and in the Center for Economic Progress where she is a tax preparer for low-income families.
Favorite activities include: tennis, golf, reading and spending time with family and friends. Sheila has been married to Mike for over 25 years and they have 4 children, 3 sons and a daughter. The youngest son and daughter are twins.