Shawn Kelly

Financial Planning, Housing and Consumer Economics

Shawn Kelly wasted no time turning her academic achievements into professional momentum. Already working as a financial planning assistant when she enrolled, Shawn set an ambitious goal: complete all her licensing exams and pass the CFP® exam within the year.

Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial | Pensacola, FL

After graduating from the Online Master’s in Financial Planning program in December 2023, Shawn Kelly wasted no time turning her academic achievements into professional momentum. Already working as a financial planning assistant when she enrolled, Shawn set an ambitious goal: complete all her licensing exams and pass the CFP® exam within the year. Ten months later, she did just that—earning her Series 7, 66, life insurance licenses, and successfully passing the CFP® exam in November. With only 128 hours remaining to fulfill her CFP® experience requirement, Shawn is poised to achieve full certification by July.

Now a Financial Advisor at Ameriprise Financial, Shawn works closely with pre-retirees to build and execute personalized retirement strategies. “It’s empowering work,” she says. “We’re with clients every step of the way—from wondering if they’ll ever be able to retire to celebrating their retirement party with confidence and pride.”

Shawn credits the MSFP program with opening critical doors. Early on, she joined the program’s mentorship initiative, where she received the simple but career-changing advice to reach out to local firms for hands-on experience. That decision led to her role at Ameriprise, where she applied classroom concepts in real time under the guidance of seasoned advisors. “All the puzzle pieces started to come together once I started working,” she reflects.

To current and future students, Shawn offers this advice: “An online degree doesn’t mean it’s easy or casual. It’s a serious time commitment—but one that’s absolutely worth it. Financial planning is the future.”

Beyond her professional life, Shawn and her husband—a recent military retiree—have settled in Pensacola, FL, where they’re putting down roots in every sense of the word. “I’ve planted more than 25 fruit trees and started a vegetable garden,” she says with a smile. The couple also shares their home with six rescued Shetland Sheepdogs: “It’s like living with six mouthy 3-year-olds—but at least they all listen!”

Shawn’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and heart—on behalf of the UGA MSFP community, we’re proud to call her one of our own. GO DAWGS!