"To motivate change, you must first understand the heart."

Carol Anderson

Honoring Carol Anderson

Carol Anderson is the founder of Money Quotient and a visionary leader whose work has profoundly shaped the financial planning profession. Over her remarkable 35-year career, Carol dedicated herself to creating innovative tools, resources, and training programs that enable financial professionals to integrate emotional intelligence and holistic approaches into their practices. Her groundbreaking work has improved the lives of financial professionals and clients alike, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of financial planning.

A Pioneer in Financial Life Planning

Carol’s belief that a successful financial plan must address both the money intelligence and emotional intelligence has been the cornerstone of her work. She founded MQ in 2001 to provide financial professionals with the tools, resources, and training needed to build deeper, more meaningful client relationships. She later established MQ Research and Education, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing evidence-based practices in financial planning, education, and counseling.

Carol’s innovative research and development of the Money Quotient True Wealth Planning model have provided financial professionals with a framework for aligning financial decisions with clients’ personal values and life goals. Her work has helped countless advisors build practices rooted in empathy, trust, and holistic success.

Contributions That Redefined the Industry

Carol’s influence extends far beyond Money Quotient. As a researcher, writer, and consultant, she has authored seminal white papers, including “Communication Issues in Life Planning,” which significantly influenced the evolution of financial services and is frequently cited in CFP® curriculum. Her insights into client-planner relationships, behavioral finance, and financial literacy have set a benchmark for excellence in the industry.

A Career of Recognition and Gratitude

In 2024, Carol was honored with the P. Kemp Fain, Jr. Award, the highest individual recognition in financial planning, for her outstanding contributions to the profession. This accolade highlighted her decades-long dedication to advancing financial planning through research, education, and client-centered innovation.

“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for this recognition of my life’s work. I have been driven to identify the factors that inspire and equip individuals to maximize their resources and to pursue lives of meaning and purpose. I am indebted to my family, my teachers, and my colleagues for encouraging and supporting me along this endlessly fascinating journey.”

A Life Beyond Professional Accomplishments

Carol’s passions extend well beyond her professional life. She is a devoted advocate for lifelong learning and personal growth, values she embodies through her love of family, gardening, hiking, and caring for her beloved pets. Her warmth, generosity, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others continue to inspire everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Continuing the Mission

Carol’s legacy lives on through Money Quotient’s commitment to empowering financial professionals with tools, resources, and training that prioritize life-centered financial guidance. As MQ moves forward, it does so with a foundation built on Carol’s vision and a commitment to carry her legacy into the future. The principles she established will always remain at the heart of what we do and continue to inspire new generations of advisors.

"Carol dedicated over three decades of sweat and tears to understanding how to truly make a difference in people’s lives. Her passion and resilience have left a lasting mark on the financial planning profession."

Amy Mullen