Robin A. Lovely, MBA, CFP^®, CDFA™, RICP^®

I grew up the daughter of a single Mom who struggled to make ends meet. There was never enough money to go around and "we can't afford that" was a phrase commonly heard whenever I asked for something. Even when I talked about going to college! I hated not being able to pursue things I was interested in. As I look back now, I realize that this struggle led me to be 100% focused on being financially secure and independent in my own life. I started working at 16 and never took a dime from my family after that.

After high school, I attended a hospital-based 3-year nursing program primarily because it was affordable. I paid for it myself by working, saving and taking out some loans. I worked at the same hospital for 2 years, and then moved to Boston to work in the Medical ICU at Boston University Medical Center. Using the hospital's tuition reimbursement program along with my own money from working, I attended the bachelor's degree program at Northeastern University. I went to school and worked for about 3 years and graduated with a GPA of 3.995! I went on to be a Nurse Manager for 2 years at BU and loved it!

I decided to go to graduate school and realized I was intrigued by business. Even now I'm not sure why. I took a few business courses and loved them and so started applying to MBA programs. I remember a male hospital manager asking, "Where did you apply?" When I answered with the names of several top schools, he said next, "Did you apply anywhere you have a chance of getting into?". Ha! I ultimately attended Harvard's two-year MBA program, living on loans and very occasional work. My learning curve was very steep, but I made it through.

After graduation I took a position as an Assistant Vice President at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston where Dean John McArthur of HBS was Chairman of the Board. I was there for 5 years and then moved out into the for-profit sector of healthcare. I had senior leadership positions in a variety of settings including Outpatient, Extended Care/Subacute Care, Home Care and Healthcare Technology. Eventually I became disenchanted with for-profit healthcare and corporate life in general. I was not a good "soldier" and I tired of the constant travel. I wanted to find work that was more directly under my control with much less travel. That's how I ended up at the Smith Barney training program in 1998.

I have since found my path, through the ups and downs of the market (tech-wreck and great recession), and many, many industry changes. I have broadened my expertise from primarily investments to encompass Financial Planning, Divorce Planning (having personally gone through divorce) and Protection Planning with insurance. I am an avid educator, regularly teaching classes locally. I am a staunch advocate for women in all walks of life. I could never have imagined that this career choice would be such a perfect fit for me, the ideal combination of personal service, analysis and problem-solving. While I am building my team with women who are younger than I am, I hope to never retire!

Financial education, empathy, advocacy, good listening skills, compassion, integrity, detailed analysis and problem solving. These are the important hallmarks of my work. I want you to know that you can overcome obstacles and be financially secure and self-sufficient.

Robin believes that community service is important. She is a former Rotarian and has served in every Board role through her involvement in various Clubs including Martha's Vineyard, Providence, RI and Plymouth, MA. She was the President of the Rotary Club of Warwick, RI in the 2011-2012 year. She was previously a member of the Executive Board of Cornerstone Adult Services, now a member of the St Elizabeth Community. Robin has served in numerous leadership roles for a variety of women's business and networking organizations.

Robin and her husband John live in Plymouth, MA with their Portuguese water dog, Domino. Between them they have five children and four grandchildren. During the summer they can usually be found cruising the local waters either in their sail boat or their power boat.

Robin's primary office is located in Marshfield, MA but she is also available to see clients in East Providence or any of Baystate's other offices.