VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
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Building Connections and Honoring a Legacy Through NAPFA
Irina Gabidullina, CFP®, APMA®, WMCP®, of Donalies Financial Planning
For Irina Gabidullina, CFP®, APMA®, WMCP®, financial planning is more than just numbers and investments; it’s about building relationships, mentoring, and giving back. As the Local Groups Chair for the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Region Board of Directors, Irina plays a key role in connecting financial advisors, facilitating collaboration, and growing local networks.
Like many in her profession, Irina was drawn to financial planning because of a genuine desire to help others. While she worked in the financial planning field since 2007, it wasn’t until 2018 that she earned her certification, thanks to the encouragement of her mentor, Debbie Gallant. “Debbie’s caring and thoughtful mentorship motivated me to take the CFP® exam. Sadly, Debbie passed away unexpectedly in November 2024. Debbie inspired me to commit to giving back to the profession and supporting other advisors,” Irina reflects. “When Debbie passed, her well-structured succession plan allowed me to seamlessly step into my role at Donalies Financial Planning. Now, I can continue serving our clients, managing their investments, and mentoring others, just as she once mentored me.”
Fostering Community and Growth
With a passion for mentorship and community-building, Irina is committed to helping her clients and fellow financial planners grow and succeed in the industry. One of the projects Irina is most proud of is the summer social events she helped organize at her previous firm, Gallant Financial Planning. These gatherings brought together established and emerging advisors in the DC-Maryland-Virginia region, creating mentorship opportunities and strengthening the local financial planning community. An event was attended by Michael Kitces, a CFP® professional and creator of the popular blog, “Nerd’s Eye View,” who lives in the area. Now, at Donalies Financial Planning, she is committed to continuing this tradition and fostering valuable ways for advisors to connect with one another.
Following the transition of Gallant Financial Planning to Donalies Financial Planning, Irina and her team are focused on optimizing processes and software, enhancing client support, and proudly supporting NAPFA. She works with diverse clients, including retirees, professionals at all career stages, and small-business owners, many of whom have public sector or international backgrounds. The firm uses a variety of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), including many from Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA). With a CFA® certificate in environmental, social, and governance (ESG), Irina also helps sustainability-minded clients align their investments with their values—ensuring they understand the “how” and “why” behind investment recommendations. To honor Debbie’s impact on the industry, Donalies Financial Planning is working with NAPFA to establish a scholarship, ensuring her legacy continues to inspire the next generation of financial planners.
Irina joined NAPFA after earning her CFP® certification, looking for ways to deepen her industry connections and continue learning. “NAPFA has been invaluable in helping me connect with other financial planners at the local, regional, and national levels,” she says. “It’s not just a professional network but a true community.”
This year, Irina is participating in NAPFA’s mentorship program, guiding new advisors as they build their practices. “Volunteering is a fantastic way to connect with people who are passionate about causes you might have never considered,” she says. “Mentoring new advisors is incredibly rewarding, allowing me to learn from others and contribute to something bigger than myself.”
If you want to get involved with NAPFA and learn from fellow advisors, please connect with Irina. Reach out to her on LinkedIn to start a conversation and make the most of your NAPFA membership.
Irina Gabidullina, CFP®, APMA®, WMCP® | LinkedIn
