Finding Purpose in Mentorship and Authenticity

Some career paths move in a straight line. For Laura Corbiani, CFP^®, the road to financial planning was more winding but no less purposeful. From studying ceramic art and engineering to working as a research scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Laura’s professional journey has always been guided by curiosity and a passion for problem-solving. It was only when a friend encouraged her to explore financial planning that she realized she had found her calling. 

“Financial planning is really about relationships,” Laura shares. “Once I discovered that, I knew that this was the right career path for me. I get to combine my love for creative problem-solving with the opportunity to connect deeply with people. That’s a perfect fit.”

Supporting Women Through NAPFA

Laura brings that same passion for connection to her work as a volunteer with NAPFA’s Women’s Initiative. In this role, she helps promote the group’s mission, support its annual scholarship program, and participate in its mentorship network. 

Of all her involvements, Laura is most proud of the mentorship program. “When I was a mentee, I had a wonderful mentor who gave me the foundation to build relationships with amazing women in NAPFA,” she explains. “That experience gave me the structure to provide informal mentorship to younger advisors starting out. It has been incredibly meaningful.”

Volunteering has also helped her build lasting professional relationships. “It’s such a wonderful way to connect with other Fee-Only advisors across the country,” she says. “You end up with colleagues you can call on year-round to share practice ideas and planning challenges.”

Building a Client-Centered Practice

Laura joined NAPFA in 2019 and immediately found value in its community resources. “The conversation circles and MIX groups have been invaluable to me as an advisor,” she says. “I’m so grateful for this supportive group of colleagues who share ideas generously and genuinely want the best outcomes for clients.”

In her practice, Laura often works with two distinct client groups. The first are what she describes as “anxious savers.” “They need emotional reassurance that they’ll be okay financially, even when the numbers prove it,” she says. “I dig into their financial history and story, validate their concerns, and meet them where they are. As an anxious person myself who hates spending money, I deeply understand that emotions don’t always follow logic.”

Her second group includes women in male-dominated fields such as science, law, and technology. “As a former research scientist and a working mom, I understand the extra weight those roles can carry beyond just doing the job,” she says. “My clients appreciate having an advisor who truly gets it.”

Laura has built her practice around authenticity. “The best marketing I’ve ever done is simply showing up as myself,” she reflects. “No suits in my photos or meetings, no jargon—just an honest, down-to-earth approach. Listening deeply and providing great service has been the strongest driver for my firm.”

For Laura, financial planning is about much more than numbers. “I love being with clients in their best moments, holding space in their hardest, and helping them find financial clarity when life feels chaotic,” she says. “That’s what makes this work so gratifying.” 

If you’d like to connect with Laura, reach out on LinkedIn or learn more about her firm at Astraea Wealth.