Personality Profile: Susan L. Powers

Susan L. Powers, CFA, CFP^®, CPA, CPFA | Co-Founder & COO 
AssetGrade, LLC – Registered Investment Advisors

In this month’s Personality Profile, we feature Susan L. Powers, a highly qualified financial professional with multiple designations, including CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CFP (Certified Financial Planner), and CPFA (Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor).

As a co-founding partner, she focuses on life transitions, particularly for women investors and small businesses, and has expertise as a retirement plan specialist. Her well-rounded background allows her to provide tailored financial guidance and support to clients navigating important financial decisions and transitions.

Susan was gracious enough to respond to a few questions we had for her this month!

1. Can you please tell our readers what you do for a living?

I use my comprehensive background in all facets of financial planning, investing, and wealth-building, to craft tailored strategies ensuring my clients maximize every opportunity to protect and grow their hard-earned wealth.

At AssetGrade, my partners and I are Registered Investment Advisors.  Fiduciaries, registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and legally bound to act in the best interest of our clients.  

You may be surprised to know not all “advisors” are held to this high standard.  Unlike the others, we do not earn commissions for selling specific investments, nor do we offer proprietary products or funds.

Life is full of transitions—some planned but more often unexpected. I strive to help my clients navigate each with confidence and ease, whether it’s a pivotal moment in the growth of a business, the loss of a spouse, a divorce, and even medical concerns.

2. How long have you lived in the Lake Country region?

My husband Mark and I first visited Reynolds in 2006 and quickly fell in love with the quality of the environment and scenery of Georgia’s Lake Country.  We later bought a lot, built and  moved into our new home June of 2015.

My mother, Marvel Downing, feeling the same way about lake country beat us here by four months and has lived in Del Webb in since April 2015. 

3. Where are you originally from?

We lived in Keller, TX, a suburb a Dallas/Ft. Worth for more than 15 years while I worked for Fidelity Investments and Mark was an engineer for BNSF railway.

4. What do you enjoy most about living here?

Mark loves to play golf and Reynolds is just the place to enjoy it.  

I love working in my garden.  With carefully considered plants choices and water features, the garden attracts a stunning variety of birds and butterflies.  Great view from my home office window.

The convenience of working from home while being just 2 miles from my office in Parkside Commons is a huge bonus.  

The whole family enjoys supporting the many locally owned shops and restaurants and seeing all the new development that has come as more people discover our amazing quality of life!  

5. Where is your favorite place to eat in the region?

At home, ha!  Mark is an amazing cook who enjoys cooking for others.  When not golfing, he is often found on the grill porch smoking a brisket, making smash burgers on the flat top or his latest passion, perfecting homemade pizza in the new pizza oven!

When we do go out, it’s to enjoy more time with friends.  Locally owner spots are favorites; Table ATL, Da Corrado’s, and guests always love going to Silver Moon.  Guilty pleasure, the new Taco Bell!

6. Who are some of your inspirations in life?

My grandmother and my mom!!  Amazing women, that were both way ahead of their time.  They provided me with strong female role models and the confidence to feel I could do anything I set my mind to.  “Can’t, never could do a thing” my grandmother used to say.  

7. Do you have any hobbies? 

Besides gardening, spending time with friends and getting outside whenever possible.  I grew up in the desert southwest.  Living around water, surrounded by trees is quite the positive change.

8. What does a healthy day look like for you?

Taking advantage of the many scenic places to walk, seeing the diverse wildlife we live among, spending time with friends, and enjoying good food!  So much for which to feel grateful.  

9. Anything else you’d like the readers to know about yourself or living in the Lake Country region?

I am deeply passionate about what I do and the well-being of my clients, and I believe that passion is reflected in the quality of my work. Most of my clients come through direct referrals, a testament to the trust and satisfaction of those I’ve had the privilege to serve. I stay actively engaged with my clients, continually adjusting plans to accommodate the constant changes life brings. Ultimately, I take great pride in working solely in my clients’ best interests.

AssetGrade, LLC is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about AssetGrade, LLC’s investment advisory services can be found in its Form ADV Part 2 and/or Form CRS, which is available upon request.