"My passion is listening to clients and translating their wants, needs and values into a plan that builds and preserves their wealth over their lifetime. This leads to a long-term relationship as we create the life they value and the legacy they envision.”
Karen first began her financial planning practice after spending a few years working with her father, who had a very successful insurance practice. As she continued to work with her father and his clients, she was consistently asked financial questions outside the realm of insurance. It was then that she realized that people needed financial advice on all aspects of their lives, and that insurance can only solve one need. It was then that she envisioned a financial planning practice, where advice was paramount to selling a product. Her time with her father was invaluable, as not only was he instrumental in nudging her towards financial planning, he also taught her the value of excellent service to her future clients.
In 1996, she founded DeRose Financial Planning Group to help her clients take their financial planning to the next level. At that time, comprehensive financial planning was still in its relative infancy, as most “planners” simply sold investments or insurance. She envisioned a practice where a customized, comprehensive financial plan could be tailored to each of her clients’ financial lives. She has been doing so ever since.
Karen is Past Chairman of the prestigious Resource Group, comprised of the top 200 financial advisors within Lincoln Financial Advisors and Past Chairman & Founding Member of The WISE Group - Lincoln’s women advisor’s network. She believes in collaborating with other trusted advisors by adding value and resources to her client relationship’s through business development. Karen is also the Past President of the BNI Wildfire Group and a member of The Executive Guild. She has appeared on NBC Chicago and has been listed in Chicago Magazine’s “Five-Star Wealth Advisor” since 2010[1], Women in Financial Services (WIFS) Circle of Excellence Award since 2011[2], Women’s Choice Award since 2011[3], awarded the prestigious 20 Women Too Watch Award in 2015 by Investment News[4]. Most recently, she was named by the Chicago Daily Herald “Best Financial Planner and Wealth Management Firm” in 2018. She has been notably featured in the book “Women at the Top in Financial Services.” In 2019, Karen was the recipient of the inaugural WISE Innovator award for her devotion to promoting and mentoring women in the industry.
Karen holds her FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 66 registrations and is licensed to provide health and life insurance in several states.
She lives in Deerfield and is celebrating 37 years of marriage with her husband, Tony. Together, they have two grown sons, both of whom work in the business, with Anthony as a Partner in the practice and Nick as a Senior Financial Planning Coordinator. Karen loves to travel, hike, participate in yoga sessions, scuba dive, and is an avid reader. Her family is an active member of Holy Cross Church in Deerfield, Illinois, Board Member of Spirit Air LLC, a not-for-profit that provides flights for “life”, and participates in several local charity events.
[1] The Five Star Wealth Manager Award is independently produced by Five Star Professional (FSP) and is based on data from financial advisors, regulatory disclosures, and FSP research. We were independently nominated for the award. Neither the advisors nor their parent firm pay a fee to FSP for the nomination or receipt of the award. A fee of $7,700 was paid for a digital profile and tailored posts shared on social media, full page print profile in Chicago magazine, and e-Print profile in Fortune magazine. The award was independently granted and membership in an organization was not required. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager is no guarantee of investment success.
[2] WIFS Circle of Excellence is a voluntary recognition program for members who achieve significant income levels in the insurance and financial services industry. This prestigious recognition is based on annual production for the previous year. This year, 57 members qualified for this distinction with reported combined income of $21 million. We applied for the award. Neither the advisors nor their parent firm pay a fee to WIFS for the nomination or receipt of the award. A fee of $260 was paid for the recognition and a commemorative glass award. The award was independently granted and membership in an organization was not required. Working with a WIFS Circle of Excellence award recipient is no guarantee of investment success.
[3] The Women’s Choice Award Financial Advisor Program is based on 17 criteria associated with providing service to women clients such as credentials, experience and a favorable regulatory history. We applied for the award. Neither the advisors nor their parent firm pay a fee to the Women’s Choice Award Financial Advisor Program for the nomination or receipt of the award. A fee of $500 was paid for recognition in the national edition of USA Today print newspaper and in the e-edition of the NY zone of the USA Today. The award was independently granted and membership in an organization was not required. Working with a Women’s Choice Award Financial Advisor Program award recipient is no guarantee of investment success.
[4] The "Women to Watch" award is sponsored by Investment News and nominations, including self-nominations, are judged by specific criteria-success, leadership, ability to effect change, willingness to help other female professionals and community service. We applied for the award. Neither the advisors nor their parent firm pay a fee to Investment News for the nomination or receipt of the award. Membership in an organization was not required.