Karen L. DeRose, CFP^®, CRPC^®

Karen stands at the helm of DeRose Financial Planning Group as its President and Managing Partner. Her journey in the finance world began alongside her father in his successful insurance practice, where Karen’s natural affinity for comprehensive financial planning began to take root. Realizing that insurance only addressed part of a client’s financial needs, Karen sought to offer holistic solutions, which led to the foundation of DeRose Financial Planning Group in 1996. Her journey now includes 3 generations working together under the DeRose umbrella - creating a true multi-generational family business.

Karen earned a bachelor’s degree in business with concentrations in accounting and marketing from Barat College. Her credentials, including CFP® and CRPC® designations, and FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 registrations, are a testament to her dedication and skill in the field. Karen’s leadership extends beyond DeRose FPG. She has served as the Past Chairman of the Resource Group of top advisors within Lincoln Financial Advisors and as the Past Chairman & Founding Member of The WISE Group, Lincoln’s women advisor's network. Her accolades include:

• Regular listings in Chicago Magazine’s “Five-Star Wealth Advisor”
• Recognition in the Women in Financial Services (WIFS) Circle of Excellence
• Women’s Choice Award
• Number One Financial Professional in 2023 for Lincoln Financial Advisors
• Inaugural Member of Women to Watch in Investment News

Outside of work, Karen is an ardent nature lover and hiker. She indulges in traveling, yoga, scuba diving, and reading - always seeking to broaden her horizons and experiences. A health and fitness enthusiast, she integrates interval training into her daily routine, emphasizing the importance of physical well-being in achieving life balance. Karen and her husband, Tony, have shared a journey spanning over four decades, enriched with the joys of raising their two sons, Anthony and Nick, both Partners at DeRose.

In every aspect, Karen DeRose embodies the spirit of DeRose – a commitment to personalized, comprehensive financial planning, and a dedication to living a life that is as rich and varied as the financial plans she creates for her clients to live the live that she values.

*The Resource Group (TRG) is an internal invitation-only, nationwide network of the top planners within Osaic Weatlh.

**The mission of The WISE Group is to assist women financial advisors with Osaic Wealth in the growth and recognition of their practice.

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, receipt or promotion of the award. 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.

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. In 2024, 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. Working with a WIFS Circle of Excellence award recipient is no guarantee of investment success.

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.

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 the Investment News for the nomination, receipt or promotion of the award. The award was independently granted and membership in an organization was not required. Working with a “Women to Watch” award recipient is no guarantee of investment success.