Hello. I am the co-founder of Empowered Financial Strategies. I am steadfast in building meaningful relationships with my clients, understanding their core values, and partnering with them to identify their evolving needs and financial objectives. I build and implement custom solutions to help each client achieve their financial goals through all of life’s stages. My client-service-oriented nature makes my clients feel right at home and part of the family.

Education has played a key role in my life. I received my Bachelor’s degree from Gwynedd Mercy University. Thereafter, I received a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) designation and Chartered Financial Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®) designation from The American College. I hold a Life and Health license and FINRA Series 6, 63, 65 and 7 Securities Licenses.

Growing up with siblings with Down Syndrome and mental illness has offered me the ability to extend my services into the special needs community. I am keenly aware of the unique challenges of caring for loved ones with special needs and the specialized planning process necessary to ensure a secure financial future for people with disabilities.

When working with parents and caregivers of those with disabilities, I create a comprehensive plan for their own personal needs and the current and future needs of their children or loved ones. I understand that a fiduciary carries even more weight when making these critical legal and monetary decisions. Some areas I lend expertise and assistance include the following:

• Planning income streams to support future care and quality of life.
• Protecting and maximizing government benefits.
• Legacy funding strategies for future care and quality of life.
• Designing a three-person retirement.
• Care management.

I reside right outside of Philadelphia with my family in a small, tight-knit community where I enjoy running, racing, yoga, entertaining and family fun. I am steadfast in my advocacy for women and the disability community. I am involved in Achilles International Philadelphia Chapter, Aaron’s Acres and am well connected in various professional women’s organizations. I lead 1847Financial’s Women Advisory Study group where I cultivate women’s empowerment in the financial industry.

Firm Description

Empowered Financial Strategies was founded when Joanna Craney, with a scientific background and a deep personal connection to special needs advocacy, partnered with Carolyn Humphrey, a seasoned financial advisor with a strong foundation in math and economics. Together, they saw the need for something more personal—planning that not only secures retirement but also protects the most vulnerable loved ones. Carolyn brings deep knowledge in retirement income, tax strategies, and long-term care planning, while Joanna specializes in special needs planning, working closely with attorneys and support systems to ensure lasting care. Their mission is to work in tandem to help pre-retirees navigate the complexities of retirement and special needs planning with clarity—providing confidence that their needs are covered and their loved ones will always be cared for.

At Empowered Financial Strategies, we engage with our clients to create a process-oriented financial plan. We place you in the driver’s seat of your financial journey. This power seat lets you affect the change that you envision, allowing you to secure the benefits of financial success.  Leading with the values of integrity, compassion, education, and verification, we listen to gain a clear understanding of our client’s current financial position and values. Our clients tell us that they feel more organized, have more clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

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