WhoIsShe? SHEGIVES FOUNDING MEMBER DEIRDRE PRESCOTT

Q:WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOUR MOTHER EVER GAVE YOU?

A: My mother told me to get a cleaning lady immediately when I first got married. The idea was to get my husband accustomed to paying for it, whether it be monthly or weekly. It’s saved us from a lot of arguments over the years! “Done, Not Perfect” was another phrase that she taught me. I’m a reformed perfectionist – as the oldest of five children, mom, spouse, business owner, volunteer, etc. I have learned that you can’t do everything to perfection. You need to let things go and not sweat the small stuff.

Q: BRILLIANT. THOUGH FROM THE SOUND OF IT, YOU HAVEN’T SHAKEN YOUR PERFECTIONIST STREAK QUITE FULLY. TELL US ABOUT YOUR ROLE WITH THE BOSTON ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL.

A: I have been on the Executive Committee of the Boston Estate Planning Council for four years and recently became President of this 800-member organization. The Council is a multi-disciplinary organization of professional advisors who attend educational programs and collaborate to provide the best solutions for their clients. This commitment can be anywhere from 4-10 hours/week. I also previously served two terms on the Board and have chaired various committees.

Q: AND THIS TIES DIRECTLY TO YOUR CAREER IN WEALTH MANAGEMENT, RIGHT?

A: Yes, exactly. At Sandy Cove, the wealth advisory firm I founded over 4 years ago, we have developed a niche in serving the needs of women who are very successful in their business endeavors, but are overwhelmed with the complexity of their personal financial affairs. They have the best intentions of addressing their needs, but life gets in the way and time is so precious that many things get put on the back burner like their Estate Plan, Investments, Life Insurance, Budgeting, etc. We partner with our clients to facilitate and ensure that they attend to these matters over time. We have developed a specialized niche working with women and truly understand how they process information and want to be treated. Our clients know when working with us that they have entered the “No Judgment Zone.” Our only goal is to help simplify and streamline their lives so that they can focus on their family, careers and passions.

We also cater to women who may be going through a transition. They might be recently widowed, divorcing or facing retirement. We work with these clients to better understand their cash flow needs and help them develop a financial plan and roadmap for the future.

Q: AND NOW FOR THE FINISHER: WHO BROUGHT YOU INTO SHEGIVES? WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT HER?

A: Kirstan Barnett. Kirstan is a rock star and energizer bunny with an enormous heart and sense of responsibility to give back. I’m so thrilled to be part of such a dynamic group.

SheGives connects committed, inquisitive, engaged donors with a slate of diligenced nonprofits in the Greater Boston area. We provide members with relevant data about the nonprofits in our portfolio and an opportunity to meet directly with our nonprofits’ Executive Directors and senior staff in small settings that promote in-depth q&a’s and, ultimately, informed giving. Giving is personally driven, but because we give side-by-side our collective impact is greater. See a list of the vetted nonprofits selected for our slate here.

WhoIsShe is a regular column featuring an appreciative but sometimes irreverent conversation with a SheGives Member.