At Next Phase Financial, we work alongside women as they navigate life’s financial changes - whether expected or unexpected. Our role isn’t to talk at you or overwhelm you with technical language. It’s to help you understand your options, think through decisions, and move forward with clarity.

Founded by Carmen Jennett, Next Phase Financial was built on the belief that financial guidance should feel human, accessible, and supportive. Carmen’s personal experiences as a caregiver and her understanding of the real financial pressures women face - from wage gaps to career interruptions - shape how she serves clients every day.

We work with women at all stages of life, including single mothers, medical professionals, business owners, and women navigating transitions such as divorce, widowhood, career changes, or retirement planning. Many of our clients come to us after feeling unheard or underserved elsewhere - and tell us it’s the first time their financial life has truly been explained in a way that makes sense.

Our approach is collaborative and education-focused. We believe better understanding leads to better decisions - and fewer regrets. Every conversation is grounded in your real life, your priorities, and what matters most to you.

Enter Your Financial Oasis

Multi-ethnic group of relaxed mature women bonding and smiling while leaning on the wall
Carmen Jennett

Carmen Jennett FSCP, BFA

Financial Planner

Carmen Jennett works with individuals - especially women - to help them understand their money story, clarify what they value, and make financial decisions that align with their real lives. Her work centers on guiding clients from where they are today to the next phase of their financial journey through thoughtful conversation, education, and practical action steps.

Carmen’s approach is collaborative and grounded in behavioral finance. Rather than telling clients what to do, she works alongside them - helping them slow down, understand their options, and make decisions with clarity and intention. She believes financial confidence comes not from complexity, but from understanding, involvement, and ongoing support.

Background & Professional Journey

Carmen has spent her entire career in finance, with experience spanning banking, lending, operations, business ownership, and financial planning. Early in her career, she worked as a Senior Relationship Banker, managing IRA portfolios, underwriting loans, and serving as a primary point of contact for clients’ financial needs. Over time, she expanded her professional experience as a mortgage consultant, operations manager, paralegal, business owner, and financial planner, giving her a broad and practical understanding of how financial decisions intersect with real life.

Her commitment to serving women was shaped early. When Carmen was eight years old, her mother became disabled, and Carmen saw firsthand how women were often underserved and undervalued in the workforce. She observed the long-term impact of wage gaps, career interruptions, caregiving responsibilities, and the difficulty many women face in building financial independence and retirement security.

At age thirteen, Carmen’s parents asked her to review their trust and will to ensure their children would be cared for in the event of a catastrophic loss. While reading the documents, Carmen identified errors that needed correction - an experience that left a lasting impression on her and sparked a deep appreciation for the importance of planning.

Later, while married and working in banking, Carmen managed professional responsibilities while also running multiple businesses with her then-husband as they were starting a family. During her pregnancy, Carmen experienced a sudden and life-threatening medical emergency that required emergency brain surgery and carried a very low chance of survival. That experience reinforced a belief that continues to guide her work today: life is unpredictable, and planning is not about fear - it’s about preparedness, dignity, and choice.

Following her recovery, Carmen obtained her insurance license and committed herself to educating others and helping them plan for uncertainty. She became especially focused on serving women who, at some point in their lives, may find themselves fully responsible for their finances and the care of others.

A Focus on Women and Real-Life Planning

Carmen works in a profession that has historically been male-dominated, and she saw a need for more women-centered guidance rooted in listening, understanding, and respect. She believes financial conversations should feel approachable and empowering - not confusing or intimidating.

Her work is informed by the reality that many women balance multiple roles: professional, caregiver, parent, business owner, and decision-maker. Carmen has lived this herself - as a single mother by choice, a businesswoman, and someone who understands what it means to be fully responsible for both personal and financial decisions.

She also carries a deeply personal perspective shaped by her mother’s experience. At age 33, Carmen’s mother suffered a stroke that affected her ability to read, write, speak, and work. Though she recovered many functions over time, she lost financial independence, access to protections such as disability and long-term care coverage, and the confidence that comes from being able to support oneself. Carmen’s mother carried a newspaper clipping from her youth - an announcement of her place on the Dean’s List - reminding Carmen of the potential and purpose that illness and circumstance can take away.

This experience continues to shape Carmen’s commitment to helping women plan proactively, align decisions with their values, and maintain as much independence and choice as possible throughout life.

Education & Professional Credentials

Carmen’s education and credentials support her emphasis on planning, behavior, and client understanding:

  • Financial Services Certified Professional (FSCP), The American College of Financial Services
  • Behavioral Finance Advisor
  • ABA-Accredited Paralegal Degree
  • Executive Leadership Program
  • American Institute of Banking – Consumer Lending
  • American School of Banking – Certificates through the American Bankers Association

How Carmen Defines Her Work

Carmen describes her role as a guide and partner - someone clients can turn to for clarity, perspective, and support during both everyday decisions and major life changes. Client conversations often range from long-term planning to immediate questions, and Carmen takes a holistic view of how each decision fits into the bigger picture.

Clients often share that financial concepts feel clearer after working with Carmen and that they feel more comfortable asking questions without hesitation. Carmen values relationships built on trust, communication, and shared understanding, and she works with clients across the United States - meeting them where they are, both financially and personally.

Personal

Carmen is single by choice and has been through the impact of being 100% responsible for herself as well raising a daughter as a single Mom for years. She is a proud mother, grandmother to three grandchildren she lovingly calls her “lovies,” and a lifelong dog lover with two terrier-mix companions.

Carmen enjoys paddle boarding, dancing, spending time outdoors, and being present for the people and experiences that matter most to her. She believes a meaningful financial life is one that supports relationships, personal joy, and flexibility - not just numbers on a page.