Welcome, Smart Women!

The Smart Women/Savvy Money Club exists to empower women to take control of their financial future. René Nourse was inspired to create the SWSM Club to provide financial education and virtual networking opportunities for women of all ages and backgrounds. We know women are smart! But there's a gap between being smart and becoming savvy about your finances. We want all women to have the knowledge and confidence to make good choices about their money and their future.

Smart Women are busy. They have full lives, lots of responsibilities, and often not much time to manage and plan their own financial lives. (We understand this, because we're women, too!) Our goal is to have your back—to equip you to have important conversations at the intersection of finances and lifestyle.

The Vision of the SWSM Club

We love what we do. Our expertise is in managing money—but our experiences are what enable us to connect with people.

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Women outside in the sun laughing

Many times, an unexpected crisis faced by a friend or family member prompts a woman to start looking for answers to financial questions. For every woman, in every situation, the message of the SWSM Club is this:

(1) It is never too late. We encourage women to leave the past behind. Stop reflecting on what you "could" have done with your money.

(2) You can do this. You can move out of neutral and be brave, bold, and strategic about using your money.

Like you, we know what it's like to be a professional woman on an exciting career path. We know what it's like to be single, and part of a couple. We've faced the loss of family members—we know how difficult it is to say goodbye to parents, grandparents, and partners. We understand the unique needs of raising special children. We've experienced mixed emotions following divorce and the responsibility of being a single mom. We know the feeling. And, with you, we celebrate the endless opportunities to design a life of our own desiring.

Join the Club!

You're smart. Are you ready to build your financial savvy, too? Join the Smart Women/Savvy Money Club today. We can't wait to meet you!

Join the SWSM Club
Meet the Women of UWM
René Nourse, CFP®

René Nourse, CFP®

Founder/CEO, Wealth Advisor

My experience in financial services has made it clear to me that women are often overlooked and underserved. There are many women out there who are strong, ambitious, and independent, but remain hesitant to take control of their financial future — I started Smart Women/Savvy Money to help women focus their attention on their finances and create the lifestyle they desire and deserve.

Lily C. Huber

Chief Operating Officer

In a capitalist world, make sure you pay yourself first. You work hard for your money, make your money work harder for you. The Smart Women Savvy Money Club gives you the foundation to gain more knowledge and prepare for financial success!

Millú Ramirez, CFP®

Millú Ramirez, CFP®

Wealth Advisor

As a wife and a mother of three, including an autistic boy, I understand what it takes to balance a family with a demanding career. While guiding my mother, a 69-year old widow, through the process of financial planning, I witnessed her “aha” moment when she gained confidence in making the right financial decisions. My desire to help families plan for their financial future pushed me to become a financial advisor. 

Derenda King, CFP®/CDFA®

Derenda King, CFP®

Financial Advisor

My interest in the financial services industry began in 2007 when I became responsible for finalizing the financial affairs of my mom and grandmother. I made it a mission to help other single women attain the comfort and peace of mind that comes from knowing that they could take care of themselves whether or not they had help from a spouse/partner, children, and/or their family.

Melanie Perry

Melanie Perry, CFP®

Financial Advisor

I started helping people create sustainable wealth in 1999, right out of college. Early on, I saw a gap between the financial materials companies provided and the financial knowledge people had. This opened a door for my passion to bloom. I built skills to make complex financial concepts simple and relatable, and I started spreading a message of financial empowerment every way I can—on the radio, in books and summer camps, as well as one-on-one.

April Charles

April Charles

Senior Registered Associate

Our goal is to help women become financially independent and help create the lifestyle they deserve. The Smart Women Savvy Money Club provides a safe environment to help bring together the moving parts so you can live fearlessly.

Nancy Leon

Nancy Leon

Financial Advisor Associate

From an early age, I knew personal finance was important. Working in banking gave me the tools and resources to learn about debt management, work towards my own financial goals, and pay off my student debt sooner than I expected. This fueled my passion to educate others so they too can have that feeling of accomplishment. It's so rewarding to share knowledge and help others achieve financial success.