Welcome, Smart Women!

The Smart Woman/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.

Our Next SWSM Event
Young woman accepting keys to a new house

The REAL DEAL in Real Estate: A Smart Women/Savvy Money Webinar

Yolanda Dawson, Ed.D.

Scheduled for

When you’re buying a home, there are a lot of things to learn about—especially if it’s your first time. Dr. Yolanda Dawson will join Carol Jones to talk about the current real estate market, plus helpful tips for first-time buyers entering the housing market in California.

Young Black business woman

Scaling and Pivoting Your Business: A Smart Women/Savvy Money Webinar

Elaine Lou Cartas

Scheduled for

Did you create your business so you can have more time and freedom? Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed? Let’s change this! Elaine Lou Cartas, a business and career coach for WOC and allies, sits down with Derenda King to discuss tangible actions to scale and simplify your business and get… Continue reading

Black parents making a protective house gesture over children's heads.

Estate Planning Lessons from the Pandemic: A Smart Women/Savvy Money Webinar

Esther Hopkins, Esq.

Scheduled for

Coming out of the pandemic, the importance of a well-designed estate plan become evident—one that actually works to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our assets. Attorney Esther Hopkins joins Millú Ramirez to talk about some of the potential pitfalls in estate planning and how they can be… Continue reading

Highway sign saying Medicare Just Ahead

You Don't Know What You Don't Know About Medicare: A Smart Women/Savvy Money Webinar

Melinda Gann

Scheduled for

Choosing a Medicare health plan can be very confusing! Melinda Gann joins René Nourse to talk about choosing the right kind of plan, getting answers to your questions about care, and timing your sign-up so that you maximize your benefits.

Keeping It Real in Real Estate: What First-Time Homebuyers Need to Know

Published May 12, 2022 by Yolanda Dawson, Ed.D.

5 Potent Tips to Get Your Financial Life in Gear

Recorded on

4 Feminine Pillars of Financial Freedom

Recorded on
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.

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

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

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!

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.

Derenda King, CFP®/CDFA®

Derenda King, CFP®

Financial Planner

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.

Millú Ramirez, CFP®

Millú Ramirez, CFP®

Financial Planner

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. 

Melanie Perry

Melanie Perry, CFP®

Financial Planner

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.

Carol Jones

Carol Jones, MBA

Financial Planning Assistant

I believe that financial education is the key for women to become confident about their money and their future. It is time for women who need answers to rise, start where they are and take control of their finances so that they can regain focus of their destiny. Smart Women/Savvy Money provides the resources women need so that they can have the financial tools to thrive at any stage of their lives.