Events

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Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial is pleased to welcome Will Belongia, Executive Director of the VCLF for Copper Leaf’s next townhall event. They will discuss VCLFs 30-year history of helping Vermonters and it's roots in supporting affordable housing, childcare, as well as Vermont non-profits and small businesses. You will also discover how Copper Leaf Financial works to incorporate investing in VCLF notes into portfolios – empowering you to support locally within your own Vermont community.

Virtual Townhall: Investing in Vermont's Communities

Trusts could play an important role as you plan for your family’s future, yet it’s surprising how little most people know about them. Whether you have an existing trust or maybe you are considering it for your situation- join us and discover everything you should know about them to make the best choice for your family.

Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial is pleased to welcome Rebecca Halvorson of Cumberland Trust for Copper Leaf’s next townhall event. They will discuss ALL things “trust” including:

More about Rebecca Halvorson and Cumberland Trust:

Rebecca works with families and financial advisors to deliver a full range of trust services. Her background includes experience as a Management Consultant for Ernst & Young, a Financial Analyst, and then Managing Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Contributions for FedEx. She is an active member of the Memphis community and has participated in the Memphis Business Journal Table of Experts panel conversations.

Trust Planning: 
What Every Family Should Know About Trusts

2021 has been filled with market uncertainty and economic turmoil in the form of unprecedented inflation. The financial media’s focus on stock market forecasts and their predictions for the year ahead by so-called experts can feel overwhelming. 

Join us for our next virtual roundtable event “2022 Market Preview with Larry Swedroe” and learn how proper planning (not baseless predictions) can eliminate the guessing and instead rely on data and evidence as a path to investment success.

Hosted by Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial and featuring investment expert Larry Swedroe, Chief Research Officer of Buckingham Wealth Partners, we will take a close look at the year ahead. Michael will ask Larry to look into his crystal ball and share his thoughts about market forecasts and his views about the future.

As a sought-after speaker and co-author of eight books on investing, Larry Swedroe has also had appearances on national television shows airing on NBC, CNBC, CNN and Bloomberg Personal Finance. He is a prolific writer, contributing regularly to multiple outlets, including Advisor Perspectives and The Evidence-Based Investor. For more information about Larry please 

2022 Market Preview with Larry Swedroe

What is all the fuss with Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and why should it matter to you?

Hosted by Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial and featuring investment strategist Anthony Caruso, CFA® of Dimensional Fund Advisors, we will take a close look at ETFs and answer all of your questions about how they could fit into investment portfolios.

We will discuss all things exchange traded funds (ETFs):

Virtual Townhall: ETFs and Your Investment Portfolio

Many investors have concerns about inflation, interest rates, recent geopolitical events, high stock prices, which stocks to invest in, bond prices, and predictions about the economy.

Hosted by Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial and featuring market research expert Weston Wellington, Vice President of Dimensional Fund Advisors, we will take a close look at what we can learn from the evidence and what research tells us about investor success in challenging times. We will discuss all of this and more including:

·       How do most conventional approaches to answering these concerns work out?

·       Can history provide any wisdom or experience that can help us understand how to approach today's concerns?

Please join us be sure to bring your questions!

Weston Wellington is one of Dimensional Fund Advisors market research experts. He works closely with financial advisors in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia, showing them how a research-based "equilibrium" strategy may be a good way to pursue investment success and why their clients are unlikely to hear about this approach from the usual sources of financial advice. One of the firm's most engaging speakers, Weston also is an accomplished writer whose work appears regularly on Dimensional's client website.

Prior to joining Dimensional in 1995, Weston was director of research at LPL Financial Services, Inc. in Boston, and he has accumulated over 40 years of experience in the investment industry. He holds a BA in history from Yale University.

Putting Today's Investing Experience in Perspective

Do you want to be confident that your investments are aligned with your most deeply held beliefs and values? Do you wish your investments were helping to create a more sustainable future?

Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial welcomes investment expert Larry Swedroe, Chief Research Officer of Buckingham Wealth Partners and Sam Adams, founder of Vert Asset Management and expert in the construction of sustainable investment portfolios. We will dive deep into this topic and their new book “The Essential Guide to Sustainable Investing” discussing how it is possible to live your values and achieve your financial goals with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), SRI (Socially Responsible Investing), and Impact Investing.

Join us, bring your questions, and find out how you can align your investments not only for today but for future generations. It can be done!

Sam Adams is founder and CEO of Vert Asset Management based in Sausalito, CA. Sam has been deeply involved in environmental causes, sustainable investing and the asset management industry for more than 20 years. The firm’s mission is to help investors easily construct sustainable portfolios. For more information visit 

Your Essential Guide to Sustainable Investing

Estate Planning in Vermont can be complicated. What about your digital assets? Have you identified them and are they protected as part of your estate plan?

Join us for our next virtual townhall as we speak with an expert about this and much more: 

·       What do you need to know about getting your estate plan in order here in Vermont?

·       Will your estate be subject to VT's 16% estate tax?

·       What steps should you take to get your personal ducks-in-a-row to prepare for an easy transition of your belongings and assets to your heirs?

 - What happens to your online accounts, iTunes library, photos, travel points, credit card rewards, or virtual currency like Bitcoin when you pass away? Does your will or trust allow your beneficiaries access to these increasingly important parts of our lives?

·       What are the laws and regulations pertaining to the accessibility of digital assets?

Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial welcomes estate planning attorney Andrew Kestner, Partner at Langrock Sperry & Wool in Burlington, Vermont. They will cover some estate planning basics and will discuss how digital assets should be addressed within your estate plan.

Andy’s estate planning practice involves working closely with clients of all levels of wealth to prepare tailored, yet comprehensive, estate plans including revocable and irrevocable trusts, wills, durable powers of attorney, and advanced health care directives.  He assists clients in meeting their objectives for the transfer of personal and financial legacies, and also offers strategic planning to mitigate gift and estate tax when appropriate. For more information about Andy please 

Estate Planning Basics and What You Need to Know About Digital Assets

Giving Circles are gaining momentum in Vermont! Join us for our next virtual townhall as we discuss this growing movement and how they are bringing people together – empowering them to pool their donations for greater impact while enjoying the social benefits of getting together to support charitable causes.

Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial welcomes Leslie Halperin and Laura Latka, co-founders of The Giving Project in Vermont. They will lead an interactive discussion on this topic and discuss how you can have fun while supporting the causes that you and your friends are most passionate about. Specifically, they will answer the questions:

·       What are Giving Circles and how do they work?

·       How can you join an existing giving circle or how do you start your own?

Giving Circles in Vermont: What Are They and How Can You Get Involved?

Trusts and the right kind of trustee could play an important role in your family’s future - especially for those with special situations. Join us for our next free virtual townhall and find out how proper planning and the use of special trusts could potentially benefit your family!

Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial welcomes Rebecca Halvorson of Cumberland Trust.  Specifically, we will discuss:

·       How special trusts & trustees can help elderly family members by handling bill payment, coordinating home maintenance & moving, managing health care services or providers, and providing valuable trust administration for complex family situations

·       How Special Needs Trusts can provide long-term support for families and beneficiaries with a sensitivity to government benefits and lifetime care.

·       How a trust and trustee services can help support family members with a history of substance abuse, or minors and others not yet in a position to take on certain responsibilities.

Learn about Cumberland Trust and how Copper Leaf partners with client's attorneys, accountants, and independent trust companies to serve the needs of families with unique special situations.    

Virtual Townhall: Establishing Trusts for Special Situations

The Vermont Community Loan Fund (VCLF) is committed to building new ways to move capital to those who have been historically, systemically disenfranchised and denied access to opportunity. VCLF’s new 

 provides affordable access to capital and financing in an equitable way to Vermonters traditionally and generationally excluded from financial markets, including Black Vermonters, Indigenous Vermonters, Vermonters of Color and New Americans. 

Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial welcomes three guests from the Vermont Community Loan Fund: Will Belongia, Executive Director, Jake Ide, Director of Investment & Philanthropy and Dr. Asma Ali Abunaib, Board Member.  Specifically, they will discuss: 

·       The origins of this new fund

·       The funds unique characteristics including a streamlined loan application, no fees and no credit score requirements to name a few

·       Information about the people already being served

Join us and learn about how you could potentially help support these efforts in the future.

For more information about the Justice Forward Fund 

Virtual Townhall: VCLF Innovatively and Equitably Providing Access to Funding

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has been passed by the Senate. How does it affect you and what impact does it have on tax planning opportunities? Aside from the new legislation there are additional considerations that need to be made prior to year-end so join us for our September virtual townhall. 

Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial welcomes Jeffrey Levine, CFP®, CPA, PFS, CWS, AIF, Chief Planning Officer of Buckingham Strategic Wealth. They will discuss the possible upcoming changes that could affect investors financial plans and tax rules that are scheduled to sunset. They will also examine the potential impact these factors could have on your estate plan, retirement savings and budget. 

Join us, bring your questions, and find out what planning opportunities are now available to you as a result of the new legislation!

Virtual Townhall: Strategic Tax Planning for 2022 and Beyond

While the cyber world and all of its conveniences have enhanced our lives, it has also provided an opportunity for criminals to scam, hack and even steal our identities. In this virtual townhall we will discuss how you can protect yourself and your loved ones. 

Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial welcomes Jared Hoffman, Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives for Buckingham Strategic Partners. Jared is a public speaker who educates firms and clients on best practices around cybersecurity with an emphasis on the behavioral aspect of it. Jared is also a member of Infraguard, a partnership between the FBI and public/private sector created to share information and trends on cybercrime tactics and defenses.

·       Find out how to protect you and your family, including children, from identity theft;

·       Learn ways to recognize scams and the methods criminals utilize to make them so effective;

·       Take a trip to the “Dark Web” and discover how identities are stolen what happens to your identity once it's taken;

 Join us, bring your questions, and find out what you can do to protect yourself and your families! 

As the Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives, Jared Hoffman is energized by the ever-changing challenges and opportunities he and his team face as they work to be a resource for departments throughout the organization.  Jared helps advance the strategic plan by collaborating on internal and external technology rollouts, improving internal best practices through training and development opportunities, and acting as a resource for projects and initiatives of all sizes to improve the overall client experience. 

Virtual Townhall: Scams, Hacks and Cyber Security: What You Need to Know to Protect Yourself

If you are interested in investing in companies that value, practice, and advocate for gender equality you cannot miss our next virtual townhall!

Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial welcomes Kelly Baldoni, head of Global Women’s Strategies at Impax Asset Management and the Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Leadership Fund. 

As part of our focus on sustainable planning and establishing an alignment between your investments and values we are excited to welcome Kelly who is an expert on impact and gender lens investing. She contributes articles to industry publications and is a regular presenter at industry conferences and events nationwide.

They will discuss how you can invest in companies that value the advancement of women and gender-diverse policies & practices through engagement and advocacy while meeting key fossil fuel free, Sustainability & ESG standards.

Research indicates that companies with more women in leadership have higher returns on capital, greater innovation, increased productivity and higher employee retention and satisfaction. 

The Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Leadership Fund is a part of Copper Leaf’s Sustainability portfolio and has been following a low-cost, systematic, factor-based index approach to ESG and investing to advancing women’s leadership since 1993.

Join us, bring your questions, and find out what you can do to protect yourself and your families!

Kelly Baldoni is Head of Global Women’s Strategies at Impax Asset Management LLC, the North American division of Impax Asset Management Group and investment adviser to Pax World Funds. She oversees national sales and marketing initiatives for the ﬁrm’s gender lens strategies and is a product specialist for the Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Leadership Fund.

Since joining Impax in 2014, Kelly has honed and expanded the ﬁrm’s practice management resources, which help institutions and ﬁnancial advisors more effectively engage with and serve women investors as well as the next generation of clients.

Kelly holds the FINRA Series 6, 63 and 65 registrations and is a registered representative ofForeside Financial Services, LLC. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in human rights from TrinityCollege and is a graduate of Wharton’s Women’s Executive Leadership program.

Investing in Gender Diversity and Women’s Leadership

Is there a path to investment success in 2023?

Market uncertainty and economic turmoil in the form of unprecedented inflation continues to loom as we look towards the new year. The focus on stock market forecasts and their predictions for 2023 by so-called experts can feel overwhelming.

Join us for our next virtual roundtable event “2023 Market Preview with Larry Swedroe” and learn how proper planning (not baseless predictions) can eliminate the guessing and instead rely on data and evidence as a path to investment success.

Virtual Townhall: 2023 Market Preview with Larry Swedroe

What is Evidence-Driven Investing and Why Is it Our Strategy?

As part of Copper Leaf Financial’s focus on sustainable investing and planning and sponsored by Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), we are very excited to invite you to our next virtual townhall on the topic of ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) investing!

Over the last five years ESG investing has transitioned from a niche approach practiced by a few pioneers to a mainstream investment strategy. Join us and we will review ESG investing’s rapid development and discuss some of the pressing issues we face today such as:

·       Are companies actually becoming more sustainable as a result of ESG investing?

·       Do the recent political attacks on ESG have merit? 

·       Is greenwashing really a problem?

·       What might the future hold?

This virtual townhall is hosted by Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial and features Sam & Sarah Adams, founders of Vert Asset Management and experts in the construction of sustainable investment portfolios.

Virtual Townhall: The Evolution and Current State of ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) Investing

As part of Copper Leaf Financial’s focus on legacy planning we are very excited to invite you to our March virtual townhall on the topic of estate planning. 

Life happens and certain events will trigger the need to make updates to your estate plan.

We will examine those life events, changes in guardians or beneficiaries, and potential reasons you might consider moving from a 

-based plan. Some changes or life events can also mean it's time to update your trusts! 

We will also discuss some of the tax considerations that could make it necessary to review your current plan, as well as the importance of ensuring that the right people are identified to play the proper roles when the time comes. 

This virtual townhall is hosted by Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial and features Adam Bartsch, Esq., Estate Planning attorney and expert of NorthEast Estates and Trusts (NEET). 

Adam Bartsch is an estate attorney with NEET in Shelburne, Vermont. He is a guide and a partner who works with clients, not merely for clients. Adam will lay out your estate planning options, explain the pros and cons of each approach, offer solutions that best meet your situation, and draft the estate plan documents. The end result is the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your wishes are on paper and in place. For more information about Adam visit 

Is it Time to Update Your Estate Plan?

As part of Copper Leaf Financial’s focus on charitable giving and legacy planning we are very excited to invite you to our April virtual townhall on the topic of using a private foundation as a vehicle for your philanthropy.  We'll discuss how private foundations work and how they differ from other charitable tools such as donor advised funds (DAFs) and charitable trusts.

Join us and you will learn how a foundation can be used to create a permanent philanthropic legacy as well as build an enduring structure for family giving. 

·       Legal and governance considerations

·       The potential for hiring family members, making grants to individuals and even setting up a separate nonprofit.

We will also answer common questions about private foundations including:

·       Do you need millions to set up a foundation?

·       Can you use a foundation with other charitable tools such as donor advised funds, trusts and LLCs?

·       What kind of assets can go into a foundation and what's required to set one up?

This virtual townhall is hosted by Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial and features Jessica Donahue from Foundation Source, the nation’s largest provider of comprehensive services for private foundations.

Beyond Checkbook Giving: Can a Private Foundation Help You Achieve Your Charitable Goals?

Join us on Wednesday, May 17th at 12pm for “

” as we explore the evidence-driven approach to sustainable investing as it is practiced by Copper Leaf Financial Partner Dimensional Fund Advisors, a leading global investment firm. We will discuss how to combine environmental scientific research and a robust investment philosophy with a goal to deliver meaningful outcomes and a sound investment experience.

·       What is ESG and how does it differ from Sustainable investing?

·       What do we know about the economics of climate change?

·       What does climate science and the evolution of greenhouse gas emissions research tell us about the impact on asset pricing and investment choices?

·       Does a growing demand for lower emissions impact expected returns?

·       What key metrics can be used to measure the effectiveness of an approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other factors?

For over 15 years Dimensional has worked with scientists and field experts to develop broadly diversified, cost-efficient solutions to help investors pursue a good investment experience while targeting measurable environmental goals and aligning their money with their values.

Lacey Huebel is Dimensional’s Head of Responsible Investment, North America, as well as a Senior Portfolio Manager and Vice President. She has been involved with the firm’s social and sustainable fixed income portfolios since their inception and manages a variety of fixed income strategies. Lacey frequently represents Dimensional on ESG matters with clients and at conferences. Previously, she managed fixed income reporting as part of Dimensional's Investment Analytics and Data team.

The Science of Sustainable Investing

As part of Copper Leaf Financial’s focus on sustainability we are very excited to invite you to our June virtual townhall as we welcome Janice St. Onge, President of the Flexible Capital Fund, winner of the 2022 VBSR Innovation & Inspiration Award. 

The Flexible Capital Fund, L3C (Flex Fund) is a Montpelier, Vermont based Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) which provides creative, unique financing to Vermont's growth-stage companies in sustainable agriculture and food systems, forest products, and clean technology sectors. We will discuss FCF's history and structure, how they work as a lender and investor, and how they provide advisory and development resources to help the portfolio of companies they work with. We will also hear more about how the Flex Fund’s innovative capital structure and creative investment terms support their ability to offer members both positive impact and financial returns.   

The Flexible Fund has made investments in Vermont Smoke & Cure, Grow Compost of Vermont, Encore Renewable Energy, MamaSezz, Aqua Vitea, Bolton Valley Resort, and many others. 

This virtual townhall is hosted by Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial and features Janice St. Onge, President of the Flexible Capital Fund. 

Janice St. Onge is President of the Flexible Capital Fund, L3C (“Flex Fund”), an impact-focused, CDFI fund, providing flexible risk capital (revenue based financing, subordinated debt and equity) to Vermont’s food system, forestry and clean technology businesses. As President, Janice manages all facets of the Flex Fund’s operations, including raising capital, deal flow, due diligence, and portfolio / financial management. Janice brings economic and business development, as well as financial expertise to the organization, having served in the technology, financial services, higher education and state government sectors during her 25+ year career. Previously, Janice served as Director of the Vermont Business Center (now the Center for Leadership & Innovation) at the University of Vermont and was the Technology Business Development Director for Vermont’s Department of Economic Development. She received the 2001 National Tibbetts Award in recognition for her outreach work with the Small Business Innovation Research program in Vermont. As Assistant Vice President at Peoples Bank, she originated and managed a $21 million commercial loan portfolio. Janice is a graduate of the University of Utah with a B.A. in Marketing and is an alumnus of the Snelling Center for Government’s Vermont Leadership Institute. Janice is a 2018-19 Fellow of the RSF Social Finance’s Just Economy Institute. She is a founding member of the Vermont Women’s Investors Network, and Slow Money Vermont and serves on the Vermont Small Business Development Center Advisory Board. A Stowe, Vermont resident, Janice was co-founder of the Stowe Energy and Climate Action Network and is a former International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup Freestyle Skiing Judge. 

 for more information about The Flexible Capital Fund.

The Flexible Capital Fund: Providing Creative & Unique Funding to Vermont Businesses

Join us on Wednesday, July 19th at 12pm for “

Changing the Game: Aligning Your Investments with Your Value

, TEDx Talks speaker and author of “The Clean Money Revolution” to discuss how individuals, families and institutions can achieve market rates of return with their investments while serving as catalysts for positive social and environmental change. 

Hear unique insights on topics including:

·       What does sustainability mean?

·       Is it possible to make a difference these days?

·       How do I align my money with my values?

·       Can my money really be a force for good?

·       What are some real-world examples of having an impact with money?

·       Can I make money doing the right thing?

Author and well-known public speaker (including 

) Joel Solomon is Founding Partner of Renewal Funds, Canada's largest mission venture capital firm at over $200m, investing in Organics and EnviroTech. Joel led an innovative "activist family office" strategy with Carol Newell, Principal, for 14 years, deploying $70m+ in an integrated capital strategy for social and cultural change in the Vancouver, BC, Canada, region. For more information about Joel please 

Changing the Game: Aligning Your Investments with Your Values

Join us on Tuesday, August 15th at 12pm as Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial welcomes investment expert Apollo D. Lupescu, PhD. Apollo is a globally recognized speaker who has delivered hundreds of lectures and seminars to financial professionals and individual investors on various investment topics. He is Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors, a premier global investment firm managing over $600 billion in assets for institutional investors and clients of select financial advisors including Copper Leaf Financial. Apollo has the unique ability to convey the technical aspects of investing in a manner that is understandable and relatable to investors of various level of financial acumen.

·       Perspective on broad market and asset class performance

·       Fed actions and interest rates

·       Bond investing in a rising rate environment

Navigating Turbulent Markets

While the cyber world and all of its conveniences have enhanced our lives, it has also provided an opportunity for criminals to scam, hack and even steal our identities. In our next virtual townhall we will discuss how you can protect yourself and your loved ones! 

Michael L. Thompson, CAP®, AIF®, AEP® of Copper Leaf Financial welcomes Jared Hoffman, Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives for Buckingham Strategic Partners. Jared is a public speaker who educates firms and clients on best practices around cybersecurity with an emphasis on the behavioral aspect of it. Jared is also a member of Infraguard, a partnership between the FBI and public/private sector created to share information and trends on cybercrime tactics and defenses. 

·       Take a trip to the “Dark Web” and discover how identities are stolen what happens to your identity once it's taken; 

Join us, bring your questions, and find out what you can do to protect yourself and your families! 

Virtual Townhall: Scams, Hacks and Cyber security: What You Need to Know to Protect Yourself

As part of Copper Leaf Financial’s focus on sustainability and sponsored by Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), we are very excited to invite you to our next virtual townhall – the third in a three-part series presented by Copper Leaf Financial on the topic of sustainability.

Join us on Wednesday, October 18th at 12pm Eastern for “

The Regeneration Project: Putting Life at the Center of Every Action and Decision

, author of nine books including six New York Times bestsellers. Paul is also the founder of Project Regeneration which is creating the world’s largest listing of solutions to the climate crisis. 

We will discuss Regeneration, a radical new approach to the climate crisis, one that weaves justice, climate, biodiversity, and human dignity into a seamless tapestry of action, policy, and transformation that can end the climate crisis in one generation. Paul will talk about what needs to be done and how to do it on all levels of agency, from a classroom to a CEO. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to find out what we can do on an individual level and as a community to make a positive impact on the future of our planet! 

Paul Hawken starts ecological businesses, writes about nature/commerce, and consults with heads of state and CEOs on climatic, economic, and ecological regeneration. He has written nine books including six 

Regeneration, Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation, 

was published by Penguin Random House September 2021. He is the founder Project Regeneration which is creating the world’s largest listing of solutions to the climate crisis. He is currently writing 

, to be published by Penguin Random House in 2024. For more information about Paul please 