Ellen Martin, CFP®, CWS®

Financial Planner

When I first arrived at University of Virginia, I was one of the many students who thought I would pursue a career in medicine. That path would combine my desire to have a relational career while using my analytical skills to help improve others’ lives. Organic Chemistry was surprisingly fine, but in my third year, I spent two weeks in Physical Chemistry before completely switching directions to be a Religious Studies major with a minor in Bioethics.

After graduating from UVA (go Hoos!), I moved to Raleigh for the Raleigh Fellows program where I fell in love with the city, its people, and a fellow Fellow who is now my husband, Wesley. I worked for another wealth management firm in Raleigh for seven years before joining the Beacon team in June of 2021. I obtained the Certified Wealth Strategist^® designation and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® certification to further my industry education.

The financial industry can be complex, and I enjoy finding ways to simplify financial concepts and keep financial plans on track. We have the privilege of listening to dreams and fears, identifying needs and goals, and partnering with individuals and families to create and implement financial plans. When I think back to what originally attracted me to the pre-med track in college, I realize how much financial planning similarly aligns with my gifts of fostering relationships and simplifying complex topics to provide meaningful advice to clients. I care deeply about our clients’ lives and personal goals and am honored to be part of the Beacon family.

When not at work, you may run into Wesley and me walking our dog, Ollie, with our two boys, Baker and Graham, around Shelley Lake or another Greenway trail. We are members of the Five Points Community Group at Christ the King Presbyterian Church.