"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."
— Jane Goodall
Sandra D. Adams, CFP®
Partner | 30+ years of industry experience
Specializing in Aging and Longevity, Caregivers, Life Transitions, and Loss
CONNECT: Email | LinkedIn | My Blogs | FINRA's BrokerCheck
Forbes Best-In-State Women Wealth Advisors
2026 · 2025 · 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
2025 · 2022
InvestmentNews $100M Club: Top Female Advisors
2025
Supporting Clients Through Life's Biggest Transitions
Sandy has dedicated her decades in financial services to families and individuals experiencing momentous, and often difficult, life transitions. Through customized, actionable planning and ongoing guidance, Sandy and her team walk step-by-step with her clients through each of their unique financial journeys.
Sandy maintains a special focus on helping others navigate loss and stressful transitions, including the death of a spouse, divorce, and career interruptions.
She often works with her clients both one-on-one and with generations of family members to ensure strategies are executed effectively.
In addition to her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) designation, Sandy currently holds her Series 7 and Series 63 Securities licenses and her State of Michigan Life and Health Insurance Licenses.
Thought Leadership
Sandy frequently presents on elder care financial planning for public and professional groups and is a trusted source for national publications.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Michigan Association of CPAs
Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology (WSU IOG)
SOAR (Society for Active Retirees)
AICPA
PUBLICATIONS & CONTRIBUTIONS
The Wall Street Journal
Research Magazine
Retirement Daily
Journal for Financial Planning
Practical Compliance and Risk Management
TheStreet
Money Centered Blog
Sandy is also an instructor for the Schoolcraft College Continuing Education program.
Education & Credentials
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Master's, Gerontology — Eastern Michigan University
Bachelor of Science — Eastern Michigan University
Certificate of Financial Planning — American College
Graduate, Leadership Oakland Class of XXV
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
Financial Transitionist® Institute (Sudden Money® Institute)
Certified Caregiving Consultant Training Program, Caregiving Years Training Academy
Community Involvement
Sandy is an active volunteer with the Alzheimer's Association, several local nonprofits, and Wayne State University's Institute of Gerontology, where she serves as Board Chair of the Board of Visitors.
She is the current Board President of On the Wings of Angels.
Leadership
Sandy is a member of the Financial Planning Association of Michigan, where she previously served on the Board of Directors and as Board President.
She sits on the Board of Directors for Universal Dementia Caregivers.
Interested in Working With Sandy?
See how Sandy can help you feel confident and cared for on your wealth journey.
Sandy's Video Library
2026 Forbes Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisors: The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative data, rating thousands of wealth advisors with a minimum of seven years of experience and weighing factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. This ranking is based upon the period from 6/30/24 to 6/30/25 and was released on 02/04/2026. Research Summary (as of February 2026): 51,403 nominations were received and 2,852 women won. This ranking is not indicative of an advisor's future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients' experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Compensation provided for using the ranking. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC. Please visit https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-women-advisors for more info.
The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors 2025 ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. This ranking is based upon the period from 6/30/2023 to 6/30/2024 and was released on 4/8/2025. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years of experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of approximately 48,944 nominations, roughly 9,722 advisors received the award. This ranking is not indicative of an advisor's future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients' experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Compensation provided for using the rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC. Please visit https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-wealth-advisors/ for more info.
Investment News has announced the $100M Club: Female Advisors. These individuals were ranked based on assets under management, AUM growth, and organic client growth introduced to the business over the last 12 months. All figures submitted were subject to a verification process through each advisors’ respective compliance departments. Nominees were vetted by Investment News’ team of editors. Over 600 Female Advisors were nominated and there were 100 winners. This award was based on the time frame of 1/1/2024 to 12/31/2024 and released on August 12, 2025. This ranking is not indicative of an advisor's future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients' experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Compensation provided for using the rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Investment News.
Raymond James is not affiliated with the above organizations and/or charitable causes.