Lori Cannon is a dedicated financial advisor who guides her clients in investments and estate planning – and she also participates in multiple diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives through her employer, Edward Jones.
As a gay woman who lost her mother to Alzheimer’s disease, being able to proudly support the LGBTQ+ community and advocate for Alzheimer’s research with colleagues by her side is a fringe benefit that she never saw coming.
Cannon’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2010. Cannon and her siblings aided their father in caretaking, and the couple spent their final two years together in the same nursing home, where they died just three days apart in 2018. “We say she was waiting for him to go first,” says Cannon.
During Cannon’s mother’s illness, Edward Jones was a supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Since 2016, the firm has been the National Presenting Sponsor of the annual walk and raised $45 million of their $50 million goal to support the Association. According to Edward Jones’ 2024 Purpose, Inclusion and Citizenship Report, “more than 111,000 participants have walked under the Edward Jones banner” since 2016.
Cannon says that to see her employer take such a stance has been extremely significant in making her feel like her struggles matter at work. “To see my colleagues come out in support of the Walk was huge,” she says. “Every one of us has a client who has been touched by Alzheimer’s.”
Alzheimer’s and underserved communities
Edward Jones’ Purpose, Inclusion and Citizenship Report points out that “Underrepresented and underserved communities are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia, and yet are less likely to be diagnosed, less likely to be recruited to participate in research, and less likely to have access to care and support services.” Indeed, the company’s first DEI Roundtable event focused on the intersection of Alzheimer’s and these diverse underserved communities.
In addition to leading a company team in each year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Cannon is also a part of the firm’s Business Resource Group (BRG) for LGBTQ+ employees and allies. “I continue to try to be a voice for me and the people in my community to make sure that we’re being served fairly and appropriately,” Cannon says of her involvement in the BRG. “We try to make sure that everyone feels comfortable being their authentic self in their work space.”
With this zoomed-in lens, it’s apparent that DEI initiatives make a tangible impact for company employees who are part of marginalized communities.
Cannon speaks to Edward Jones’ early commitment to its LGBTQ+ team members. Prior to the 2015 Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage equality, Edward Jones had already rolled out partner benefits regardless of marital status. “And the firm continues to offer benefits for all,” says Cannon.
She also participates in Toledo Pride on behalf of Edward Jones, starting with a group of friends and later expanding the company’s presence to include a booth staffed by colleagues.
Financial Planning for the LGBTQ+ Community
According to Cannon, the most pressing need for the LGBTQ+ community when it comes to hiring a financial planner is on the estate planning side of the equation. “Financial needs are going to be different depending on the individual, no matter what, but when illness and death happen, it’s important to have those legal protections,” Cannon says, speaking to legal needs like Power of Attorney and Living Wills.
Some of her clients do have specific requests when it comes to their investments, however–Cannon says, “Some of my clients in the community are very particular about investments that are friendly to the community–being mindful to even ask that question makes a difference and makes people feel like they’re being heard.”
Edward Jones also offers a certification that financial advisors can add to their credentials–the Accredited Domestic Partner Advisor (ADPA) designation. These four letters indicate to a potential new client that a particular advisor has been trained regarding domestic partnerships, which is a quick spot check that clients can do to find an ally or fellow community member on staff at their local Edward Jones branch.
When it comes to the intersection of queer community and the impacts of dementia, Cannon knows that most queer patients won’t have the same experience that her mother had. “Not all of us have children, and our care is going to look different than my mom’s care. So we need to rally our resources a little differently.” 🔥
IGNITE ACTION
- The free programs, services and support groups offered by the Alzheimer’s Association are free to the community because of fundraisers like the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Sign up to participate in a Walk to End Alzheimer’s in your local community, or support the cause at alz.org/walk.
- Speak to a Financial Advisor about estate planning, life insurance, or retirement–look for the ADPA designation for an extra layer of safety.
- Participate in, or start, your company’s DEI initiatives to show support for marginalized communities and increase your knowledge.
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