Financial strategy for first gen professionals
You've earned the income.
Now build the wealth.
SFG is a financial strategy practice serving first-generation professionals in STEM, healthcare, and higher education. We help you navigate equity compensation, benefits, taxes, and family responsibilities so you can build early wealth with clarity.
Not sure where you are yet? The 6-question assessment will tell you exactly where to start.
Who we serve
Built for first-gen professionals building wealth for the first time.
You're navigating RSU vesting, benefits elections, tax strategy, and family responsibilities without a playbook. We built SFG to guide you through the real financial decisions that come with being first in your family to earn at this level.
Get the First-Gen Fast-Start Playbook →STEM professionals
Scientists, engineers, technologists, and researchers navigating equity compensation, complex benefits, and early wealth-building strategy for the first time.
Healthcare professionals
Clinicians, residents, and medical professionals optimizing benefits, managing student loans, and building financial foundations while balancing demanding careers.
Higher education & first-gen students
Graduate students, faculty, and staff navigating student debt, benefits elections, tax strategy, and family responsibilities on the path to long-term wealth.
Employers
Tech and healthcare organizations investing in financial wellness for their workforce.
Individual services
Choose the depth of support that fits where you are.
Financial Audit
A comprehensive review of your income, benefits, equity compensation, tax exposure, and student loans. We identify exactly where money is slipping through the cracks and map your highest-leverage opportunities — from benefits elections to early wealth-building strategy.
Start the Financial Audit →Blueprint Session
A deep-dive strategy session where we build your personalized financial roadmap, covering RSU optimization, benefits elections, tax strategy, family responsibilities, and a 90-day action plan you can execute immediately.
Book the Blueprint Session →First-Gen Family Office Build
A 60 to 90 day full-service engagement that builds your complete financial infrastructure: RSU and equity strategy, tax optimization, benefits maximization, student loan planning, family responsibilities, insurance review, and a legacy plan.
Begin the Family Office Build →What clients say
Real results from first-gen professionals.
"I had no idea what to do with my RSUs. After one Blueprint Session, I had a clear vesting strategy, a tax plan, and confidence I'd never had about money. Worth every dollar."
"First in my family to make this kind of income. SFG didn't talk down to me and didn't push products. They walked me through exactly how to set my benefits and what to do with my paycheck. Truly game changing."
"I was leaving thousands of dollars in employer match and ESPP on the table. The Financial Audit paid for itself within weeks. Honest, sharp, and zero fluff."
"Finally, an advisor who understood that I'm still paying down loans AND trying to build wealth. The Family Office Build gave me a real roadmap. I sleep better at night."
About the Founder
About the Founder
Jackie Whitehead
Founder & CEO, The STEM Financial Group
- 2x LinkedIn Top Voice
- Cornell Women’s Entrepreneurship
- Vital Voices Fellow
- Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women
- Nasdaq Milestone Circles
Jackie Whitehead is a formally trained computer scientist and financial professional with 25+ years at the intersection of technology and finance. She founded The STEM Financial Group because she lived the gap firsthand—high income, no roadmap, and advisors who wouldn’t take her call until she had assets they could manage.
SFG exists for the professional who is building toward that threshold, not waiting until they arrive.
Jackie is a 2x LinkedIn Top Voice, Cornell Women’s Entrepreneurship alumna, Vital Voices Fellow, Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women alumna, and Nasdaq Milestone Circles member. Her work has been featured on ABC, Forbes, FOX, HuffPost, and CBS.
Employer & corporate programs
Financial Wellness Lunch & Learn
A high-impact, single-session workshop covering RSU basics, benefits optimization, and tax-smart paycheck strategies.
90-Day Financial Wellness Cohort
A structured group program for your employees over 90 days, designed for HR, Total Rewards, and DEI teams at mid-size tech and healthcare organizations who want to invest in their team's financial clarity.
Core focus areas
We work across the full arc of first-gen wealth — from your first paycheck to your lasting legacy.
Frequently asked questions
Answers before you book.
Who does The STEM Financial Group work with?+
We serve first-generation professionals in STEM, healthcare, and higher education — including engineers, product managers, clinicians, residents, faculty, and staff navigating equity compensation, benefits, and wealth building for the first time.
Are you a financial advisor or wealth manager?+
SFG is a financial strategy practice, not a wealth management firm. We do not manage assets or hold securities licenses. We work upstream of traditional advisors, optimizing RSUs, benefits, paychecks, and tax strategy before you hit the asset thresholds most advisors require.
How much do your services cost?+
Our Financial Audit is $997 one-time, the Blueprint Session is $2,500 one-time, and the First-Gen Family Office Build is $8,500 for a 60 to 90 day full engagement.
Do you help with RSUs and equity compensation?+
Yes. RSU and equity strategy is a core focus area. We help you understand vesting, tax implications, sell-versus-hold decisions, and how to integrate equity into your broader financial plan.
How do I get started?+
Take our free 6-question assessment at bit.ly/SFGquiz or call (202) 630-5428 to speak with our team about which service fits your situation.
A note on how we work
SFG is a financial strategy practice, not a wealth management firm. We do not manage assets, hold securities licenses, or operate as a fiduciary. We work upstream of traditional advisors, optimizing your RSUs, benefits, paychecks, and tax strategy before you've hit the asset thresholds most advisors require. If you're in accumulation mode and building toward your first $250K, this is where you start.
The Blueprint Newsletter
First-gen wealth strategy. Every issue. Free.
Ready to start?
Start with the Financial Audit.
A comprehensive review of your income, benefits, equity, and tax exposure — and the highest-leverage moves to make next.
Not sure where you are yet? The 6-question assessment will tell you exactly where to start.
Or call (202) 630-5428