Blake Thibault, managing director of Heffernan Financial Services, has plenty to say about the firm’s efforts in the space.
In this short interview from the floor of the 2018 GRP Advisor Alliance Conference in San Diego, John Sullivan from 401k Specialist speaks with Blake Thibault of Heffernan Financial Services about the growing importance of financial literacy.
Thibault emphasizes their commitment to improving financial education across all demographics. Their approach starts with foundational topics such as getting out of debt, budgeting, saving for a home, and preparing for retirement. He differentiates their initiative from general financial wellness by highlighting their early intervention strategies—especially for younger audiences who often graduate college without basic budgeting skills.
Rather than overwhelming users with complex tools, Heffernan Financial Services focuses on small wins. Their goal is to provide accessible, user-friendly financial tools through their website and partnerships. These tools are designed to help people make steady progress without requiring deep financial expertise or large time commitments.
Blake also attributes their recent recognition and success to a deliberate decision to expand their capabilities. Acknowledging his own limitations as a financial advisor in handling benefit programs, he describes how they brought on a dedicated expert—Jennifer Owen—who focuses solely on financial wellness advocacy and program adoption. This move has elevated their firm’s practice and broadened the value they offer clients.
The interview closes with Sullivan praising the visibility and momentum of Heffernan’s efforts, calling Thibault’s presence and leadership “fantastic.”
With more than 20 years serving financial markets, John Sullivan is the former editor-in-chief of 401(k) Specialist and Investment Advisor magazine and retirement editor of ThinkAdvisor.com. Sullivan is also the former editor of Boomer Market Advisor and Bank Advisor magazines, and has a background in the insurance and investment industries in addition to his journalism roots. Experienced financial services content executive specializing in creative new media delivery. He joined the American Retirement Association in 2023 as Chief Content Officer, overseeing communications for the organization, as well as its sister organizations.
