Strategic Guidance from Industry Leaders
Our Board ensures that our curriculum and standards remain the gold standard in the divorce financial industry.
Purpose
The Board of Advisors Policy (the Policy) for IDFA sets out the approach to ensure a diverse Board of Advisors. This policy helps to ensure that the Board of Advisors represents the majority of the CDFA candidate’s backgrounds. The Board of Advisors is the final authority on certification requirements, disciplinary action, and the strategic goals of IDFA. IDFA staff cannot waive eligibility requirements or change certification requirements without Board of Advisors' approval. The Board of Advisors is a self-perpetuating body.
Responsibilities
- Establish and review the certification requirements including prerequisites.
- Approve educational materials prepared by external consultants
- Establish and review the Code of Ethics
- Final authority on all disciplinary measures.
- Establish and review recertification requirements.
- Assist in planning and presenting the annual conference.
- Final authority on complaints or exception requests from candidates and certificants.
- Provide oversight on exam development and delivery.
- Call for Job Task Analysis at a minimum of three to five years.
Each will be reviewed at a minimum of once every three years and the Chair will appoint one Board member to lead a Task Force reviewing the standard(s). In addition, the BofA will be the final decision on all requests for exceptions and disciplinary appeals.
In addition, the BofA will participate in quarterly calls to review the strategic plans for IDFA and the CDFA designation. During the quarterly calls, the BofA will also hear any appeals escalated from the Ethics Steering Committee, requests for exceptions to the experience requirement, and concerns regarding the staff implementation of the policies and procedures. During the fourth quarter BofA call, the election for the new class and new Chair of the BOA will take place.
For information about the Board selection process, please see the Board of Advisors Nomination and Selection Policy.
Chair
Jason Llewellyn, CDFA®, CPA
President at Holistic Financial Partners, LLC
Jason prides himself on investing the time and attention to become a complete financial partner to his clients. He takes a holistic, personalized approach to financial well-being, providing his clients the tailored guidance and advice necessary to invest based on their needs, help secure their futures, and achieve their goals.
Jason graduated from Ball State University in 1999 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and received his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in 2002. After graduating, Jason specialized in providing high-level tax and financial solutions with a national accounting firm where he advised individuals, families, and companies for 10 years. During his time there, he co-founded the financial services division of the firm for the Indianapolis area, helping to build the division from the ground up.
From there, Jason went on to serve as a financial advisor at a nationally recognized brokerage firm for 7 years. During this time, he received his Certified Divorce Financial Analyst license (CDFA®). The insight and expertise he gained during that process is critical to the advocacy he provides clients going through divorce.
Today Jason is actively engaged in helping the legal community understand the financial needs of their clients, especially those navigating the complexities of divorce. He is a regular speaker at the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum and the Indianapolis Bar Association.
Jason - a life-long resident of Indiana - is originally from Terre Haute and now resides in Fishers with his wife, Melissa, and their two daughters, Grace and Macy. He is an avid Indianapolis Colts fan and enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf.
Public Member
Paulina Havelka
Family Law Attorney
Attorney Paulina Havelka’s journey to the legal profession is one filled with determination and dedication. Originally from Poland, she immigrated to the United States in 1986 and settled in Charlotte with her parents in 1988. Since then, she has made the Charlotte area her home.
Experience & Scope of Practice
Her passion for the law began when she started working as a courtroom clerk in 1997. Witnessing the daily administration of justice firsthand inspired her to pursue a law degree. Despite being a single mother of two children and working full time, she managed to earn her undergraduate degree from UNCC and her law degree from the Appalachian School of Law in 2004.
In 2005, she embarked on her legal career, practicing law and gaining valuable experience in the field. Her commitment and expertise led to her successful election as a District Court Judge in 2018. Sworn as a Judge in January of 2019, she held the position until December of 2022. Throughout her tenure, she honed her understanding of the judicial system, making her an invaluable asset to those she represents.
Third Year Members
Sam Hubbard, CDFA®, CFA, MBA
Founder at Coastal Divorce Advisors
Sam established Coastal Divorce Advisors to provide clients with the support and guidance they need to make smart, unemotional financial decisions as they navigate the often overwhelming divorce process. Prior to founding the firm, Sam was a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in New York City, where he developed financial plans, asset allocation models, and appropriate investment strategies for high-net-worth clients.
Born and raised in Savannah, Sam graduated from St. Andrew's on the Marsh. He received a BA in Spanish from Furman University, in Greenville, South Carolina, and an MBA, with a dual concentration in finance and management, from Fordham University in New York City.
Sam also earned both the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) designations as well as holds life, health and accident life insurance licenses. He is a member of the CFA Institute, the Atlanta Society of Financial and Investment Professionals (ASFIP), the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA) and the Association of Divorce Financial Planners (ADFP).
Sam frequently testifies as an expert witness in divorce cases, having testified in over 30 bench and jury trials.
After spending 16 years in New York City, he returned to Savannah with his wife and their two young sons in 2015. Sam enjoys running and biking, and completed the NYC Marathon in 2004. He is also proficient in Spanish.
Second Year Members
Jamie Lima, MBA, CFP®, CDFA®
Founder | Allegiant Divorce Solutions|Secure Split
Sam established Coastal Divorce Advisors to provide clients with the support and guidance they need to make smart, unemotional financial decisions as they navigate the often overwhelming divorce process. Prior to founding the firm, Sam was a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in New York City, where he developed financial plans, asset allocation models, and appropriate investment strategies for high-net-worth clients.
Born and raised in Savannah, Sam graduated from St. Andrew's on the Marsh. He received a BA in Spanish from Furman University, in Greenville, South Carolina, and an MBA, with a dual concentration in finance and management, from Fordham University in New York City.
Sam also earned both the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) designations as well as holds life, health and accident life insurance licenses. He is a member of the CFA Institute, the Atlanta Society of Financial and Investment Professionals (ASFIP), the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA) and the Association of Divorce Financial Planners (ADFP).
Sam frequently testifies as an expert witness in divorce cases, having testified in over 30 bench and jury trials.
After spending 16 years in New York City, he returned to Savannah with his wife and their two young sons in 2015. Sam enjoys running and biking, and completed the NYC Marathon in 2004. He is also proficient in Spanish.
Rhonda Noordyk, CDFA®
Founder & CEO | Financial Divorce Advocate
Rhonda Noordyk is a nationally recognized divorce financial professional, podcast host, and author. Through her firm, Financial Divorce Advocate, she helps individuals—particularly women—gain the financial confidence needed to navigate divorce and build a secure future.
She has worked with more than 900 clients and regularly speaks and educates on financial empowerment during divorce.
First Year Members
Michele M. Laws, CDFA®, CVA, MAFF, CBDA
Founder | Turning Point Financial Group
Michele Laws is an investment advisor and financial forensic specialist with more than two decades of experience in financial services. Her work focuses on providing clarity and financial insight during complex divorce and valuation cases.
She frequently presents for organizations such as IDFA, NACVA, and NADP on topics including business valuation and financial analysis in divorce.
Mark H. Johnson, CFP®, AEP®, CDFA®, CEPA®, BFA®, JD, MBA
Financial Advisor | Reviresco Financial Planning & Wealth Management
Mark Johnson brings a multidisciplinary background spanning law, financial planning, banking, and real estate. His work focuses on helping individuals and families develop comprehensive financial strategies and navigate significant life transitions.
His legal background allows him to bridge complex legal structures with practical financial planning strategies.