IDFA Staff

Kristen joined the IDFA in 2024 as a Subject Matter Expert, bringing a wealth of experience in family law and divorce financial analysis. A licensed attorney in North Carolina, she is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), a Certified Mediator, and has completed training as a Certified Valuation Analyst and in Collaborative Law.

As a family law litigator, Kristen offers a unique perspective to the CDFA community. She is passionate about supporting fellow CDFA professionals in building their practices and enhancing their confidence in navigating the legal aspects of divorce. Kristen is a strong advocate for alternative dispute resolution methods and believes in the value of including CDFA professionals in the divorce process to achieve fair, informed outcomes. She is particularly dedicated to empowering women to take control of their financial futures through education and awareness. Kristen believes that when both parties fully understand the financial implications of divorce, reaching a fair settlement becomes more straightforward.

Outside of her professional life, Kristen is married to an airline pilot, has two sons attending NC State, and enjoys spending time with her beloved yellow lab, who accompanies her everywhere.

A CDFA® since 1996, Jacki is deeply passionate about divorce financial planning and dedicated to educating professionals and clients on the complex financial issues that arise in divorce. She works closely with divorcing clients, their attorneys, and couples, and brings a multidisciplinary perspective as a certified mediator and collaboratively trained professional.

Jacki is known for her expertise in advanced divorce planning topics, including QDROs, RSUs, deferred compensation, and executive compensation. She previously co-owned a QDRO preparation firm in Southeast Michigan and is the host of the Divorce Rich podcast. Jacki frequently speaks to attorneys and other professionals, translating complex concepts into practical, actionable guidance.

In January 2016, Paula Girard joined the IDFA as a Member Service Specialist. Prior to joining, Paula had over 20 years of customer service experience, her passion in helping to develop strong relationships is at the core of everything she does in both her professional and person life. Because of that core value in developing relationships, Paula often volunteers in her community. She is a proud mother of two sons Lucas and Ethan. Paula in her free time enjoys painting, cooking, and spending quality time with her loved ones. Paula and her husband Jason live in Plainfield, Connecticut.

Mersina joined IDFA's marketing team in May 2020 after graduating from NC State University. Mersina oversees the creation of marketing materials and content, executes marketing initiatives, and coordinates the efforts of our marketing team to maximize the value provided to the overall business. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, reading, crossword puzzles, and spending time with friends and family (with a margarita in hand).