IDFA Staff

Carol Lee has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and holds the Certified Financial Planner, Certified Financial Transitionist and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® designations.

Carol Lee has an undergraduate degree from Augustana College and a Master’s Degree in Financial Planning from DePaul University. Carol Lee also has experience in the field of certification having served as the Managing Director of Education and Examination at the CFP Board of Standards in Washington, D.C.

Carol Lee is a member of the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, the Financial Planning Association, and a former Board member of FPA-Illinois.

Kristen joined the IDFA in 2024 as a Subject Matter Expert, bringing a wealth of experience in family law and divorce financial planning. 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.

Brad joined IDFA in June 2024, bringing over 20 years of comprehensive experience in sales, support, and relationship management across various industries. A graduate of the University of Missouri, Brad has spent the past 12 years specializing in delivering educational solutions to financial advisors and their clients. He holds the CLTC designation and resides in North Carolina with his wife and teenage son.

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).