Brianna T. Tabilas, an investment portfolio associate with David Beaver & Associates of Raymond James, has become the first woman on Guam to earn a Certified Private Wealth Advisor designation, an advanced professional designation for financial advisors who serve high-net-worth individuals and families.

Tabilas is also the youngest professional on Guam to obtain the CPWA designation, and one of only three professionals on the island to hold the credential, according to a release from David Beaver & Associates.

The CPWA certification is issued by the Investments & Wealth Institute®.

Earning the certification requires meeting a five-year industry experience minimum, completing intensive coursework in advanced wealth management strategies, and passing a comprehensive examination covering topics such as tax optimization, estate planning, wealth transfer, charitable giving, and applied behavioral finance.

CPWA professionals must also meet ongoing continuing education requirements and adhere to the Institute’s Code of Professional Responsibility.

“I pursued the CPWA certification to further strengthen my ability to serve clients with complex financial needs and to continue growing in my career as a financial advisor,” Tabilas said in a statement. “It’s an honor to be the first woman in Guam to earn this designation, and I hope it inspires others, especially young women, to pursue advanced certifications that can elevate our industry and help clients achieve their long term financial goals.”

Tabilas, who joined DB&A in 2018, holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in finance and economics from the University of Guam, and is also a Certified Investment Management Analyst, CIMA, and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor, CPFA.

She is a 2016 graduate of the Academy of Our Lady of Guam.

David Beaver, CPFA®, CIMA®, CPWA®, CPM®, senior vice president for wealth management at DB&A, praised Tabilas’s accomplishment

“We are extremely proud of Brianna for her dedication and discipline in achieving the CPWA designation. This credential reflects her commitment to excellence and her ability to provide the sophisticated strategies our high-net-worth clients require,” Beaver said.

According to the Investments & Wealth Institute®, fewer than 1% of financial services professionals worldwide hold the CPWA designation.