Leighann Miko
CFP®, MST, RLP®
Equalis Financial
Founder and Financial Advisor
Leighann Miko
CFP®, MST, RLP®
Equalis Financial
Founder and Financial Advisor
Our mission is to empower and equip thoughtfully ambitious mid-career progressives, especially LGBTQ+ creatives who work in the entertainment industry. Since Equalis was founded by a member of the LGBTQ+ community, serving the underserved is at the heart of everything we do. - Leighann Miko, CFP®, MST, RLP®
Equalis Financial is an independent fee-only firm based in Los Angeles & Portland (OR) specializing in financial planning, investment management, and tax & business management services. We are here to balance the financial playing field by ensuring equal access to our services.
Leighann Miko is a Los Angeles, CA fee-only financial planner. Equalis Financial provides comprehensive and objective financial planning and holistic investment management to help LGBTQ+ creatives organize, grow and protect their assets through life’s transitions. As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, Leighann Miko is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.
Leighann Miko, CFP® is the founder of Equalis Financial, a California & Oregon-based independent fee-only firm specializing in financial planning, investment management, and tax & business management services.
With a passion to empower and equip underserved communities, Leighann works with thoughtfully ambitious mid-career progressives, especially LGBTQ+ creatives in the entertainment industry. Her goal is to help them stay in their right brain by acting as a stand-in for their left brain.
With a commitment to human-centered financial planning, Leighann devotes time to understand the whole person before addressing their finances. This intentional approach was born from a desire to help others create the financially secure life she never thought she’d have. Having grown up in a household faced with constant financial volatility, Leighann recognizes the value of financial stability. Knowing what it’s like to be underestimated herself, her mission became clear: to balance the financial playing field for all.
Leighann has been recognized as a leader in the profession, most recently in the InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 Class of 2017 as well as in the Journal of Financial Planning with the Leadership in Action Award. She is a recipient of the Financial Planning Association’s Diversity Scholarship for her commitment to promoting a financial planning environment that embraces diversity for both consumers and professionals.
Leighann earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Financial Services, from California State University, Northridge. Her certificate in Personal Financial Planning was earned at UCLA to complete the education coursework requirement for CFP® certification. And in her never ending pursuit of knowledge, she completed a Master of Science degree in Taxation at Cal State Northridge.
Fun Facts:
- Road trips are my jam. My longest was a 12-day, 3,000 mile trip from Los Angeles to Vancouver, BC and back.
- As a kid, I was a "background actor" on Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman for two seasons.
- Finances aren't the only thing I plan. I can throw a mean party!
- There are few things I love more than sourdough pizza and midcentury design.
- I'm a native Angeleno but now split my time between Los Angeles & Portland.
Leighann Miko is a Member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors - highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
NAPFA members live by three important values:
- To be the beacon for independent, objective financial advice for individuals and families.
- To be the champion of financial services delivered in the public interest.
- To be the standard bearer for the emerging profession of financial planning.
WE ARE FEE-ONLY FINANCIAL PLANNERS.
We serve mid-career progressive professionals and LGBTQ+ creatives in the entertainment industry.
With our human-centered approach to financial planning—paired with intentional business and investment management services—we provide everything you need to plan for financial stability in one place.
WHO ARE OUR CLIENTS?
Our typical client is 30 to 50 years old with an average age of 42 and 10+ years from retirement. They are mid-career with an annual household income of $200,000+ and finally starting to experience the rich rewards of years of grinding. They oftentimes have overcome adversity and are frequently the first in their family to achieve their respective level of financial success.
Many of our clients work in creative fields, particularly the entertainment industry, and have established a loan out (S-corporation). We also work with a select group of clients who are intentionally redistributing the wealth they have inherited.
WHAT WE OFFER
-Financial Planning-
To get where you want to go, you’ll need a custom roadmap that’s built strategically around your goals. We take a human-centered approach to financial planning, focusing more on you than your money. In this process, we will help you realign your financial mindsets and habits with your long-term vision, resulting in a more financially secure future.
-Investment Management-
As an investor, you have the ability to effectively “put your money where your mouth is” by investing in social causes you believe in. From environment conservation to improving the gender pay gap to reducing racial inequality, we will customize and manage your portfolio with a carefully planned investment strategy while maintaining the direction and discipline you need to reach your goals.
-Tax & Business Management-
If you are looking to outsource the day-to-day operations of your business, we are here to help. These related services—including tax preparation and planning, payroll processing, and monthly bookkeeping—are available exclusively to our financial planning clients.
Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.
Specialties
- Comprehensive Financial Planning
- Values Aligned Investing
- Wealth Redistribution
- Tax Planning
- Employee Benefits
- Irregular/Unpredictable Income
Ideal Clients
- LGBTQ Community & Friends
- Entertainment/Creative Pros
- Growing Families
- Self-Employed Folks
- Sudden Money Situations
- Mid-career (our avg. client age is 40)
Working Together
- Complimentary Initial Consultation
- No Product Sales
- Virtual Meetings
- Clearly Defined Fees
- No Investment Minimums
- Tech Forward
Professional Designations & Affiliations
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Leighann Miko is a NAPFA-Registered Financial AdvisorThe National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
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Leighann Miko is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional - Click for VerificationCFP® professionals are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in your best interest. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can use the CFP® designation.
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Leighann Miko is a member of The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®)FPA® is the largest membership organization for CFP® professionals in the U.S. and supports high standards of professional competence, ethical conduct, and clear, complete disclosure when serving clients.
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Leighann Miko is a Member of the XY Planning NetworkThe XY Planning Network is the leading organization of fee-only financial advisors who are focused on working with Generation X and Generation Y clients. Our mission is to connect consumers with best-in-class financial advisors who specialize in working with clients just like you.
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Leighann Miko is a Registered Life Planner® (RLP®)A Registered Life Planner® (RLP®) is a Financial Planner who has been fully trained in Life Planning by completing the three step process of becoming an RLP®: Seven Stages of Money Maturity® workshop, 5-Day Life Planning training and the 6 Month Mentorship Program. This method of training is based on the premise that advisors should first discover a client’s most essential goals in life before formulating a financial plan, so a client’s finances fully support those goals. They therefore become your partner in clarifying and achieving your most meaningful and deeply felt aspirations.
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Leighann Miko is Quoted on Curbed - Los Angeles: "Buy a house in LA: How I managed to put just 4 percent down"
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Leighann Miko is Quoted in the New York Times: "You Finances Took a Hit from the Pandemic. Here's What You Do Now"
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Leighann Miko is Featured on the You're a Financial Planner...Now What? Podcast: "This Is My Dream Job: Part Two"
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Leighann Miko Named to Investment News 40 Under 40 Class of 2017
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Leighann Miko is Quoted in the Wall Street Journal: "How Advisers Can Help Same-Sex Couples Navigate Legacy Issues"
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Leighann Miko is Quoted in Financial Advisor Magazine: "Want More Women Advisors?"
Contact Leighann Miko
Office Locations:
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4470 W. Sunset Blvd
Suite 107 PMB 267
Los Angeles, CA 90027 -
3303 N Mississippi Ave
Suite 517
Portland, OR 97227
