Cynthia Ellner is the Founder of Financial Education for Women. Her main objectives in starting the non-profit organization was to teach and provide financial security to women over the age of 50 is Southern California. Ellner has dedicated her life to helping educate and empower people to take control of their finances.

Ms. Ellner is a sought after commentator on issues regarding pensions and retirement, and has authored numerous articles for national and local publications.

Cynthia Ellner is currently the President of California Pension Administrators and Consultants, Inc. (California Pensions) which acts as administrator, record keeper, and consultant for all types of qualified and non-qualified plans and has provided these services for individuals, corporation, and financial institutions since 1969. It is located in Los Angeles and has clients throughout the United States.

To date, California Pensions provides services to over 80,000 participants representing $400 million in retirement plan assets. They offer their services for fees only, providing no financial or investment services, and receive no investment commissions.

Prior to becoming the primary shareholder in California Pensions, Ellner was President, Chief Executive Officer and Senior Trust Officer, of California Central Trust Bank in Irvine, California from 1988 to 1992. During her tenure there, the bank and trust assets grew three times to $157 million and $900 million, and profitability from negative to a net of $2 million annually. She was the Senior Vice President and Senior Trust Officer from 1986 to 1988, with responsibility for all Trust Department activities, including administration, operations, marketing and compliance as a direct report to the Board of Directors.

As Vice President and Senior Trust Officer at Sanwa Bank (formerly Lloyds Bank California) from 1984 to 1987, Ellner had direct responsibility for all activities of the Employee Benefits Trust Department which she started. She grew this department to $5 billion in trust assets representing 2,000 accounts in six locations.

Ellner was Vice President and Director of Governmental Relations at Lloyds Bank from 1979 through 1983, where she was responsible for lobbying, legislative review, compliance, regulation implementation, the bank’s political action committee, and also managed special projects for the Chairman of the Board.

Member, Pension Committee Los Angeles County Bar Association

Member, Beverly Hills Bar Association

Member, Executive Committee of the California Banker’s Council of the IBAA; Member of the Governmental Relations Committee, 1981-1985 and member of the association from 1984 to 1991

Founding Member, Board of Directors of Operation Hope, Director Emeritus

Charter Member, Orange County Register’s Business Board

Founding Member, Executive Forum of California State University, Fullerton

Member, California Bar Association and the American Bar Association (1984 to present)

Former Chair Legislation Committee of the Los Angeles Women’s Lawyers’ Association

Member, Orange County Women Lawyers’ Association

Instructor, Santa Monica Community College Paralegal program

Member, Independent Bankers Association of America National Public Relations Committee, 1992

California Bankers Council, IBAA Executive Committee, 1991 and 1992

    © Copyright 2004 Financial Education for Women