Patrice Henning: Using financial advice and philanthropy to help the world around her.

For financial advisor Patrice Henning, the goal has always been a career that combines good work with good works.

When Patrice Henning became a financial advisor in 1996, she wasn’t 100% certain she was cut out for the job. A mentor, however, believed that her experience from a career in development with the United Way made her a perfect fit.

“He recognized something in me, in my background and personality, and encouraged me,” Henning recalls. “And now I see how women are natural advisors. We listen in a different way, especially when there’s a major life transition.”

What Henning was certain about, was that becoming an advisor would allow her to continue pursuing her greatest passion: helping people. For more than 26 years now, she has channeled that energy into ensuring her clients navigate their financial journeys with a sense of confidence.

Henning grew up in a military family with parents who instilled the importance of service. That mindset inspired her to intertwine giving back with her financial advisory practice, Praxis Wealth Management of Raymond James. “At Praxis,” she says, “we believe that creating behaviors that align with your beliefs is what brings about lasting, meaningful results.”

But as ardently as Henning feels about the impact she can make on people’s lives as an advisor, she’s never wanted to stop there. Her philanthropic spirit has led to leadership positions with organizations across Denver and taken her half a world away to Nairobi, Kenya, to start a charity of her own.

The Centre of Love Foundation was founded by Henning and two fellow Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota alums in 2018. Located in Kibera, the largest slum in Kenya, where more than 1 million people live, the foundation works to meet the basic and developmental needs of women and children. This includes providing safe spaces for children and the most vulnerable as well as access to purified water, bathrooms and showers. The foundation also leads critical nutrition and vocational programs.

Closer to home, Henning was appointed to the board of CollegeInvest, Colorado’s multi-billion-dollar 529 plan, in 2011 and served as board chair from 2013 to 2019. She currently serves on the WorldDenver board and leads sponsorship efforts for one of the largest celebrations of International Women’s Day in the country.

And a focus on giving has done more than brought Henning professional fulfillment, it’s also sparked her sense of adventure. On travels to Warsaw, Poland, in 2022, she had the chance to volunteer with World Central Kitchen. And her work in Kenya led her to some of Africa’s highest peak. She’s summited Kilimanjaro twice – reaching the “rooftop of Africa” at 19,341 feet – and climbed the 14,968-foot Mount Meru. Her knees, she says, have paid the price. But during all of these climbs, Henning found herself taking note of parallels between scaling a mountain and building a financial plan.

“It’s all about having that long-term view on the portfolio – you’re accumulating assets just like the time you put in on the mountain. Yes, you’re going to have false summits, setbacks or pullbacks in the market, but ultimately, it’s about creating behaviors that align with your beliefs and keeping your eye on the prize for that amazing payoff.

“Having a good guide on Kilimanjaro made all the difference; I hope my clients feel the same way about me!”

This piece was featured in Aspire Magazine, a biannual publication from the Women Financial Advisors Network. View the latest.

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