WENDY ANN PAYNE, CEP®, CDFA® – FOUNDING PARTNER
Wendy Ann Payne is a Founding Partner of Centurion Wealth Management. Her passion for helping clients achieve financial independence and personal empowerment through insight, experience, and education inspired her to co-found Centurion.
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She envisioned a wealth management firm that provides holistic financial planning and investment guidance while striving to empower clients through financial education, and today that vision is a reality.
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Prior to her 23-year tenure in the wealth management industry, Wendy served as a caregiver to the elderly and disabled adults. During this time, she witnessed the significant difference that proper financial planning can make in people’s lives. It was here that she discovered how crucial it is to have a trusted advisor guiding clients through the growing complexities of today’s financial landscape.
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Wendy is driven by a passion for simplifying the often-complicated financial world and applying creative solutions to each client’s unique situation. She believes in empowering individuals and families through education, providing them with the clarity, confidence, and concrete steps needed to achieve their financial goals.
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Wendy specializes in working with newly-independent women—particularly widows, divorcees, and others who find themselves solely responsible for financial decisions for the first time. In 2011, she co-authored her first book, The Retirement Success Solution & Lessons I Learned from the Past Bear Market, where she discussed the retirement planning challenges that are unique to women and the importance of financial planning.
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Through her commitment to addressing women’s financial needs, Wendy developed the Life Stage Transitions™ and Financial Independence for Women™ programs—comprehensive financial literacy initiatives designed to empower women in their financial journeys.
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Wendy has been recognized for her work and expertise in the industry. In 2024, she was named to Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list and was again named to Forbes’ Best-In-State Top Women Wealth Advisors list in 2025. She has also been named to Northern Virginia Magazine’s Top Financial Professionals list for seven consecutive years. Centurion Wealth Management was included on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America list in both 2023 and 2024. These recognitions are based on various criteria, including assets under management, growth metrics, and editorial or peer input, and do not guarantee future results.
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Wendy is a Certified Estate Planner (CEP®), Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®), Wealth Management Advisor, and Life Stage Transition Specialist.
