Steph Wagner is a nationally recognized thought leader in women's wealth and financial empowerment.
My passion for women's economic empowerment is deeply personal. My journey—from private equity executive to stay-at-home mom, to single mother facing financial uncertainty, to successful businesswoman—fuels my mission to help women take control of their wealth, achieve financial freedom, and build a life they love.
These moments—captured below—reflect more than just milestones. They represent my purpose in action.
Today, I serve as the National Director of Women and Wealth at Northern Trust, where I'm honored to lead our advisory practice for women and oversee Elevating Women—a national platform grounded in community, inspiration, and education. Through this work, we are creating intentional space for women to connect, share, and grow—building lasting confidence in their wealth, their voice, and their future.
Northern Trust Elevating Women and Candace Nelson team up to champion female founders in North Texas.
Northern Trust Elevating Women brings together female founders for an exclusive retreat featuring beauty icon Bobbi Brown.
Northern Trust Elevating Women partners with Kendra Scott to celebrate International Women’s Day 2023.
Leading an essential conversation on the new era of aging at the 2025 Northern Trust Institute Wealth Planning Symposium.
A impactful conversation with Kendra Scott at Northern Trust Elevating Women’s The Coterie—a retreat for female business owners.
An inspiring conversation with Maria Shriver on the importance of living an authentic life at an event sponsored by Northern Trust.
Steph joins Bobbi Brown and Camila Alves McConaughey at the opening of Jones Road Beauty, co-hosted by Northern Trust.
Honored to have led an inspiring conversation with three trailblazing artists at EXPO CHICAGO 2022.
THE BOOK
Fly!
A Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom and Building a Life You Love
Whether you’re in your sixties or twenties—single, married, rebuilding after a devastating loss, or simply wanting to feel more prepared for the unexpected—this book is for every woman ready to take control over her financial life.
Fly! is a call to action. And this journey isn’t just about money; it’s also about seizing new opportunities, pursuing your dreams, and living life on your own terms.
"I love a book written by a smart woman who reinvented herself. Steph Wagner's debut book, Fly!, is not only a cautionary tale about every woman's need to claim her financial independence, Fly! is also a triumphant story about one woman’s journey to self-confidence and her mission to share the hard lessons she's learned with women everywhere. That's true girl power!"
Cheryl Strayed
#1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Wild
“Fly! is both an essential, everywoman’s guide to financial literacy and a moving memoir about how one woman rebuilt her life after things fell apart. With candor and courage, Steph Wagner shares her story of persisting through the hard times, as she offers practical, grounded advice about achieving financial autonomy. It’s an inspiring and useful book for women of all generations.”
Kendra Scott
Founder, Chairwoman and CCO, Kendra Scott
“This book is essential right now. Because in a world where uncertainty can feel like the only constant—where the stock market fluctuates wildly, and the financial headlines are often overwhelming—we need voices like Steph’s to bring clarity, compassion, and confidence back into the conversation.”
Candace Nelson
Founder, Sprinkles Cupcakes and Pizzana, and Best-Selling Author, Sweet Success
“Steph’s story proves that it’s never too late to rise, rebuild, and reclaim your power. Fly! is a powerful guide for creating a life you love—on your own terms.”
“As a stay-at-home mom with three young children, Steph Wagner saw her enviable life suddenly destroyed when her husband left her for another woman and abandoned his financial responsibilities to the family that depended on him. The story of how Wagner took charge of their economic survival and created an even better new life from the wreckage is a powerful inspiration for anyone who’s dealt with unexpected loss—but it’s also an invaluable how-to guide for everyone on building financial stability and the freedom to live your most cherished dreams. As kind and reassuring as your most sympathetic friend, Wagner takes her readers by the hand and walks them safely through the minefield of money and its mysteries. She’s the ultimate role model, because she’s been there, but she also has a rare gift for explaining complex issues in clear, understandable language as she simplifies and demystifies the financial challenges that make so many of us want to start screaming or hide our heads in the sand. Fly! is the perfect guide to help you deal with disaster and turn adversity into good fortune—and it’s a must-read for anyone who’s ready to build the life of her dreams.”
Chanel Frazier
Founder, CHF Ventures and Former Managing Director, BlackRock
“Steph Wagner brings together financial expertise and hard-earned life experience to speak to women at every intersection—whether you're running a business, a household, starting over, or simply reimagining what's next. This is not just a book about women in business—it's for women in life. With clarity, empathy, and practicality, Steph meets you where you are and shows you how to move forward with intention.”
Lucy Burke
Southern Methodist University, Class of 2023
“I laughed, I cried—and, most importantly, I learned more about setting myself up for financial independence and long-term success than I did in 12 years of private school. Steph’s story is powerful. She shares openly and vulnerably, offering valuable tools and insights that give women the chance to learn critical financial lessons we’re somehow expected to just ‘know.’ From me—and all the women who don’t consider themselves financially savvy—thank you, Steph, for writing this book.”
Abbey McKean
Texas Christian University, Class of 2021
“From beginning to end, Fly! feels like a conversation with your best friend combined with that Finance 101course—which, four years after college, I’ve completely forgotten. It’s raw, real, and deeply human—the story of someone who’s been there, lived it, survived it, and then some. But it’s not a story shared for sympathy; it’s shared in solidarity. Steph took the pain from the worst moments of her life and turned it into purpose—and ultimately, joy for herself and a roadmap for the rest of us. Fly! is a love letter to all women, empowering each of us to build a life of abundance. And all we have to do is start.”