GEN NEXT: Delante Greer, ChFEBC
Pivoting from a career in law enforcement to financial planning isn’t as drastic as one might think—for this young professional, it’s still about helping and protecting people.
By Delante Greer, ChFEBC | Summer 2025
Before venturing into financial planning, I had a brief five-year career as a police officer. I didn’t leave law enforcement because I fell out of love with service. I left because I realized the kind of protection people needed most wasn’t always found behind a badge.
During my time as a police officer, I was assigned to two very different cities—a short drive apart but economically light-years away. In one, wealth was assumed, quiet, and generational. In the other, survival was loud, daily, and uncertain. However, in both cities, I saw how money—or the lack of it—shaped behaviors, opportunities, and even how people saw themselves.
What stuck with me through that experience was this: People don’t make poor decisions just because of poor judgment. Often, they make the only decisions their circumstances allow.
That truth hits home because even while I was in a law enforcement position, I was just learning about money myself. At the time, I was investing in real estate, trading stocks, and slowly building an understanding of how wealth actually works. Being able to see both the systems and financial stresses up close and how they impact one another gave me a unique vantage point and, over time, I knew I couldn’t keep what I was learning about money to myself.
Soon after, I started a nonprofit focused on teaching financial literacy, mainly to youth and working families. In trying to make a change for others, my life changed too. That work introduced me to my wife, who shared a deep belief in service and community. It also eventually led me to my business partner who, at the time, was actually my financial planner; what started as a client relationship grew into a professional, collaborative relationship around a shared mission.
When I transitioned into financial planning, I didn’t see the path as drastic as it looked to those on the outside. It was still about showing up for people, still about protection—except instead of enforcement, it was through education and empowerment. Whether I’m walking someone through a retirement strategy or helping them rebuild from financial trauma, I’m still performing a public service.
Overall, I became a financial planner because I wanted to prevent problems, not just respond to them. I believe that no one should have to choose between paying rent and dreaming a little. I’ve seen firsthand how people are able to move through life differently, and with more confidence, when they’re equipped with knowledge and a trusted guide—and I believe that shift can echo across generations.
While it’s true that technical knowledge matters greatly in our field, I’ve learned that what truly sets you apart as an accounting and finance professional is the ability to see clients behind their portfolios. Being able to find out what shapes a client’s financial worldview, or what barriers they’ve encountered in their lives, gives you a competitive edge. Just like my own career trajectory, every spreadsheet tells a story—but you have to care enough to read between the lines to truly understand the hopes and dreams of your clients and ultimately become their trusted financial partner.
Delante Greer, ChFEBC, is a financial planner at Opulentia LLC.
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