NASHVILLE, TN — Cathy Bender’s career spans over 31 years in the financial services industry with Merrill Lynch. Developing and implementing wealth management preservation and retirement strategies for select clientele which is her passion. As a Securities Licensed Representative of the Security and Exchange Commission SEC and a Licensed Insurance Agent for the State of Tennessee since 1988, she is an elite member of Merrill Lynch Recognition Clubs. She attained the designation of Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM CRPC® in 2008 which strengthens her focus on helping individuals and businesses with retirement related opportunities.
As the first full scholarship recipient of the Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball program to graduate, she is committed to fostering opportunities for future Vanderbilt graduates. This is exemplified through her service; serving two terms on the Vanderbilt Alumni Board, two terms as President of the Association of Vanderbilt Black Alumni and a tour on the Vanderbilt Athletics Committee. While serving as co-chair of the AVBA Endowed Scholarship Fund, Black Alumni raised over $100,000.00 to assist other minority students in their educational pursuits at the university. In 2016, in was inducted into the Vanderbilt University Sports Hall of Fame.
Cathy Bender’s devotion to community has garnered respect; now serving a third Mayoral appointment to the Metropolitan Nashville Sports Authority Board and formerly a Governor Bredesen appointee to the Tennessee Ethics Committee. She has served on many boards throughout her tenure such as the Community Foundation, United Way, the Nashville Urban League, the NAACP, Bethlehem Centers of Nashville, Renewal House and is a 1996 graduate of Leadership Nashville. Currently, as co-chair of the Baron’s Society for the National Association of African American Music, more than $1,000,000 was raised in the African American community. She is a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a member of the Parthenon Chapter of Links, Inc. and an active member of Mays Chapel Baptist Church. Cathy Bender resides in Hermitage, Tennessee where she enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering in the community.
Her goal is to distinguish herself across the public and private sector while utilizing her professional accomplishments and civic participation to demonstrate the mission and vision in the human spirit which results in enhanced opportunities for achievement and quality of life for others.
CRPC® and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselors are registered service marks of the College for Financial Planning.