Dan Lash

Mentorship Commitment Preference: Engage in a long-term mentorship (connect with your mentee throughout the semester, outside of LinkUp events — frequency and format are flexible). Available for online and in-person mentoring.

Industry: Financial Planning and Wealth Management

Employer: VLP Financial Advisors

Job Title: Partner, CFP®, AIF® 

Areas Dan is interested in mentoring: 

• Resume Review
• Internship Guidance
• Career Planning
• Networking Strategies
• Interview Preparation
• Skill Development
• Leadership Growth
• Communication Skills
• Time Management
• Industry Insights and Trends
• Goal Setting and Motivation

Bio: With more than 25 years in the financial industry, Dan specializes in wealth accumulation, distribution, retirement, and tax planning.  Dan works with individuals and families to help them create and pursue their financial goals. He advises clients who have significant assets to invest and appreciate a high level of client service – something he delivers with his unique ability to talk honestly and directly while focusing on the bigger financial picture. He also works with small businesses to help them navigate their employer-sponsored retirement plans and understand their succession options and insurance needs. 

Dan joined VLP more than two decades ago, learning the business from founder, Bruce Vaughn.  Dan has embraced the idea of giving back to the industry with his involvement in the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area, as a former board member and past president.  His leadership tenure with the FPANCA spans from 2009 to present.  He is also extremely dedicated to his alma mater, George Mason University, as is evident by his work on the GMU FPWM Program Advisory board the past several years, helping to build the CFP certificate program.  He also previously sat on the GMU CHSS Alumni Association as President, and was a speaker at their 2022 commencement ceremony.

Dan has been featured in national and local news outlets, sharing his insights with InvestmentNews, CNBC, and DC Magazine. He has been recognized for his continued success in the field with awards from Washingtonian, Northern Virginia Magazine, and InvestmentNew (Top Financial Advisor, Hot List 2023*)

In 2022, Dan celebrated 25 years of marriage to Lorelei, with whom he shares two kids, a dog, two cats and a love of all Washington DC, sports teams! Living greater for him means spending time with friends and family, volunteering at his Alma Mater George Mason University and developing and growing the Financial Planning and Wealth Management degree program at GMU. He also loves eating out and traveling.

How did you get your first job? While in college, I cold-called Financial Planning businesses in the yellow pages and was able to get an internship, which led to my first job after graduating from Mason.

If you were starting your career today, what is the one piece of advice you would give yourself? Get my professional certifications as soon as possible after graduation.

What skills or experiences have been most valuable in your career? Communicating effectively with prospective clients.  Honesty and always doing what is in the clients best interest.

Dan is open to participating in informational interviews