Katy Cook (CFP®, PhD)

Additional Information

Katy Cook is a Principal at Abacus Financial Planning and decided to change careers and go into financial planning after creating her parents’ retirement plan. She saw firsthand the peace of mind that comes with having a roadmap to guide investing and spending decisions. She loves digging into financial details and enjoys helping people explore financial scenarios and understand the long-term impact of small (and large) choices.

Prior to being a financial planner, Katy spent a decade in teaching and independent consulting focused on “data for do-gooders.” She completed a BS in Mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin and a financial planning certificate with Boston University. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Princeton University, where she was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow.

While teaching, Katy gravitated to the “guide on the side” model of teaching, rather than the “sage on the stage” model. This is a great fit in financial planning, where Katy provides gentle support on the side.

Katy volunteers with non-profit organizations that support children, family health, and education through board and committee work. She previously served in AmeriCorps offering financial support services for people with low income or developmental disabilities. She has also served as a volunteer tax preparer, though you can’t pay her enough money to do your taxes.

Katy loves living in the Pacific Northwest. On clear nights, you’ll find her in the backyard with a telescope and her dog by her side. Sometimes her multigenerational family joins her outside, too.