Ann F. Kaplan

Ann Kaplan, a trailblazing financial executive and champion for women's leadership in business, died on September 14th, 2024 at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She was 78.

Ann was a partner at Circle Wealth Management, a prominent financial advisory firm where she provided investment solutions to individuals, families, and non-profit organizations. As the founder and chair of Circle Financial Group, she helped create an innovative membership-based wealth management group specifically tailored for women.

Ann's distinguished financial career began at Goldman, Sachs & Co, where she became one of the first female partners in the firm's history and served as the head of the Municipal Bond Department, making her one of the most influential women on Wall Street at a time when few women held such senior positions in finance.

Ann's influence extended far beyond Wall Street. As a philanthropist and board member, she supported major initiatives in education, the arts, business, and humanitarian causes. Ann was especially dedicated to her alma maters: Smith College, where she earned her BA, and Columbia University, where she earned multiple degrees, including her MSW and MBA. Ann was a Trustee of Smith College. She served as a Trustee of Columbia University and a member of the Board of Overseers of the Columbia University Graduate School of Business, the Columbia University Board of Advisors at the Medical Center, and the Mailman School of Public Health. She was the Chair of the Women Creating Change Leadership Board and the Columbia Global Centers. She also taught asset management at Columbia Business School from 2004 to 2014.

Ann served as a Trustee of the American Red Cross and the Museum of Arts and Design. She was a board member for various public and privately held companies, including the Goldman Sachs Bank Board. She was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Economic Club of New York, and the International Women's Forum.

Her awards are too numerous to list in total, but included The American Red Cross Harriman Award, The National Housing Conference Lifetime Distinction Award, The Girl Scout Woman of Distinction Award, and the Columbia University Graduate School of Business Distinguished Alumnae Award.

While widely known for her generosity in business and philanthropy, Ann was most generous in her personal life. She was devoted to, and beloved by, her family and her many, many friends. She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her.

Ann is survived by her husband, Robert Fippinger; her siblings, Susanna Lenzi, Margaret Allard, and David Kaplan; her three sons, Robert, Randy, and Andrew Fippinger; her daughters-in-law, Margaret Fippinger, Sarah McNair, and Betsy Fippinger; and her six grandchildren, Miles Fippinger, Jonah McNair, and Cailean, Mercedes, James, and Henry Fippinger, all of whom will miss her more than they can say.

A memorial service in celebration of Ann's life will be held soon on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ann's memorial fund by mailing a check to Schwab Charitable, 200 S 108th Ave., Omaha, NE 68154; the check should be payable to DAFgiving360 with a memo line saying for Ann F Kaplan Memorial Charitable Fund.