About the Book
An empowering, tools-based approach to help you achieve financial freedom and thrive for years to come, from the National Director of Women and Wealth at Northern Trust
Steph Wagner appeared to have it all—a beautiful family and a picture-perfect life—until her husband of nearly 20 years left their family for another woman. A stay-at-home mom, Steph found herself facing financial devastation and some heavy emotional baggage. Her enviable life concealed the secrets of a harrowing childhood fraught with domestic abuse—wounds her divorce would unexpectedly reopen.
In the years since, Steph has built a thrilling new life and a powerhouse career as a nationally recognized authority on women's economic security. A model of resiliency and resourcefulness, her riveting personal story and hard-earned financial expertise have helped women across the country reclaim their financial futures.
Her debut book, Fly! offers invaluable insights to help you:
Uncover the roots of your relationship with money
Evaluate your current financial landscape and learn how to make confident decisions around your wealth
Set transformative goals and craft a comprehensive plan to turn your vision into reality
Cultivate an empowering, supportive network
Discover how financial independence can enhance your relationships and unlock exciting new opportunities
Whether you’re in your sixties or twenties—single, married, rebuilding after a devastating loss, or simply wanting to feel more prepared for the unexpected—this book is for every woman ready to take control of her financial life. Fly! is a call to action: a journey not just about money, but about seizing new opportunities, pursuing your dreams, and living life on your own terms.
About the Author :
Steph Wagner is a nationally recognized thought leader in women’s wealth and financial empowerment. Her passion for this work is deeply personal. Her own journey—from private equity executive to stay-at-home mom, to single mother facing financial uncertainty, to successful businesswoman—fuels her mission to help women take control of their wealth and build lives they love. Today, she serves as National Director of Women & Wealth at Northern Trust, where she leads the firm’s advisory practice for women and its Elevating Women platform—a national program focused on building financial confidence and helping women use their wealth to create meaningful impact in their families, businesses, and communities.
Prior to joining Northern Trust, Steph spent years advising high-net-worth women navigating major life transitions such as divorce and widowhood. She also built a national consulting practice for wealth management firms seeking to better serve female clients and founded WomenWealthyWise, a platform dedicated to advancing financial literacy and empowerment for women. Earlier in her career, she was Vice President at Gemini Investors, a Boston-based private equity firm. A frequent media contributor, Steph’s insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Entrepreneur, Barron’s, Bloomberg, MarketWatch, Kiplinger, Yahoo Finance, and more. Steph lives just outside of Austin, Texas, and is the proud mom of three grown sons. When she’s not working or writing, you’ll likely find her cycling, hiking, on her yoga mat, or chasing after her beloved dogs.
Review :
“I love a book written by a smart woman who reinvented herself. Steph Wagner’s debut book, Fly!, is not only a cautionary tale about every woman’s need to claim her financial independence, it’s also a triumphant story about one woman’s journey to self-confidence and her mission to share the hard lessons she’s learned with women everywhere.”
—Bobbi Brown, Makeup Artist and Founder, Jones Road Beauty
“Fly! is both an essential, everywoman’s guide to financial literacy and a moving memoir about how one woman rebuilt her life after things fell apart. With candor and courage, Steph Wagner shares her story of persisting through the hard times and offers practical, grounded advice about achieving financial autonomy. It’s an inspiring and useful book for women of all generations.”
—Cheryl Strayed, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Wild
“Steph’s story proves that it’s never too late to rise, rebuild, and reclaim your power. Fly! is a powerful guide for creating a life you love—on your own terms.”
—Candace Nelson, Founder, Sprinkles Cupcakes and Pizzana, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Sweet Success
“Wagner’s story of how she took charge of her family’s economic survival is a powerful inspiration for anyone who’s dealt with unexpected loss—but it’s also an invaluable how-to guide for everyone on building financial stability and the freedom to live your most cherished dreams. She’s the ultimate role model, because she’s been there, and Fly! is the perfect guide to help you turn adversity into good fortune.”
—Leslie Bennetts, Award-Winning Journalist and New York Times Bestselling Author, The Feminine Mistake
“This is not just a book about women in business—it’s for women in life. With clarity, empathy, and practicality, Steph meets you where you are and shows you how to move forward with intention.”
—Chanel H. Frazier, Founder, CHF Ventures, and former Managing Director, BlackRockAtlanta
“I laughed, I cried—and, most importantly, I learned more about setting myself up for financial independence and long-term success than I did in 12 years of private school. Steph’s story is powerful.”
—Lucy Burke, Southern Methodist University, Class of 2023
“Steph took the pain from the worst moments of her life and turned it into purpose—and ultimately, joy for herself and a roadmap for the rest of us. Fly! is a love letter to all women, empowering each of us to build a life of abundance. And all we have to do is start.”
—Abbey McKean, Texas Christian University, Class of 2021
