Emily Promise was licensed to provide investment advice before she had a driver’s license. Now 27, the Marblehead native and president and owner of Blakely Financial will bring her expertise to readers of the Marblehead Current as the newspaper’s newest columnist.
Promise grew up in Marblehead, playing softball, volleyball and basketball at Marblehead High School. Her path to finance began during her senior year when she won an athletics award that included a luncheon with Massachusetts state treasurer Deb Goldberg, who introduced her to Sarah Samuel, the woman who managed the Massachusetts State Pension Fund at the time.
“It’s the weirdest way from a Marblehead High School senior project, I met this woman who ran the pension fund who talked me through all the different career areas,” Promise said, seated in the conference room of her South Street office.
Samuel became a significant mentor. When Promise arrived at High Point University in North Carolina, she discovered newfound free time after years of local employment at establishments including Stowaway Sweets and Marblehead Parks and Recreation.
“I had so much free time, so I cold called local advisory firms to see if anybody wanted an intern, and Blakely was the first one to offer me an internship. So I started as a freshman my first semester,” Promise said.
Her analytical abilities and passion for numbers initially drew her to finance, but client interactions proved equally compelling. By her sophomore year, she had obtained her Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses — certifications that allow financial professionals to sell investment products and provide investment advice — and was meeting with clients at 18 years old.
A sophomore-year internship at Goldman Sachs in New York City provided valuable perspective but reinforced her commitment to Blakely Financials’ family-oriented approach.
“After my time at Goldman, I ultimately made the decision to continue on with Blakely, because at Goldman, I didn’t get to see the end participant and see the actual value add is one to one with families,” Promise said.
Promise graduated from High Point University in 2020 with a bachelor’s of science in finance and accounting, having earned her Certified Financial Planner® designation before graduation. Promise subsequently bought a Marblehead advisor’s book of business from Rebecca Linhart and has helped grow Blakely Financial to manage $1.394 billion, employing 22 people.
Promise’s commitment to Marblehead extends beyond her business. She serves as treasurer for SPUR, a local nonprofit supporting community initiatives and events, and she is co-leader of the Marblehead chapter of Women’s Business League. She also serves on the Visitors Board at High Point University. Additionally, Promise established the “Woman with Promise” scholarship at Marblehead High School, which annually supports a female student pursuing studies in finance or STEM. Jennifer Billings, her former English teacher, chairs the scholarship board.
“Marblehead has a special place … It was a community that really benefited me growing up, and I wanted to give back,” Promise said.
Forbes has recognized Promise multiple times, including as a Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor in 2023 and 2024 and as a Top Women Wealth Advisor Best-in-State for 2025.
She holds numerous professional certifications including Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Accredited Investment Fiduciary and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designations.
Promise’s approach emphasizes comprehensive financial planning over investment management alone. Her philosophy centers on building trust and understanding client needs holistically.
“People don’t care what you know, until they know you care,” Promise said, describing a guiding principle learned early in her career.
Her monthly column will address a gamut of topics from retirement planning, wealth transfer, and tax strategies and seasonal financial topics. Promise aims to make complex financial concepts accessible to all readers, regardless of whether they work with professional advisors.
“These are things that anyone should have access to, not just folks that are using a financial planner,” Promise said. “That’s where the quick tips can hopefully make an impact with people that aren’t even using an advisor.”
Promise continues her Marblehead traditions, frequently running along the causeway and maintaining connections throughout the community where she now owns a home in the historic district.
She wants to answer readers’ financial questions, too, so send yours to info@marbleheadnews.org with “Question for Emily” in the subject line.
