
DSC_7688
DSC_7576Sarah J. Yakel, CFP®
Partner
Sarah brings more than 25 years of experience in investment and trust planning to Meridian, along with a gift for translating complex financial concepts into clear, actionable guidance. Known for her calm, analytical approach and practical perspective, she helps clients define and pursue their unique path to financial peace of mind. In 2025, Sarah was recognized by InvestmentNews as one of the $100M Club for Top Female Advisors.*
Sarah earned her degree in Trust Management and Financial Planning from Campbell University in 1999 and began her career in the Trust department at Peoples National Bank, which later became BB&T Wealth Management. While working with trust clients, she recognized her passion for helping individuals and families address their full financial picture. She went on to earn her Certified Financial Planner® designation and, in 2004, transitioned to TFB Wealth Management to work more directly with clients.
At TFB, Sarah played a key role in building and expanding the firm’s financial planning program, guiding hundreds of individuals, families, and small business owners toward achieving their long-term goals.
Sarah is an active leader in her community and serves on several boards, including Oak View Bank, Fresta Valley Christian School, the Jesse and Rose Loeb Foundation, and the Horizon Investments Advisory Board. She is also a founding member of Leadership Fauquier and stays involved with Laurel Ridge Community College. When she’s not working or volunteering, Sarah can usually be found in her other full-time role as a family “Uber driver,” shuttling her three kids between sports, school, and social activities. When she finally gets home, she has her hands full with one unmanageable husband, a very large dog, two opinionated cats, and her ongoing attempt at homesteading via a small but ambitious garden patch.
When she can, Sarah indulges her love of cooking, travel, and a good read—aspiring to spend more time exploring new places, new recipes, and actually finishing one of the several books she’s currently reading. Like many of her clients, she is thoughtfully working toward a life that creates more space for all three.
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* Disclosure: InvestmentNews inaugural 2025 $100M Club Top Female Advisors list highlights female advisors nationwide who demonstrate excellence in wealth management, managing over $100 million in assets under management (AUM) while delivering exceptional client service and leadership. The InvestmentNews Intelligence Unit, in collaboration with independent industry experts, conducted a rigorous analysis to identify advisors who combine scale, professionalism, and impact, and covers the period of 01/01/2024-12/31/2024. Neither Meridian Financial Partners nor its financial advisors paid a fee to InvestmentNews to obtain or use the ranking. All information on nominees had to be verified by their compliance team before it could be accepted.
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