Barbara Treadwell, a Savannah-based financial advisor and longtime advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities, has been named one of three national finalists for the 2025 Invest in Others Lifetime Achievement Award, selected from more than 500 applicants across the United States.

Presented by Invest in Others, the Lifetime Achievement Award honors financial professionals who have demonstrated exceptional service to a cause over an extended period of time. Treadwell was nominated for her decades-long volunteer work and unwavering support of the Lexington Foundation, a nonprofit organization in New York that provides care, housing and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Her late son, Terry, lived at The Arc Lexington for 22 years, and her relationship with the organization has remained deeply personal and steadfast.

“This recognition means the world to me,” said Treadwell. “Lexington gave my son love, dignity and stability. Supporting them is my way of paying that love forward. Plain and simple, I would not have had a life without them.”

With Treadwell as a finalist, the Lexington Foundation will receive a $25,000 award from Invest in Others. This is a meaningful boost for the organization, which has served families like Treadwell’s since 1953.

If Treadwell is selected as the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Lexington Foundation will receive a $100,000 grant from the Invest in Others.

The Arc Lexington supports individuals across the full spectrum of ability, from those requiring 24/7 care to highly capable neurodiverse young adults preparing for independent adulthood.

One of Lexington’s most innovative programs is Transitions, which equips young people with autism and developmental disabilities to succeed in college, meaningful careers and independent living. While enrolled, students receive intensive support and coaching in real time as they attend college, complete internships, and live in apartments with increasing levels of independence. With over 165 graduates to date, Transitions builds core life skills — like cooking, cleaning, budgeting and driving – while also fostering social connection, resilience, and executive functioning. Now in its 10^th year, Transitions has become a model of how personalized, strengths-based support can unlock opportunities and transform lives.

The awards ceremony will take place in Boston on September 25, where the national winner will be announced live. The Lifetime Achievement category is considered the most prestigious of the seven awards given annually. Each application required a rigorous review process, including a detailed 17-page submission outlining impact, leadership, and legacy.

Treadwell, 81, is known both locally and nationally for her dual careers in counseling and financial planning. She served for 15 years as a therapist for terminally ill patients in Alabama before transitioning to financial services, where she has built a 42-year career advising clients in both Savannah and New York City.

She is also the host of Love and Money with Barbara Treadwell, a new podcast that explores the emotional side of financial decision-making.

“I am humbled to be among the finalists,” Treadwell said. “This honor isn’t just for me. It’s for every parent who has fought for their child’s care, for every caregiver who has shown up with love, and for every organization like Lexington that makes a lasting difference.”

NOTE: Invest in Others Lifetime Achievement Award issued by Invest in Others Charitable Foundation on 9/25/25 for 2025 year will be presented to an advisor who has made a profound contribution to a non-profit organization for at least 20 years. Barbara Treadwell was nominated for the recognition and is now one of three finalists. Criteria used to determine the winner(s) includes established history of distinguished service, exhibiting leadership, providing inspiration and gained recognition and respect from peers and the community. Three individuals were named as finalists for this honor and one will be selected as the recipient. No fee was paid for the nomination, receipt, or promotion of the award. Third-party ratings are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluation.