Newswise — Irvine, CA – (October 21, 2014) – New York Times bestselling author and syndicated columnist, Arianna Huffington will speak at the Center for Investment and Wealth Management (CIWM) Community Programs luncheon, on Thursday, November 6th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa. The event is hosted by UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business and presented by Huntington Beach-based Inspired Financial.

Huffington, who was named to the 2013 Forbes Most Powerful Women list, and who is chair, president and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group, will share insights from her newest book, “Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom and Wonder.”

“When we heard Arianna was speaking at our CIWM Community Programs Luncheon on one of the most important topics of our day, we knew our company had to get involved,” said Evelyn Zohlen, founder and president of Inspired Financial.

"Thrive is a great read with an uplifting message on the importance of work life balance,” said Merage School Alumnus Neil Sahota, PgMP®, CGEIT®, Ecosystem Engagement manager for IBM Global Business Services. “Arianna Huffington shares relevant personal examples on juggling career and family/friends that truly bring the concepts to life in a relatable way for the reader. It's these 'ah, I do the same thing too' moments that transform ‘Thrive’ from just ideas to taking meaningful action."

The Center for Investment and Wealth Management Community Programs luncheon is part of a year-long series of educational events featuring noteworthy speakers from the business community. To register for the CIWM luncheon, visit: merage.uci.edu/go/THRIVE. Individual tickets are $75 and seating is limited.

About Inspired Financial Inspired Financial is a wealth management firm and a founding member of the CIWM. Inspired Financial's clients are a select group of women and families facing challenging life transitions who look to them for making the best use of their financial resources while addressing their needs, concerns, opportunities and goals for today and the future.

About the Center for Investment and Wealth ManagementThe CIWM is one of seven Centers of Excellence at UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business. Its mission, under the guidance of Faculty Director Andrew J. Policano and the highly valued CIWM advisory board, is to expand knowledge of the complex issues concerning the creation, management and transfer of wealth and to be a respected, transparent source of timely information, educational programs and research on financial literacy, investment and wealth strategies. The CIWM’s vision is to emerge as a thought leader and source of innovative analysis and provide rigorous analysis and critique of existing practices and will become widely recognized as a hub of activity, research, network and application for a vital international industry.

About The Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine The Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine offers four dynamic MBA programs, a Master of Professional Accountancy, and PhD and undergraduate business degrees that deliver its thematic approach to business education: sustainable growth through strategic innovation. The school graduates leaders with the exceptional ability to help grow their organizations through analytical decision-making, innovation and collaborative execution. In-class and on-site experiences with real-world business problems give students the edge needed to help companies compete in today’s global economy. For more information, visit: merage.uci.edu.###