Meet Joann Small-Cannella
Joann Small-Cannella is a licensed professional in the financial life insurance industry. She is among the top echelon of women in the financial industry, and has dedicated more than four decades to empowering women and retirees to take control of their financial future. As a young professional, Joann discovered how the costs of nursing homes and senior care facilities were impoverishing retirees. As a result, Joann made it her goal to educate her clients about the benefits of long-term care protection. After the 2001 financial crisis, Joann continued to build strong relationships as she worked tirelessly to protect her clients from further financial distress. She understands her clients on a personal level and empathizes with them in their financial challenges, which has led her to become a leader in the industry. Her work ethic and results caught the attention of Phil Cannella, the late Founder of Crash Proof Retirement, LLC. In 2008, Mr. Cannella approached Joann to join the Crash Proof Retirement® Radio Show. When Joann made her first appearance, she immediately made an impact. Consumers fell in love with her knowledge of the industry and her compassion for those struggling financially. In 2012, Joann Small-Cannella became the CEO of Crash Proof Retirement, LLC. applying her extensive experience to protect thousands of clients from the volatility and dangers of the stock market. As planned jointly by Phil and Joann, the torch of Crash Proof Retirement C.E.O. has now proudly been passed to Traci Stillman, with Joann Small-Cannella assuming the role of President of Crash Proof Retirement®, where she will continue to lead the firm forward, following the path laid out by our late founder, Phil Cannella.
As a pioneer for women in the financial industry, Joann has made a career of advocating and caring for her clients, which is exemplified by hundreds of testimonials from clients and employees.
Education
An alumna of the University of Miami, Joann Small-Cannella’s passion is derived from being an experienced woman in a male-dominated industry. Joann has earned recognition from local figures in Philadelphia and admiration from those around her. She recognizes the challenges that seniors face, especially women, and provides education on safe investment vehicles that give clients the peace of mind to be financially secure in their retirement. Joann works closely with the Crash Proof Retirement® team to ensure that the interests of their clients are always the company’s first priority. She and her team complete a mandatory yearly education course on IRAs and tax law changes to uphold their fiduciary responsibility. This ensures that Crash Proof® consumers have the most up-to-date and accurate information. Thanks to Joann’s leadership and passion to always grow and learn, she and the Crash Proof Retirement® team are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively advise their clients. To the women around her, she is the perfect embodiment of a leader.
Philanthropy
Under Phil Cannella and Joann Small-Cannella’s leadership, Crash Proof Retirement® has made sizable donations to local and national organizations. Most recently, Joann contributed $25,000 to The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, continuing Crash Proof Retirement®’s commitment to supporting our nation’s veterans, first responders, fallen police officers, and their families. This dedication was most powerfully demonstrated in March 2024, when Phil and Joann together made the largest donation in company history—$400,000—to Tunnel to Towers.
Through the years, Joann along with Phil also donated $325,000 to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, predominantly through the WOGL Loves Our Kids Radiothon. Crash Proof Retirement® has donated generously to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania’s Patient Services and Special Needs Fund.
Since 2014, Crash Proof Retirement® has worked closely with the National Liberty Museum, sponsoring over 200 students in the Young Heroes Outreach Program and donating over $250,000 to the museum. Peggy Sweeney, the Chief Development Officer for the Museum said, “[Joann and Phil] have made it possible for our educators to serve hundreds of children in underserved schools, which teaches kids personal responsibility, empathy for others, and the social skills that will enable them to succeed in school and in life.”
Phil and Joann also spent time and money supporting military veterans through the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1068 in Southern New Jersey’s Annual Doc Jensen Memorial Golf Outing, and Semper Fi and America’s Fund’s Annual Johnny Kihm Memorial Golf Outing.
Donations and community interaction have also taken place with the American Red Cross, Urban League of Philadelphia, Strengthening the Mid-Atlantic Region For Tomorrow, Northampton Lions Foundation, Jewish United Fund, National Kidney Foundation, Upper Darby Marine Corps League, and Shopping for Soldiers.
