Kelly Berenbaum, CFP®, CEPA®

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About Kelly Berenbaum, CFP®, CEPA®

Blue Tree Financial provides comprehensive financial planning services for family business owners, professionals, or individuals managing a significant inheritance. We believe trust is the cornerstone of a successful relationship between client and advisor. We are passionate about helping our clients articulate their personal financial goals and think long-term to achieve them. Our founder, Kelly Berenbaum, is a CFP® professional and holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor credential or CEPA®. CFP® professionals have met rigorous qualifications for financial planning and have agreed to abide by the standards set forth in CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. A Certified Exit Planning Advisor or CEPA® is a holistic business advisor that helps a business owner align business, personal, and financial goals while building transferable value into their business so that the owner is always prepared to capitalize on a transition of their company, planned or unplanned. CEPA® credential holders have successfully completed an executive MBA style program, and passed a comprehensive exam. Blue Tree Financial is a fee-only firm focused on providing financial planning services. We do not earn commissions for selling products.

Melissa Walsh, CFP®, CFA

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About Melissa Walsh, CFP®, CFA, AIF

Hello there, I’m Melissa!

My mission in everything I do is to make a positive difference in the lives of the people I serve. I aim to enthusiastically help my clients to achieve their goals and to be a trusted partner every step of the way.

I see each day as a new opportunity to enhance the lives of those I serve- my clients, my family, and my community. This intrinsic feel for what’s truly important in life helps to fuel my drive for the work I do both here at Clarity Financial Design and beyond.

I am most satisfied in life by finding injustices and righting them. I think this is why a career in finance initially appealed to me; the industry has widespread and systemic problems related to conflicts of interest, gender inequality, and lack of transparency. I’ve made a commitment to improving our industry as well as our clients’ individual lives by providing fiduciary, fee-only, transparent advice.

Today, my path is working with my clients to help them find financial clarity. I seek to listen, understand, and thoughtfully consider each client’s unique story in order to help her plan for the next step on her path. My goal is to build life-long relationships with my clients as their trusted financial partner.

When I’m not at work, I enjoy volunteering in my community. I’ve made a commitment to spend 10% of my time supporting organizations that are meaningfully impacting the well-being of local girls, women, and families.

I am married to my husband, Steve, and am the mother of two smart, brave, and determined daughters. Willow is 4 and enjoys swimming, dancing, and practicing her detective skills. Lila is 3 and loves to sing, dance, and pretend to be a teacher. My hobbies are running, cooking, and reading, and I pursue these hobbies during this season of life by running after my daughters, cooking for my family and friends, and reading up on all things financial. On a typical Saturday, you’ll find me out at the beach, farmer’s market, or cheering on the Michigan Wolverines (Go Blue!).

I look forward to learning your story and helping you plan for your next step.

Jenna VanLeeuwen, CFP®

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About Jenna VanLeeuwen, CFP®

Are you so busy with your business and family life that you find yourself making reactive money decisions?

It’s hard to envision the future when so many things need your time and immediate attention.

At Aligning Wealth, we create individualized financial plans based on each client’s values and vision. Consider us your go-to financial partner, helping you create a clear action plan so you can build the ideal life you’ve been dreaming of.

GET FINANCIALLY ALIGNED IN LIFE
• Saving for retirement
• Saving for college
• Buying your dream home
• Taking your dream trip
• Thoughtfully managing investments
• Dreaming up a giving plan
• Creating a spending plan
• Sticking to a debt payment plan

GET FINANCIALLY ALIGNED IN BUSINESS
• Minimizing taxes
• Budgeting to scale your team
• Growing your income
• Creating your retirement plan
• Planning a maternity or paternity leave
• Understanding health insurance options
• Selling or buying a business

Jenna VanLeeuwen, CFP® is the founder of Aligning Wealth. She has years of experience working as a financial planner with families and business owners in the NYC metro area. She has partnered with business owners through all phases of a business owner’s life, from starting to growing to selling their business.

When not working with clients, Jenna is usually spending quality time with her husband Brian, her toddler Charlotte, and her two doggies, Ikki and Korra. Most Saturdays, you’ll find her whole family popping into a coffee shop and then taking a walk to smell the flowers or play in the park.

Jessica Goedtel, CFP®

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About Jessica Goedtel, CFP®

Money is a tool for creating the life you want to live, and our purpose is to help you understand how your money can work for you. We are driven to provide financial advice that is free of judgement and shame and is instead focused on empowerment, social consciousness, and personal well-being.
Pavilion Financial Planning’s core market consists of young professionals in their 20s to 40s earning over $100k in salary annually. Our clients want someone to partner with for financial planning, education, and accountability.
We work hard to create an environment of inclusivity where everyone is welcome. We especially love working with women who receive equity compensation (RSUs, stock options, ESPP) as a part of their income package, and women in the online sex work industry.

Jessica became a financial planner because of her passion for personal finance and a frustration with the lack of financial literacy education. She started in the industry beginning in 2013 and learned financial planning working at firms both big and small. She earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation in 2018. Jessica has a wealth of experience helping clients in all stages of their lives, from right out of college to well into retirement.

Jessica is an avid runner, having run 3 marathons and dozens of half marathons. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Classics & Ancient Mediterranean Studies from Penn State University. A self-confessed nerd (before it was cool), she could easily spend all day discussing Star Wars, Marvel, and Tolkien mythology. She also enjoys reading, baking, collecting fossils, and trying to keep her various plants alive.

Read Jessica’s blog here: https://www.pavilionfp.com/blog/

Bridget Harkins, CFP®

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About Bridget Harkins, CFP®

At a young age, Bridget Harkins found empowerment in general aviation, a hobby that historically has attracted more men than women. Through her journey to earn her pilot license, she gained confidence in her ability to reach her goals. This was done by arming herself with the right coach, the right knowledge and putting in hours of hard work. She co-founded Wheels Up Wealth to impart that same confidence on her clients.

At Wheels Up Wealth, we strive to empower individuals to feel a greater sense of confidence in their financial lives. By working closely with each client, Bridget acts as a coach to simplify financial challenges and helps her clients make critical decisions toward their well-being. She brings a personalized approach by getting to understand each clients’ life goals — and creating a financial landscape that can support their vision.

With a depth of experience, Bridget has an astute perspective relating to various areas of the financial services industry, including investment research, selection and asset allocation. Bridget has an extensive background in investment advisory, having risen to regional director over her 6 years at Dimensional Fund Advisors, a leading investment management firm. After supporting over 40 independent advisors in various aspects of their work, Bridget made the shift to work directly with individuals and guide them toward their aspirations through custom-made strategies.

Beyond Wheels Up Wealth, Bridget is also part of the Financial Planning Association of the East Bay. Outside of work, Bridget and her husband are both private pilots. In their free time, you can find them flying, skiing, hiking, camping or some combination of those outdoor endeavors.

Education & Designations:

University of California, Berkeley – Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Minor in Public Policy
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional
Licensed airplane pilot

Read Bridget’s blog here: https://wheelsupwealthinc.com/insights

Kyle Eaton, CFP®, CDFA®

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About Kyle Eaton, CFP®, CDFA®

Education

I attended Oklahoma State University, where I played for the OSU Cowboys football team. Most of my time was spent on the practice field—Hedge field—preparing for fall Saturdays. Although most people only saw what happened on Saturday, it was on Hedge field that the truly important occurred. I learned the importance of setting and achieving my personal goals, working through adversity, and being part of something bigger than myself. Learning these disciplines was as valuable as any college degree that I earned.

While at Oklahoma State, I earned my Masters in Family Financial Planning. You might wonder, “How does this make me different from your run-of-the-mill financial advisor or planner?” The program that I completed was in the college that studied the science of the human environment, not the business college. It included studying family systems and counseling, both elements that taught me how to look beyond the portfolio to the person.

Beliefs

I live in Denton with my wife Rachel and four children—Kyrie, Adelynn, Elias, and Titus. I believe that all skills and talents I have are God-given, to be used for His glory. For this reason, I strive for excellence. I want my work to reflect my beliefs. I also believe that all people are created in the image of God. Therefore, everyone has inherit value and worth no matter their lot in life. They deserve to be treated that way.

Finally, I believe that of whom much is given, much is expected. It is what drove me to become a two-time Verizon Academic All-American and National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete in college. It is what continues to drive me each day of my life. This is my personal why. It is why I get out of bed each morning. And it is for these reasons that I founded Hedgefield. It is why I want Hedgefield to be an agent of change in the lives of women and the community as a whole. One of my deepest desires is to encourage others to figure out their own why. And not only discover their own why, but also use their resources to pursue it wholeheartedly.

Laura Higgins, CFP®, MBA

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About Laura Higgins, CFP®, MBA

I specialize in advice-only financial planning to help individuals and families answer their most pressing questions. My services offer advice on how to proceed or prepare for an upcoming life change, provide reassurance that you are on track in order to achieve your goals and offer advice to help you manage your investments.

I started Approachable Financial Planning because I believe everyone should have access to personalized unbiased financial advice in order to make informed decisions with confidence. If you have questions about a financial decision or are wondering if you are on track or missing anything, please reach out, I’d love to talk to you!

Learn more by visiting my website: www.approachablefp.com

If you’d like to talk, please don’t hesitate to contact me to set up a complimentary introduction call. This will be a casual call with no commitment required!

Alvin Carlos, CFP®, CFA

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About Alvin Carlos, CFP®, CFA

I’m the founder of District Capital Management, an independent, fee-only financial planning firm. We help professionals and entrepreneurs in their 30s and 40s elevate their finances and maximize their money. We are a virtual firm and we primarily work with clients based in Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

We provide affordable, best-in-class financial advice. Money is a tool to help you live your best life. Everyone should have access to high-quality financial advice. We give top-notch advice on your cash, investments (401k, IRA, brokerage), taxes, retirement, insurance, house buying decisions, debt, college savings, and estate planning.

Three traits that make us unique:

1) Strong investment team. We have 2 CFA charterholders in our team, and have a background in managing multi-billion dollar institutional funds. Our clients receive top-notch investment advice.

2) Modern Plan. We deliver our comprehensive 30+ detailed recommendations via a modern platform that is easy to use and available all the time.

3) 30s & 40s Niche. We’ve worked with over 300 professionals in their 30s & 40s in the tech, consulting, government, non-profit and small business owner world. We’ve encountered almost every personal finance issue that they have faced.

We enjoy working with clients who:

  • Have concrete financial goals,

  • Highly motivated and engaged, and

  • Generous with their time, talent or treasure.

If you’re trying to make this world a better place, we want to partner with you by elevating your finances.

Schedule a complimentary discovery call to see if District Capital is a good fit for you.

More about me: I have an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins. I was named one of Washington, DC’s Best Financial Advisers for 2022. I am also the recipient of the 2021 Financial Planning Association Diversity Scholarship, for promoting diversity within our firm and for serving diverse clients. I currently volunteer as Treasurer for the Lutheran Social Services, a non-profit that helps refugees & immigrants in the U.S In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, swing dancing, and playing Pickleball.

Sarah Paulson, CFP®

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About Sarah Paulson, CFP®

“Wealth is the ability to truly experience life.” — Henry David Thoreau

Helping people define their life aspirations and getting their money in line with those dreams is what LIGHTS. ME. UP. And I’m doing it while making personal finance less intimidating. It is the reason I became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. I focus on empowering people born in the ’80’s and ’90’s to take control of their financial lives. Instead of doing a long, deep, mind-numbing presentation where I talk at my clients, I prefer to work in short and consistent bursts so we will actually make progress and show you this stuff doesn’t have to be so hard.

If money is a tool you aren’t really sure how to use, I encourage you to reach out to me. I want to develop a long-term relationship to understand your unique past, present and future to craft recommendations fit for you. Let’s find your wealth, together.

In my spare time, you can find me passionately advocating for women’s rights – I currently hold a seat on the board of the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region – and burning off my extra energy through kickboxing, strength training, running, and/or cross-country skiing. All this activity is necessary because I bake the best cakes and cheesecakes; ask nicely and I might share a piece!

Read Sarah’s blog here: https://valkyriefinancial.wordpress.com/blog/

Terri Spath, CFP®, CFA

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About Terri Spath, CFP®, CFA

You deserve to feel financially empowered. The problem can be that you feel overwhelmed, overlooked or underserved in your financial lives. Terri understands. It’s why she has taken all her experience over a quarter-century of bull and bear markets managing billions of dollars for hundreds of people to create Zuma Wealth.

Zuma Wealth is a firm by women for women. We’ve busted the myth that women aren’t interested in money and wealth topics. Many women thirst for knowledge and continuously seek out opportunities to grow and learn in many areas. Terri understands!

Terri’s clients recognize the value of a trustworthy partner and seek her out because she offers support, understanding and an attentive ear. Importantly, she provides tailored advice and guidance so clients achieve their unique aspirations, never the one-size-fits-all that defines the industry.

A renowned expert, Terri is a regular guest on CNBC and Bloomberg, and a sought-after industry speaker. She has been interviewed and quoted in hundreds of publications and lauded for making complex concepts simple. Her real world expertise is rooted in a suite of top financial credentials: the CFA charter, the CFP® certification, an MBA in Finance from Columbia University and an AB in Economics with Honors from the University of Michigan.

Terri started investing when her father introduced her to the concept of compound interest and she learned she could make money in her sleep.