During my last year of college, a tsunami hit Thailand. I knew pretty quickly that, once I graduated, I wanted to go there to help with the recovery. And that’s exactly what I did. I spent three months teaching English and building houses in communities that had been devastated. When I got home, I thought about a career in nonprofit work because I knew I wanted to help people. But, one day, when I was looking at potential careers with my wife, I mentioned “Financial Advisor” and she immediately stopped me and said, “That's it. That’s the one.” When I looked into the impact that I could make on families, I realized that there are many ways to do good in the world, and this was the one that spoke to me.

After almost 20 years as an advisor, what keeps me in this role is the transformation I see in my clients, not just in their finances, but in their sense of peace. When clients tell me, “I feel so much better after talking to you,” it’s not just because they’ve been heard, but because they leave with greater clarity and confidence. I take complex issues and break them down in ways that feel manageable and empowering. My role changes depending on the day. Sometimes I’m a strategist, sometimes a teacher, sometimes a couple’s counselor. But every time, my goal is to create space for people to feel more secure, supported, and in control.

Being the daughter of two public school teachers, I had no idea that a career in Financial Advising was a possibility. But, now, as an advisor, anytime I meet with a client or someone who has been referred to me, I treat them like I would want someone to treat my parents: with honesty, curiosity, a strong knowledge base, and a desire to see them succeed.

This work allows me to combine my love of problem-solving, teaching, and human connection, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.