the team to support you.

Chief Executive Officer

Mario Ramos

Mario has more than 20 years of experience building and growing market-leading consumer service brands, scaling complex business operations and building world-class teams. Before joining RWA Wealth Partners as CEO in 2022, he served as chief financial officer of Evolv Technology, a leader in advanced security screening. Prior to Evolv, he was CFO and chief risk officer of Edelman Financial Engines, a financial advisory platform with more than $250 billion in client assets. 

Previously, Ramos spent six years at CVS in senior operations and finance roles, culminating in his stewardship of CVS Caremark as chief financial officer. Before becoming CFO, Mario was head of CVS’s M&A and Corporate Development group, where he led CVS’s acquisition and integration of Aetna. He also served as chief operating officer of CVS International and spent over 17 years in investment banking at JP Morgan, Lehman Brothers and a subsidiary of The Blackstone Group. Mario earned an MBA from the Mason School of Business at the College of William & Mary and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond.

Chief Compliance Officer

Paul Bachtold

Paul Bachtold is the chief compliance and risk officer at RWA Wealth Partners. His extensive experience includes over a decade as chief compliance & anti-money laundering officer at Salient Partners, where he established and maintained a rigorous compliance infrastructure adhering to complex regulatory requirements across multiple entities and products. He’s a proven leader in compliance and risk management, with a track record of commitment to operational excellence.

In prior roles, Paul has served as chief compliance officer for various open-end and closed-end registered funds, private funds, broker-dealers and investment advisors. His career began with impactful roles at Barclays Global Investors, Wells Fargo, and Bachtold & Associates, where he honed his experience in compliance and risk management.

When Paul isn’t managing compliance and risk, he enjoys reading, hiking, listening to classical music and exercising

Chief Financial Officer

Matt Borden

Matt manages the firm’s financial operations, including budget oversight, forecast planning, collaborating on growth plans, and owning and executing the financial strategy to support RWA Wealth Partners’ strategic goals.

Additionally, Matt leads the firm’s mergers and acquisitions strategy. He works with other leaders across the organization to evaluate opportunities for strategic, financial and cultural fits. Matt also contributes to negotiating deals and ensuring successful integrations.

Matt has over 25 years of experience in the financial sector. Before joining RWA Wealth Partners, he worked at Opentrons Labworks as VP of finance, leading budgeting, forecasting and strategic planning.

Previously, he was head of treasury and FP&A at Edelman Financial Engines. In that position, he was a key member of a $2 billion private equity transaction, led debt refinancing, established and integrated post-merger processes, and oversaw the semiannual valuation process.

President and Chief Economist

Michelle Knight

Michelle Knight serves as president and chief economist for Ropes Wealth Advisors and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team of RWA Wealth Partners. As president, Michelle is responsible for day-to-day management Ropes Wealth Advisors and executing its long-term strategic plan. As chief economist, she is responsible for apprising clients of global economic and market activity and is a frequent contributor to Financial Advisor magazine and Private Asset Management magazine, and she has been quoted in Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, the Boston Business Journal, Forbes and The Boston Globe.

Previously, Michelle served as chief investment officer for Ropes Wealth and chief economist for Ropes & Gray LLP. She was chief economist and managing director of fixed income for Silver Bridge Advisors and head of fixed income at Atlantic Trust. Before joining Atlantic Trust, Michelle was an analyst and assistant portfolio manager at J.P. Morgan Investment Management in New York.

Michelle earned an MBA, an MSF, and a BA from Boston College, where she graduated summa cum laude and held the distinction of Presidential Scholar. In 2009, the Boston Business Journal1 named her one of its 40 Under 40 in recognition of her accomplishments as a corporate and civic leader.

Michelle is a Boston College trustee and Investment Committee chair for the Endowment; Boston Latin School chair of the Investment Committee for the Endowment; Dedham Country Day School trustee, Investment Committee chair for the Endowment, and member of the Finance Council; Rosie’s Place trustee, treasurer and Investment Committee member; trustee and treasurer/chair of the Finance Council of the Leventhal Map & Education Center of the Boston Public Library; and Investment Committee member for the Endowment of the Archdiocese of Boston. She is a volunteer and member of the Boston Economic Club, the Boston College Alumni Association and Council for Women, the Boston Children’s Hospital League, and the Catholic Schools Foundation Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Michelle also teaches religious education at Holy Name Church in West Roxbury and is a parent volunteer with the Guild of St. Irene at St. Sebastian’s School in Needham and the Parent Association of Dedham Country Day School.

Michelle resides in West Roxbury, MA, with her family, including three sons who are the joy of her life.

SVP, General Counsel

Chris Mirick

Chris has spent 25 years helping organizations adapt for the future and identify and seize opportunities for growth. He is a dedicated leader who thrives on solving complex problems and is passionate about advancing the client experience. Prior to joining RWA Wealth Partners as General Counsel in 2020, and subsequently being named interim CEO in 2021, Chris was General Counsel at True North Venture Partners, a venture capital fund specializing in environmental sustainability issues. Before that, he was a partner in two international law firms, focusing on complex corporate transactions and restructurings in industries including energy, telecom, hotel management, health care, retail, software, internet security and biotechnology. Chris’ passion for positive change was recognized, in 2017, with the David Abraham Grossman Fund for Social Justice Award, a fund at Harvard Law School created to enable lawyers to work with community organizations to encourage social change.

Chris received a B.A in economics and history (summa cum laude) from Amherst College, and a J.D. (magna cum laude) from Harvard Law School. He is the co-author of Strategies for Creditors in Bankruptcy Proceedings (now in its seventh edition) and has published several peer-reviewed articles. He currently serves on the board of directors of the National Celiac Association and of Greater Boston Legal Services. Chris spends his free time hiking and backpacking, particularly in Baxter State Park in Maine, and working on perfecting a gluten-free beer. He lives in Wellesley, MA with his wife and two children.

Chief Administrative Officer

Jill O’Connell

Jill has more than 20 years of experience in human resources within the financial services industry delivering strategic human resources solutions and building strong culture and portfolios of ground-up programs that successfully identify, attract and retain top talent.

Before joining RWA Wealth Partners in August 2022, Jill was the Chief People Officer at EF Hutton, where she was responsible for leading all aspects of human resources, including diversity, equity & inclusion, talent acquisition, employee experience, learning & development, compensation and benefits. Prior to her role at EF Hutton, Jill was the Senior Vice President and Head of Talent Management at Edelman Financial Engines, served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Cengage, and held a variety of leadership roles focused on talent strategy and organizational transformation during her time with Fidelity Investments, where she spent most of her career.

Outside of the office, Jill is an active member of her local community as a trustee on the Boys & Girls Club of America’s Northeast Trustee Board, using her passion for organization and leadership development as well as talent identification to help make a difference in the lives of America’s next generation of leaders.

Jill holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the College of Arts and Sciences at Boston University.

Head of Brand and External Communications

Venkat Patla

Venkat brings a wealth of branding expertise cultivated in both agency and corporate environments with substantial experience in financial services and wealth management marketing. He joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2023 to elevate the brand and overall client experience.

In his prior role as the senior creative director at Edelman Financial Engines, he led the brand strategy that transformed the company’s image into a bold, modern wealth management brand.

At UBS he led the marketing for private wealth management, the client digital app and numerous other initiatives across all business units.

Venkat holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Osmania University and an M.S. in advertising and communications from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Chief Investment Officer

Joseph E. Powers

Joseph (JP) Powers serves as chief investment officer for RWA Wealth Partners and as chief investment officer for Ropes Wealth Advisors. JP chairs the Investment Policy Committee of RWA and is also a member of the Executive Leadership Team of RWA Wealth Partners. JP is responsible for implementing and overseeing the firm’s overall investment strategy. He leads the Investment Team in making asset allocation decisions and directing investment and manager selection on behalf of all clients. JP also works directly with clients, apprising them of global economic and market activity and its implications for their specific and customized investment strategies. JP leverages his analytical abilities to drive key elements of the firm’s investment technology platform, including researching and implementing new systems and software to continually improve the efficiency of the investment trading platform and enhance the client experience of performance reporting.

Previously, JP was portfolio manager and director at Ropes Wealth Advisors. Prior to Ropes Wealth, he was the director of fixed income for Silver Bridge Advisors. As director of fixed income, JP focused on fixed income portfolio construction, research, and trading in both the taxable and tax-exempt fixed income sectors. Before joining the fixed income team, JP spent several years supporting the company’s equity research efforts as an analyst for the technology, telecommunications and consumer staples sectors while overseeing the firm’s equity trading desk. JP began his career with State Street Corporation.

JP earned an MBA from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business and a B.S. in business administration from the University of New Hampshire. He was the winner of the Sandra A. F. Harper award from the BU Questrom program, which honors the student who best exemplifies community contribution and leadership within the graduating class.

JP resides in Dover, MA, with his wife and young son, and he enjoys sports, travel, and spending time with his family and friends. He divides his time between Boston and New Hampshire whenever possible.

Managing Director, Wealth Management

Steve Reder

Steve Reder serves as head of wealth management for RWA Wealth Partners. Prior to RWA Wealth Partners, Steve was a vice president at Goldman Sachs where he had a joint role as region manager of GS Personal Financial Management and head of FinLife, Goldman’s white label wealth management offering. Steve joined Goldman through the company’s acquisition of United Capital Financial Advisors, where he was a founding partner of FinLife, a business he initially launched while he was president, COO and CCO of Lenox Wealth Management. Steve holds a B.S. in accounting from the University of Cincinnati.

Chief Technology Officer

Carlos Sotero

Carlos serves as chief technology officer of RWA Wealth Partners. He joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2023 to lead its technology and digital transformation strategy. Previously, Carlos was CIO of Allstate Identity Protection. He spent most of his career at Motorola Solutions, where he held technology leadership and engineering roles in healthcare/wellness, global sales and public safety solutions.  

Carlos has over 25 years of experience in technology with a track record of successfully implementing flexible technology architectures to enable business outcomes. He is known for scaling for growth while reducing costs, expanding revenue and building highly effective teams.

Carlos is a veteran of the USMC. He holds an MBA and a B.S. in management information systems and finance from the University of Arizona. He resides in Scottsdale, AZ with his wife and two sons.

Managing Director, Business Development

Chris Thom

Chris Thom is a senior wealth management executive with 25 years of industry experience. He has a passion for delivering superior results by equipping RWA Wealth Partners’ teams with a disciplined financial planning approach that creates exceptional client experiences. Chris was a financial advisor before entering leadership roles at USAA, Charles Schwab and most recently Edelman Financial Engines. His tenure at Charles Schwab culminated in the leadership of Schwab Private Client Investment Advisory (now known as Schwab Wealth Advisory), a Schwab-owned registered investment advisor with over 800 employees and $125 billion in assets under management. Most recently at Edelman Financial Engines, Chris led the West Division of financial advisor teams, which included over 150 advisors in 49 offices across the western United States.

Chris holds several professional certifications and designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM, Chartered Financial Consultant®, Chartered Life Underwriter® and Certified Wealth Strategist®. He holds a Life/Health Insurance license, and he previously held FINRA Series 24 and Series 7 licenses.

Chris lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with his wife and three children. A graduate of Texas Tech University, Chris is an avid college football and basketball fan when not watching his own kids compete at soccer, golf and cheer.

Wealth Advisor

Russell Albright

Russell serves as a Wealth Advisor at RWA Wealth Partners. With over two decades of financial services experience, his knowledge of estate planning and wealth management are advantageous to the firm’s high net worth clients. He enjoys working with clients that have complex financial planning needs and recommends strategic solutions to help reach their financial goals and objectives.

Russell graduated from University of the Pacific where he earned a bachelor’s degree and a certificate in Strategic Decision Risk Management from Stanford University’s Center for Professional Development. He also currently holds the Certified Trust Financial Advisor designation with the Institute of Certified Bankers.

In his free time, Russell enjoys golfing, fly fishing, touring Sonoma County’s wineries and spending time with his family.

Wealth Advisor

James Altschuler

James joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2022. He enjoys helping clients achieve their financial goals, including advising on investment planning, asset allocation, tax planning, estate planning and insurance. Prior to joining RWA Wealth Partners, he was the founder and chief investment officer at his own firm since 1994. James started his career at Arthur Andersen in the tax department. He holds a B.S. in accounting from Bryant University and earned his CPA and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designations. He and his wife Mona are residents of Lexington, MA, and love to play tennis.

Regional Vice President

Matthew Batzel

Matt is a regional vice president and a member of the Business Development Team. Matt meets directly with clients and prospective clients to review their financial planning needs and to communicate Polaris Wealth’s investment strategies. 

Matt has extensive experience in the financial industry. Prior to working at Polaris Wealth, Matt worked up the ranks at Ameritrade. He started his career in the financial services industry through the educational division of Investools, where he assisted clients to better understand how to work with options, forex, and futures trading. He was later promoted to branch manager and regional manager at Ameritrade. Matt takes great pride in successfully helping clients accomplish their long-term financial goals since 2006. Prior to his work in the financial industry, Matt served in the U.S. Army.

In his free time, Matt enjoys playing golf and spending time with his wife and three children. Matt loves being outdoors, where he likes to relax. He is also very passionate about and involved in the Special Olympics.

Regional Vice President

Chris Brady

Chris is a regional vice president and member of the business development team. He helps to introduce clients and prospective clients to RWA Wealth Partners’ sophisticated advice capabilities, which include comprehensive financial planning, tax and investment strategies.

His expertise centers on helping high-net-worth clients and families with retirement and legacy planning, tax minimization and investment strategy.

Prior to joining RWA Wealth Partners in 2023, Chris spent 13 years at Fidelity Investments, most recently as a vice president, financial consultant.

He graduated from the University of Tampa, where he earned his B.S. in finance.

Chris, his wife and his son split their time between Boston and Maine. Outside of the office, you can find him at a hockey rink, golf course, ski mountain or beach.

Wealth Advisor

Cody Carlson

As a member of the wealth management team, Cody collaborates with clients to develop a holistic financial plan to achieve their unique long-term goals. Prior to joining the firm, Cody spent his career at Fidelity Investments, where he created and implemented financial plans for his clients.

Cody graduated from Eastern Illinois University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in finance. In 2022, he obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification. In his free time, Cody enjoys trail running, archery, fishing and spending time with his friends and family. He was born and raised in the Chicagoland area, where he currently resides.

Wealth Advisor

Vanessa Carter-Witt

Vanessa joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2017, and has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional since 2021. As a CFP® professional, she is responsible for providing comprehensive and customized financial planning advice to RWA Wealth Partners’ clients. She has a particular interest in helping clients deal with the complexities of aging in place, and recently received her Certification for Long-Term Care. She is a 2015 graduate of the University of Dayton with a B.S. in finance.

Partner, Wealth Advisor

Ryan Christensen

Ryan’s primary role is to be the center of his clients’ financial lives. He uses his understanding of their goals to make sure they are receiving clear advice and getting the services that best fit their needs. He joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2012 and is actively partnering with new clients nationwide. Ryan received his B.S. in finance from Roger Williams University, where he played on the lacrosse team all four years. Prior to joining RWA Wealth Partners, Ryan worked at New England Financial Group as a financial advisor. In 2023, he was honored in Boston magazine for the third time as a Five Star Wealth Manager. When he’s not at the office, Ryan is out on the golf course, in the boxing gym, or at home in Marion, MA, with his wife, Amanda, and their daughters, Olivia and Rosie, figuring out new recipes in the kitchen.

Wealth Advisor

Ryan Collette

As a wealth advisor, Ryan meets directly with clients to communicate RWA Wealth Partners’ investment strategy and review all financial planning needs. Ryan’s focus is to bring a tailored approach to his clientele through recognizing their needs, establishing appropriate goals and reviewing results quarterly.

Ryan has been in the financial services industry since 2000 and joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2015. Ryan earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Chapman University, and he is currently studying for the CFP®  certification.

When out of the office, Ryan enjoys hiking, camping, paddle boarding and snowboarding with family and friends.

Regional Vice President/Wealth Advisor

Ryan Drews

Ryan is a Director and a member of the Business Development Team. Ryan has 18 years of industry experience working with clients on customized financial planning and investment management solutions. Ryan meets directly with clients and prospective clients to review their holistic planning needs and to communicate RWA Wealth Partners’ investment strategies.

Ryan earned his Doctorate in Business Administration in Finance from Liberty University where he focused on behavioral finance. Additionally, he is a graduate of Walsh College, where he earned his MBA and MSF in Finance. Ryan is also a graduate from Oberlin College, where he earned his BA in Economics. Ryan has an extensive background in the financial service industry and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.

In his free time, Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and three daughters and coaching in local sports leagues for his kids.  He also teaches graduate-level coursework in Finance at Walsh College.

Relationship Manager

Holly Dumlupinar

Holly is a relationship manager with a background in counseling. She strives to connect with her clients on a personal level, helping them establish and achieve important goals.

Holly has worked in the financial services industry since 2012. She previously served as a relationship manger at Citi Personal Wealth Management and First Republic Bank. Prior to joining the financial services industry, Holly provided crisis management counseling in her hometown of Monterey, CA.

She holds a B.A. in psychology from San Francisco State University.

Holly lives in Charlestown, MA, with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys exploring New England and visiting friends and family on the West Coast.

Relationship Manager

Brennan Foust

Brennan received his B.S. in finance from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. Prior to beginning his career at RWA Wealth Partners in 2019, Brennan worked as an investment analyst at Stevens Foster Financial Advisors, a Minnesota-based RIA. In his current role, Brennan is responsible for delivering individualized and comprehensive financial planning solutions. Brennan is an avid sportsman and particularly enjoys soccer, golf and cycling. He resides in San Francisco with his wife, Diana.

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Christopher Hagan

Chris specializes in investment management consulting for affluent individuals and families. He joined RWA Wealth Partners upon its acquisition of Kobren Insight Management (KIM) in 2011. Prior to joining KIM in 2009, Chris worked at Fidelity Investments in both San Francisco and Boston, most recently as the director of executive services, educating and guiding corporate executives on equity compensation exercise strategies. In 2023, he was honored in Boston magazine for the 11th time as a Five Star Wealth Manager. Chris earned his B.A. from Saint Michael’s College and his MBA from the University of San Francisco. He got his start in the financial services industry in 1997. He has received the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor^SM designation and the Chartered Financial Consultant^® designation.

Wealth Advisor

Laura Hearn

Laura is a wealth advisor working on the RWA Wealth Partners team in Chicago. She has over 20 years of experience as an advisor and enjoys helping clients align life goals with financial goals.

Laura is the daughter of two math professors, which inspired her belief that a good advisor is also a good teacher. Her goals are to educate clients about markets, risk, taxes and planning and to empower them to make the best decisions about their wealth.

She graduated with a B.S. in economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Laura has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ certification and a Certified Private Wealth Advisor^® certification through the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. 

Laura is always up for adventure and is a world traveler. She has slept in a tent in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, dived with sharks off the coast of South Africa and steered a dog sled in Arctic Finland. When not working, Laura loves exploring urban Chicago on walks with her dog, Ruthie, and spending time with her large extended family. She enjoys art, interior design, watching Nordic noir, reading David Sedaris and running along the lakefront. Laura is also a mental health advocate and volunteers for NAMI Chicago.

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Stephen Johnson

Steve joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2017 upon its acquisition of Braver Wealth Management. Steve started his investment career with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and spent 14 years at Charles Schwab overseeing individual clients’ planning, portfolio design and allocation strategies. He was a frequent presenter at Schwab seminars and has spoken before national audiences about issues and opportunities in the markets. In 2023, Steve was honored in Boston magazine for the 10th time as a Five Star Wealth Manager. He has been quoted by Boston magazine, The Boston Globe, USA Today and The Washington Post. Steve holds a B.A. from the University of Vermont and is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Maine School of Law. Admitted to the Massachusetts Bar, he spent a year with Bowditch & Dewey before realizing that his financial cases were the most interesting, precipitating his career change. He has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional since 2012.

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Joshua Jones

Josh is a partner and senior wealth advisor with RWA Wealth Partners. He serves as a member of the firm’s Portfolio Review Committee and works directly with a select group of families and institutions. Josh was recently honored, for the 10th time, as a Five Star Wealth Manager by Boston magazine. A graduate of the University of Vermont and Phillips Exeter Academy, Josh lives with his wife and three very active young sons in the Boston suburbs. When he’s not in the office, Josh is usually chasing or being chased by one or more of his kids.

Wealth Advisor

John Kennedy

John came to RWA Wealth Partners in 2009. Prior to this, he was a financial advisor at both Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley, where he worked with individuals to develop and implement personalized financial plans and investment solutions. He also worked at Fidelity Investments, supporting Registered Investment Advisors. John is a U.S. Navy veteran and graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in finance.

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Elizabeth Kesselman

Liz has worked in the financial services industry since 1997. She joined Adviser as part of its acquisition of Kobren Insight Management (KIM) in 2011. As a wealth advisor, she works directly with individual clients. Prior to joining KIM in 2004, she held the positions of vice president for Fisher Investments and regional vice president for Pioneer Investment Management. Liz was named to Forbes’ list of Top Women Wealth Advisors in 2020. Liz is a graduate of Bates College and Phillips Academy Andover.

Wealth Advisor

Andrew Kling

Andrew has been helping families achieve their financial goals for over 15 years. Prior to joining RWA Wealth Partners in 2021, Andrew was a vice president and financial consultant for Charles Schwab. Andrew graduated from Hamilton College with a B.S. in economics, and he currently resides in Somerville with his wife and two children. He is an avid fisherman and golfer in his spare time.

Regional Vice President

Alex LaPointe

As regional vice president, Alex supports trusted custodial referral partners to introduce new clients to RWA Wealth Partners. Alex is passionate about meeting new people, understanding their unique goals, and collaborating to deliver tailored solutions. By taking a genuine interest in our clients, he helps to solve their most critical wealth management needs.

Alex joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2013 and has extensive financial industry experience dating back to 2006. He earned a B.S. in business administration from Ithaca College.

Alex resides with his wife, three children and two rescue dogs in Burlington, MA, where he enjoys coaching youth sports.

Wealth Advisor

Fran Lee

Fran joined Adviser in 2021 as a senior relationship manager and is currently a wealth advisor. He has worked in the financial services industry since 1995 and served in both retail and institutional roles at Fidelity Investments as a Vice President. Fran also worked Avantax Investment Services as a Regional Director prior to joining Adviser. He is passionate about financial planning and helping individuals and families achieve successful outcomes. Fran is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional who earned his B.A. in communications from Stonehill College. He resides with his wife and three daughters in Milton, MA.

Wealth Advisor

Stephen I. Lee

As a Wealth Advisor at RWA Wealth Partners, Stephen meets with clients regularly to implement and review financial planning and investment strategies.

Stephen began his career in wealth management in 2001, and has a broad range of experience in banking, insurance, investments, and advisory services. He is passionate and dedicated to helping his clients navigate through a variety of key financial challenges by taking a comprehensive approach to planning.

He graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and from USC Marshall School of Business with his MBA. Stephen is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Orange County. He is a 7-time World Champion and a 2-time National Champion in BMX (Bicycle Motocross) Racing and lives in Irvine, CA with his family.

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Robert Lepson

Bob brings more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry to the clients he partners with. He joined Adviser Investments in 2017 upon its acquisition of Braver Wealth Management. Prior to joining Braver, he was vice president and regional planning consultant with Fidelity Investments. He has extensive experience in retirement income planning, risk-controlled portfolio design and charitable giving strategies. In 2023, Bob was honored in Boston magazine as a Five Star Wealth Manager for the ninth time, and his expertise has been featured in The Boston Globe, Financial Advisor magazine and The Wall Street Journal. Bob has also hosted an online finance forum on Boston.com. He earned a B.A. from Brandeis University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner. He is a NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor and a member of the Financial Planning Association. Bob has two adult children and resides in Brookline, MA, with his wife, Johanna, and their Siberian Husky, Luna.

Wealth Advisor

Diana Linn

As a wealth advisor, Diana is responsible for maintaining client relationships, recommending suitable investment strategies and developing tailored financial plans. Prior to joining Adviser in 2016, Diana worked on the client service teams at Income Research + Management and Windhaven Investments. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in biology and chemistry, she has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional since 2020 and she obtained her Certified Divorce Financial Analyst^® certification in 2021. In 2023, she was named a Five Star Wealth Manager by Boston magazine. Diana is an avid runner and teaches group fitness classes in her spare time.

Relationship Manager

Kristen Manjikian

As a relationship manager, Kristen works closely with the clients to coordinate a variety of service and reporting needs between the client, RWA’s relationship management team and the account custodian. Kristen joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2021 after working at Armstrong Advisory Group for 15 years. She graduated from Bentley University in 2007 with a B.S. in Finance. Kristen lives in Waltham, MA with her husband and two daughters.

Regional Vice President

Paul Mankarious

Paul is a regional vice president and a member of the business development team. He is responsible for introducing prospective clients to RWA Wealth Partners, reviewing their financial planning needs and sharing our investment strategies.

Before joining RWA Wealth Partners, Paul worked at two publicly traded companies in downtown Chicago. At his previous firm, Paul consulted with high-net-worth clients on investment goals, analyzed portfolio performance, evaluated investment risks and monitored asset allocation for long-term needs.

He also developed personalized, strategic plans for clients based on their financial situation. Throughout the planning process, Paul strongly advocates educating and communicating with his client partners to make well-informed decisions together.

Paul graduated from Benedictine University with a B.S. in finance. He also holds a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.

Outside of work, Paul enjoys spending time with his family and friends, as well as traveling to new destinations. He is an avid golfer and Green Bay Packers fan, and he loves anything outdoors.

Partner, Wealth Advisor

David Mastroianni

David joined Adviser in 2014. As a wealth advisor, he is responsible for keeping up with changes in clients’ financial situations or planning needs and reviewing client portfolios on a routine basis. Prior to joining Adviser, David worked as a registered representative within the John Hancock Financial Network and as an investment consultant for FactSet Research Systems. Most recently, he was an associate for LPL Financial advisor in Boston. He graduated from Babson College in 2010 with a B.S. in business management with a concentration in finance.

David has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional since 2016 and obtained the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor^™ designation in 2023. He is a board member of the NexGen committee of the New England chapter of the Financial Planning Association, where he plays an active role advocating for the industry. He also has served as a guest lecturer at various colleges and universities to share insights with students about working as a financial planner. In 2023, he was recognized as a Five Star Wealth Manager by Boston magazine.

David lives in the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston with his fiancée and Dalmatian, Santino. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, cooking, admiring vintage cars and cheering on his favorite Boston sports teams.

Wealth Advisor

Tim Mazanec

Tim joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2024 and works with clients nationwide. His primary role is helping clients with their financial priorities and their investment management needs. Tim believes that having a financial plan in place can help a family communicate and stay connected. He enjoys educating people about what they have and working with them to evolve their wealth plan over time.

Tim earned his Master Planner Advanced Studies (MPAS^®) designation from the College for Financial Planning in 2019. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor ^(SM) (CRPC^®) and Chartered Market Technician^® (CMT^®) designations. He earned a B.S. in finance and management from Northeastern University.

Tim started his career in the wealth management industry in 2014, working for large national firms. He initially joined the financial services industry in 1994, helping to develop the Treasury and Foreign Exchange groups at Investors Bank & Trust. He was a regular commentator in the financial press, appearing more than 200 times on Bloomberg TV.

When he’s not helping people with their finances, Tim spends time with his wife, Tara, and their two kids, Scarlett and Colton. He can often be found playing sports with them or watching them compete. He and his family live in Cambridge, MA.

Partner, Wealth Advisor

Jeff Menning

Jeff is a Wealth Advisor at Polaris Wealth. He meets with clients regularly to review all of their financial planning needs and to communicate Polaris Wealth’s investment strategies. He takes great pride in helping clients accomplish their long-term financial goals.

Jeff began his career in the financial services industry in 1997. Before joining Polaris Wealth, he previously helped affluent individuals and families to achieve their financial objectives while holding positions at Fidelity Investments and Ameritrade. Jeff is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. He completed his coursework through the College For Financial Planning in 2007.

Jeff is originally from Chicago, and has lived in Honolulu, San Diego and Venice Beach, California. He currently resides in Costa Mesa with his wife Dawn, son Hudson, and Charlie, his Standard Poodle. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys hiking, reading, paddle boarding and foreign travel.

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Dina Milne

Dina works directly with clients to respond to all of their account needs, including recommending suitable investment strategies, providing comprehensive financial planning solutions, and expediting day-to-day transactions. She has worked in the financial services industry since 2009 and joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2014. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a member of the Financial Planning Association. Previously, Dina lived in Canada and worked as an account manager at the Royal Bank of Canada. She also worked as a financial advisor at Edward Jones. Dina has spent most of her life living and working abroad, and she studied in New Zealand, Italy and Egypt. She holds a B.A. in political science from the American University in Cairo. In 2023, she was honored in Boston magazine for the third time as a Five Star Wealth Manager. Prior to joining the financial services industry, she taught primary and secondary students in the United Arab Emirates.

Wealth Advisor

Marge Neis

Before joining RWA Wealth Partners as a Wealth Advisor, Marge Neis spent her career in accounting and financial consulting, providing analytical and litigation support services to a team of professionals handling billions of dollars in settlements. Marge is a CPA (Inactive), has an MBA degree with a concentration in finance from the University of Minnesota and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™* professional.

Marge is an experienced financial professional with over 30 years’ proficiency in accounting, financial consulting and litigation support. She volunteers on the local Financial Planning Association’s pro bono and Emerging Advisors committees as well as for Tax-Aide’s free tax preparation service. She cares deeply about each client’s financial picture and is committed to helping clients achieve mastery over their personal finances.

Marge is originally from North Dakota and is the parent of identical twin daughters. In her spare time, she likes to participate in outdoor exercise boot camp classes and visit San Francisco’s wonderful art exhibits.

Relationship Manager

Ryan O’Shaughnessy

Ryan joined the RWA Wealth Partners’ team in 2019. As a relationship manager, he is responsible for serving clients and coordinating a variety of service and reporting needs between the client, RWA’s operations teams, and the account custodian. Before joining RWA Wealth Partners, Ryan worked for more than four years in wealth management at Citizens Bank. He graduated from Stonehill College in 2014 with a B.S. in business administration. Ryan enjoys attending concerts, traveling and experiencing new things. He resides in Lowell, MA, where he also grew up.

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Todd Peters

Todd is a partner and senior wealth advisor. He also serves as a liaison between the research and account management teams. Todd joined RWA Wealth Partners when the firm acquired Kobren Insight Management (KIM) in 2011. He got his start in the financial services industry in 1982. Prior to joining KIM in 1993, he spent six years as a registered representative for Fidelity and four years as a compliance specialist with Financial Services Corporation. He has been honored twice in Boston magazine as a Five Star Wealth Manager. Todd holds a B.A. in finance from the University of Toledo as well as the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, and he is a member of the CFA Institute and the Boston Security Analysts Society (BSAS).

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

John Puetz

John joined RWA Wealth Partners upon the acquisition of LeJeune Puetz Investment Counsel in 2023, a firm he founded with Dennis LeJeune in 1997. As a wealth advisor, he works primarily with high-net-worth clients helping them achieve their financial goals.

John graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.S. in business administration, concentrating in accounting, and then furthered his education at Northwestern University, where he received his master’s in management with a concentration in finance from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

John is very active in the Catholic community, serving on many boards and committees in the area.  He lives in Traverse City, Michigan with his wife, son and daughter, and he enjoys Notre Dame football, golfing and other outdoor activities in Northern Michigan.

Relationship Manager

Connor Ronan

Connor works directly with individual clients to manage their accounts and ensure all service needs and concerns are met. He earned a B.S. in finance and minors in actuarial sciences and history from Bentley University. Prior to joining Adviser Investments in 2020, Connor was a wealth management associate at UBS Private Wealth Management and One Charles Private Wealth, where he worked with financial planners to assist clients. He lives in South Boston and likes playing hockey, skiing, surfing and golfing.

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Michael Russo

Michael works with families across the country to on grow and protect a family’s generational wealth. His caring and collaborative efforts allow families to maximize their lifestyle and legacy. By navigating and organizing the financial lives of busy families (life transitions to complex compensation to changing legal/tax landscapes), Michael helps families increase their “return on time” and put focus on what matters most. Michael graduated from Hobart College where he played four years of collegiate hockey and earned a B.A. in Economics. Michael enjoys cooking, cycling, and spending time with his family and Goldendoodle. A lifelong Massachusetts resident, Michael lives in Downtown Boston.

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Bradley Sharp

Brad joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2017 upon its acquisition of Braver Wealth Management. Prior to working with Braver, he spent 12 years at Fidelity. As vice president and senior account executive in Fidelity’s private client group, he oversaw client relationships totaling more than $1.4 billion. Brad earned a B.A. in economics from Colorado State University. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, a member of the Financial Planning Association and a ten-time winner of the Boston magazine Five Star Wealth Manager award. He lives with his wife and two children in Waban, MA.

Wealth Advisor

Matthew Shumaker

Matt started his career at RWA Wealth Partners in 2017. As a wealth advisor, he’s responsible for developing customized solutions to help individuals and families realize their goals.

He provides comprehensive wealth planning in coordination with specialists in investment management, taxes and estate planning.

Matt graduated cum laude from Stonehill College with a B.S. in business administration and finance. He earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2020.

Matt enjoys playing golf and basketball, and traveling around the world. He grew up in Milford, CT, and lives in Boston, MA.

Wealth Advisor

Geoffrey Turner

Geoff joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2011. As a wealth advisor, Geoff works closely with clients to coordinate a variety of services and meet their financial planning needs. Geoff graduated from Plymouth State University, obtaining a B.S. in marketing. Prior to joining Adviser, Geoff worked at Fidelity Investments, where he specialized in nonprofit retirement accounts. Geoff and his family live in Boston.

Partner, Wealth Advisor

James Verity

As a partner and wealth advisor, Jamie has been instrumental in helping clients achieve their financial goals since 1992. He holds a Certified Senior Advisor^® (CSA) designation and is trained in issues of importance to seniors and their families. He’s been with Adviser Investments since its acquisition of Kobren Insight Management (KIM) in 2011. Prior to joining KIM in 2005, Jamie was a vice president and investment center manager for Charles Schwab. He also served clients as a registered representative at Olde Brokerage. In 2023, he was honored in Boston magazine for the eleventh time as a Five Star Wealth Manager. Jamie holds a B.A. in business with a minor in economics from Plymouth State University.

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Rick Winters

In 2001, Rick transitioned from American Express Financial Advisors to RWA Wealth Partners, leveraging his expertise to deliver comprehensive financial planning solutions for successful business owners and families with complex planning needs. Boston magazine has recognized him as a Five Star Wealth Manager for the tenth time in 2023.

Rick holds a B.S. in business administration from Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY, with a concentration in marketing and finance. A member of the MA Financial Planning Association, he became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional in 2005 and obtained his Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor^SM designation in 2009 and his Accredited Wealth Management Advisor^SM designation in 2015. Rick actively supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay and NephCure Kidney International.

Based in Concord, MA, he resides with his wife, son, and daughter. Rick finds joy in cooking, indoor rock climbing, coaching his daughter’s softball team, running, golfing, and skiing. Proudly hailing from New Jersey, he is happiest when spending time with his family at the Jersey Shore.

Partner, Business Development Vice President

Jeremy D. Witbeck

Before joining Polaris Wealth, Jeremy worked as a Portfolio Manager for a Los Angeles area investment firm where he built customized portfolios for high net worth clients. Jeremy meets directly with clients and prospective clients to communicate Polaris Wealth’s investment strategies and review all financial planning needs.

Jeremy graduated from the University of Arizona, where he earned his BS in accounting. Additionally, he is a graduate of California Lutheran University, where he earned his MBA in financial planning. Jeremy has an extensive background in the financial service industry and holder of the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst^® designation and is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional.

In his free time, Jeremy enjoys spending time with his wife and sons and playing basketball and softball in local leagues. He also teaches graduate-level coursework for the California Institute of Finance at California Lutheran University.

Wealth Advisor

Alden Witman

Alden joined Adviser in 2019. He earned his Accredited Wealth Management Advisor^SM designation in 2015 and has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional since 2016. Alden is passionate about the financial planning process and works directly with clients to review financial plans, manage relationships and ensure that all service needs are executed seamlessly. He started his career in the financial services industry with UBS in 2012 before moving to The Harvest Group as a wealth management advisor. Alden graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2004 with a B.S. in economics. He lives in Wrentham, MA, with his wife, Stephanie, and sons Henry and Ford.

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Kari Wolfson

Kari joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2011 after relocating to the Boston area from Chicago, IL, where she worked at Astor Capital Management.

In her role as a partner and wealth advisor, Kari works with a select group of individuals and families to help them build, sustain and transfer wealth based on their distinct goals and needs. She enjoys partnering with her clients on all aspects of financial planning, including philanthropy and next-generation planning.

Kari earned her B.S. in finance from DePaul University. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ and a member of the Financial Planning Association.

Kari lives in Needham, MA with her husband, two sons and sheepadoodle. She enjoys traveling and cheering on her home team, the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Partner, Wealth Advisor

Matthew Wyllie

Matt joined Adviser Investments in 2005 after serving as a financial planner with American Express/Ameriprise Financial, where he worked closely with individual clients to implement personal and comprehensive financial planning solutions. In 2023, he was honored in Boston magazine for the second time as a Five Star Wealth Manager. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and received his Accredited Wealth Management Advisor^™ designation in 2015. Matt graduated from Bryant College in Smithfield, RI, with a B.S. in business administration and a concentration in finance. He lives with his wife and daughter in Acton, MA, along with their lovable Redbone coonhound, Charlie.

Senior Portfolio Manager

Matthew Erickson

Matt is a member of RWA Wealth Partners’ Wealth Investment Committee and functions as our senior portfolio manager. Prior to joining RWA Wealth Partners, Matt ran his own investment management firm, Renaissance Capital Management in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 2014, Wiley published Matt’s first book, Asset Rotation, which discusses the burgeoning ETF marketplace and provides readers with the tools necessary to reduce risk and optimize returns in a managed ETF portfolio. Matt is a contributor to SeekingAlpha.com, and he has also been featured on MarketWatch.com and in InvestmentNews and Yahoo Finance, among others.

Matt received his Bachelor of Science in business administration from Colorado Technical University, graduating summa cum laude.

In his free time, Matt enjoys sports, playing piano and guitar, hiking, swimming, cycling, and spending quality time with family and friends. He currently lives in Canton, Michigan, with his daughter, Mackenzie and son, Jacob.

Trader

Zachary Ganz

As the head of trading, Zachary is responsible for the firm’s stock and ETF trades. He is also a part of RWA Wealth Partners’ Investment Committee, covering the communication services sector. 

Zachary recently moved back to the United States after living and working in Sweden for several years. He previously worked as a consultant specializing in finance at SEB, which is one of northern Europe’s largest banks, and Alecta, Sweden’s largest pension fund. He attended Lund University, where he acquired a Bachelor of Science in business and economics, majoring in economics.

In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, exercising and scuba diving with his wife.

Quantitative Investments Manager

Josh Jurbala

As quantitative investments manager, Josh is responsible for managing the firm’s tactical strategies, and he works alongside the fundamental research team to provide quantitative support for fund research, portfolio construction and analysis. Josh began his career with RWA Wealth Partners after graduating from Northeastern University in 2013 and worked in the firm’s operations department before joining the research team in 2016. During that time, Josh continued his education by completing an M.S. in finance from Pace University, primarily focused on applying technical and statistical analysis to investing in financial markets. Josh also works with Jim Lowell on the Fidelity Sector Investor newsletter, serving as senior quantitative and technical analyst.

Senior Vice President, Fixed Income Manager

Chris Keith

Chris manages RWA Wealth Partners’ fixed income portfolios and is a member of the Portfolio Review Committee. He joined RWA Wealth Partners upon the firm’s 2011 acquisition of Kobren Insight Management (KIM), where he’d served as vice president and fixed income manager since 2001. Prior to joining KIM, Chris was a vice president in the Private Client Services Group of Robertson Stephens, where he designed and implemented fixed income portfolios for high-net-worth clients. Chris was also the head fixed income trader for Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette’s New England region. Chris is a 2013 recipient of the Boston magazine Five Star Wealth Manager award. He graduated from Northeastern University.

Research Analyst

Christopher Madden

Chris joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2023 as a research analyst. His seven years of industry experience began at Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, where he served as a fixed income analyst responsible for analysis of investment-grade corporate credit, municipal bonds, and private placements for the insurance General Account in addition to core bond and limited duration mutual funds. He then worked at CAPTRUST in several roles spanning direct support of advisors, change management relevant to building consistent processes for individual equity security management, and full-time equity analysis.

Chris completed his undergraduate studies at Saint Anselm College with a degree in philosophy, politics and economics, along with accounting. He earned an M.S. in finance and an MBA in management from the Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University. Chris is currently enrolled in the Financial Planning Certificate Program at DePaul University.

Research Analyst

Gabe Reale

Gabe is a research analyst at RWA Wealth Partners. He is responsible for both fund and individual equity research. Prior to starting with RWA Wealth Partners in 2022, he worked as a fund accountant at Advent International, a global private equity firm.

Gabe received his B.S. in finance from Roger Williams University’s Gabelli School of Business. He is an avid sportsman and particularly enjoys lacrosse, golf and skiing.

Director of Portfolio Management

Charlie Toole

Charlie is portfolio manager for RWA Wealth Partners’ dividend growth strategies, and he serves as a member of the firm’s Senior Investment Committee. He joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2017 upon its acquisition of Braver Wealth Management. An engineer by training, Charlie has more than a decade of investment experience, and his commentary on the economy, markets and dividend stocks has appeared in Barron’s, Forbes and Investor’s Business Daily. Prior to joining Braver in 2006, he held positions with Boston Engineering Corporation and Parametric Technology Corp. as a consultant to technology and manufacturing firms. He holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an M.S. in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University. Charlie is a five-time recipient of Boston magazine’s Five Star Wealth Manager award. He earned his Chartered Financial Analyst^® designation in 2008 and has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional since 2011. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the Boston Securities Analysts Society (BSAS).

Client Service Associate

Ryan Bulak

Ryan joined RWA Wealth Partners as a client service associate in 2022. He assists financial advisors with client inquiries, database management, paperwork and transferring of funds. In 2020, he graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston with a B.S. in business management. Ryan likes all Boston sports, traveling and golf. He lives in Weymouth, MA.

Client Service Associate

Kelly Counsell

Kelly joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2022 as a Client Service Associate. Prior to this, she held client service positions at Ameriprise Financial Services and Guardian Life. Kelly lives in Lunenburg, MA, with her husband, two young daughters and a Great Dane named Baldur, their most recent addition.

Client Service Associate

Matthew Dakoyannis

Matt Dakoyannis joined RWA Wealth Partners as a client service associate in 2022 after serving as an intern in 2021. He graduated magna cum laude from Stonehill College in 2022 with a B.S. in business administration and finance. At RWA Wealth Partners, Matt is responsible for assisting portfolio executives in onboarding new clients as well as maintaining relationships with current clients. Matt enjoys reading, exercising, spending time with friends and family, and cooking. He grew up in Stoneham, MA, where he continues to reside today.

Client Service Administrator

Rachel Franti

Rachel is a part of the RWA Wealth Partners’ Client Service team. She previously worked three years as a mortgage underwriter, and another four years within the financial services industry prior to that. In her current position at RWA Wealth Partners, Rachel supports wealth advisors and custodians in the onboarding process of new clients, along with processing service requests for existing clients.

Rachel earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University, and is currently finishing her Master of Science degree in Finance at Walsh College.

She grew up in Madison Heights, and currently resides in Clawson. In her free time, Rachel enjoys crocheting, walking her two dogs, and spending time with her loved ones.

Director of Client Service

Megan Higgins

Megan started her career at RWA Wealth Partners in 2007. As the director of client service, she is responsible for managing the client service team and ensuring quality control and continuity of policies and procedures to deliver top-notch service to clients. Megan also has the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor^SM (CRPC®) designation. She lives in Norfolk, MA, with her husband and her Australian shepherd, Basil. Megan likes outdoor activities such as running or kayaking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Client Service Associate

Kia Jeffery

Kia joined RWA Wealth Partners in August 2021 as a Client Service Associate. She is responsible for the coordination and resolution of a variety of service and reporting requests between the client, the relationship management team, and custodians. Prior to joining RWA Wealth Partners, Kia was a Client Service Associate on the Relationship Management Team within a Boston-based investment company. Kia graduated from Northeastern University in 2015 with a B.S. in Business Administration and a minor in Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her young nieces.

Client Service Associate

Isaiah Keegan

Isaiah Keegan joined RWA Wealth Partners as a client service associate in 2023. He is responsible for managing data, supporting client relationships and assisting advisors with client inquiries.

He started his career at Brown Brothers Harriman as a client service representative specializing in alternative investments.

Isaiah holds a B.S. in business management from Bentley University, where he also played on the football team.

He is an avid golfer and passionate Boston sports fan. Isaiah resides in Southborough, MA, his hometown.

Senior Client Service Administrator

Elaine Keratzides

Elaine has obtained diverse industry experience by having worked in various operational and financial positions for Charles Schwab, Hewlett Packard and Levi Strauss. Elaine earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics at San Francisco State University and her MBA degree from the University of San Francisco. In her current position at RWA Wealth Partners, Elaine supports wealth advisors and custodians in the onboarding process of new clients, which includes establishing new accounts and fulfilling client service requests.

Elaine, a native San Franciscan, currently resides in San Rafael. In her free time, Elaine enjoys and supports her son’s basketball team as well as the summer league teams. Elaine enjoys walking, playing tennis and spending quality time with friends and family.

Client Service Associate

JJ Leahy

JJ started his career at RWA Wealth Partners in 2023, where he works closely with clients to ensure their service needs are met. Prior to that, JJ worked as an enterprise sales and strategic account management professional for over six years. JJ graduated from Stonehill College in 2014, receiving his B.A. in American studies with a focus in communication and cinema studies. Outside of work, he is an aspiring average golfer, film buff and avid sports fan.

Client Service Administrator

Briggeth Lopez DeLeon

Briggeth is part of the RWA Wealth Partners’ Client Service team. She previously worked for JP Morgan Chase and brings over two years of experience in the financial services industry. She enjoys being able to play a role in assisting clients with their financial needs. Briggeth earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations at California State University, Sacramento. Briggeth grew up and currently resides in San Rafael. In her free time, Briggeth enjoys being outdoors, hiking with her dog, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Client Service Associate

Felix Lorie

Felix joined RWA Wealth Partners in June of 2022 and is responsible for assisting the relationship management team with a variety of services including client inquiries, database management and fund allocation. He is working toward his BS in business management with a concentration in finance from University of Massachusetts Boston. Felix grew up in South Florida but currently resides in East Boston, MA where he plays basketball and attempts to excel at golf while exploring new restaurants.

Head of Client Operations & Services

John MacDonald

John’s passion for helping others achieve their goals brought him to RWA Wealth Partners in 2022, where he currently serves as the head of client operations & services. In this role, John oversees a team of dedicated and knowledgeable professionals in delivering an engaging and seamless client experience.

Prior to joining RWA Wealth Partners, John spent 19 years at Fidelity Investments, starting as a client service representative, where he fulfilled the service needs of investment advisers and clients. From there, John held multiple roles in learning and operations, eventually leading the learning and talent management function for a global audience of investment associates. At Fidelity, John and his teams were recognized by both the International Society for Performance Improvement and the Association for Talent Development for developing robust learning and performance support programs that measurably improved business results. John lives in New Hampshire with his wife and 2 children, as well as their dogs Myla and Barkley and their cat Deuce.

Client Service Associate

Victor Mbugua

Victor joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2023 as a client service associate. Working with a team of wealth advisors across a broad range of wealth management services, he ensures every client’s needs are met.

Previously, Victor worked as a consumer and small business banker for Citizens Bank, where he found his passion for giving clients caring service.

Outside of work, Victor enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with friends and family. He is an avid car lover and Boston sports fan.

Client Service Admin

Julia Moore

Julia is a client service admin within the RWA Wealth Partners’ Client Service team and is responsible for partnering with the firm’s wealth management teams to provide an elevated service experience for clients.

She previously worked in Newport Beach within the financial services industry. At California State University, Long Beach, Julia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree and double majored in economics and international studies. In her current position at RWA Wealth Partners, her duties include account administration, processing new and existing account paperwork, money transfers, and fulfilling client service requests.

In her free time, Julia enjoys going to the beach, being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.

Client Service Associate

Dolores Ortiz Barajas

Dolores joined RWA Wealth Partners as the Operations Associate. She provides a supporting role assisting the Operations Team with daily task. 

Raised in both SF and Marin Dolores enjoys all the great activities the bay provides. When not working or spending quality time with family. She’s on the road or traveling abroad looking for what to eat next.

Work Leader

Karrie Pettiglio

Karrie joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2018. She is responsible for coordinating client service and reporting needs with the relationship management team, operations group and custodian. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in economics from Nichols College in 2014.

Client Service Associate

Chase Rosa

Chase joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2022 as a client service associate. He started his career in 2017 at Equality Asset Management, where he was the firm’s first employee. In 2020, Chase founded the Driving Force Podcast, where he interviews elite performers across sports, business, and wellness. His guests have included retired Navy SEALs, CEOs of billion-dollar companies, and Ironman World Champions. He graduated from Bentley University in 2017 with a B.S. in Finance.

Sr. Work Leader

Lesley Valenzuela

Lesley is an Operations Manager at RWA Wealth Partners. She has over 6 years of experience in the financial services industry. Lesley works closely with advisers and custodians in the onboarding process of new clients, which involves opening new accounts, monitoring asset transfers and the funding of new accounts. She also assists in fulfilling service requests for existing clients.

Lesley graduated from Miriam College in the Philippines, where she earned her degree in Communications. In her free time, Lesley enjoys cooking, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Senior Tax Associate

Julia Baratta

Julia joined the firm in January 2023 as a Senior Tax Associate. She brings many years of experience and a diverse background in accounting and taxation, ranging from small CPA firms to Big Four and most recently with a tax law firm. Julia is a Certified Public Accountant. She received her BSBA in Accounting from Northeastern University, a Master of Taxation, and a Certificate in Financial Planning from Bentley University. She lives with her family in Littleton, Massachusetts. Julia enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening and volunteering.

Senior Tax Associate

Michael Heng

Mike started his career at RWA Wealth Partners in 2023. He handles tax compliance and planning for high-net-worth individuals.

Mike has worked in public accounting since 2017, with a focus on compliance and tax planning for high-net-worth individuals and trusts. He also has experience with investment partnerships.

He graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.S. in business administration. Mike earned an M.S. degree in accounting with a tax concentration from Bryant University. He also holds the certified public accountant (CPA) license.

In his free time, Mike enjoys gathering with friends and family, working out, traveling, playing billiards and dining at new restaurants. He grew up in Rhode Island and lives in Malden, MA, with his pomsky, Zuko.

Head of Tax Services

Bob Johnson

Bob has 15 years of experience in the tax and accounting services field. Before joining Adviser, Bob served as a tax director for Marcum LLP, a national CPA firm, providing tax compliance and planning for a wide range of clients, with a particular focus on the real estate industry.

He finds his work especially rewarding when he can help make clients’ tax preparation as painless as possible, given that it’s not always an experience people look forward to.

Bob is a CPA and a member of the MassCPAs and AICPA. He received a master’s in taxation (MST) from Bentley University and a B.A. in accounting from Assumption College.

Tax Associate

Justin Lin

Justin got his start at RWA Wealth Partners as a tax associate in 2024. Prior to joining the firm, he spent two years working for a tax and family office firm. He holds a B.S. in business administration with a focus on finance and accounting from Northeastern University.

He enjoys helping people build and refine their tax strategy and plan for retirement, and he loves exploring the range of options to help them reach their goals.

When he’s not at work, Justin is rooting on the Boston Celtics, playing chess or spending time with his bich-poo, Roxy.

Vice President of Planning and Taxation

Judy Ludwig

Judy and her husband Joe together founded Tandem Financial Services, Inc., later renamed Braver Wealth Management, in 1987. She joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2017 as part of the firm’s acquisition of Braver. Judy began her career as a systems analyst with Fortune 500 and 100 companies before joining Laventhol & Horwath, where she was the manager of personal financial planning. She offers individuals, families and trusts a balanced approach to wealth management that seeks both wealth preservation and growth. Among other leadership roles, Judy has been president of the Norfolk/Plymouth Estate and Business Planning Council and served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Estate Planners. She received her B.A. in mathematics from Douglass College, Rutgers University and a Certificate in Accounting from Bentley College. Judy is a ten-time Five Star Wealth Manager winner.

Senior Tax Associate

Nick Milliman

Nick began his career at RWA Wealth Partners in 2023. He focuses on tax planning and compliance for our valued wealth advisory clients.

A public accountant since 2017, Nick closely follows every change in the tax code to help clients, keeping them on track to achieve their financial goals.

He graduated from Northeastern University with a B.S. in accounting.

In his free time, Nick likes playing and watching football, basketball and baseball, and he’s a devoted long-distance runner. He also enjoys reading quarterly reports and proxy statements from public companies. Nick grew up in Norwalk, CT, and lives in Brookline, MA.

Tax & Family Office Coordinator

Nicolette Shaw

Nicolette joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2017. She manages tax & family office clients’ day-to-day needs and requests to provide efficient processing of transactions, transfers, onboarding and more. She is responsible for the coordination and resolution of a variety of service and reporting requests between the client, the wealth management team, and custodians. Nicolette graduated from Framingham State University with a B.A. in sociology and lives in Boston. In her free time, she loves to travel, golf and volunteer with Boston Cares.

Director of Financial Planning

Andrew Busa

Andrew joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2018. He works closely with wealth advisors to develop tailored strategies for each client’s unique situation. Andrew graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.S. in economics and began his financial career as a portfolio analyst at Wingate Wealth Advisors. After gaining investment management experience, Andrew decided to focus exclusively on personal financial planning. He has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional since 2017 and earned a master’s degree in personal financial planning from the College for Financial Planning in 2020. He has particular interest in behavioral finance and how to effectively plan for the different stages of life. Andrew lives with his wife in Woburn, MA, and enjoys playing guitar, reading, and spending time with his friends and family.

Financial Planner

Michael Dillaire

Michael joined RWA Wealth Partners in 2021 and has been working in financial services since 2016. Prior to RWA Wealth Partners, he has held positions at Fidelity Investments and JPMorgan Chase, N.A. He earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, and Criminal Justice, from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. In addition, Michael is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional residing in Greater Boston.

Equity Compensation Planning Director

Greg Evans

Greg brings decades of equity compensation planning experience to RWA Wealth Partners. Advisors collaborate with him to help clients understand their stock compensation and make the most of their awards. Greg’s role is to develop thoughtful strategies aligned with clients’ long-term plans to support their personal and financial success.

Greg is fascinated by financial markets and how they shape our lives. He joined the financial services industry out of a desire to help people in ways that have a profound and positive impact. He finds it especially rewarding to educate and empower clients, make the complicated simple, and find creative solutions for complex situations.

Prior to joining RWA Wealth Partners in 2024, Greg spent 28 years with one of the nation’s largest money management firms. As an executive services officer, he helped a wide range of professionals across multiple industries make the most of their company benefits and develop comprehensive wealth management strategies. Before that, Greg worked on the investment management side of the business, providing market insight and investment guidance while overseeing managed portfolios for high-net-worth clients.

Greg earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a Certified Equity Professional. He lives in southern New Hampshire with his wife and has two sons, two cats and Zelda the dog. In his free time, he enjoys being with family and close friends, playing basketball, hiking (he’s making progress with his son on their goal of climbing all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot peaks), performing any outdoor activities, listening to music and strumming the guitar. He and his family regularly participate in the annual White Mountains “Flags on the 48” event, and he looks forward to seeing you there.

Financial Planner

Colbey Gilford

Colbey is a Financial Planning Associate/Paraplanner at RWA Wealth Partners. He assists the wealth management team with creating reports and deliverables to present to clients.

Colbey is originally from Chicago, IL, but is currently living in Houston, TX. Colbey graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he discovered his passion and wealth management.

In his free time, Colbey enjoys traveling, trying new foods and spending time with his 10 siblings.

Director of Estate and Trust Services

Rawson Hubbell

Rawson has over 25 years of experience working with executives, business owners and retirees on issues around wealth transfer, trusts and estate planning. Before joining RWA Wealth Partners as Director of Estate and Trust Services in 2023, Rawson was a private wealth strategist at a large national financial services provider, where he worked with many of the firm’s largest clients on similar planning issues.

He obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 1999, an M.A in Asian studies and a J.D. from Washington University, and a B.A. in economics from Middlebury College.

One of Rawson’s proudest professional achievements was his early facility with a potent tax-saving strategy using intentionally defective grantor trusts. This guidance helped save his clients hundreds of millions of dollars in transfer taxes while enabling them to make impactful donations to their chosen philanthropic causes.

Rawson is a 20-year rider in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge and is actively involved with the Epiphany School in Dorchester, MA, where he has served as treasurer and a member of the board of trustees. He enjoys cycling, tennis and pickleball—all with friends, and especially with family.

Managing Director, Corporate Development

Brian Hazan

Brian is the managing director of RWA Wealth Partners’ corporate development unit. In this role, he is responsible for identifying and executing merger and acquisition opportunities on behalf of the firm and working closely with candidates to ensure their goals are achieved once they merge with RWA Wealth Partners. Prior to joining the company in 2021, Brian led the M&A and business development group at Emigrant Partners, a strategic investment platform focused on the independent wealth space. Brian also spent time with Bregal Sagemount, a leading growth equity fund, and Focus Financial Partners. He received his B.S. in finance from St. John’s University. His interests include basketball, chess, meditation and spending time with friends and family.

Manager, Corporate Development

Nikhil Kyathappala

Nikhil is responsible for conducting financial modeling and analysis around M&A deal structures and participating in all aspects of the M&A process, including sourcing, relationship management, due diligence, negotiations and pre-integration. Before joining RWA Wealth Partners Investments in 2019, Nikhil worked in wealth management at Northwestern Mutual. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2016 with a B.S. in actuarial mathematics. Nikhil likes being outdoors, playing sports, traveling and cooking. Having grown up in Massachusetts, he now resides in Watertown, MA.

Corporate Development Associate

Lily Santonelli

Lily is part of the corporate development and finance teams. She joined RWA Wealth Partners in the summer of 2022, after spending two years as an analyst for a boutique investment banking firm in New York City.

In the banking industry, Lily supported over 60 client deals, including public and private offerings and other strategic solutions across all sectors. She worked on transactions such as initial public offerings, follow-ons and private placements, among others.

Lily holds a B.S. from Colby College with a double major in computer science and math. While at Colby, she played for four years on the women’s hockey team.