Clara Jean Charlebois Melendy

Henry Preston is a CFP® and Series 65-licensed financial advisor with two years of industry experience. He is the founder and sole advisor at Veteran Wealth Planning, having previously worked at Hanson and Doremus Investments and Planning and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Outside of his advisory role, he manages several LLCs that oversee investment real estate operations. Veteran Wealth Planning serves a variety of private clients, including high-net-worth individuals, trusts, and business entities, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services. The firm employs a fiduciary approach with discretionary management primarily using passive ETFs, complemented by modern portfolio theory and both long- and short-term trading strategies.

Joshua Kruk is a CFA® charterholder with nine years of industry experience. He currently serves as the sole advisor at Focus 50 Wealth Management LLC, an independent firm in Shelburne, VT. His prior experience includes roles at Goldman Sachs, National Life Group, The Business Bank, and his own firm, JMK Partners LLC. Focus 50 Wealth Management LLC provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a combination of fundamental analysis, modern portfolio theory, and quantitative methods, offering long-term diversified investment strategies and comprehensive financial planning.

Russell Gilfix is a financial advisor with Wind & Rose, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Wind & Rose since 2007 and has prior experience at SPC, Sammons Securities Company, LLC, and UBS Financial Services. Wind & Rose, LLC provides wealth management, financial planning, and portfolio management services to individuals and various institutional clients. The firm manages tailored portfolios using a broad, global investment approach that includes public equities, ETFs, fixed income, private investments, and alternative exposures, and also serves as the general partner and adviser to a private pooled investment fund.

Erik Giard Chase is a CFA® charterholder with three years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Blue Slate Investment Management. His prior experience includes roles at Westview Investment Advisors and Champlain Investment Partners, along with academic positions at the University of Chicago and University of Vermont. Outside of his advisory work, he operates a real estate investment and management company, allocating approximately 10% of his time to this activity. Blue Slate Investment Management provides wealth management services to individuals, high net worth clients, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations, focusing on long-term, fundamental investment strategies. The firm emphasizes low-cost, diversified portfolios utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, and other asset classes, supported by internal due diligence, AI tools, and the use of third-party sub-advisors.

Many mid‑career professionals work hard for their equity compensation and global careers, but have little time to untangle the tax and financial complexity that comes with them. When cross‑border issues enter the picture, the stakes and confusion only grow, and the cost of getting it wrong can be significant. I founded Soaring Wealth LLC to help equity‑compensated professionals, US expats in Europe, and investors with complex holdings make clear, confident decisions about their wealth. My clients are often juggling RSUs, stock options, ESPPs, private equity, and multi‑country tax rules — on top of demanding careers and family responsibilities. As your personal CFO, I provide a 360‑degree view of your finances so every choice supports your long‑term goals. My work integrates financial planning, tax planning and preparation, and investment management into one coordinated service. Rather than juggling multiple advisors, you partner with one firm that understands your equity compensation, cross‑border tax obligations, and family priorities — and proactively helps you navigate them. Our work together often includes modeling equity exercise and sale strategies, planning for international moves, coordinating US and foreign tax positions, aligning portfolios with cash‑flow needs, and addressing estate and legacy questions across borders. I highlight trade‑offs and potential unintended consequences in plain language, so you can make informed decisions without needing to become the expert yourself. Clients typically come to me feeling pressed for time and worried about missing something important. My goal is to simplify complexity, reduce decision fatigue, and help you protect and grow your after‑tax wealth — giving you more mental space for your career, family, and the life you are building across countries.

Cecelia Wu is a Series 65-registered advisor at Hippocratic Financial Advisors in Charlotte, VT, with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Hippocratic Financial Advisors, she worked at Indybrands for five years and Silk Flower Depot for another five years. Hippocratic Financial Advisors serves individual and high-net-worth clients with wealth management, portfolio management, and comprehensive financial planning services. The firm employs a long-term, goals-based investment approach that includes strategic asset allocation, ongoing monitoring, and customization based on clients’ risk tolerance and financial needs.