Donald J Bird

Stephen De Cesare is a CFP® professional with 26 years of industry experience, currently serving as the principal of De Cesare Retirement Specialists since 2008. His prior roles include positions at Triad Advisors, LLC, Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., Investment Advisors Asset Management, LLC, and Investment Advisors & Consultants, Inc. In addition to his advisory work, he is an independent insurance broker. De Cesare Retirement Specialists provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm employs a combination of quantitative and qualitative investment methods, offers both discretionary and non-discretionary services, and incorporates a range of strategies including leveraged and inverse funds as well as crypto-focused ETFs for clients with higher risk tolerance.

I’m Delaware’s only professional futurist and the founder of StratFI, a boutique investment advisory firm built around a simple question: “What happens next?” Before launching StratFI, I served as lead portfolio manager for a multi-family office working with inherited wealth families. At the start of my career, I worked as a financial planner for what is now Ameriprise. Today, StratFI provides active investment management for active people — particularly professionals and retirees focused on building, preserving, and navigating long-term wealth. I work with a limited number of clients to maintain meaningful relationships and deliver a highly personalized experience. Clients receive direct access to their portfolio manager, customized investment strategies, and thoughtful guidance. All client assets are custodied with Charles Schwab. StratFI operates as a fee-only fiduciary, meaning no commissions and no conflicts of interest. To maintain a high standard of service and customization, we typically work with clients who have $500,000 or more in investable assets.

Andrew Hipple is a CFP® and Enrolled Agent with 20 years of industry experience, currently serving as an Partner at Moneta Group Investment Advisors, LLC. Prior to merging with Moneta he was the managing partner of Lane Hipple Wealth Management Group an independent RIA. Moneta Group Investment Advisors serves high-net-worth individuals, families, executives and business owners offering advanced tax planning, executive compensation planning, portfolio management, financial planning, and family office services. Having personal bought, sold and successfully executed a succession plan. He brings high touch experience and knowledge to founders and business owners looking to exit, transition or sell their companies. He assist with the tax planning around asset based sales, stock sales and Section 1202 Qualified Small Business Stock sales.

I grew up in a blue-collar family where hard work wasn’t optional - it was simply a way of life. From an early age, I learned the value of earning every dollar through long hours, commitment, and sacrifice. It was that foundation, along with the unwavering support of my family, that ultimately led me to become a first-generation college graduate and pursue a career in financial planning. My passion for this industry is rooted in a simple belief: people deserve to know that there are better ways to leverage their money. Most families are taught how to work for their income, but very few are ever shown how to make their income work for them. That gap in knowledge is what drives me every day. Today, I work with individuals, families, and business owners who are looking for more than just financial products; they want clarity, confidence, and a strategy they can trust. My goal is to help people understand the opportunities available to them, make informed financial decisions, and create a plan that aligns with the life they are working so hard to build. I have a special appreciation for blue-collar families, union workers, and small business owners because those are the people I relate to most. They are often underserved by the financial industry despite being some of the hardest working individuals in our communities. I believe everyone deserves access to sound financial guidance, regardless of their background or income level. Whether it’s planning for retirement, protecting a family, building wealth, or simply making smarter financial decisions, my mission is to educate, empower, and help people make their money work as hard as they do.

Jason Pepe is a financial advisor with Stifel in Conshohocken, PA, holding a AIF designation and Series 7, 24, 55, 63 and 66 designations and 23 years of industry experience. Stifel serves a broad range of clients including individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations, providing brokerage and investment advisory services supported by a proprietary investment methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group.

Michael Carey is a CFA charterholder and the sole advisor at Carey Investment Solutions LLC, an independent firm based in Philadelphia, PA. He has 13 years of industry experience and has led his firm since 2012. Carey Investment Solutions provides wealth management and discretionary portfolio management services to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm emphasizes fundamental analysis with a long-term investment horizon while employing active management and the occasional use of margin borrowing to optimize portfolio timing and allocations.