Eden Tadesse Akana

Gerardo Martinez Y Carriles is a CFA® charterholder with one year of experience in financial advising. He is the sole advisor at BLU Capital and previously worked at Berlin Wealth Group Advisors and International Fintech Intelligence. BLU Capital serves institutional and individual clients, including foundations, pension plans, and small businesses. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative modeling, factor-based strategies, and ESG screening, and offers services such as portfolio management, financial planning, and consultant selection.

Hi, I'm Kevin. I'm a financial advisor in Washington, D.C., and the founder & CEO of Illumint. In 2017, I launched Illumint to offer financial planning for Millennials. I specialize in helping our generation answer the question, "Are we going to be ok financially?" For you, this may mean investing more of your savings. Or smartly managing an inheritance. Perhaps you want to put your kids on the right track financially. My work as a Certified Financial Planner™ draws on my past finance experience. I previously held financial roles in the NFL and in the commercial real estate industry. The birth of my first child, though, inspired me to become a financial advisor for Millennials in Washington, DC. Around this time, I noticed that couples like us lacked good options for financial advice. The limited advice that we did receive wasn't specific to our stage in life. And the industry's compensation structure often wasn't in our best interest. I wanted to see more fee-only financial advisors. I wanted to see financial advisors with expertise in student loans and renting vs. buying. I wanted financial planning to start making inherited IRAs, Health Savings Accounts, and 529 plans work for our generation. I work hard to put myself in a position to answer any questions that Millennials have on topics like these. To this end, I serve as a resource for many journalists. Over the years, I've provided insight to the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, CNN, NPR, and NBC News. And I've written for Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, Kiplinger, and Fatherly. I've also worked with employers and brands on a variety of Millennial-driven personal finance events and projects. I've partnered with John Hopkins University, Nestle, and General Assembly, among others. I'm proud to hold an undergraduate business degree from Georgetown University (Hoya Saxa!). I later added an MBA in finance from Georgia Tech (THWg!). Last, but certainly not least, I'm the father of two young boys, who couldn't care less about any of this stuff. They only care that I play with them after school.

John Bell is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 21 years of industry experience. He is currently the sole advisor at Free State Financial Planning, LLC, having previously worked at Charles Schwab and Ameritrade, Inc. Beyond his advisory work, he serves as a FINRA arbitrator and acts as the financial secretary and council member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he manages donation tracking and budgeting. Free State Financial Planning LLC provides fee-only financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm’s guidance is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, emphasizing passive investments through low-cost ETFs and no-load mutual funds, and focuses on delivering educational resources without discretionary investment management.

Hi, I'm Alvin, I’m a fee-only financial advisor in Washington, D.C, and the founder of District Capital Management. I am deeply committed to helping professionals in their 30s and 40s retire by 55, through holistic financial planning and research-driven investing. Since 2013, I’ve empowered over 400 clients to take control of their financial futures, making personal finance approachable and less intimidating. Life in your 30s and 40s can be overwhelming. You may be balancing multiple high-stress jobs, managing a mortgage, paying off student loans, trying to save for your child’s education, and perhaps even starting a new business. With all these demands, it’s tough to find the time—let alone the desire—to dive into the complexities of investments, taxes, retirement planning, and which accounts to use to optimize your finances. Your focus should be on what you love, not deciphering financial jargon. That’s where I come in. I’m here to help you maximize your finances so you can retire by 55 and live the life you’ve always envisioned. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFA® charterholder, my approach goes beyond just providing a financial plan; I partner with my clients through life’s ups and downs, offering personalized guidance and unwavering support. I’m an active member of the XY Planning Network, Fee-Only Network, and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA). My insights have been featured in leading publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, Business Insider, Time, and Yahoo! Finance. I also hold an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University. I also serve as Coaching Chair for Entrepreneurly, a non-profit supporting small business owners in DC. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, swing dancing, and playing pickleball. Learn more here: https://districtcapitalmanagement.com/ * "Washington, D.C.'s Best Financial Advisors" -- Washingtonian Magazine * “Top Financial Planners In Washington, D.C.” - Expertise.com * “Best Financial Planners For Millennials” - Millennial Money * Washington Parent Picks Winner - Washington Parent * Diversity Scholarship Winner - FPA

Ben Arie is a financial advisor with Independent Financial Group, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. He has worked at Sentinel Financial Group and Independent Financial Group since 2022 and previously spent one year at Plotkin Financial Advisors. Ben also has experience selling life and health insurance. Independent Financial Group, LLC provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm uses a combination of strategic asset allocation, multi-manager portfolios, and ongoing due diligence to develop tailored investment strategies across various risk profiles.

Simeon’s role is to help clients create a coordinated financial strategy that aligns their investments, taxes, retirement income, and long-term goals into one cohesive plan. A big part of his approach is helping clients simplify complexity and make confident decisions during periods of uncertainty.