Leann Hill

For Kurt, planning and investing are means to an end—after all, what’s the point of accumulating wealth for accumulation’s sake? His goal is for clients to fully enjoy their wealth both today and in the future. As such, he focuses first on helping clients map out their life, creating a detailed picture of their hopes, dreams, and wishes. Only after that big-picture plan is established does he dive into the details and identify prescriptive action steps. Then, and only then, does he discuss the best way to invest their money. This intentional order aims to ensure each strategy has a specific purpose, and that every decision the client makes is driving them closer to their long-term goals. Kurt enjoys working with young entrepreneurs and specialized professionals who are early in their careers. Many of his clients have never had a personalized financial plan, and they appreciate his fresh perspective. He challenges conventional wisdom, always seeking the “why” behind a strategy rather than simply accepting the status quo. In doing so, he often discovers additional avenues for growth, methods for clients to more efficiently achieve their goals, or ways to save on taxes. Kurt lives in Rochester, New York, with his wife Sarah and their two young children, Kai and Isla. They’re an active family that loves to be outside as much as possible, and when each of his kids turned three, Kurt taught them to ski—something he was very excited about, having started skiing himself at the age of two. They also enjoy cooking together, going on road trips, and watching movies.

John Howe is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Hamewith Wealth. His previous roles include positions at Generation Capital Management, St. John Fisher University, LPL Financial, and Wells Fargo Clearing. Hamewith Wealth is an independent registered investment adviser that offers discretionary portfolio management, wealth management, and comprehensive financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm’s investment approach combines passive and active fund strategies grounded in Modern Portfolio Theory, with options for ESG or values-based investments, and includes monitoring of held-away accounts and K-12 retirement plan advisory services.

Priscilla Baker Jones is a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) with 13 years of industry experience. She has been with Occam Capital Management, LLC since 1998, serving as its sole advisor. Occam Capital Management provides discretionary investment management and hourly consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pensions, trusts, and estates. The firm applies a top-down analysis of global economic factors combined with a fundamental value approach to equities, alongside an investment-grade, laddered fixed-income strategy, focusing on long-term appreciation and income.

Amy Ryan is a financial advisor at Upstate Advisers Inc with two years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63, Series 66, and Series 65 licenses. Prior to joining Upstate Advisers, Amy worked at RDG Capital Management LLC and LPL Financial, and she is also the owner of MADE ESSENTIALS LLC, a business based in Pittsford, NY. Upstate Advisers Inc provides discretionary portfolio management and integrated financial planning to private clients, along with consulting and fiduciary services for employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a long-term, research-based core-and-satellite investment approach focused on diversification and low-cost index funds.

Miles Sharpe is a financial advisor with Fawley Wealth International, an independent firm, holding a Series 65 designation and three years of industry experience. He previously worked at Whitney & Company and Napier Sharpe Wealth Management, and maintains a consulting role with the UK-based MNA Partnership. Sharpe also serves as a Course Associate for Insurance and Retirement Planning at Columbia University. Fawley Wealth International provides portfolio management and financial planning primarily to individuals and high-net-worth clients, focusing on diversified investments including mutual funds, ETFs, equities, fixed income, and non-U.S. securities. The firm employs a long-term investment approach combining cyclical and fundamental analysis with modern portfolio theory and offers discretionary management with regular reviews through a designated institutional custodian.

Philip Weisberg is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license, operating Weisberg Financial Services in Pittsford, NY. He has 14 years of experience with the firm, which he founded in 2012. The practice is a single-advisor independent firm serving primarily individual clients. Weisberg Financial Services serves about 60–65 individual clients and one corporate client on a pro bono basis. The firm employs a low-cost, flat-fee model without percentage-of-assets charges, managing portfolios through a discount brokerage platform using equities, ETFs, and no-load mutual funds, with an emphasis on tax-aware strategies and daily account monitoring.