Samuel Eli Smith

Bradley Kayton is a financial advisor with Studio Ventures and Capital Advisors, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Studio Ventures since 2014 and also consults with start-up companies, providing executive management, board governance, CEO mentoring, and strategic consulting through a separate consulting firm. Studio Ventures and Capital Advisors, LLC serves family offices, high-net-worth individuals, pooled investment vehicles, and business entities by creating and managing custom private-market equity and debt funds. The firm focuses on bespoke investment programs tailored to client objectives, often emphasizing private placements and early-stage companies, and uses performance-based compensation arrangements for qualified pooled investors.

Catherine Ryan is a CFA charterholder with 18 years of industry experience. She has been the sole advisor at Cedar Rock Investment Advisors since 2006. Cedar Rock Investment Advisors offers investment counseling and portfolio management to individuals and trusts, including charitable remainder and income-only trusts. The firm’s investment approach is based on academic research emphasizing asset allocation, low-cost instruments, and careful liquidity management, combining broad market core holdings with tactical positions informed by fundamental and behavioral analysis.

My clients are young families and professionals in their 30s-40s who have hit a wall when it comes to managing their finances. They have busy personal schedules, growing careers, and recently introduced financial complexity that’s too much to manage. Questions my clients have include: - How do I prioritize multiple financial goals? - I have some cash saved, but what should I do with it? - I don't understand my taxes, is there more I should be doing? - Should I be saving for my children’s education? - Will I be able to retire on time, and live comfortably once I get there? - I’m self-employed, how should I be planning for my future? - How should I handle my equity compensation? - Do I have enough insurance to protect my loved ones? - How does having a baby impact my financial situation?

William Nickles is the sole advisor at Yellow Dog Financial, Inc., an independent firm based in Bolton, MA. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 18 years of experience in the financial industry, having been with Yellow Dog Financial since its founding in 2008. Yellow Dog Financial, Inc. manages approximately $21.2 million for around 60 clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and employer plan sponsors. The firm employs a goal-based planning process with a focus on passive, benchmark-tracking investments and manages accounts primarily on a non-discretionary basis, combining comprehensive year-long financial planning with ongoing monthly support and retirement plan consulting.

Michael Marchetti is a financial advisor at Lakeview Financial Planning in Shirley, MA, holding a Series 66 credential with nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., and The Professional Alliance, Inc. Outside of advisory services, he manages a retail company through Marchetti Industries LLC. Lakeview Financial Planning offers financial planning and portfolio management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and small businesses. The firm uses a goals-based approach with fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory, favoring globally diversified, tax-efficient, low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, and incorporates third-party managers when appropriate.

Ryan Creegan is a CFP® professional with three years of industry experience. He is the principal advisor at Sheltered Garden Financial Group LLC, where he has worked since 2025. Prior to founding his current firm, he held roles at Creegan & Nassoura Financial Group, MutualOne Bank, and Brookline Bank. Sheltered Garden Financial Group LLC provides discretionary investment management, comprehensive financial planning, and investment consulting primarily to individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, and estates. The firm employs a fundamental-analysis, long-term investment approach with portfolios concentrated in individual stocks and bonds, supplemented by ETFs and low-cost mutual funds.