Stephen Bard Schaack

John Kroger is the founder of Milvian Bridge Advisory, an independent investment advisory firm based in Paoli, Pennsylvania. He holds a Series 65 and earned both a Bachelor of Science in Finance and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Fairfield University. He is also a graduate of Malvern Preparatory School. His professional background includes experience with Daylesford Abbey, Stone Bay Holdings, and Hampton Inn. Milvian Bridge Advisory provides portfolio management, financial planning, and investment consulting to individuals, families, high-net-worth clients, retirement accounts, trusts, estates, and business owners. The firm operates as a fiduciary and fee-only adviser, emphasizing disciplined portfolio construction, diversification, thoughtful asset allocation, tax-aware decision-making, and advice tailored to each client’s goals, circumstances, and long-term objectives.

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.

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 in Philadelphia, PA, with 14 years of industry experience. He has led his independent firm since its founding in 2012. Carey Investment Solutions provides wealth management and discretionary portfolio management services to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a fundamental, long-term investment approach while utilizing margin borrowing and actively managed, concentrated portfolios when appropriate.

Beth Dandrea is a Certified Financial Planner™ with 13 years of industry experience and has operated her own firm, Beth D'Andrea, Financial Planner, LLC, for 19 years. She is affiliated with Plumtree Financial Planning, an independent firm based in Malvern, PA. Plumtree Financial Planning offers comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management tailored to individuals and families. The firm emphasizes long-term, goal-based planning and provides ongoing and project-based advice without taking custody of client assets, operating primarily on a fee-only, non-discretionary basis.

Ben is the founder of Ketwich Capital LLC ("Ket-Cap") which serves the financial and investment needs of professionals and families. Ben is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a Certified Kingdom Advisor®. Prior to founding Ket-Cap in 2017, Ben spent a decade working on Wall Street at UBS and Neuberger Berman. As an equity analyst in 2008, he had a front-row seat to the housing bubble burst and the collapse of the global economy. This experience taught him the dangers of financial salesmanship (mortgages in this case) and the pitfall wealth can bring when there is no plan or purpose. Ben is passionate about helping others become secure, content, and generous in their wealth. Ben has facilitated financial courses including Financial Peace University, Charting Your Legacy, and the Journey of Generosity (Generous Giving). In his personal time, Ben can be found either outside with his wife and two young children or building something around the house. He is an avid reader of books related to money, history, and theology.