Tim Kao

Driven by a deep passion for finance and investing, Praveen brings a unique blend of experience to his work. As a South Asian immigrant, he navigated the complexities of building a successful 15-year career in Silicon Valley, including co-founding a startup and most recently serving as a Software Engineering Manager at Google. In parallel, he dedicated over a decade mastering various asset classes, from traditional stocks and bonds to value-add commercial real estate and alternative investments like private equity and venture capital. Having achieved financial independence through diligent saving and strategic investing, Praveen is now committed to empowering others to take control of their financial futures by drawing on his own hard-earned wisdom. Empower Financial is an independent, fee-only advisory that provides financial planning and investment consultation to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, small businesses, and a variety of institutional and nonprofit clients. The firm employs a Core + Satellite investment approach, focusing on client risk profiles and asset allocation recommendations, while clients generally execute trades themselves.

Eric Hickok is the principal of Hickok Advisory, LLC and holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses with five years of industry experience. Prior to founding his firm, he worked at Wells Fargo and has been involved in various business activities including tax preparation and legal services through Hickok Tax and Hickok Tax Law. He also maintains an active real estate license. Hickok Advisory, LLC provides discretionary and non-discretionary asset management along with financial planning and consulting services for individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm tailors investment strategies to client objectives, offering both long-term and short-term approaches with regular account reviews for allocation and tax opportunities.

Douglas Andrey is a financial advisor based in San Jose, CA, with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and serves as the sole advisor at his independent firm. Prior to founding his advisory practice, he worked at Kaplan for 12 years and OrthoFX for three years. In addition to his advisory role, he is head of operations at OmniIndex.io, a data analytics tool focused on unstructured data. His firm provides discretionary portfolio management and investment advice to individual clients, constructing customized portfolios primarily using stocks, ETFs, and bonds. The firm employs fundamental analysis and a generally long-term investment strategy, with weekly account reviews and flexibility for shorter-term trading when appropriate.

Kevin Martin is a CFP® and Series 65-registered advisor with 10 years of industry experience. He is the principal of Oak Peak Financial, an independent advisory firm he has led since 2015. Prior to founding Oak Peak Financial, he worked at InSpeed Networks for three years. In addition to his advisory role, Martin is an IRS Enrolled Agent and provides tax preparation services as a separate engagement. Oak Peak Financial serves individual investors, including high-net-worth clients, and retirement-plan sponsors with financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm follows a fiduciary standard and employs a diversified, tax-efficient investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, typically using low-cost index funds and ETFs alongside select individual securities and fixed income.

Financial Planning for What Matters Most Your financial plan should reflect what matters most to you. I begin every client relationship by understanding your values and goals. Together, we review where your money is going and identify opportunities for saving, investing, and living the life you envision. We then integrate relevant planning areas such as investment analysis, retirement planning, tax strategies, education funding, risk management, and estate planning. Financial planning can often feel overwhelming, so I organize the process into clear, manageable steps and strive to make complex concepts understandable. We begin with your most urgent priorities and incorporate additional tasks as we make progress, building momentum together. With a background in engineering and technical project management, I bring a structured, creative, and thoughtful approach to every conversation, ensuring each step is purposeful and aligned with your goals. Whether you're seeking comprehensive or hourly planning, our work is tailored to the topics that matter most to you. My process stays grounded in your values, so each step supports your unique goals and priorities. As a fiduciary, I always put your interests first, offering honest guidance and clear, transparent fees. Whether you want hands-on support or prefer to implement your plan yourself, I'll provide a complete and actionable roadmap for your financial journey. My practice is built on trust, transparency, and a deep commitment to my clients' success. Nothing is more rewarding to me than seeing clients become thoughtful stewards of their wealth, gaining clarity and confidence, and building a future rooted in what matters most.

Mark Liu is a financial advisor at Ardent Capital with 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Ardent Capital since 2005 and holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Ardent Capital provides discretionary portfolio management for affluent individuals, corporations, and trusts, overseeing investments in brokerage and IRA accounts under limited power of attorney. The firm emphasizes asset allocation across various asset classes with a focus on long-term holdings and uses third-party research to inform investment decisions.