Hi, I’m Matt. My job as a financial planner is to make your life simpler. To help you efficiently and effectively narrow down your options, so you can make the right decisions. And be confident in those decisions for the long-term. Financial planning and investment management are often muddied by unnecessary complexity (usually in an effort to sell you something). It doesn’t need to be this way. I began my career in the financial services industry in 2003 as an analyst with the due diligence law firm Snyder Kearney, LLC (Columbia, MD). At Snyder Kearney, I reviewed public and private securities offerings and evaluated national securities sponsoring companies, focusing on real estate investments and non-traditional investment products. It was there that I realized that I wanted to know more about the practice of law and a lot more about the pretty co-worker in the cubicle next to me, Sylvie. I earned my law degree in 2007 from the University of Baltimore School of Law and married Sylvie in 2008; further proof that education and personal relationships are the investments that produce the best returns. After law school, I practiced law with the firm David Albert & Associates, LLC (Bethesda, MD), focusing in estate planning and administration, guardianship administration, taxation of estates and trusts, and business formations. There, I recognized that helping clients through complicated and often stressful issues was intellectually stimulating and emotionally fulfilling. In 2010, I opened Patuxent Financial Partners, LLC, registered as an Investment Adviser with the State of Maryland in 2017. Here, I leverage my legal background to provide clients with value-added insight in the overlapping areas of estate and financial planning. More importantly, as a personal financial planner and small business owner, I can build lasting relationships with clients and their families; these connections make my work fulfilling, because client success becomes intertwined with my own. I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and hold the FINRA Series 65 securities registration. Raised in Columbia, Maryland, I graduated from McDaniel College with a bachelor's degree in English. Outside of the office, I enjoy running, reading, and hiking with my wife, son, and our mutt hound, Kodi.

Harold Hodges is a financial advisor with H. Elliot Associates holding a Series 65 designation. He has experience with the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Commission and the U.S. Department of State. H. Elliot Associates offers integrated asset management, financial planning, retirement and federal pension consulting, as well as tax preparation and representation services to individuals, federal employees, small business owners, and high-net-worth families. The firm specializes in federal retirement systems and provides IRS appellate advocacy and tax controversy representation alongside educational seminars on retirement, tax strategy, and estate planning.

Brett Friedman is a CFP® with 17 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at D&S Wealth Management Group. He has held roles at Peak Investment Advisors and has been involved with DeLeon and Stang CPA's since 2006, where he serves as Chief Growth & Strategy Officer. He is also the managing member of D&S Insurance Solutions, an insurance agency. D&S Wealth Management Group is a Maryland-registered advisory firm that primarily serves individual clients and their families, as well as entities such as foundations, charities, and retirement plans. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning, emphasizing tailored plans and diversified asset allocation using a variety of investment vehicles.

Sunil Pai is a CFA® charterholder and the sole advisor at Proforza Advisors LLC, with 17 years of industry experience. He has led Proforza Advisors since its founding in 2012. Pai is also the managing member of QuantWorks, LLC, a now-dormant entity that previously developed an investment algorithm. Proforza Advisors provides fee-based investment management primarily to institutional clients such as corporate and public pension funds, university and foundation endowments, as well as high net worth individuals. The firm employs a systematic, quantitative Active Risk-Based investing (ARBi) methodology that uses algorithms to construct and actively rebalance portfolios of ETFs and individual stocks with limited human intervention.

Dixie Butler is a CFP® with 37 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at U.S. Advisors, Inc. She has been with U.S. Advisors, Inc. since 1999 and also maintains a role at Butler Financial, Inc. since 1993. U.S. Advisors, Inc. provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, comprehensive financial planning, and hourly consulting to individuals, trusts, estates, and business clients. The firm’s investment approach focuses on broad asset allocation tailored to client goals, utilizing mutual funds and ETFs, with ongoing portfolio monitoring and a preference to remain invested rather than time the market. It also offers educational seminars and workshops to various organizations as part of its services.

Jonathan Cohen is a financial advisor at CHC Financial Solutions, LLC with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential. Prior to his current role, Cohen has held positions at firms including Avantax and Cetera. Outside of advising, he serves on the Board of Trustees of the Association of Practicing CPAs and participates on the Maryland Association of CPAs Investment Committee. CHC Financial Solutions, LLC provides comprehensive wealth management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and business owners. The firm emphasizes discretionary portfolio management and financial planning, focusing on customized asset allocation and the use of mutual funds, ETFs, and third-party managers.

David Malmgren is a CFA® charterholder and principal advisor at Parkview Capital LLC, an independent firm based in Germantown, MD. He has 22 years of industry experience, including 18 years at FBB Capital Partners before founding Parkview Capital in 2021. Parkview Capital LLC provides advisory services to individual and high-net-worth clients, offering portfolio management and financial planning. The firm combines fundamental analysis, modern portfolio theory, quantitative techniques, and technical analysis to create tailored investment strategies across various asset classes.

Glaister Welsh is the sole advisor at Calabash Asset Management, LLC, an independent firm based in North Potomac, Maryland. He holds a Series 65 designation and has eight years of industry experience. In addition to his advisory role since 2016, he has worked as a Regional Operations Manager at Kaiser Permanente since 2015. Calabash Asset Management offers discretionary investment management, wealth management, and financial planning to individual and high-net-worth clients, pension/profit-sharing plans, and select institutional investors. The firm manages a boutique client base with benchmark-agnostic portfolios focused on long-term growth in "Exponential Growth Companies," and also serves as a fund sponsor and private fund adviser.

John Lewis is a financial advisor with Regatta Financial LLC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 designations and bringing 23 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Universal Medical, Private Client Services, Citigroup Global Markets, and H. Beck, Inc. Outside of finance, he co-owns TheraBleu, LLC, an e-commerce business supplying UVC lamps, and owns Campus Quick Fix, LLC, a franchise focused on device repairs for college students. Regatta Financial LLC provides discretionary asset management along with financial planning and consulting services to individuals and business entities. The firm emphasizes client goal documentation, risk tolerance alignment, and targeted consultation, utilizing technical analysis, charting, and Modern Portfolio Theory to construct and monitor portfolios.

Introduction ⭐️Serving Mid-/Late-Career Women and Families, Growing & Multigenerational Families, and Multicultural Families. ⭐️Founder & Financial Planner - Neat Financial Planning LLC ⭐️CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™® Professional ⭐️IRS Enrolled Agent ⭐️UCLA MBA; Professionally trained at Deloitte & Goldman Sachs ⭐️ Fiduciary & Fee-Only I founded Neat Financial Planning in 2023 with a mission to make effective and affordable financial planning more accessible. My goal is to help you regain control of your time and resources, allowing you to focus on what matters most in your life. My career began at Deloitte as a public accountant, followed by various roles in accounting and corporate finance at Fortune 500 companies. During those years, I worked extensively with large Excel spreadsheets, analyzing financial models and statements for both public and private companies. While honing my financial analytical skills, I always aspired to make a more personal impact. Before founding Neat Financial Planning, I served as a Wealth Manager at Goldman Sachs, advising high-net-worth families and nonprofit organizations. I currently reside in Falls Church, Virginia, with my wonderful husband, son, and daughter, who are my greatest sources of joy. In my free time, I enjoy reading, practicing yoga, and exploring new restaurants. We've also made it a tradition to visit China, Kentucky, and Michigan to create fond and lasting memories with our extended families.

Michael Braswell is the principal of Braswell Capital, LLC in Arlington, VA, with two years of experience as a financial advisor. He holds a Series 65 credential and has a background that includes roles at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, as well as legal experience at Latham & Watkins LLP. He maintains an inactive sole practitioner law firm, Erwin Osborne Law, PLLC. Braswell Capital provides financial planning and investment advisory services primarily to individuals and small businesses in disadvantaged communities. The firm offers hourly, low-cost financial planning focused on cash flow, retirement, and debt counseling, emphasizing a fiduciary standard and fundamental investment analysis without charging asset-based fees or taking custody of client assets.

Veska Kita is a financial advisor at ACI Group with 24 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been associated with Arete Wealth Management since 2011 and AFC Asset Management Services, Inc. since 2010. Outside of her advisory work, she serves as the treasurer for the nonprofit City Wildlife and is a board member and shareholder of Accustrata, Inc., a company specializing in thin film technology. ACI Group provides investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial and business planning, and corporate retirement-plan advisory, employing a range of strategies that include fundamental and technical analysis, with a formal communications and education program for clients.

Mitchell Martin is a CFP® with 21 years of experience and the sole advisor at Mitchell Advisory Inc, an independent firm based in Reston, VA. He has led Mitchell Advisory since 1991. Outside of financial advising, he is a 50 percent owner and president of a bagel café managed by his wife, where he oversees the company’s finances. Mitchell Advisory Inc provides fee-only investment advisory and financial planning primarily to high-net-worth individuals and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes asset allocation through a value-oriented approach using no-load mutual funds, ETFs, closed-end funds, and selective individual securities, managing approximately $69.5 million for a small client base.

John Peterson is a CFP® professional with 28 years of experience in financial advising. He has been the sole advisor at Cwm Financial Group, Inc. since founding the firm in 1998. Based in Rockville, MD, he holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Cwm Financial Group serves individuals, high net worth clients, trusts, and estates by providing wealth management and discretionary portfolio management, along with written financial planning on an hourly or fixed-fee basis. The firm emphasizes long-term investment strategies using diversified mutual funds and ETFs, incorporates multiple analytical methods, and manages approximately $94.7 million in discretionary assets for 57 clients.

Mehdi Grayeli is the principal of Grayeli Investment Management in Reston, VA, with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has operated Grayeli, Inc. since 1997. Grayeli Investment Management is an independent registered investment adviser managing approximately $17.9 million for about 25 households, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm provides discretionary investment management and financial planning, using a goal-based planning process focused on capital preservation, risk management, and a long-term, diversified buy-and-hold strategy.

Charles Sterling is an independent financial advisor with DeafInvest in Tysons, VA, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and 17 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Cetera Advisors LLC, Dawn, and Investors Capital Corporation. Sterling is involved with organizations serving the deaf community, including the Maryland School for the Deaf Alumni Association and Global Deaf Muslim. He also provides tax preparation, consulting, and bookkeeping services through DeafTax LLC. DeafInvest offers fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services primarily for individuals and small organizations connected to the deaf community. The firm manages portfolios using equities, ETFs, and other securities, providing discretionary management and a robo-advisor option, while integrating tax planning and education into its services.

Samuel Asare is a financial advisor at Laser Wealth Management, LLC in Kensington, MD, holding a ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 13 years of industry experience, previously affiliated with Laser Financial Group. Outside of advisory services, he is a licensed insurance agent and provides tax planning and filing services as an enrolled agent and bookkeeper. Laser Wealth Management serves individual clients and business owners by offering investment advice, financial planning, and consulting. The firm uses a third-party manager to implement investment strategies based on Modern Portfolio Theory, focusing on asset allocation and periodic rebalancing, while providing clients with plan development, reviews, and educational seminars.

Donald Wright is the principal of Wright Wealth Management LLC in Chevy Chase, MD, with 23 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. Wright Wealth Management provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, and consulting services primarily to individuals, high net worth clients, trusts, and estates. The firm constructs customized portfolios using ETFs, mutual funds, individual stocks, and bonds, employing both fundamental and technical analysis within a fiduciary framework and generally following a long-term investment approach.

Michael Miles is a CFP® certified financial advisor with 27 years of industry experience. He has operated Variplan, LLC since 2006 and also serves as an investment advisor for Turnkey Financial Services, a related firm currently winding down its operations. Variplan, LLC provides integrated financial planning and non-discretionary investment advisory services to individuals and trusts through a proprietary annual engagement package. The firm employs quantitative methods and emphasizes diversified, low-cost index and ETF strategies, tax efficiency, and periodic rebalancing.

Christopher Leader is the sole advisor at Leader Investments LLC in Silver Spring, MD. He holds a Series 65 credential and has two years of industry experience. Prior to founding his firm, he worked in various roles at Twilio, SendGrid, and Stack Labs. He currently works as a product manager with Preply outside of his advisory activities. Leader Investments LLC provides personalized financial guidance to individual investors without managing client accounts or custody of assets. The firm focuses on diversification and value-oriented recommendations, primarily utilizing indices and publicly traded vehicles, with advice tailored to client suitability factors.