Top charitable giving & philanthropy financial advisors in Bethlehem, PA

Hi, I'm Dave Rowan. As the President and Founder of Rowan Financial, my primary responsibility is to provide my clients with the tools and encouragement they need to achieve their most important goals. With over 16 years of experience in the financial services industry, I specialize in assisting real estate investors, pre-retirees and new families in growing their wealth, and bettering their own lives along with the lives of their family and community. Before founding Rowan Financial in 2011, I spent 24 years at Crayola, where I most recently served as the Director of Research & Development. Over the course of my career, I have obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation and the Series 65 Advisor Law Certification. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Penn State, obtained in 1992, and an MBA from Lehigh University, earned in 2000. I am also a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Planners (NAPFA) and the XY Planning Network, which affords me the opportunity to participate in multiple masterminds and study groups to learn from others and continue to enhance my skills as an advisor. I get to know each of my clients personally and understand what really matters to them beyond the numbers on their account statements. Should we work together, you will know what is possible for you in your life, and you will receive a prioritized Financial Action Plan along with the encouragement you need. I am especially passionate about helping people navigate big transitions in their lives, whether that be leaving your corporate job for full time entrepreneurship, buying your first investment property or starting a new family. I have personal experience in each of these areas and bring that technical expertise to bear should we work together. I also recognize that, like me, you’re a human being dealing with all of the emotions and concerns that these changes can bring up. When we talk about your finances, we’ll always talk about the “math” as well as the “quality of life” implications of each decision and make the call that’s best for you and those you love. When I'm not helping clients, I enjoy hiking, pickleball, trying to show up for all of my appointments with my trainer at the gym, traveling with my adult children and family, having deep conversations with my wife Stacy, and engaging in personal development to better understand myself and better serve others.

Carla Wamba is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 13 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2009. Outside of her advisory role, she owns and operates Good Karma Tax LLC, a tax preparation business based in Bethlehem, PA. Ameriprise offers retirement-income planning services primarily for clients approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets, delivering customized recommendation reports that incorporate research, modeling, and tax-efficient strategies.

Anthony Parenti is the sole advisor at Parenti Wealth Management in Bethlehem, PA, holding a Series 63 designation with 13 years of industry experience. He is also the owner and sole proprietor of Parenti Consulting DBA Apex Accounting, Tax and Insurance Agency, where he provides CPA and insurance services. Parenti has managed his wealth management firm since 2012 and has been operating his accounting and insurance practice since 1994. Parenti Wealth Management offers financial planning and consulting services, educational seminars, and acts as a solicitor by referring clients to third-party investment managers who directly manage assets. The firm combines a CPA background and licensed insurance practice with advisory services, delivering tailored planning support and monitoring recommended managers on behalf of clients.

Christopher Schlack is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with UBS since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he co-owns an LLC with his wife that manages a residential property. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through a range of brokerage and advisory offerings, combining institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services.

James Mohamdein is a financial advisor at Social Justice Capital LLC in Bethlehem, PA, with five years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has previously worked at Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors, The Vanguard Group, and other firms. Outside of finance, he is involved in performing arts as an actor and musician and also works in the sales of solar panel systems. Social Justice Capital LLC provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and public educational seminars. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable organizations, and business entities, offering customized portfolios based on client goals and risk tolerance, using methods such as fundamental and technical analysis, Modern Portfolio Theory, and Monte Carlo planning.

Sally Hyman is a financial advisor at Seasons of Advice Wealth Management with 42 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Outside of finance, she is a singer who sells her own vocal CDs and is involved in publishing her father's book titled "Congenital Alterable Transmissible Asymmetry: The Spiritual Meaning of Disease and Science." Seasons of Advice Wealth Management provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, high net worth clients, trusts, small business owners, professionals, and families. The firm follows a life-cycle investment approach called the “Seasons of Advice” process and offers discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and specialized fixed-income programs through sub-advisors.

Richard Martin is a financial advisor at Cetera with 29 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has a background that includes nearly three decades at Avantax Advisory Services and eight years at Avantax Insurance Agency. Outside of his advisory work, he is the owner and sole proprietor of Martin & Pellegrin, CPAs, a tax preparation and accounting firm. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm provides a multi-manager platform offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to various program structures and third-party money managers.

Thaddeus Phelps is a CFP® professional with 28 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Advance Wealth Management Service, LLC since 2019 and previously spent 14 years with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. In addition to his advisory work, Phelps owns a tax preparation business and an accounting support service, and he serves in fiduciary roles such as trustee and executor. Advance Wealth Management Service, LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm offers discretionary investment management through a wrap asset management program and emphasizes an individualized approach with asset allocation supported by fundamental, sector, and technical analysis, including risk management strategies such as put options and conservative cash instruments.

Edward Blatz serves as a Senior Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch. He specializes in working with high net-worth individuals and families, focusing on estate and wealth management needs. Since joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1985, he has provided personalized financial solutions tailored to his clients' risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, and investment goals. Edward's expertise encompasses a range of areas including college education planning, divorce transition planning, employee benefits, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, individual and corporate investment strategies, and retirement income planning. He collaborates closely with clients' tax advisors and estate planning attorneys to ensure comprehensive management of clients' financial and personal affairs. Edward is recognized as a member of The Blatz-Rooney Group, which was named to the 2024 Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list. Edward holds a Bachelor's Degree from Adelphi University and has earned several professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Outside of his professional work, he has interests in golfing, reading, and tennis.

Patrick Ferguson is a financial advisor at Intentional, LLC with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and Commonwealth Financial Network. In addition to his advisory role, Ferguson is licensed to sell fixed and traditional insurance products. Intentional provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as retirement plan consulting for businesses and institutions. The firm combines fundamental, technical, and economic analysis in its investment approach and offers due diligence and monitoring of alternative and private investments for qualified investors.