Independent advisors focused on financial coaching / therapy in the US

Darrin Chow is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2022. He has extensive experience in the financial services industry, having held positions such as Senior Financial Consultant at E*TRADE Securities, LLC from 2014 to 2022, Financial Advisor at BancWest Investment Services, Inc. from 2013 to 2014, Financial Solutions Advisor at Merrill Edge from 2011 to 2013, and Paraplanner at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. from 2010 to 2011. His professional approach involves collaborating with clients to co-create customized strategies that focus on their long-term financial goals. Darrin holds a California Insurance License, which supports his advisory capabilities. No additional information about education, credentials, personal interests, or community involvement has been provided.

Michael Pender is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Edward Jones since 2018. His prior experience includes roles with the Minnesota Air National Guard and the State of Minnesota. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in managing rental property in Eagan, MN. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm operates under a fiduciary standard and is notable for its extensive advisor and branch network, as well as additional affiliated financial services.

David Gilchrist is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with a select group of high-net-worth families, executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals, delivering comprehensive wealth-planning strategies tailored to address complexity, preserve capital, and support long-term financial objectives. His practice focuses on disciplined, performance-driven investment strategies that emphasize goal-driven portfolio construction, intentional risk management, after-tax outcomes, and regular review and adjustment. David brings experience from prior roles in accounting at an estate-planning law firm and as a tax auditor for the City of Los Angeles Office of Finance, applying this background to help clients evaluate tax-aware strategies. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Loyola Marymount University and a certificate in Accounting from UCLA. He is a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designee and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Beyond his professional commitments, David engages in personal interests including golfing, hiking, pickleball, reading, running, soccer, tennis, traveling, yoga, and spending time with his family.

We focus on providing honest and personalized life and financial guidance, as independent fiduciary advisors and coaches, to help you achieve your most abundant life. We are comprised of our CEO who is a CPA/PFS, CFP and have psychologists on board for financial and life coaching to accompany our technical advising. Our founder, Abel Soares III, had the vision to build a group of member firms where he would be able to share and utilize his knowledge to give back to those trying to better themselves and their lives. As a devoted husband and proud father of two boys, Abel set out to start a business where he could build a legacy for his family and be available for his family and clients. Abel is part Native Hawai'ian; and he grew up in Southern California, Idaho, and Oahu, Hawai'i. Abel obtained his Masters in Accounting Taxation from Boise State University and went on to work for regional and international CPA and Consulting firms for over 5 years. In these roles, he learned a great deal about various types of business models, industries and the secrets to success. He started his own successful tax and consulting business after obtaining his CPA (Certified Public Accounting License), and soon after discovered his true passion in personal financial planning. After a total of 8 years in the accounting and financial arena, his vision began to grow on how he could best serve clients. Once he obtained his CFP (Certified Financial Planner) and PFS (Personal Financial Specialist) designations, his vision for Hui Malama Advisors LLC and the member firms started coming into focus. Along the way, he noticed that the biggest factor of effective financial management, outside of being educated about finances, was the individual's mindset. This meant that someone with expertise in addressing the human psyche was necessary to provide a more holistic approach to financial planning. Abel set out to find business partners who could help him turn his dreams into a reality. He naturally started with his best partner of all – his wife, Sadé - who is currently completing her doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Together, they made Abel’s vision a reality by incorporating both financial and life coaching; and Hui Malama Advisors LLC was born. Abel has paved his own path into the world of entrepreneur-ism and has also invested in other businesses. He looks forward to using his years of experience in financial planning, consulting, and accounting to assist you in living your most abundant life through The Hui Malama Advisors LLC member firms.

John Foligno has 30+ years of professional work and coaching/mentoring experience, which includes over 10 years of running his own business. Through empathy, active listening and thoughtful counsel, he lives his personal mission by inspiring people to overcome the roadblocks that prevent them from accomplishing their goals, and helps them to find enlightenment, fulfillment, and financial well-being. He specializes in supporting high-net-worth households, although he enjoys working with all manner of people. As a business owner, John learned the hard way how much he would have benefited from a financial steward who understands the myriad challenges of running a business. That experience, coupled with his passion for financial planning, enables him to relieve business owners of the day-to-day concerns of reaching their financial goals, which frees them to focus on their growth and ultimate exit strategy. As a graduate of Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management, John studied finance and marketing. John is a member of NAPFA, whose members completed a broad-based advanced education program in financial planning and are trained to provide coordinated advice on issues surrounding a client’s entire financial picture. When he is not fulfilling his fiduciary obligation of putting his client’s interest first, John is sharing time with his wife, Michelle, his daughter, Ruby, and their golden retriever, Honey. He enjoys a healthy lifestyle of strength conditioning and hiking as well as watching sports and reading. John is a first-degree black belt in Goju karate that guides his disciplined approach. He volunteers his time for the honor of helping people with limited financial education to make more informed decisions and has been featured in financial planning media journals to share his insights.

Jared Fruth is a financial advisor at Northwest Asset Management with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Securities America, Inc., KMS Financial Services, Inc., Oppenheimer Funds, and John Paul Mitchell Systems. Northwest Asset Management is a registered investment adviser managing approximately $3.6 billion for nearly 3,000 clients, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporations. The firm employs a customized, fiduciary approach using Modern Portfolio Theory and strategic asset allocation, combining fundamental and technical analysis to build diversified portfolios with periodic rebalancing.

Edwina Martin is a financial advisor at Waverly Advisors, LLC with two years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at 9258 Wealth Management for five years and Teradata Corp for eleven years. In addition to her advisory role, she serves as assistant director of tax planning at 9258 Tax and Planning. Waverly Advisors, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise adviser serving individuals, corporations, retirement plans, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and fiduciary services, employing a combination of centralized and customized investment strategies across traditional and alternative asset classes.

Craig Mcdaniel Jr. is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC in Columbia, SC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. and The McDaniel Corporation since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in life insurance sales and serves as an independent agent for annuities and related products. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, using a blend of analytical methods with ongoing portfolio monitoring.

David Hart is a financial advisor with Safeguard Investment Advisory Group, LLC, holding a Series 65 credential and 15 years of industry experience. He has worked with Safeguard since 2020 and previously held roles at LifePro Asset Management, LLC, Martin and Associates Insurance Services, Inc., and Martin Wealth Management, LLC. Hart is also a Certified Financial Fiduciary and volunteers as an instructor with the Foundation for Fiduciary Education (NACFF), providing unbiased fiduciary financial education. Safeguard Investment Advisory Group, LLC serves individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and business clients, offering discretionary portfolio management, access to third-party sub-advisers, and fee-based financial planning. The firm employs a fundamental-analysis investment process with a preferred horizon of two to ten years and manages over $600 million across approximately 1,800 client relationships.

Sarah Currier Barrella is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 26 years of industry experience. She is currently with Santander Securities LLC and Santander Bank, NA, having previously worked at TD Bank and Citizens Securities, Inc. Barrella holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Santander Securities LLC provides investment advisory and related services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, charitable organizations, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm offers wrap-fee advisory programs and financial planning services, delivering investment advice through the FMAX managed-account platform with discretionary portfolio management and ongoing suitability reviews.