CFP®-certified financial advisors working with parents in Gaithersburg, MD

Martin Depetris is a Series 66 registered advisor with Fidelity Investments, bringing six years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill, H. Beck, Inc., Scottrade, and the University of Maryland University College. He works with Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company that provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients. The firm utilizes a combination of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage model portfolios involving mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Matthew Bacon is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 14 years of industry experience. He is currently with Carmichael Hill & Associates, Inc and has prior experience at University Federal Credit Union and Cuso Financial Services, L.P. He is based in Gaithersburg, MD. Matthew is affiliated with MAI Capital Management, LLC, an enterprise firm managing $72.3 billion in assets as of May 31, 2026. MAI provides a range of services including discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, integrated wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and family-office services for individuals, families, sports professionals, trusts, and institutional clients.

Cornell Abod is the principal of Beacon Investment Advisors LLC in Gaithersburg, MD, holding a Series 65 designation and with 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Beacon Investment Advisors since 2003 and also owns C.P. Abod & Co., LLC, an accounting services firm, and Beacon RPC, LLC, a retirement plan consulting company. Mr. Abod dedicates a significant portion of his time to accounting and retirement plan consulting activities. Beacon Investment Advisors provides wealth management and discretionary portfolio management services to individuals, families, trusts, estates, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm’s investment approach centers on customized asset allocation guided by fundamental analysis and includes a range of securities and strategies tailored to client needs.

Mariah Lightfoot is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with eight years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at LPL Financial since 2019. Prior to that, she was with Mass Mutual Investors Services and Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2017 to 2019. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and consulting services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by proprietary and third-party research.

Robert Costello is a financial advisor at Transamerica Financial Advisors with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at several firms including Grove Point Investments, H. Beck, and Prudential. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in rental property management. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a wide range of clients including individual investors, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm offers both advisory and broker-dealer services, utilizing proprietary and third-party model portfolios across discretionary and non-discretionary platforms.

Vandana Devi is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where she has been serving since 2025. She began her career at Fidelity Investments in 2023, progressing through roles including Financial Service Representative, Financial Representative, and Relationship Manager before assuming her current position. Prior to joining Fidelity, she worked as a Personal Banker at Fremont Bank from 2020 to 2022. Her professional experience encompasses client relationship management and financial planning, with a focus on empowering clients to make informed decisions and maintain confidence in their financial goals. Vandana holds a California Insurance License, supporting her expertise in insurance-related financial services. Outside of her professional work, Vandana engages in activities such as cooking and baking, outdoor adventures, parenthood, reading, traveling, and writing.

Sandra Conroy is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been active in the financial services industry since August 1985, providing clients with wealth management services that address both individual and complex financial needs. Her professional focus includes education planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. Sandra’s approach centers on developing personalized strategies tailored to clients’ short- and long-term financial objectives, emphasizing the importance of understanding life priorities beyond markets and returns. Her credentials include the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation, and she holds a High School Diploma/GED from Greenville Central School. Prior to her financial career, Sandra managed Arthur Murray Ballroom Dance Studios in Florida and Arizona and became a franchise owner and operator in Denver. She also trained as a Medic in the U.S. Army Reserves. Outside of her professional work, Sandra is married with two children and three grandchildren. Her personal interests include dancing, golfing, and traveling.

Daniel Miller is a Private Wealth Manager with Merrill Private Wealth Management, specializing in providing personalized wealth management strategies tailored to each client's unique financial situation and goals. He works closely with families and businesses to navigate complex areas such as family wealth management, estate and legacy planning, executive compensation, retirement income, and portfolio management. Daniel collaborates with specialists from Merrill and Bank of America to deliver comprehensive financial solutions and investment insights. With over 30 years as a Houston resident, Daniel focuses on helping clients, including corporate executives, women, and non-profit organizations, meet their investment objectives through a flexible approach that adapts to changing market conditions. His professional designations include Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He holds an Accredited Certificate from the College for Financial Planning. Beyond his professional role, Daniel actively contributes to the Houston community through volunteering with organizations such as BeaResource for CPS Kids, Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Houston, Madison Place Home Owners Association, and Wonders and Worries. He values faith and family, spending time with his wife and two children, and enjoys outdoor activities, music, reading, and traveling.

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.

Steven Elwell is a CFP® professional with 11 years of experience, currently serving at Level Financial Advisors, Inc. in East Amherst, NY. He has been with the firm since 2007. Outside of his advisory role, he is a passive partner in Scott & Main LLC, a brewery and restaurant business. Level Financial Advisors serves individuals, families, trusts, nonprofits, and small-business retirement plans by providing financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, and 401(k) advisory services. The firm utilizes a diversified asset-allocation approach and offers tax-efficient strategies such as direct indexing and technology-assisted account aggregation, along with educational resources and a quarterly newsletter for clients and peers.

Sarah Currier Barrella is a CFP® professional with 26 years of experience in financial advisory services. She currently works at Santander Securities LLC and Santander Bank, NA, having previously held positions at TD Bank and Citizens Securities, Inc. Barrella is based in Boston, MA. Santander Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base with approximately $3.14 billion in regulatory assets under management across 10,800 client relationships. The firm offers investment advisory services, portfolio management through wrap-fee programs, and financial planning, operating both as a registered investment adviser and a FINRA-registered broker-dealer.

Elanna Gould is a CFP® professional with six years of experience, currently advising at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in Cleveland, OH. Her background includes roles at PepsiCo and The Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Center, as well as academic experience at The Ohio State University. She is also an independent insurance agent for various companies. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent professionals. The firm provides a range of portfolio management options, proprietary and third-party strategies, and various custody platforms tailored to client objectives.

Ethan Siekkinen is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with Plante Moran Financial Advisors. He has one year of industry experience and previously worked at J Wilson Wealth Management. Outside of financial advising, he has experience in the lawn care business with Rizzo Lawn Care. Plante Moran Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm provides investment advisory, financial planning, and estate-planning services, utilizing a range of investment strategies and managing both discretionary and non-discretionary assets.

Jace Hart is a CFP® with nine years of industry experience and currently serves as a financial advisor at Rockwall Wealth Management. His prior experience includes roles at Leo Wealth, LPL Financial, and Fidelity Brokerage Services. Rockwall Wealth Management provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm emphasizes diversified, low-cost ETF model portfolios with a focus on tax efficiency, liquidity, and systematic macro tilts, offering both traditional and advanced investment strategies tailored to client objectives.

Jeffrey Macdonald is a CFP® and ChFC® with 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Investment Management & Planning LLC since 2010 and is also affiliated with LPL Financial LLC. Investment Management & Planning LLC provides fee-based investment advisory and comprehensive financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, offering portfolio management on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases. The firm emphasizes ongoing account supervision and individualized asset allocation, often utilizing LPL-sponsored platforms and model portfolios.