Top financial advisors working with parents in North Carolina

Willie Myles is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Cary, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at Equitable Advisors since 2016, previously serving at Axa Advisors and MSI Financial Services. Outside of advising, he is a co-chairman of a fundraising campaign for Alpha Light Fund Inc., a nonprofit focused on renovating the House of Alpha. Equitable Advisors serves a range of clients including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management through a network of representatives and third-party managers. The firm offers various investment vehicles and ERISA fiduciary services, relying on third-party program sponsors and an affiliation with a publicly traded parent company.

Arjun Aggarwal is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009 and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutions, including tailored financial planning services. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process using firm-approved tools and economic modeling techniques.

Robert Pike is a CFA® charterholder with 20 years of industry experience. He is based in Winston Salem, NC, and currently serves as an advisor at Sheets Smith Wealth Management. Prior to joining his current firm, he worked for 16 years at Stratford Advisors, Inc. Sheets Smith Wealth Management serves individuals, families, trusts, foundations, endowments, and retirement plans. The firm customizes investment strategies based on each client’s risk tolerance and time horizon, typically employing a long-term, buy-and-hold equity approach combined with tactical fixed-income and alternative investments.

Mitchell Hodgkiss is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 28 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Morgan Keegan & Company, LLC prior to joining Ameriprise. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Pi Kappa Alpha KK Alumni Association. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides retirement income planning advice through a structured, non-discretionary process incorporating proprietary research and third-party data.

Andrew Driscoll is a financial advisor at Lake Effect Wealth LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with six years of industry experience. He previously worked at Grandview Analytics from 2015 to 2019 before founding Lake Effect Wealth, where he has been the sole advisor since 2019. Lake Effect Wealth serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as corporations and businesses, offering discretionary portfolio management alongside project-based and comprehensive financial planning. The firm employs a passive investment strategy based on Modern Portfolio Theory, incorporating low-turnover, tax-aware portfolio construction, and distinguishes itself by providing business planning and employee benefits optimization services uncommon among independent solo advisers.

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.

Myranda Johnson is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she partners with busy professionals and families to build and transition wealth. She works closely with clients to develop personalized strategies that align with their life goals, integrating financial planning, investment management, banking, and lending solutions. Her client focus areas include family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, women and wealth, and tax minimization. Myranda's expertise centers on assisting individuals and families balancing demanding careers and family life. She aims to simplify financial complexities and help clients gain confidence in their financial future by guiding them through each stage of wealth—from building a strong foundation to navigating complex estate strategies. Her approach begins with understanding clients' goals, values, and visions for the future to create tailored financial plans. She holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned her high school diploma from Geneva High School. Based in Chicago, Myranda enjoys camping, hiking, reading, skiing, practicing yoga, and spending time with her family.

Carolina Martinez is a ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with four years of industry experience. She is the sole advisor at Greater Financial, an independent firm she has been associated with since 2026. Her prior experience includes roles at Bison Wealth, LLC, The Pacific Financial Group, Inc., Royal Alliance Associates, INC., and LPL Financial LLC. Alongside her advisory work, she is involved with John 15:13 LLC dba Cashflow with Carolina. Greater Financial serves individual investors, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, and business entities without requiring a minimum account size. The firm offers wealth strategy and discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and educational programs such as digital courses and group coaching, using methodologies like Modern Portfolio Theory and technical analysis.

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.