CFP®-certified financial advisors working with parents in Walnut Creek, CA

Nathan Sadowski is a financial advisor at Pacific Excel Wealth Advisors, Inc. in Walnut Creek, CA, holding a Series 65 designation with 11 years of industry experience. He previously worked at J.W. Cole Advisors, Inc. for six years and has been associated with Pacific Excel Wealth Advisors since 2013. Nathan is also the owner of Pacific Excel Insurance Services, Inc., an investment-related business offering various insurance products. Pacific Excel Wealth Advisors provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to individuals, small businesses, trusts, estates, pooled vehicles, and charitable organizations. The firm combines fundamental and technical analysis with diversified investment vehicles and offers tailored service tiers that include advanced planning and portfolio management.

Gary Gardner is a CFP® with 49 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with OneAscent Financial Services LLC. He has previously worked at Life & Wealth Advisors, Inc. and Chauner Securities, Inc., and has operated his own firm, Gary Gardner & Company, since 1975. OneAscent Financial Services LLC is a multi-team registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, broker/dealers’ customers, and other institutions. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary asset management, financial planning, and Unified Managed Account solutions using individualized asset allocation, model-based platforms, and outsourced services.

Timothy Oshima is a CFP® with 13 years of experience in financial advising. He is the principal advisor at Acclaro Wealth Management, LLC, where he has worked since 2015, and he is also a co-owner of Simplera Benefits & Insurance Solutions. Outside of advising, he provides input on user interface and other aspects for a financial software development project. Acclaro Wealth Management offers investment management and financial planning to individuals, qualified retirement plans, trusts, and small businesses. The firm uses a disciplined approach that includes written Investment Policy Statements, ongoing monitoring, and a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, with implementation methods that may involve model portfolios, independent money managers, and wrap-fee arrangements.

William Leitch is a financial advisor at Casilio Leitch Investments with 20 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with the firm since 2014. Casilio Leitch Investments provides discretionary investment management and integrated financial planning to individuals, trusts, and estates. The firm combines top-down global economic analysis with bottom-up security selection, using Modern Portfolio Theory to guide diversification and managing accounts on a discretionary basis with quarterly reporting.

William Harvey is a CFP® with 19 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at LPL Financial since 2021. Prior to this, he worked at Lincoln Financial Advisors from 2013 to 2021. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves a broad range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, and corporations. The firm offers various advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services supported by research and model portfolios.

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.