James Mahaney

Jacqueline Sheffer is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she is part of a small, experienced team committed to providing each client with focused and personalized attention. She specializes in addressing complex financial issues and supports clients across various stages of their financial lives, from beginner investors to those with substantial wealth. Her areas of expertise include college education planning, employee financial health, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, socially responsible and ESG investing, women and wealth, and retirement income. Jacqueline employs a planning-based approach to wealth management that starts with listening to clients to understand their goals. She prioritizes honest, open conversations about finances and works to create a comfortable environment for clients, recognizing that financial topics can sometimes be sensitive. She holds the designations of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) and earned an associate degree from Maria College. Outside of her professional role, Jacqueline is actively involved in community and volunteer work, including serving as co-chair of the New York State Capital Region 2022 Go Red for Women campaign with the American Heart Association. She volunteers at the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Shark Center in Chatham, MA, every summer and participates in other organizations such as Bank of America's Community Volunteer Committee, Cindy's Comfort Camp, and Heeling Strides. Her personal interests include biking, golfing, running, traveling, spending time with family, and watching movies.

Michael Schiess is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving clients primarily in the Global Wealth Management division. He holds the position of Senior Vice President and specializes in working with retirees and individuals planning to retire within the next five years. Michael's expertise includes tax efficiency, investment management, and the development of retirement income strategies tailored to clients' needs. Michael began his career in the financial services industry in 1998. He employs a disciplined wealth management planning process that focuses on tax-efficient asset distribution and tracking income and expenses to support a secure retirement for clients and their families. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Dayton and earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification in 2001. Additionally, he is designated as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and maintains Series 7, 63, and 66 FINRA registrations along with insurance licenses.

Cari Cardaci is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where she supports clients in their financial and retirement planning. Her role focuses on creating, implementing, and managing financial plans tailored to meet clients' specific objectives. She has held this position since 2019. Prior to joining Fidelity, Cari held several roles in marketing and client services within the financial sector. Her experience includes serving as Chief Marketing Officer at VanEck Securities from 2014 to 2018, Global Head of Institutional Marketing at HSBC Global Asset Management from 2007 to 2012, Head of Client Service and Marketing at Western Asset Management from 2005 to 2007, Director of Institutional Marketing at Citigroup Asset Management from 2004 to 2005, and Director of Marketing for the Private Client Group at BlackRock from 2002 to 2004.