John Brendel

Optimize Your Investments and Save Thousands in Taxes. Easily. Strategically. Effectively. If you’re looking for a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), we’re here to help. Located in Boston, MA, but serving clients worldwide, we specialize in helping female investors and small business owners with financial planning, tax and estate solutions, and investment management. DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU? You are a high-income professional making six figures but feel like you don’t have a big enough savings. You know you should be saving & investing but you’re not really doing it. Taxes, cash flow, and investing give you anxiety. You don’t know if you’re spending too much money in your business and personal life. It seems like your revenue is growing, but some months are better than others, and you don't know how to balance it out. You lack the confidence and clarity to make business and personal financial decisions. There's money coming in and going out, but you have no idea where it goes. Services We Offer: Investment & Financial Planning Services Imagine not having to constantly monitor fluctuating markets, ever-changing tax legislations, or adapting to new financial laws. We take care of all of that for you, offering a comprehensive service that handles all the complexities of financial management on an ongoing basis, giving you the peace of mind to focus on what you love most. VIP Financial Planning Day Ever wish you could just press a button and have all your financial life neatly sorted and optimized in just a day? Well, wish no more because our VIP Day is pretty much that! In just one power-packed day, we’ll dive deep into your finances, give you expert advice, and you’ll walk away with a clear financial roadmap tailored just for you and your business. And don’t worry, we keep it all jargon-free and super approachable! Investing DIY Courses Starting on that financial journey but not quite ready to go all-in with a personal financial advisor? Our DIY Investing Courses are pretty much like having a financial bestie in your pocket, guiding you as you take those first exciting steps in the investment world. All the tips and tricks packaged in a fun, easy-to-follow course that won’t break the bank. Its your friendly guide to starting on investments, where you call the shots, learning at your pace, and get that expert guidance you’ve been looking for!

We help you write your own Smart Plan. A Smart Plan is your ongoing work in progress to get you where you want to go financially. We want to be your partner to make the job easier and more efficient. We will help develop your Smart Plan, coordinate it with your other advisors, and assure that it stays on track. We’re not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom about investing and preserving wealth. We utilize all available resources in pursuit of your goals with confidence and calm. At the end of the day, this effort is committed to you. It's about planning your voyage with purpose and intent, charting a course for an enviable outcome.

Sheldon Stansfield is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in personalized wealth management strategies. He collaborates closely with clients to develop financial plans tailored to their individual goals, drawing on Merrill's investment insights and leveraging the resources of Bank of America to provide comprehensive banking and lending solutions. Sheldon’s approach integrates a full understanding of each client's financial picture to navigate changing market conditions effectively. With extensive experience in areas such as education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, socially responsible investing, and tax minimization, Sheldon and The SWP Group offer clients access to a global network of specialists and in-house managed investment portfolios. The group’s collective expertise spans over 60 years, emphasizing integrity and thoughtful leadership to support clients’ long-term financial objectives. Sheldon holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Trinity College as well as a High School Diploma from Kimball Union Academy. Outside of his professional role, Sheldon participates actively in community organizations including Kimball Union Academy, Opera North, The Howe Library, and Willing Hands. He also pursues a range of personal interests such as adventure sports, biking, hiking, skiing, ice hockey, music, swimming, tennis, and spending time with his family. Fluent in English and Chinese, Sheldon continues to prioritize building strong client relationships through personalized service and community engagement.

Lucy Wagner is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of the SWP Group, a team with 75 years of combined industry experience. She began her career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as an intern and joined the firm full-time in 2007. Lucy has worked in various roles including as a Registered Client Associate and within the Practice Management Consulting Group, focusing on strategies to help advisors deliver consistent client experiences and support practice growth. Her work also includes involvement in campus recruitment, diversity initiatives, client acquisition, and coaching the next generation of Merrill advisors. Lucy holds a Bachelor's Degree from Wagner College and has earned professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She works with multigenerational families and business owners to develop personalized financial strategies, emphasizing trust, personalized investment management, fee transparency, and proactive communication. Her client focus areas include Family Wealth Management Strategies, Personal Retirement Planning, Portfolio Management Services, and Women and Wealth. Lucy lives in New Hampshire where she enjoys hiking, bicycling, and being part of a tight-knit community. She is involved with professional organizations such as Thetford Academy and the Upper Valley Business Alliance, and participates in community initiatives including New York Cares, New York Says Thank You, Room to Grow, The Bowery Mission, and Thetford Academy.

Christopher Bunnell is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 2010 and brings over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Christopher specializes in areas including divorce transition planning, education planning, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. Christopher holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Vermont and earned his Master of Business Administration from Boston University. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, designated by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and also holds the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® designation. Additionally, he carries the Personal Investment Advisor and Retirement Benefits Consultant professional designations. Outside of his professional role, Christopher is actively involved in organizations such as the Quechee Ski Team and The Quechee Club. He enjoys adventure sports including golfing, running, and skiing. He spends personal time with his wife, Liz, their three sons—Topher, George, and Ford—and their golden retriever, Bogey, particularly in Vermont.

Ryan Longfield is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined the firm in 2017 after a 17-year career focusing on institutional investing. Throughout his career, Ryan has lived and worked in New York, Tokyo, and London, where he developed and managed ETF, Equity Portfolio Trading, and Asset Management businesses on Wall Street. Ryan graduated from Brown University in 2000 with a degree in Economics. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. His expertise covers family wealth management strategies, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, liquidity management, managing new wealth, portfolio management services, and values-based investing including ESG considerations. Ryan lives in Woodstock, Vermont with his wife Allison and their four children. Outside of his professional work, he is involved in the community through coaching youth ice hockey, a sport he is passionate about both as a player and mentor. He also enjoys fishing, golfing, and music.