Stephen Sciannella

My path to founding a wealth management firm is different than most. As a child, my dream was to become a fighter pilot. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in Aerospace Engineering, I achieved that goal, serving on active duty for a decade. I flew the F-18E Super Hornet from aircraft carriers and deployed multiple times to the Western Pacific. After those deployments, the Navy sent me to UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School to study finance, followed by the privilege of teaching undergraduate economics at my alma mater. After transitioning from active duty, I applied the skills I honed in the cockpit and classroom—leadership, effective communication, process improvement, and strategic decision-making—to multiple entrepreneurial ventures. My career as a financial planner is a natural extension of my passion for solving problems and serving others. With a background in engineering, military flight operations, top-tier business education, and collegiate economics instruction, I bring a unique perspective to wealth management: * Tenacity – Giving up is never an option. Just as a fighter pilot must persist in the air, I am relentless in helping my clients succeed. * Calm Under Pressure – I have a proven ability to think clearly in high-stakes situations, whether in the military or financial markets. I will not panic when volatility arises. * Candor – In aviation and life, speaking up is critical when the stakes are high. I will always provide honest advice, even when it’s uncomfortable. Living near Annapolis, Maryland, I cherish time with my family and enjoy Navy football, traveling, boating, and improving my golf game. I also continue to serve as a member of the U.S. Navy Reserves. Ventus Wealth Management — After a decade in the workforce, I became increasingly frustrated by the lack of financial services that truly met my needs. I couldn’t find a firm or advisor that offered the right combination of: ☑️A transparent fee and incentive structure ☑️ A flexible, client-focused service model ☑️ Modern technology solutions ☑️ Virtual meeting capabilities ☑️ Expertise tailored to my specific situation Recognizing this gap, I launched Ventus Wealth Management to address these shortcomings. Everything we do is designed with our clients in mind. Every element of our service and business model is intentionally crafted to deliver value and provide solutions that meet your needs.

I provide divorce planning, ongoing financial planning, and investment management. While my specialty is women going through divorce or other major life transitions, as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and as a female firm-owner in an even more male-predominant group, I want to make sure everyone who has felt excluded from the table is included and welcomed to grow their wealth and their lives. I primarily work virtually from my home in Annapolis. I have three children who astound me every single day. My fun time is spent with them and with friends, getting curious about the world – cooking, discovering new cities, playing on the water and in the woods, volunteering, seeking out live music, and getting to early morning CrossFit workouts. I founded Clairwell to provide a space for women and those who love them to grow and embrace their wealth and the lives they can build for themselves. Let's simplify wealth management and build something beautiful.

Mark is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional located in Edgewater, Maryland. He provides personalized financial planning and investment management services to business owners, federal government employees, and U.S. military service members. As a former federal employee and U.S. Marine, he is familiar with the challenges you face and knows how to help you reach your financial goals. Mark’s personal experiences taught him budgeting skills, saving strategies, and how to invest. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in business administration and personal financial planning, which have equipped him with the knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to his clients.

Todd Batty is the Vice President Private Wealth Management Advisor. In this role, he assists multiple generations of families in developing personalized wealth strategies focused on growth, preservation, and transfer of their assets. He collaborates with a team that includes an Investment Manager, a Senior Wealth Planner, and a Trust Officer to provide comprehensive wealth planning services. Todd has been with Fidelity Investments since 2008, initially serving as Vice President, Financial Consultant until 2015, and then advancing to his current position. Prior to that, he worked as an Account Coordinator at T. Rowe Price from 2002 to 2007.

Cullen Murray is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked since 1993. He began his career after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Towson University. Cullen holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designations, and he is a member of the Investments & Wealth Institute. Cullen specializes in assisting individuals, families, and non-profit organizations, including endowments and foundations, with wealth accumulation, distribution, philanthropic planning, and investment strategy. He leads the team’s non-profit consulting, helping clients develop adaptable portfolios consistent with their unique investment policy statements and fiduciary responsibilities. A long-time resident of Annapolis, Cullen serves as a board member of the Anne Arundel Community College Foundation and as president and board member of the Friends of St. John’s College. He has previously held board roles with the Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation and Hospice Cup, Inc. Outside of work, Cullen enjoys boating, biking, surfing, running, and traveling with his wife and their two adult daughters.

Evan Carter is an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2024. He has been with Fidelity since 2022, initially serving as a Relationship Manager before transitioning to his current position. Prior to joining Fidelity, Evan worked in various financial roles, including Mortgage Consultant at Newrez from 2021 to 2022, Premier Banker at Wells Fargo from 2017 to 2021, and Personal Banker at Wells Fargo from 2012 to 2017. Evan's approach to financial planning emphasizes understanding the client's priorities to build personalized plans that address lifetime and legacy goals. He supports clients in navigating their financial journeys with clarity and confidence. Outside of his professional work, Evan's personal interests include family activities, gardening, golf, and parenthood.