Samater Ahmed

Hi! My name is Ian Bloom. I started my firm, Open World Financial Life Planning because I wanted to serve other nerds, not sell financial products. I focus on systematizing my clients’ financial lives to reduce their stress and worry, so that they can focus on their passions. As a nerd, I understand what it’s like to have hobbies and priorities outside of the norm. Whether your interests lie in gaming, programming, collecting, or something tamer, my goal is to make your financial life much more simple so that you have less stress and more time to focus on your interests. Life shouldn’t be about scrolling through google searches to solve a complex financial question. Your time should be spent doing the things you love and taking care of the people you care about. My philosophy on financial life planning was shaped through my experience getting my CFP® and RLP® designations, my bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and three years of amazing mentorship in the financial industry. Comprehensive financial life planning with my firm combines the skills I’ve developed through my experience and education, the perspective I have as a nerd and Millennial, and the drive I have to increase financial literacy within my community. I chose a fee-only structure for the firm in order to minimize conflicts of interest and make payment as transparent for my clients as possible. Having no product sales involved means I can focus on the perfect solution for my clients, not getting paid. Working with my firm starts with a complimentary first meeting in which we talk through your values, goals, and finances. If we decide to work together we will gather details on your finances, analyze and prioritize your goals, and eventually arrive at a plan through collaboration. I will help with the implementation of that plan, educating you on the what’s and why’s of each checklist item so that you feel comfortable with the changes. At the end of a year, we will review our progress and reassess the plan going forward. On the personal side of things, my passions lie in gaming. I love tabletop games, trading card games, and video games. I specifically love anything that is geared toward difficult strategic decisions. My passion for gaming is what got me so interested in financial strategies! Go ahead and book that first meeting to get started! It’s always FREE. If you're not sure yet, check out my books on Amazon to learn more about my financial philosophy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5P83

I believe professional financial planning should be accessible. That’s why I founded Just Advising, a firm designed to work with young adults and family starters. People who are building their careers, growing their families, and want to be intentional with their money. Many of you might be interested in making a positive impact and want to learn more about ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and SRI (Socially Responsible Investing) investing. This is a space I'm passionate about, too, and will help you figure out how you can get involved. As a flat-fee, advice-only financial planner, I don’t sell any products or charge fees based on your assets. This structure allows me to provide you with advice without asset minimums. My services are designed to address the questions relevant to you. I focus on values-aligned Investing (ESG/SRI), cash flow planning, and money habits. My process involves reviewing how your employer benefits, investments, taxes, insurance, cash flow, and estate plan can work together. You might be young, but an estate plan is for everyone! My goal is for you to walk away from our meetings with a clearer understanding of your financial picture and the options available to you. When I’m not in the office, you can usually find me outdoors rock climbing (attempting to) or indoors, exploring the process of making a great (depending on the day) cup of coffee.

Matt Miner, CFP® I work best with professionals, entrepreneurs, and families contemplating how to make work optional - whether at age 35 or 65! I help clients bridge the gap between knowing and doing. Miner Wealth Management clients are confident that whatever life throws at them, they have a plan and a caring and competent professional in their corner. I love when clients tell me, “After our meeting, I slept the best I had in a week!” I help clients tackle life’s money questions – “How do I make the best use of my income?” “We’re growing our family. What should we think about?” “How can I get the taxing authorities out of my wallet – even just a little bit?” “How should I think about this pivotal time in my business?” “When can I retire?” “What’s the best way to plan for stock options and RSUs?” “I’m getting divorced, which is awful. How do I cope with the money part, too?” “How can I eliminate my student debt?” I earned my MBA in the full-time program at Duke's Fuqua School of Business in Durham and my undergraduate degree in Finance from Arizona State University in Tempe. After Fuqua, my wife Charity and I repaid our $225,000 in b-school debt in about three years. Through that journey, I began helping people with personal finance and wealth management. In 2018, I left traditional corporate work to become a financial advisor. I launched Miner Wealth Management in August 2021. Charity and I live in Raleigh with our three amazing and entrepreneurial children. I serve MBAs, Entrepreneurs, and High-Income clients throughout the US. Miner Wealth Management is a North-Carolina Registered Investment Advisor in Raleigh, NC. I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. Please get in touch with your questions about life, work, and money! Read Matt's blog here: http://workpantsfinance.com/

Lucid Wealth Planning ("LWP") was founded to improve the lives of others by helping clients make better-informed financial decisions in both their daily lives and long-term plans. We believe our impact provides added security, confidence, and overall joy in the lives of our clients. Given our focus on clients that strive to improve the world around them, such as Health Care Professionals and Academic professors, we anticipate the ripple effect of betterment to be limitless. Education: B.S.B. degree in Finance Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), and Certified Student Loan Professional (CSLP®), and Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA®) Experience: The completion of over 800 comprehensive financial plans for individuals and families since joining the industry in 2006. This includes specialized areas such as student loan analysis, estate planning, tax planning, portfolio management, and cash flow strategizing (to name a few). As a financial planner, my main goal is to help you make well-informed decisions on all financial matters, not just what investments are right for you. I'll always listen to your concerns, devise the best strategy, and treat your financial goals with the same care and interest I devote to my own. I look forward to being your trusted advisor and expert resource as you build a secure, and confident financial life.

Prashant Pandya is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with individuals, families, trusts, and small to mid-size business owners to develop customized financial strategies tailored to their unique goals and risk tolerances. Prashant focuses on comprehensive wealth management areas including college education planning, family wealth strategies, retirement planning, legacy planning, portfolio management, and international wealth management. He emphasizes building strong client relationships founded on trust, integrity, and personalized service. Prashant holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR® (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). His educational background includes a Master’s Degree in Engineering from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from the University of Bombay. Fluent in English, Marathi, Gujarati, and Hindi, Prashant applies a comprehensive planning approach spanning investments, tax minimization, retirement, insurance, and estate planning. In addition to his professional work, Prashant is involved with organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the Pay it Forward Fertility Foundation. His personal interests include cooking, ice hockey, music, spending time with family, and watching movies.

Robert Roepke is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on creating personalized wealth management strategies that align with clients' individual financial goals and adapt to changing market conditions. Robert leverages investment insights from Merrill along with banking and lending solutions from Bank of America to provide comprehensive financial guidance. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designations. Robert earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan System. Committed to community involvement, he volunteers with local organizations as part of Merrill's tradition of community participation.