Michael Mc Donald

I’m Paulo Lopes, an environmental attorney turned CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and the founder of Woodmont Financial Partners. Most people I work with are DIY investors, high earners, and business owners who want a clear plan and an objective second set of eyes, without commissions or an asset-based fee. You should not have to hand over your investments to get good advice. My work is tax-aware and practical. We focus on the decisions that move the needle, including multi-year tax planning, withholding and estimated tax planning, Roth conversion strategy, retirement and Social Security planning, and estate planning coordination (beneficiaries, trusts, and POAs, plus the questions to take to your attorney). On the investment side, I help clients build a long-term allocation, improve tax efficiency, and set a rebalancing approach they can actually follow. I also help clients think through small business and real estate decisions where taxes and cash flow matter. We start with a short intro call. If we decide to work together, I will outline the scope, deliverables, and the next step in plain English. Meetings are virtual, with in-person options when it makes sense. I’m based in Arizona and work with clients nationwide.

Ascension Advisors was created to deliver a more personalized level of service and financial planning. I believe an investment strategy should align with one's values, priorities, and purpose. I created a firm where advisors have the flexibility, technology, and autonomy to craft tailored strategies that empower clients to pursue their goals with intention and confidence. Early in my career, I learned to value quality over quantity—sometimes, less is more. Deep, meaningful relationships built on empathy and trust are the foundation of delivering true client value. Managed growth enables me to cultivate these relationships with intention and provide exceptional client experiences, regardless of client net worth. The need for comprehensive, personalized fiduciary financial planning continues to grow—particularly among select client segments. Ascension Advisors was created to meet that demand. While the core principles of building, managing, protecting, and transferring wealth remain constant, the broader economic and capital markets landscape is dynamic and continuously evolving. Clients are well served when partnering with an advisor who genuinely understands and appreciates their journey—and is committed to helping them reach their destination.

Townsend Financial’s typical clients are successful, high income/high net worth individuals with a complex financial life. They don’t have the time to manage their finances. They want to make the best use of their financial resources to have the life they want - today and tomorrow. If this sounds like you, here’s how we can help: BUSINESS OWNERS share similar concerns: *How much do I set aside for taxes? *How much should I pay myself? *My cash flow is uneven, how do I make my business and personal life feel stable? *How do I effectively use my business profits for a rewarding life / business scenario? *Should I delegate by hiring others? *Which operating costs make sense to keep – and which to cut? *What kind of retirement accounts should I have? *What benefits should I offer my employees? *And how do all my business decisions impact my tax planning and financial goals? We work together to answer your questions and set you up for success. HNW INDIVIDUALS share the complex concerns of making the right moves with the resources they have: *What is a smart distribution strategy? *How much can I take a year? *Do my investments align with my goals? *Am I saving as much in taxes as I can? *Do I have the right insurance? We'll create a sustainable plan for true financial freedom. BIO: I’m physically located in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona, but I work virtually with clients all around the country. Beyond my fondness of numbers, I love yoga, cooking, wine, travel, fast cars and a never-ending plate of peanut butter pancakes (I literally eat them every single night!) Heather graduated from Arizona State University, W.P. Carey School of Business, with a BS in Accountancy. She then worked in the San Francisco and New York offices at Ernst & Young, advising high net-worth individuals and Fortune 500 companies. In London, she served as Financial Director for a top-end property development firm, counseling owners on the best ways to use profits. She is a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner™), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CSLP® (Certified Student Loan Professional), and RLP® (Registered Life Planner). In 2020, Heather was named as one of the top Financial Advisors for Millennials by Business Insider. Townsend Financial is a member of NAPFA and XY Planning Network.

At Pro Path Financial, we live by one mantra: Goals, Plan, Assets – in that order. We begin by obtaining a complete understanding of your most cherished goals and move on through the process once we have a strong comprehension of what you want to achieve. We then build a plan that achieves those goals, which includes an estimate of how much capital you will need. Lastly, we manage and accumulate assets to support the plan that is intended to achieve your goals. Read Thatcher's blog here: https://www.propathfinancial.com/blog

I started in the advice business in 2012 as an intern at First Allied Securities. Lucky for me, I got to see the inside of a lot of classic wealth management firms - how the sausage was made. Fast forward to 2016, I've worked a few years in the industry, but I'm not happy with my trajectory; I want to write my own story. A couple of industry guys create a platform called XY Planning Network, seemingly tailor-made for me & my dreams. I want to serve the next generation of clients in a fair & transparent way, and I'd like to do it on my own terms. XYPN's little push, their "Yes, you can do this" at the September 2016 conference in San Diego, was the catalyst for launching my firm, Montebello Avenue Limited Company, which went live in February 2017. Today, my firm serves 50+ clients locally & throughout the country. I couldn't be more proud of our clientele or more hopeful about the future of the firm. Some more personal quick-hits: BS, Computational Mathematical Sciences, Arizona State University CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Published in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Barron's, and the Alpha Architect blog Mississippi native Youngest of 4 siblings I love basketball, baseball, sushi, and my dog's underbite Married on 10/10/2020 to the love of my life

Uncommon for most financial professionals, my background spans psychology, teaching, puzzles, and gymnastics. All of which has helped me become the woman and financial advisor I am today. Having started life in the state of Washington, I moved to Arizona for college. After several years, I found my understanding of individual behavior was well suited to helping people learn about finances. Once I saw first-hand how life changing the results of good financial planning can be for a person, it was like I was struck by lightning. There could be nothing else I would be satisfied doing professionally – being a financial advisor was my calling. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, my passion is helping couples and career-focused individuals who are building wealth and maintaining careers while balancing multiple goals to work toward financial success. I’m a strong advocate of empowering people about money; my mission is to help you overcome the unique challenges you may face to help you successfully achieve financial security and peace of mind so you can focus on what’s important to you. I received my undergraduate degree in Finance from Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business. Originally from Shoreline Washington, I’ve called the Valley of the Sun home since 2001.