John Brendel

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.

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!

Kaitlyn Cruse is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She leads the Cruse Wealth Management Group and holds the title of Portfolio Manager as well as Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor. Kaitlyn has been advising clients since 2008, initially working with ultra-high net worth individuals at Merrill Private Wealth Management Group in Boston before relocating to San Diego in 2016. Her approach emphasizes understanding clients’ relationships with money to create tailored wealth plans that address needs such as tax minimization, income planning for retirement, legacy planning, and socially responsible investing. Her expertise includes managing employer-sponsored retirement plans, discretionary portfolio management, and collaborating with estate attorneys, tax preparers, and other specialists to deliver comprehensive financial strategies. Kaitlyn holds several professional designations including Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® (CPFA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She also maintains California insurance and multiple FINRA registrations. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Bryant University with a focus in Financial Services and a minor in Communications, as well as studying abroad at the University of New South Wales. Kaitlyn is actively involved in professional organizations such as the Merrill Women's Exchange, where she has held leadership roles, and Merrill’s Military Support & Assistance Group. Based primarily in Carlsbad, California, she balances her career with family life alongside her husband and two children, enjoying skiing, cooking, Pilates, and travel in her spare time.

Evan Roberts is the Resident Director of the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management office in Hanover, New Hampshire, a position he assumed in 2024. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 2015, Evan has focused on helping clients develop goals-based investment management and financial strategies to address complex wealth management needs, including cashflow planning, strategic compensation guidance, retirement readiness, and wealth preservation. In his current role, he supports fellow advisors in growing and maintaining their practices, collaborating closely with a diverse client base that includes entrepreneurs, professionals, and multigenerational families. Before joining Merrill Lynch, Evan spent over four years at another leading financial institution working with individuals and businesses on retirement and employee benefit plans. He holds a bachelor's degree in Finance with minors in Marketing and Environmental Science from Bryant University and has earned professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). A native of Cornwall, Vermont, Evan resides in New London, New Hampshire, with his wife and two daughters. Outside of work, he volunteers with the Ausbon Sargent Land Trust and enjoys a range of outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, and various sports.