Bruce Hastings

I graduated from Texas A&M’s Mays Business School in 2008 (perfect timing for a job hunt!) and quickly discovered a passion for investing. During my eight years working in real estate, I devoured everything I could find on investing and personal finance. This led to the realization – far too slowly, my wife points out – that my true passion is helping others craft their best lives through real financial planning. Appalled by the status quo within the industry, and determined to serve families the way they truly deserve, I set out to found Downshift Financial with Eddie. We founded Downshift Financial to deliver real financial planning to regular people through a service model that actually makes sense: Flat quarterly fees. No commissions. No sales pressure. No BS. Our goal is to help clients maximize their lifetime fulfillment through financial independence. Often, that means working less to free up time for family and hobbies.

Mark Strynar is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Throughout his career, Mark has worked with firms such as Morgan Stanley and UBS before joining Merrill Lynch in 2014. He specializes in delivering disciplined, goals-based financial planning and outcome-oriented strategies tailored for high-net-worth individuals and families. His areas of focus include education planning, family wealth management, legacy and estate planning, tax minimization, retirement income planning, and socially responsible investing. Mark is part of a comprehensive advisory team that provides services including trust and estate planning, liquidity and cash management, asset and liability management, and wealth advisory to a diverse clientele that includes business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and artists. He holds the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from Rutgers University. Beyond his professional responsibilities, Mark serves on the board of the Boulder Jewish Community Center. He and his family reside in Boulder, Colorado, where they engage in outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, biking, and trail running with their dogs. He also values community involvement, volunteering in local organizations and promoting a balanced lifestyle that reflects his personal interests in fitness and nutrition.

Blair Daniel is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations and has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Colorado. Blair's professional focus includes employee benefits planning, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. Blair works closely with clients to develop strategic, goals-based wealth management plans that balance future planning with living the desired lifestyle. He has experience assisting executives with managing concentrated stock positions and navigating significant life events such as retirement, inheritance, or business sales. Blair also provides access to Bank of America Private Bank trust and estate planning services, credit, lending, and banking convenience, while coordinating with clients' attorneys, accountants, and other advisors. Outside of his professional work, Blair is involved in community organizations including Junior Achievement, Goodwill, Reading Partners, and participates in events such as the BBSC Triathlon and activities with the Porsche Club of America and Sports Car Club of America. He is a competitive triathlete with personal interests in adventure sports, biking, running, scuba diving, and swimming, and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Hope Hanrahan is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She works with affluent individuals and families, including senior executives, entrepreneurs, and multi-generational families, providing holistic financial advice tailored to their specific goals and objectives. Hope and her team assist clients with executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, socially responsible and values-based investing, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. Hope holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Virginia and maintains the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) professional designations. Her commitment to ongoing learning supports her in delivering knowledgeable advice and customized strategies to clients. She also holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Originally from New York, Hope has lived in Colorado since 2009. She is involved in the local community as a member of Social Venture Partners in Boulder County and volunteers with Bank of America Community Volunteers. She serves as President of the Merrill Women's Exchange and is a member of WoMAN (Women of Mergers & Acquisition). Outside of work, Hope enjoys fishing, golfing, hiking, pickleball, reading, skiing, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Melody Kimberlin is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been with Merrill Lynch since 1991 and is a Relationship Manager with the Sauer Wolf Vivies Group. Melody works alongside her father, Robert Sauer, combining their extensive experience to provide clients with comprehensive wealth management services. Her expertise includes commercial and private lending programs through Bank of America, customized wealth management strategies, and client relationship management. Melody holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned her High School Diploma from American Heritage School.

Sherrie Pasko is a Wealth Management Advisor with The Cochran Pasko Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Boulder, Colorado. She has been in the financial services industry since 2001 and joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2007. Sherrie works with a range of clients including professional athletes, women investors, corporate executives, and multi-generational families, helping them define and prioritize their financial goals through personalized strategies and education. Her areas of expertise include college and education planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, socially responsible and ESG investing, and managing new wealth. Sherrie holds professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Naropa University and is fluent in English and French. Sherrie is active in the Greater Boulder community and volunteers with organizations such as A Precious Child, Broomfield Football Club, and Community Food Share. In her free time, she enjoys training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, snowboarding, mountain biking, and spending time with her son.