Christopher Chestnut

Germaine brings to the Inspired Financial mix her considerable experience as a financial planner, investment advisor and wealth manager — along with a keen sense of humor, honed by her life’s rich experience. Germaine has ridden out not just one hurricane, but two. In 1969 she lost her childhood Pass Christian home to Hurricane Camille then Hurricane Katrina destroyed their Ocean Springs home in 2005! Hurricane forces are nothing compared to Germaine’s. Having “flunked Retirement 101” (her words) she leaped at the opportunity to co-found Inspired Financial Planners with Tricia Kollath, CFP(r), CPA, in 2019. Their combined talents pair well with their shared passion for helping people navigate a complex financial world. Germaine has a master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi. She is a CPA with a Personal Financial Specialist™ credential (MS certificate 5504 and NC certificate 43722), as well as a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner. Germaine founded and continues to chair the North Carolina CPA Association’s Financial Planning Networking Group to help her fellow CPAs understand the complex financial planning issues their clients face. Outside of her career, Germaine is an enthusiastic advocate for the arts. She is a life member of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, having served various roles including its board since the early 1990s. She and her husband John (a physician) stay young by hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround their North Carolina home. These days, Germaine and John divide their time between western North Carolina and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where Germaine enjoys kayaking … when the waters are calm.

Keith Holloway is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management who has been in the financial services industry since 2011. He joined Merrill in 2020 and holds FINRA registrations earned in 2014. Keith focuses on helping affluent individuals develop personalized financial strategies by understanding both their short- and long-term financial goals. His expertise includes legacy planning, managing new wealth, and personal retirement planning. Keith earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Appalachian State University. He holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His approach to wealth management emphasizes listening carefully to clients’ needs and creating comprehensive plans tailored to their unique financial situations, evolving as their life goals change over time. Keith and his wife, Lara, live in Hendersonville with their three children. They are active in the community, supporting education. Outside of work, Keith enjoys football, reading, soccer, and spending time with his family.

Robert Macdonald is a Wealth Management Advisor with over 30 years of experience helping clients develop personalized financial strategies. He is part of a team located in Hendersonville, NC, Pinehurst, NC, and Boca Raton, FL, focused on providing tailored wealth management services in a friendly environment. His expertise includes college education planning, family wealth management, liquidity management, philanthropic planning, retirement income, tax minimization, and addressing the financial needs of women and individuals managing new wealth. Robert holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Central Florida and an Associate's Degree from the University of Florida. He has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification and is also recognized as a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He follows the Merrill tradition of community involvement and dedicates time to volunteering with organizations such as the American Red Cross. Outside of his professional work, Robert enjoys boating, hiking, reading, tennis, and traveling. His approach centers on developing one-on-one relationships to create flexible financial strategies aligned with clients’ long-term goals.