Patrick Doherty

Collecting coins, saving money in a piggy bank, questioning the cost of every single item, calculating investment returns, watching Maria Bartiromo on CNBC. This about sums up my childhood. Plus basketball..can't leave out basketball. Beautiful Westchester County, NY is the place I have been proud to call home for pretty much my entire life. I have been with my amazing wife Karen since freshman year in high school. 9th Grade! Yes, that is correct...since I am 14 years old. Some things in life are destined to be and for us, we both knew it right away. Having a soulmate is a real thing and I was lucky enough to find mine at a very young age. We have three beautiful and active (aka difficult) children that keep us on our toes ;) I always knew my life would be spent working in the Investing/Financial Markets profession. It is what I was born to do, but it was not a straight easy ride that led me to this point. There were a lot of highs and lows, a lot of leaps of faith, a lot of following our dreams, and a lot of uncertainty. We are the type of people that go for it in life. No regrets. We often choose the road less traveled...and that has made all the difference. I have a passion for helping people figure out their finances. I truly enjoy it. Not all people are wired to deal with personal finances, but the truth is it is super important to living a happy life. I want to find a way to help people that struggle with all this stuff. I did not start this business to only help people that are already well off. Offering education, YouTube videos, blogs, individual coaching, group coaching, on-line classes, and being a trusted fiduciary advisor is my vision for the School of Personal Finance. I don't have it all figured out yet, but I am on my way! I believe the coaching/financial planning piece is much more important than the actual managing of investment accounts for a majority of people. Yes, having the correct asset allocation and matching your risk profile is very important, but with the creation of low-cost index funds and the advances in technology, the need for a portfolio manager is becoming a thing of the past. But you know what will continue to be here forever? The need for personal financial advice, education, and guidance that is easily available and affordable for everyone. Please visit Richard's blog here: https://www.schoolofpersonalfinance.com/blog

Elana Gofman is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She specializes in creating tailored, risk-managed investment strategies that align with clients’ personal preferences and market conditions. Elana focuses on various areas including college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. Elana began her career with roles at Morgan Stanley and Alliance Bernstein before joining Merrill Lynch in 2015. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and has earned several professional designations including Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Elana emphasizes a collaborative approach with clients and their families, focusing on defining unique priorities and goals to develop comprehensive financial plans reviewed regularly. Outside of her professional work, Elana resides on Long Island with her husband and four children. Her personal interests include cooking, dancing, reading, skiing, tennis, traveling, and spending time with family. She is also active in volunteering and fundraising for various charities.

Alex West is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role held since 2024. Alex has been part of the financial services industry for nine years, having previously worked as an Investments Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2024. Prior to that, Alex served as a Private Client Advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC from 2021 to 2022, and as a Private Client Banker at the same firm from 2016 to 2021. Alex works closely with individuals and families to understand their unique circumstances and financial goals, helping them navigate complex financial decisions through collaboration. Alex's approach integrates experience, education, and empathy to build meaningful client partnerships and develop plans that align with clients' values and aspirations. Outside of work, Alex's interests include comedy, fitness, football, social events with friends, pets, and traveling.

James Dunn is Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2015. He has been with Fidelity for 25 years, during which time he has held various roles including Vice President-Senior Account Executive, Financial Representative III and II, Retirement Investment Specialist, Senior Retirement Service Specialist, and Retirement Services Specialist. James focuses on wealth planning and assisting clients in pursuing their financial goals. He holds a California Insurance License. His career at Fidelity has provided him with extensive experience in financial consulting and retirement services. Outside of his professional work, James enjoys fishing, gardening, golf, outdoor adventures, spending time with pets, and reading.

Andrew Marchionni is a Financial Consultant currently with Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2022. He has previously served as a Private Client Advisor at Oppenheimer & Co. in 2022, Assistant Vice President - Financial Advisor at Bank of America Merrill Lynch from 2018 to 2022, and as a Financial Consultant at Equitable Advisors from 2017 to 2018. In his professional approach, Andrew focuses on building long-term relationships with clients based on trust and transparency. He works closely with clients to understand their goals and vision for the future, co-creating and implementing tailored financial plans. He also monitors and adjusts these plans as clients’ lives change to ensure they meet evolving needs.