Thomas Golonka

I have always loved a challenge. As a child, I enjoyed Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series for its pioneering spirit and “we can do hard things” embrace of life. Founding my own financial firm, with the goal of raising others while building a business, reflects my entrepreneurial background. As the daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, and even great-great-granddaughter of business-founders dedicated to serving the communities where they lived, I carry on a family tradition of service oriented entrepreneurship, working with causes close to my heart, such as the Vermont Food Bank, All Brains Belong, and the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association. My background as a classically trained musician informs my financial planning approach. My academic research and analysis skills transfer from notes and music theory to financial planning and portfolio management. Whether serving clients or playing piano, I bring joy, creativity and a healing energy to my work.

Danielle Gilbert Richard is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she has been serving clients since 2000. She specializes in a highly personalized, planning-based approach that incorporates client motivations and aspirations into customized wealth strategies. Danielle works closely with her partner, Dorota Kim, at The GRK Group, focusing on areas such as college education planning, corporate executive services, family wealth management, philanthropic planning, and socially responsible investing. Her practice serves clients across Vermont and ten other states, many of whom are educators, executives, and entrepreneurs with diverse interests. Danielle holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont. Her credentials support her expertise in sustainable investing, portfolio management, and complex wealth preservation strategies. Danielle has been recognized on multiple occasions by Forbes, Working Mother/SHOOK Research, and Barron’s for her performance and client service. In addition to her professional work, Danielle has been involved in community service, including past board membership with the University of Vermont Medical Center Foundation and participation in Hands to Honduras in 2019. A lifelong resident of the Burlington area, she lives in Shelburne with her husband and son. Danielle’s personal interests include boating, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Robert Mangiacotti is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He serves affluent families, retirees, professionals, and business owners, providing strategic guidance in financial planning, investment management, and private banking services. His approach emphasizes managing risk and creating personalized financial plans aligned with clients' life priorities and goals. Mangiacotti has earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Maryland and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Brown University. His professional credentials include Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He works with clients across various focus areas including college education planning, executive compensation, and retirement planning. In addition to his financial advisory work, Mangiacotti is active in ski racing as an official and Technical Delegate of the United States Ski Association. He is also involved with the Vermont Alpine Racing Association. He speaks both Italian and English and has a background as a varsity football player during his time at Brown University.