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.

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.

Lucy Wagner is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a member of the SWP Group, a team that collectively brings 75 years of industry experience. In her role, Lucy focuses on delivering disciplined investment approaches combined with transparent fees and proactive communication to help clients reach their financial goals. She works closely with multigenerational families and business owners to develop personalized financial strategies, emphasizing trust and comprehensive financial planning. Beginning her career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as an intern, Lucy joined full-time in 2007 and has since held several roles, including Registered Client Associate and member of the Practice Management Consulting Group. Her experience includes work on the Optimal Practice Model strategy, advisor training, diversity and client acquisition initiatives, and mentoring emerging Merrill advisors. Lucy’s areas of expertise encompass family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and supporting women and wealth. Lucy holds a bachelor's degree from Wagner College and holds the professional designations of CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She resides in New Hampshire, where she enjoys hiking, bicycling, and participating in her community. Lucy is also actively involved with several organizations, including New York Cares, New York Says Thank You, Room to Grow, The Bowery Mission, and Thetford Academy.

Sheldon Stansfield is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in personalized wealth management strategies. He collaborates closely with clients to develop financial plans tailored to their individual goals, drawing on Merrill's investment insights and leveraging the resources of Bank of America to provide comprehensive banking and lending solutions. Sheldon’s approach integrates a full understanding of each client's financial picture to navigate changing market conditions effectively. With extensive experience in areas such as education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, socially responsible investing, and tax minimization, Sheldon and The SWP Group offer clients access to a global network of specialists and in-house managed investment portfolios. The group’s collective expertise spans over 60 years, emphasizing integrity and thoughtful leadership to support clients’ long-term financial objectives. Sheldon holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Trinity College as well as a High School Diploma from Kimball Union Academy. Outside of his professional role, Sheldon participates actively in community organizations including Kimball Union Academy, Opera North, The Howe Library, and Willing Hands. He also pursues a range of personal interests such as adventure sports, biking, hiking, skiing, ice hockey, music, swimming, tennis, and spending time with his family. Fluent in English and Chinese, Sheldon continues to prioritize building strong client relationships through personalized service and community engagement.

Connor Regan is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management who has been practicing in the financial services industry since 2016. He specializes in retirement planning and works with a diverse group of clients including individuals, families, and business owners. Connor has developed a particular focus on physician financial planning, leveraging his close personal connections to the healthcare sector. He is also committed to designing investment portfolios that align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria and socially responsible investing principles. Connor holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Chartered SRI Counselor (CSRIC) designations from the College for Financial Planning, as well as a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Bates College. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, Connor specialized in financial planning and investment management at HTK, a broker dealer. He also maintains professional licenses in Life, Disability, Long-Term Care, and Annuities. Originally from Maine, Connor was captain of the NCAA Division 1 cross-country ski team at Bates College and remains physically active, engaging in marathon running, Nordic skiing, mountain biking, surfing, and woodworking. He lives in Lebanon, New Hampshire with his partner Becca and their dog, Tuck. Outside of his advisory role, Connor enjoys learning about the life stories of his clients and crafting personalized financial strategies to support their long-term goals.

Ryan Longfield is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined the firm in 2017 after a 17-year career focusing on institutional investing. Throughout his career, Ryan has lived and worked in New York, Tokyo, and London, where he developed and managed ETF, Equity Portfolio Trading, and Asset Management businesses on Wall Street. Ryan graduated from Brown University in 2000 with a degree in Economics. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. His expertise covers family wealth management strategies, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, liquidity management, managing new wealth, portfolio management services, and values-based investing including ESG considerations. Ryan lives in Woodstock, Vermont with his wife Allison and their four children. Outside of his professional work, he is involved in the community through coaching youth ice hockey, a sport he is passionate about both as a player and mentor. He also enjoys fishing, golfing, and music.