Welcome! I’m Brett, and I’m glad you’re here. I’m a proud born and raised Buffalonian passionate about helping others make the most of their money and their lives as they navigate the transition into retirement. In 2019, I founded Eudaimonia Wealth; a fee-only financial planning firm in Buffalo, NY dedicated to helping local families retire on their terms by providing independent, objective advice. At Eudaimonia Wealth, we realize we can’t be all things to all people and don’t pretend to be. We specialize in helping people who are at or near retirement and need help putting the pieces together. We partner with families to help them generate income from their savings, optimize their investments, and create a tax-efficient distribution plan that supports their needs. Eudaimonia (pronounced you-day-mo-nia) is a term from Greek philosophy used to describe an ultimate state that could be achieved by living a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. It was considered to be a state of “peak performance in the art of living,” and represents to the core what I believe real financial planning is all about.

I founded Capital Insights Group of WNY, an independent Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm offering fee-only financial planning and investment management, located in downtown Buffalo, NY. I act as a fiduciary for all of my clients and provide financial guidance that is unique to their needs and situation. Please contact me at chris@cigwny.com or (716) 517-0140 to arrange for a complimentary one-hour meeting to discuss your goals and circumstances.

Martin Zaklikowski is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing over 35 years of experience in financial and wealth management. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 1995, he has specialized in advanced investment strategies, retirement planning, and estate planning. His approach emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of client needs to develop tailored wealth management strategies. He holds a bachelor's degree in Finance and Political Science from Canisius College and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certificant, a designation granted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Martin is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He has also served on the boards of Hopevale, Inc., St. Francis High School, and the Frontier Community Education Advisory Committee. Outside of his professional work, Martin enjoys gardening, music, and spending time with his wife Rebecca and their two children, Adam and Lauren.

Lucas Mann is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with families, individuals, and businesses to implement financial plans aimed at achieving both their long- and short-term goals. Lucas focuses on family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, and retirement income, leveraging resources from Merrill Lynch and Bank of America to provide personalized wealth management solutions. He holds several professional designations, including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Lucas earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University at Buffalo. Outside of his professional work, Lucas enjoys golfing, tennis, and traveling. He emphasizes a collaborative approach, working one-on-one with clients to develop financial strategies tailored to their individual goals.

Daryl Planter is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career in financial services in 1992 and has since focused on managing individual wealth through various market cycles. Daryl is experienced in advising clients on a range of areas including divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, portfolio management services, small business strategies, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Daryl holds multiple professional designations, including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Known for his comprehensive approach to wealth management, Daryl emphasizes understanding each client’s individual goals to develop tailored strategies. He is also a frequent speaker on investment planning for retirement, which remains a primary focus for his practice. In addition to his professional activities, Daryl participates in community service through volunteering with local organizations.

Chris Sebastian is a Wealth Management Advisor and Managing Director at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career with Merrill Lynch in 1991 and currently leads a 14-person team that provides a family office-like experience to a diverse client base, including executives, doctors, attorneys, and entrepreneurs. As managing partner of the group, Chris oversees the team’s strategic initiatives and the execution of its business plan. With over 30 years of experience, Chris focuses on serving affluent individuals and their families by designing tailored strategies that address their unique financial circumstances. His expertise includes executive compensation, equity compensation services, family wealth management strategies, institutional consulting, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and retirement income planning. Chris and his team emphasize intellectual rigor, customization, and committed service to help clients manage the complexities and opportunities of substantial wealth. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Clarkson University and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional role, he has personal interests in gardening, softball, and tennis.

Samuel Cappiello is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. Samuel works to help clients pursue their financial goals through personalized wealth management strategies that adapt to changing market conditions. He holds the designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and has earned an Associate's Degree/College Diploma from ECC. Samuel leads The Cappiello Group, which has been serving the Western New York area for over 30 years. The group operates with a team structure where each member focuses on a specific portion of the portfolio and planning process, creating tailored and customized portfolios for individual clients. Samuel is committed to community involvement, following the Merrill tradition of participating in the communities served. He volunteers with organizations in the Western New York community.

Michael Ferranti is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management's Buffalo office. He works with individuals and small businesses to provide customized investment advice and guidance, leveraging Merrill's extensive resources and tools. Michael serves as a specially qualified Portfolio Manager, managing discretionary investment strategies that include individual stocks and bonds, Merrill Lynch model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. He is also a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®) through the National Association of Plan Advisors. With a focus on client satisfaction and consistency, Michael prioritizes open communication and availability to his clients. His areas of expertise include liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and ESG investing, sports and entertainment, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Before joining Merrill Lynch, Michael worked as a consumer lender at Wells Fargo. Michael holds a Bachelor's Degree from Canisius University. He resides in the Elmwood Village area of Buffalo with his wife Lauren and their children Grace, Charlie, and Sam. In addition to his professional commitments, he volunteers with the Buffalo Equestrian Center and the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. His personal interests include football, golfing, ice hockey, music, reading, traveling, and watching movies.

James Cappiello is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill since 1988, beginning his career immediately after earning his bachelor's degree from Canisius College. Over his 35 years in the investment field, James has gained extensive experience navigating market cycles and providing investment guidance. His areas of expertise include family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, individual and corporate investment strategy, and retirement income. As a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), James focuses on connecting all aspects of a client's financial life to help prioritize and pursue their most important goals. Outside of his professional role, James enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending time with his family.