As a faith-filled parent, you want to make smart financial decisions that reflect your values, honor your priorities, and provide a secure foundation for your family. At WorthyNest®, I help parents like you bring clarity and confidence to finances so you can focus on what matters most. My love for personal finance started early—I was a middle schooler flipping through Money Magazine for fun. That passion led me to earn an accounting degree from Saint Louis University and spend years working with families at Deloitte Tax and Matter Family Office before founding WorthyNest®. Professionally, I’ve also written Redefining Family Wealth and launched the Beyond Budgets® podcast to help others approach financial stewardship with intention. On a personal level, my husband Bryan and I are raising three boys, which means I deeply understand the balancing act parents face when managing family life and finances. With over 20 years of experience, I specialize in helping parents like you align your finances with values through holistic financial planning and investing. Together, we’ll create a plan to meet today’s challenges while building a brighter future for your family.

Stephen Horiuchi is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in assisting executives with managing concentrated stock positions and navigating significant transition events such as retirement, inheritance, or the sale of a business. Stephen also provides clients with access to Bank of America Private Bank services, including trust and estate planning, credit, lending, and banking solutions. He collaborates with clients' external attorneys, accountants, and other professional advisors to coordinate comprehensive financial and legacy plans. Stephen holds the designations of Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned his bachelor's degree from Marist College. In addition to his professional work, Stephen is engaged in community service through volunteer activities, reflecting the Merrill tradition of participating in the communities served.

Michael Sheppard is a Financial Solutions Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he specializes in helping clients develop strategies to pursue their short-, mid-, and long-term financial goals. He works one-on-one with clients to define their objectives and recommend portfolio strategies tailored to individual needs. Michael provides ongoing advice and guidance, adapting portfolios as clients’ situations evolve. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and a Master's Degree from the University of Florida. Michael has earned professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His expertise encompasses general investing, retirement planning, and managing competing financial priorities such as home buying, education funding, and healthcare preparation.

Owen Thiessen serves as Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch, where he leads the Thiessen Group in delivering wealth management strategies tailored to affluent individuals and families. Since joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2006, Owen has provided expertise in portfolio management, retirement planning, corporate retirement plans, and wealth transfer and preservation strategies. His approach emphasizes a long-term outlook, focusing on minimizing investment risk and developing tax-efficient cash flow plans. Owen holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. He also earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) certifications administered by Investments & Wealth Institute™ and taught in collaboration with the Yale School of Management. He holds a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Owen has been recognized on the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list multiple times. Residing in Osprey, Florida, Owen enjoys recreational aviation and golf. He is an active member of The Oaks Club, reflecting his community involvement and personal interests. Owen is dedicated to guiding clients through a customized five-step wealth management process designed to clarify financial decisions and support long-term goals.

Jill Spatola is a Wealth Management Advisor with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. She currently works with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, focusing on providing consistent performance, personalized guidance, and strategic portfolio tracking. Jill acts as the quarterback for her clients' Wealth Management Plans, collaborating closely with clients' attorneys, CPAs, and Medicare specialists to ensure all aspects of their financial plans are aligned. Her areas of expertise include managing personal and corporate retirement plans, income planning, personal wealth analysis, corporate actions, and small to mid-size company retirement plans and employee education workshops. She serves as a financial advisor for the retirement planning needs of real estate professionals and works with clients on a range of services such as legacy planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. Jill graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1996 and completed additional coursework through Bryant University. She holds multiple professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Jill is actively involved in her community, coaching for Girls on the Run, serving on the board for Animal Welfare of Charlotte County, and participating in organizations such as Women United of Charlotte County, Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, and Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. She previously served on the Board of Directors for School on Wheels of Massachusetts for seven years.

Cole Mc Hargue is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, joining the Picazio McHargue Group in 2020. He specializes in retirement planning, tax minimization, portfolio strategies, wealth management, estate planning services, and wealth transfer strategies for multigenerational families. Cole focuses on serving individuals and families in the Venice area to help optimize financial outcomes across generations. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Northeastern University in Boston. Cole earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2022 and is also a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Cole is involved in his community through organizations such as Take Stock in Children and the Venice Arts Center.