About

My perspective on financial planning was shaped early on when my mother became our family's sole provider following my father’s passing. I watched her step into that role with incredible resilience, returning to work almost immediately to ensure our stability. Witnessing her take on that responsibility independently instilled in me a deep appreciation for the importance of long-term security. That foundational experience now drives my commitment to helping others build the same kind of reliability and peace of mind for their own futures.

Fast forward a few decades. I was working in IT, building a career and eventually a company. My wife and I had started our family, and we knew we needed help planning for the future. As I prepared to sell my business, I started meeting with financial advisors. What I found was disappointing. Most of them were focused on selling products rather than actually planning. The conversations felt transactional, not collaborative.

Then in 2004, I met with a firm that did things differently. Their process was thorough, thoughtful, and centered on understanding what people actually needed. It struck me that if I were going to work in this industry, that's the kind of practice I'd want to be part of. So in 2005, I made the shift. I earned my CFP^® and CRPC^® designations, passed my Series 7 and 63 exams, and started building the firm I wished I'd found when I was the one looking for help.

What keeps me engaged after more than 20 years isn't the technical side of finance, though that matters. It's sitting down with families and learning what drives them. What are they working toward? What concerns them? What would make their lives easier or better? Those conversations are what the work is really about. When clients leave our meetings with clarity about their decisions and confidence about their direction, that's when I know we're doing something worthwhile.

I graduated from DePaul with a degree in finance back in 1989. These days, I live and work in Glen Ellyn with my wife and our three adult children. When I'm not working, you'll find me on the golf course or tending to our rather ambitious garden at home.

I grew up in River Grove, a working-class community where people were committed to providing for their families. My parents didn't talk much about money beyond the basics, but I learned by watching them manage responsibly and make thoughtful decisions. That foundation stuck with me and helped me when I had to earn, save, and plan for the future.

Solo parenting was a masterclass in strategic lifestyle design, requiring the sophisticated balance between building long-term wealth and enjoying a vibrant life with my child. I bring that same clarity, discipline, and strategic foresight to my work, helping clients navigate their own paths with confidence. 

I started in financial services in 1997, drawn to the idea of helping people feel confident about their money decisions. I graduated with honors from Roosevelt University with a degree in business, then went back for a master's in education. Later, I completed post-graduate work at DePaul and earned my CFP® certification in 2019. I also hold my Series 7 and 66 licenses. I've always been someone who enjoys learning, and that curiosity keeps me engaged with the work.

What I love most about this job is sitting down with someone and learning their story. What matters to them? What keeps them up at night? What do they hope to accomplish? Once I understand that, I can help them make sense of the options in front of them and create a plan that actually fits their life. I work closely with Darrin on portfolio management and client development, and I meet regularly with clients to review their accounts and address any concerns that come up.

I focus on comprehensive planning, particularly for couples as well as women navigating life transitions like divorce or widowhood. Those moments require someone who listens well and understands what's at stake, not just financially but personally.

These days, I live in Hawthorn Woods with my husband, Ron. We have four grown children and two grandsons, with another grandchild on the way. When I'm not working, I'm usually taking my daily walk, traveling, or spending time with the grandkids. Family is what centers me, and it also helps me understand what my clients are working toward when they talk about the legacy they want to leave.

Growing up in Durand, a small town in northern Illinois, community and connection were just part of everyday life. That sense of looking out for people and staying accountable to them has stayed with me throughout my career.

After earning my B.A. in Political Science with a focus on International Relations from Illinois State University, my path eventually led me to financial services. It wasn't a straight line, but once I found my way here, the work clicked. Eleven years later, the part that keeps me engaged is still the same: helping clients reach their goals and making sure the experience they have with us reflects the care they deserve.

Joining Shallcross Financial Planning in 2015 allowed me to build something meaningful in a practice-level role. As practice manager, my responsibilities span operations, compliance, and marketing. Beyond our team, I also serve on Osaic's Service Excellence Champion Circle, where I collaborate with colleagues across the firm to bring optimization to practices and procedures. The goal is always to find ways to improve how we serve clients while maintaining the standards that matter. I hold the FINRA Series 7, 6, and 63 licenses.

What drives me is connecting with the people we work with. Clients are the reason this job exists, and they deserve responsiveness, accuracy, and someone who genuinely cares about their experience. When clients reach out, they should know they'll hear back, that someone is paying attention, and that we'll take the time to have a real conversation.

Family comes first, and it's the foundation that keeps everything else in perspective. When I'm not working, I love spending time with my husband, children, and our dog. I'm into interior design projects and refurbishing pieces around the house, tending to my flower garden, staying active, and reading.

My grandparents came to this country from Italy carrying an unwavering commitment to provide for their families. They found a way to build stability, protect what mattered, and create opportunities for the next generation. Their resilience shaped how I view money as a tool for achieving your goals. They are part of why I do this work.

After graduating from Loras College in 2020 with degrees in finance and economics, I entered the financial services industry with stops at Core Investments and Ameriprise Financial before joining the team here. During my undergraduate years, I completed coursework that allowed me to obtain my CFP^® certification in 2021, and I later earned my CIMA^® designation in 2022. I also hold my Series 7 and 66 licenses, along with my Illinois Life and Health Insurance license.

As a financial paraplanner, my role centers on the behind-the-scenes work that supports our clients' planning process. That includes gathering and organizing information, running retirement projections and cash-flow analyses, drafting financial plans, and handling meeting preparation and follow-up. The technical side matters, but what keeps me motivated is knowing that this work helps people gain clarity and confidence around one of the most stressful parts of their lives.

I live in the Chicagoland suburbs with my girlfriend, close to my family. Staying active is still a big part of my routine, whether it's working out, walking outside, or exploring the area. The suburbs have a lot of hidden gems, from summertime farmer's markets to new restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries. Spending time with family and friends and trying new places to eat is how I recharge.

When I was five years old, I was adopted from an orphanage in Novokuznetsk, Russia, and grew up in Wheaton, Illinois. Looking back, that early experience of starting over in an unfamiliar place taught me to adapt quickly and pay attention to what people need, even when they don't always say it directly. Those instincts serve me well in this line of work.

After I graduated from University of Missouri with a degree in Personal Finance Planning, the stock market had always fascinated me, and I wanted to understand how it actually worked. That curiosity ultimately turned into a career path.

Financial services have been my focus, starting at Oppenheimer before joining the team here. My Series 7 license opens up more ways to help clients with their needs. As a client service associate, my days involve handling account updates, money movement, beneficiary changes, and whatever else comes up. The unpredictability of it appeals to me. You never quite know what a client is calling about, and being able to solve problems quickly and keep things moving is satisfying work. Responsiveness matters to clients. They don't want to wait, and bringing energy to that part of the job helps keep the experience smooth for them.

When I'm not working, most of my time goes to walking outdoors, riding my bike, and reading. Being in nature helps me reset.

Growing up without much financial support taught me early on that money is something you have to work for and understand. My parents always emphasized earning what you have, which shaped how I think about finances today. I began helping friends and family better understand basic financial concepts. I found that I genuinely enjoy breaking things down and helping others make smarter decisions, which eventually turned into a career path.

After graduating from Illinois State University with a B.S. in finance and insurance, I joined Shallcross Financial Planning as a paraplanner. My role focuses on supporting the team with financial management tasks, retirement planning analysis, and building the technical knowledge I'll need to serve clients well down the road. I currently hold my Illinois Life and Health insurance licenses, and I'm working toward my Series 7 license.

Problem-solving and working with numbers have always come naturally to me. People tend to say I'm approachable and calm, and I try to stay solution-focused rather than getting stuck on problems. My goal is to learn something new every day that makes me better at my work.

These days, I live in Manhattan with my family. I have two older sisters, a younger brother, and a dog named Sadie who gets me up early most mornings for walks before the sun finishes rising. When I'm not working, I'm usually watching Chicago sports, discovering new music, or finding time to snowboard when the season hits.