cu·ri·ous, adjective

1. eager to know or learn something.

I am a voracious learner and collector of knowledge. I am constantly reading or listening to a wide variety of sources to learn about humans: about personal and social histories, how our minds work and interact with our physical bodies and environment, how we construct systems of meaning and comfort, and how those systems sometimes fail to deliver as intended and need to be deconstructed and reconstructed to help us thrive.

If money were no object, I would probably be a perpetual graduate student. In the practical world, I’ve found it mutually rewarding to learn deeply about clients and apply my knowledge and experience to help them think about money and use it in ways that promote thriving for themselves and their loved ones.

2. unusual; queer.

I don’t conform to conventions and categories such as gender or political party. Conventional thinking and behavior makes one easy to control, or to replace with artificial intelligence. I pride myself in exploring the innovative and unconventional, and I love working with clients who similarly wish to live outside of traditional boxes.

I am always curious to get to know my clients in their unique personalities, histories, relationships, values, and dreams. Corporate financial firms want to standardize advice for efficiency (their profit), which is why I don’t work for one anymore. Clients don’t come from cookie cutters and you deserve financial guidance that is as unique as you.

As someone who celebrates and values the spectrum of human diversity, I cultivate a particular safe and supportive space for LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent clients. However you may identify, my aim is for you to feel seen, heard, and respected in our professional relationship.

fi·​nan·​cial, adjective

relating to finance.

1. finances (plural): money or other liquid resources of a government, business, group, or individual
2. the system that includes the circulation of money, the granting of credit, the making of investments, and the provision of banking facilities
3. the science or study of the management of funds
4. the obtaining of funds or capital

Money is one of those human constructions that has become essential to our safety and comfort. Whatever you think of capitalism, it is the reigning structure of our world today, and ignoring its demands only leads to more suffering. Money may not provide meaning or happiness in itself, but learning to harness its potential enables you to make your corner of the world happier and healthier.

My focus as a financial professional is making use of these various types of finance(s) to help my clients—individuals embedded in relationships and communities—do just this.

coun·sel, noun

1. advice, especially that given formally.

As a Certified Financial Planner,™ I have a professional duty to engage in a comprehensive formal process of information-gathering, analysis, giving advice, and following up on implementation and changes, unless you want our relationship to be more limited. Even if you don’t want the full “Financial Planning” experience, I have a fiduciary duty to provide you with advice in your best interests, and with care, skill, prudence, and diligence in light of your unique goals, risk tolerance, objectives, and financial and personal circumstances.

2. a lawyer appointed to advise and represent a client in legal matters.

Before I began advising individual clients about their personal finances, I practiced law with a prestigious Washington, DC law firm. I helped corporations understand their legal obligations regarding employee benefits, taxes, and securities transactions. Law practice was my entryway, over 20 years ago, into the field of finance.

Unlike corporations, human clients must face the fact of mortality. Planning for incapacity and death is an uncomfortable but essential part of personal financial planning. My legal training equips me to go beyond beneficiary designations and checklists and guide my clients through the nitty-gritty of trusts and estates planning.*

Tax law is also a curious personal obsession of mine. I aim to stay at the cutting edge of new tax laws and regulations. This means my clients will hear from me first about new opportunities and risks from tax law developments, and we will incorporate relevant changes into your plan as soon as practicable.

What are you curious about?

• Preferred planning process
• Common subjects of financial advice and planning
• Fees and other compensation

* I am actively licensed to practice law in Virginia and the District of Columbia. Outside of these jurisdictions, I can provide advice about estate planning, but you should work with an attorney licensed in your state to draft wills, trusts and other legal documents. I do not intend to offer legal representation or advice in any type of litigation or other contested proceeding. Our communications are always confidential but not protected by attorney-client privilege unless we have a separate legal representation agreement.