About Marianne Caswell, CLU^®, ChFC^®
Marianne Caswell has more than 25 years of experience in financial services and wealth management.

She is currently Head of Wealth Management at The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America^® (Guardian) and President of Park Avenue^® Wealth Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Guardian and its broker-dealer and corporate Registered Investment Advisor. As President, Marianne is focused on business growth, building a competitive platform, ensuring ease of doing business, leading with accountability, and communicating with purpose.  Under her leadership, the firm has expanded to include 2,500 financial advisors and oversees $70 billion in AUM/A.

Marianne first joined Guardian and Park Avenue in 2013 and has held a variety of roles, including Head of Strategic Initiatives for Individual Markets and Head of Practice Development. Prior to joining Guardian and Park Avenue, Marianne spent 14 years at Citi.

Marianne is a recognized thought leader in the financial services industry, with her perspective and insight featured in a variety of industry and national publications, including Financial Planning, InvestmentNews, Kiplinger, and The Wall Street Journal. Her commitment to the financial services industry, advancing women in the workplace, and efforts to support client well-being have also been honored by several organizations.

Cathy Curtis, CFP®, is the founder of Curtis Financial Planning, a fee-only advisory firm based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she has helped successful women navigate life's financial transitions—including retirement, widowhood, inheritance, and career change—for more than 25 years. A nationally recognized financial advisor, Cathy was named to Investopedia's Top 100 Financial Advisors list every year it was published, from 2017 through 2023. She is also the author of Of Independent Means, where she writes about the intersection of money, retirement, and living a meaningful life.  

Stacy is the President and CEO of Francis Financial, a fee-only boutique wealth management, financial planning and divorce financial planning firm dedicated to providing ongoing comprehensive advice for successful individuals, couples, and women in transition such as divorce or widowhood. She is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®), and Certified Estate and Trust Specialist (CES™) with over 20 years of experience in the financial industry. Stacy is also the founder of the non-profit, Savvy Ladies™, host of the Financially Ever After podcast, and the author of the white paper, Unveiling the Unspoken Truth: The Financial Challenges Women Face During and After Divorce and Financial Help for Widows - A Complete Resource Guide. 

Shannon Larson - President, AE Wealth Management

Shannon has more than two decades of experience driving growth, building scalable wealth management platforms, and leading strategy across the financial services industry. She has held senior leadership roles spanning platform management, product development, distribution, and marketing at firms including Osaic, Eaton Vance, Cetera, LPL, and Fisher Investments—partnering closely with independent advisors, research teams, and distribution leaders to deliver solutions that scale.

Recognized for transforming underperforming offerings into market-leading solutions, Shannon excels at synthesizing complex challenges and driving cross-functional collaboration. Her leadership is characterized by advisor advocacy, operational excellence, and a commitment to industry advancement.

Carolyn McClanahan, M.D., CFP® is the founder of Life Planning Partners, Inc., a fee only financial planning firm in Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to working in her financial planning practice, she speaks regularly on the interplay between health and financial issues, particularly regarding aging, chronic illness, end of life, long term care, health care reform, and health care costs. She serves on the CNBC Financial Advisor Council and Investopedia Financial Advisor Council, and is a contributing writer for multiple publications. She was awarded the Alexandra Armstrong Lifetime Achievement Award by Investment News in 2024. Dr. McClanahan also volunteers as the assistant medical director for the Women’s Center of Jacksonville.  

 

Arvette M. Reid, AIF, is a Healthcare Planning Strategist in the Virginia office of Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA), and she works in the practice’s Lifecare Affordability Plan® service. She joined SEIA in 2017 after working for 15 years as a marketing professional in the senior housing and healthcare industry, where her tenure spanned a range of independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing care, and hospice care. Her ability to bring the financial and healthcare worlds together truly makes a powerful impact on how families, who are going through trying times, are holistically served.

Arvette’s deep commitment to civic engagement and local issues was established as a youth while visiting residents at Goodwin Living in her hometown of Alexandria, Virginia. Arvette most recently served on the boards of the Insight Memory Care Center and Senior Services of Alexandria, and is an active member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Arvette earned a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1992. In addition, she holds a Series 65 securities license, a Life & Health Insurance license, and is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF) professional.

Denise Milano Sprung is the visionary behind the JOY-driven strategy that has helped define and elevate the Mitlin Financial, Inc® brand. As Chief Marketing Officer, she blends creativity and intention to craft messaging that connects deeply with the families they serve while driving growth.

Denise’s approach is rooted in authenticity, storytelling, and purpose, demonstrating that in financial services, how you communicate is just as important as what you advise. She oversees brand messaging, digital content, podcast curation, PR, and speaking opportunities to ensure each reflects Mitlin’s mission to help families experience JOY in their journey while creating a clear path toward their vision of tomorrow.

Beyond her professional commitments, Denise advocates for mental health in honor of her brother through the Keith Milano Memorial Fund, turning personal loss into purpose.

Denise’s greatest JOY comes from the life she’s built with her husband Larry, most of all empowering their sons to carve out paths that are uniquely their own.

Laurie Vitali is the Chief People Officer at Principal at Modera Wealth Management. Modera provides fee-only, comprehensive wealth management for individuals, families, business owners, and non-profit institutions. As Chief People Officer, Laurie is responsible for the firm’s human resources, talent management, and talent acquisition.

She holds a Juris Doctor and is certified by the NAPFA in Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

Laurie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in Economics from Boston University, and a Juris Doctorate from the College of William and Mary Law School. She operates out of Modera’s Atlanta offic

Cecilia Williams has been excelling in various behind-the-scenes positions in the wealth management industry for nearly two decades. Cecilia possesses a proactive and driven work ethic, consistently exceeding expectations and anticipating future challenges.

As COO, CCO, and manager of Halbert Hargrove’s wealth advisors, Cecilia has been instrumental in streamlining compliance protocols, fostering growth, and implementing impactful initiatives, such as revamping the firm’s maternity leave program.

Cecilia's attention to detail, diligence, and unwavering commitment to the firm's success has made her a true asset to the team. Her mentorship of younger associates has created a supportive environment for individual growth. She is highly regarded for her creativity, emotional intelligence, and clear communication.

Cecilia is an exceptional leader with a unique ability to excel behind the scenes and her contributions have significantly impacted the firm's success and culture.

“In 2008, I decided to launch a firm that could simplify the financial life of clients by managing and coordinating all their diverse and complex wealth needs.”

As the 2025 Chair of CFP Board, the association that grants the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® mark, Liz Miller, CFP® CFA® has spent more than 15 years providing leadership to Summit Place Financial Advisors as well as the profession. Liz led the first Private Wealth Management committee at the CFA Society of NY, envisioning the emerging field of financial expertise needed to help clients holistically manage their entire wealth portfolios. For this leadership, she was honored with a Volunteer of the Year award and later served on the Board of Directors. Liz also served on the Wealth Management task force for CFA Institute, helping to further define wealth management and contributing to the initial wealth management curriculum for CFA candidates.

At CFP Board, Liz amplified the talent need for women advisors, led the first working group addressing AI for CFP@ professionals and led the board of directors through a complete review of the requirements to earn the CFP® certification today, assuring that CFP® professionals have the expertise to provide comprehensive financial planning and wealth management while serving as a full fiduciary, putting their clients’ interests first in suggesting appropriate wealth strategies and solutions.

Liz’s career spans over thirty years, starting out in the M&A and Proprietary Trading groups for The First Boston Corporation; serving as an analyst and associate portfolio manager for Oppenheimer Mutual Funds; and leading the equity research efforts as a principal owner of the investment manager, Trevor Stewart Burton & Jacobsen Inc. in NYC.

Liz’s 2012 book, “Clutter-Free Wealth: A Goal-oriented Guide to Gaining Control of your Affluence,” is still relevant today, reflecting the firm’s commitment to a simplified approach to wealth that leads with a client’s goals. Liz is regularly quoted in the financial media and is a member of the editorial advisory board for Trusts and Estates Magazine. Liz also serves as Co-President of the Alumni Board of Governors for the Sphinx Senior Society of the University of Pennsylvania and is a member of the undergraduate advisory board for the New Jersey Institute of Technology. She is a member of the Financial Planning Association, the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, CFA Society, and the Women Presidents Organization.

Liz received a B.S in economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. from Columbia University. Liz is the proud mother of grown twin daughters, and she and her husband reside in New York City with their almost fully grown Labrador retriever.

As Managing Partner of Indiana-based Premier Planning Partners (P3), Marcia Kamiak draws on more than 35 years’ experience in the financial services industry and long-standing client relationships to help guide the firm and the people and institutions it serves.

Marcia earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and began her career with Prudential-Bache in 1990, where she spent most of her career before joining P3.

A lifelong resident of South Bend, Marcia and her husband, Rob, are the proud parents of twin sons, Luke and Ryan. 

As Managing Partner of Indiana-based Premier Planning Partners (P3), Michelle M. Bryant has more than three decades of financial services experience, with a background spanning compliance, operations, management, portfolio management, and client relationships. Michelle is passionate about helping clients identify their goals, develop personalized strategies, and monitor their progress throughout each stage of their financial lives.

A longtime Michiana resident, Michelle has called the area home for more than 45 years. Outside of the office, she enjoys gardening, fishing, and spending time with her husband, Sean, and their energetic dogs, Trixie and Stella.

Suzanne Siracuse, Founder and CEO of Suzanne Siracuse Consulting, LLC, specializes in advising financial services firms on innovative business strategies, distinctive marketing programs and impactful advocacy initiatives around diversity, financial literacy, and next gen talent.

Ms Siracuse is also the Creator and Host of the Focused on the Future podcast series in partnership with WealthManagement.com

Ms. Siracuse is the former CEO and Publisher of InvestmentNews where she oversaw the vision and strategic direction for all their platforms including print, digital, events and research.

Under her leadership, InvestmentNews launched initiatives to support the evolution of the financial advice profession, specifically in the areas of Practice Management, Wealthtech, Women’s Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, NextGen and Financial Literacy.

An industry thought leader, she is a frequent speaker, moderator and columnist on topics ranging from marketing and leadership to financial literacy and fintech.

Ms Siracuse is a founding member of the Invent Elite consulting consortium, which focuses on developing, launching, branding and operationally supporting broad based technology initiatives for financial services firms.

In addition, Ms. Siracuse is on the Board for the non-profit, Savvy Ladies, is an advisory board member of the American College’s Center for Women and is on the Board of Directors for Bonsai, LLC.

Ms. Siracuse has been recognized by InvestmentNews with the Women to Watch “Trailblazer” award and by Think Advisor Luminary for her contributions on Diversity Equity and Inclusion in the wealth management industry.

Ms. Siracuse is an active volunteer at the Animal Rescue Fund in East Hampton, NY and an advocate for the humane treatment of animals.

She holds a BS in Business from Rider University. She, and her husband, Lee reside in New York City.

Lisa Salvi is a member of the Advisor Services leadership team and is responsible for Schwab’s Business Consulting and Education offer. Her team develops and manages programs and one-on-one consulting engagements designed to help independent advisors make lasting and significant improvements within their firms by focusing on key business, technology, and cybersecurity issues. Salvi’s team leads the annual RIA Benchmarking Study, the Compensation Study, and programs that support the development of advisor talent through executive education and student initiatives. They also provide insights and tools that help the Advisor Services sales and support teams deliver outstanding client service to independent advisors.

Salvi has worked with fee-based advisors since 2003. Since joining Schwab in 2007, she has held several positions, including Chief of Staff to Bernie Clark, head of Advisor Services.

Salvi holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Series 7 and Series 24 registrations.

Driven by a passion for helping others build meaningful and sustainable financial lives, Katie founded Method Financial Planning, a fee-only firm she launched in 2015. Katie focuses on guiding busy professionals through life’s major financial decisions with clarity and confidence.

An entrepreneur and advocate for women in finance, Katie is passionate about creating community and opportunity for women in the profession. During her time in San Diego, she co-founded San Diego Women in Finance, a community created to foster mentorship, collaboration, and career growth. She has also mentored aspiring CFP® professionals through the NAPFA Women’s Initiative and the CFP Board, helping to pave the way for more women to build rewarding careers in financial planning.

Katie served four years on the NAPFA Regional Board, where she helped strengthen member engagement and advance organizational goals.

As a wife, caregiver, mother, and business owner, Katie understands firsthand the challenges of integrating career ambitions with family life. Her most recent venture, Equita Financial Network, was founded on her belief that women can thrive when given access to the right community, resources, and support.

Kim Plyler is a senior vice president, distribution and product strategy, for Jackson National Life Distributors LLC (JNLD), the distribution business of Jackson National Life Insurance Company® (Jackson®). In this role, she oversees strategic initiatives focused on driving growth across Jackson’s product portfolio, target markets, and distribution channels, while playing a key role in the company’s broader strategic planning efforts.

Kim joined Jackson in 2018, and, prior to leading distribution and product strategy, she served as vice president of product marketing strategy, where she led the development and execution of enterprise marketing strategies supporting Jackson’s evolving product portfolio. In that role, she partnered closely with the sales organization to strengthen field engagement, enhance advisor support, and drive strategic marketing initiatives aligned with business growth objectives.

Prior to joining Jackson, Kim served as vice president, and head of annuity marketing with Lincoln Financial Distributors, where she developed and executed marketing strategies to support the company’s annuity business.

Kim earned a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University. She currently serves on the board of directors for Special Olympics Tennessee 

Cary Carbonaro is an award-winning, internationally recognized personal finance expert with more than 25 years of experience in wealth management. She currently serves as Managing Advisor and Women and Wealth Ambassador for Ashton Thomas Private Wealth, where she helps clients and advisors navigate the financial and emotional dimensions of wealth through a lens of empowerment and inclusion.

For over a decade, Cary has served as a CFP Board Ambassador, championing financial literacy and elevating the visibility of the financial planning profession. Prior to joining Ashton Thomas, she was a Partner and Head of Women’s Leadership at United Capital, which was later acquired by Goldman Sachs.

Cary has been widely recognized for her leadership, advocacy and impact. In 2026, she was named the InvestmentNews Financial Education Champion of the Year and ranked No. 19 on AdvisorHub’s 50 Advisors to Watch list. She is also a finalist for Thought Leader of the Year in the 2026 WealthManagement.com Industry Awards. Her earlier honors include the InvestmentNews Women to Watch award, InvestmentNews’ 2025 DEI Trailblazer of the Year, and multiple appearances on Investopedia’s Top 100 Financial Advisors list, including a No. 4 national ranking. In 2024, she was appointed as the sole female member of the Nasdaq Advisory Council, and she is part of the Milken Institute’s Women in Financial Security Initiative.

Cary is the author of Women and Wealth: A Playbook to Empower Clients and Unlock Their Fortune (Wiley, 2025), a guide for financial advisors seeking to better serve the growing female investor population. The book was selected by WealthManagement.com for its Best Business Books of 2025 for Advisors. She is also the author of The Money Queen’s Guide for Women Who Want to Build Wealth and Banish Fear (2015), an Amazon #1 bestseller in Wealth Management across several countries.

A frequent media commentator, Cary has appeared on Fox & Friends, The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, CBS, ABC, NPR and Newsmax, and is a regular guest on Fox 5, PBS’s Nightly Business Report and WPIX-NY. She has spoken worldwide on financial literacy, women’s empowerment and the future of advice, including at the Milken Institute Global Conference.

Cary is deeply committed to advancing women in finance and philanthropy. She serves on the Women’s Leadership Association Advisory Council, is the Founding President and a Legacy Member of the Women’s Giving Alliance, and sits on the Cortland College Foundation Board.