I never set out to work in financial services—my plan was to become a teacher. While finishing my final semester at Utica College of Syracuse University in 2007, I took a part-time filing job at a financial firm to earn some extra income. But what started as temporary work quickly turned into something I loved. I was drawn to the organization, the problem-solving, and the sense of purpose that came with helping clients. Instead of stepping into a classroom, I decided to stay and build a career that continues to challenge and inspire me nearly two decades later.
Since then, I’ve grown my expertise in operations and leadership, earning my FINRA Series 7 license in 2021 and my Series 66 license in 2024. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of serving in leadership roles, including on Osaic’s Service Excellence Council (formerly the National Operations Excellence Council) in 2022. In January 2025, I was selected to return to the council—a role I’m honored to hold as we continue working together to enhance efficiency, collaboration, and the overall client experience. After spending most of my career with one firm, I was drawn to Xavier and Erik’s client-centered approach to financial planning. After many great conversations, I knew it was the right fit and officially joined the Plan Wisely team in November 2024.
On a personal note:
Outside of work, my story centers on family and community. My husband, Andrew, and I live in West Winfield, NY, where we’re raising our three daughters. Between soccer and volleyball schedules, school events, and cheering for our favorite teams (the Buffalo Bills, Manchester City F.C., the USMNT, and UNC), there’s always something happening—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Giving back and staying active are big parts of who we are as a family. Each year, I take part in the American Heart Association’s Heart Run and Walk in Utica, honoring family members affected by heart disease and remembering my Uncle Frank. We also proudly support the Kelberman Center’s annual autism fundraising efforts and walk to celebrate my niece—and the unique, wonderful qualities autism has awarded her. Both causes are deeply personal to me and remind our family of the power of compassion, awareness, and community.
And if you know me, you know I’m rarely without a great pair of heels, a bold lip color, and a good laugh with family or friends. I believe life’s better when you bring a little style, warmth, and joy to everything you do—whether that’s at work, at home, or somewhere in between.
My Content
Article
Teaching Kids About Money Today? It Could Mean Better Relationships In The Future
By Erik Garcia
Teaching Kids About Money Today? It Could Mean Better Relationships In The Future Source: BYU News The Big Takeaway: Kids who learn budgeting and saving habits early in life are more likely to have healthy relationships in…
Topics Kids & Money
Podcast
Financial Decisions You’ll Have To Make for Your Wedding with Jessica Burke
By Erik Garcia
What comes to mind when you think about weddings? The happy couple? Wedding cake? A bumping reception? Wedding cake? Maybe the kiss? Or, perhaps, the wedding cake? What about the finances? In this episode of…
Article
Why are your Investments in the Dumps? It might be your Emotions
By Erik Garcia
Why are your investments in the dumps? It might be your emotions Source: Discover Magazine The Big Takeaway: Research indicates how you feel about yourself and the world around you may lead to poor investment decisions. The…
Topics Investing
Article
Tips to Cope with Recession Anxiety
By Erik Garcia
Tips to cope with recession anxiety Source: CNBC The Big Takeaway: With talk of a recession potentially on its way, stress levels are at an all-time high. In this article, financial and behavioral experts offer five different…
Topics Behavioral Finance, Investing
Podcast
Inflation, Recession, Mid-term Elections and the Market with Kevin Caron
By Erik Garcia
If you have money invested in the stock market, there’s a good chance the recession is on your mind. Will high inflation lead us to a recession? What about the mid-term elections? And when will…
Podcast
5 Common Financial Mistakes
By Erik Garcia
Mistakes are abundant. We’ve all made them! Mistakes with our money, though, might be among the scariest – so it’s worth getting to know some of the most common ones to try to avoid them….
Podcast
7 Things That 401k Investors Should Know
By Erik Garcia
For everyone that’s a 401k investor out there: How well do you understand your investment? Some might know more than others, but no matter how much about retirement investing you know, being familiar with the…
Article
How Money Influences the Frequency and Intensity of Happiness
By Erik Garcia
Psychologists uncover new details about how money influences the frequency and intensity of happiness by Beth Ellwood in Business, Mental Health Research from the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science offers insight into the long-contended claim that money improves life satisfaction. The researchers…
Topics Behavioral Finance
Podcast
Is a Financial Advisor Worth It?
By Erik Garcia
Should you hire a financial advisor? Are they worth the money? What are the reasons to hire an advisor, and are they worth it? In this episode of the Stuff About Money podcast, Erik Garcia,…

