Meet Our Team

• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^®

• Forbes Best-In-State New York City, New York Top Financial Security Professionals in 2026, Read More

• Forbes Best-In-State New York City, New York Top Financial Security Professionals in 2025, Read More

• Forbes Best-In-State New York City, New York Top Financial Security Professionals in 2024, Read More

• Forbes Best-In-State New York City, New York Top Financial Security Professionals in 2023, Read More

• Forbes Best-In-State New York City, New York Top Financial Security Professionals in 2022, Read More

• Forbes America’s Top 250 Financial Security Professionals in 2021, Read More

• SiriusXM radio guest speaker on financial issues for Focus Group (July 2015).

• Responsible for raising over $230,000 in grants and donations to The Family Center since 2014.

• Awarded the Volunteers for Good Certificate of Recognition from the New York Life Foundation for philanthropic and volunteer efforts to make a difference in the community.

• Contributor to Freedom To Serve, a book which discusses the stewardship of finances. Ankney, Jonathan. Freedom to Serve. Sunnyside, NY. Small Business CFO, Inc. dba Tower Ministry Finance, 2017

• Chairman’s Council, President's Council, Executive Council Member with New York Life (2010-2026)

Council is an annual New York Life recognition program based on agent production from July 1- June 30.

Read more about the Forbes SHOOK®Research Top Financial Security Professionals list and the ranking methodology here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/molly-bennard/2026/07/09/methodology-2026-forbes--shook-top-financialsecurity-professionals/

Joel was raised in Dublin, OH, earned a B.S. in Business Administration in Finance from the University of Louisville in 2004, and was awarded the 2004 Financial Executives International Award by Louisville’s business leaders for "demonstrating outstanding performance and potential for leadership." Joel then proceeded to earn a Master of Divinity degree from Seminary at Cincinnati Christian University in 2007. Upon obtaining the Master of Divinity degree, Joel re-entered the financial field as a financial adviser to help financially educate and equip individuals for success both in the present and in the future.

Joel's commitment to community involvement spans over a decade and a half, with notable leadership roles in impactful organizations. From 2018 to 2024, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Family Center, based in New York City, ending his decade-long tenure after also serving as Vice-Chairman from 2016 to 2018 and as a Board Member from 2014-2016. The Family Center works to serve economically-insecure individuals and families encountering a crisis, providing a path to healing, stability and a fulfilling future. During his time as Chairman of the Board, Joel worked to initiate a strategic financial plan for the organization. Developed under his guidance, this strategic plan clarified the organization’s mission and vision so that the organization could maximize its impact in creating a more secure present and future for children and individuals in need. During Joel’s time as Board Chair, The Family Center saw a meaningful increase in fundraising, with revenue growing by nearly 50%. This further empowered the organization and its ability to help many more children, families, and individuals in need.

In addition to his work with The Family Center, Joel contributed his time and expertise serving on the Board of Directors of the Legacy Fund of the Columbus Foundation from 2011 to 2015. In this role, he was instrumental in managing the endowment fund's focus on serving Central Ohio, leaving a lasting impact on the well-being of disadvantaged portions of the community.

In his personal life, Joel is a devoted husband and proud father. He cherishes spending time with his family, whether it's reading to his children, enjoying beach outings together, or sitting down to play an old-fashioned board game. Beyond family, Joel finds joy in music, painting, and travel. His love for music began in childhood and has grown into a deep appreciation for various genres, especially live performances. An avid traveler, Joel loves exploring new places, meeting people, and immersing himself in different cultures. Some of his favorite and most-memorable experiences are visits to Italy and Israel, participating in an archaeological dig in Jordan, backpacking around China before graduate school, and exploring the complex cultural and historical heritage of southern Spain. During one of his trips to Spain, Joel discovered a newfound love of Rioja wines. Now, when he wants to relax in the evening with a good glass of wine, a Rioja is his first choice. When he has an open day, Joel enjoys taking the opportunity to spend time at his easel with paintbrush in hand, painting scenes inspired by nature. Beaches and landscapes are his favorite scenes to paint. Taking time for family, music, painting, and travel brings Joel moments of peace and reflection and provides a counterbalance to his busy life. The simple pleasures are what make life truly extraordinary!

• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^®

• Forbes Best-In-State Chicago, Illinois Top Financial Security Professionals in 2026, Read More

• Forbes Best-In-State Chicago, Illinois Top Financial Security Professionals in 2025, Read More.

• Since beginning his career as a financial advisor, Sam has been recognized repeatedly by organizations like New York Life, including earning membership in New York Life's prestigious Executive Council (2018 - present).

• President's Council, Executive Council Member with New York Life (2018-2026)

*Council is an annual NYL recognition program based on agent production from July 1-June 30.

Read more about the Forbes SHOOK®Research Top Financial Security Professionals list and the ranking methodology here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/molly-bennard/2026/07/09/methodology-2026-forbes--shook-top-financialsecurity-professionals/

Hailing from Houston, TX, Sam earned a B.A. in Plan II Honors from the University of Texas in 2014, graduating with Higher Honors and Phi Beta Kappa. The Plan II Honors degree is an advanced Liberal Arts degree in which Sam was required to write a thesis.  For his thesis, Sam focused on the viability of commercial musical theater in Mainland China.

Sam is deeply committed to community engagement and uses his time and expertise to support causes that expand access, education, and connection. He serves as a board member of Cadence Music NFP, a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that music education and inspiration are accessible to individuals of all backgrounds, ages, and ability levels — empowering students to unlock future opportunities through equitable music learning experiences.

In addition to his nonprofit leadership, Sam routinely facilitates free personal finance webinars for companies and organizations of all sizes, helping audiences improve financial confidence and planning skills. His programs have included sessions tailored for Broadway and touring production teams, with engagements for casts and crews from Hamilton, Wicked, The Lion King, and other major shows.

Sam is also actively involved as an alumnus of AEPi, where he plays a leadership role in organizing local alumni events throughout the Chicagoland area. Through these efforts, he helps foster ongoing community and connection for fellow alumni as they stay engaged with one another beyond college.

Outside of work, Sam is passionate about travel, food, music, and bringing people together. An avid traveler and foodie, he spent a year studying abroad in China, an experience that sparked a lifelong appreciation for exploring new cultures and cuisines. He is also a devoted Texas Longhorns football fan and can almost always be found cheering them on during the season.

A lifelong fan of musical theatre, Broadway, and a cappella music, Sam is the co-creator and producer of Broadway Goes A Cappella. In 2026, he received a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) for Best Showtunes Album as a producer.

Whether hosting friends and family, celebrating Shabbat on Friday nights, or fostering connections within Chicago's Jewish community, Sam enjoys creating opportunities for people to come together. Above all, he cherishes spending time with his wife, Laken, and their two children, Lyla and Leo, who keep life full of joy, adventure, and laughter.

• Ongoing recognition by New York Life for achieving various career milestones such as membership in their Executive Council in 2024

• Awarded Young Advisor Team Leader of the Year by NAIFA Texas 2022

• NAIFA’s Leadership In Life Institute (LILI) Graduate 2018

• Past President of Austin Cosmopolitan Rotary Club

David earned a BBA in Business Administration at Texas State University in 2013. During his time in college, David served in multiple leadership roles in both professional associations like American Marketing Association & ENACTUS in the business school as well as in social organizations. He remains an active alumnus of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

David has a passion for helping others and embodies a “give first” philosophy that he generously shares with his clients and community. He participates in numerous nonprofit service projects annually, such as the Hill Country Ride for AIDS in Austin, and actively seeks new ways to serve his community. Additionally, David is involved in advocacy work with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) at both the state and national levels. Through this work, he advocates for favorable legislation that benefits his clients and the broader community, ensuring their financial well-being is protected.

In his free time, David enjoys active outdoor hobbies like hiking with his dog Dewey, cycling, and visiting National Parks around the country with his wife Allysa. He is also passionate about personal fitness, ensuring he stays active and healthy. David and Allysa love international travel. They enjoy exploring new cultures and destinations, and sampling local beers wherever they go. They appreciate the unique flavors and traditions each place offers.

Josh is a Chartered Financial Analyst^® (CFA^®), reflecting his commitment to investment excellence, ethical standards, and ongoing professional development. During his investment management career, he managed global equity portfolios that achieved top-quartile long-term performance, including one strategy recognized among the top-performing global equity funds over a ten-year period.

Josh earned a bachelor's degree in International Studies with a concentration in Economics from Muhlenberg College, where he received the James W. Herrick Award, recognizing him as the outstanding graduating senior in International Studies. He was also inducted into Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international economics honor society. He later earned his MBA from Columbia Business School.

Josh believes in giving back to the communities that have shaped him. He has served on several nonprofit and educational boards throughout his career. Today, he serves on the board of the Mountain Creek Ski Racing Club, helping advance opportunities for young athletes while supporting a program that has been an important part of his oldest daughter's development.

Josh lives in Brooklyn Heights, New York City, and is the proud father of two teenage daughters. Having grown up in communities stretching from Connecticut to Texas and later living in both Argentina and Spain, he has developed an appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. His international experiences, combined with years of working on global investment teams, built on the Spanish he has spoken since childhood and sparked an interest in other languages, including Italian and Portuguese.

Outside of work, Josh enjoys spending time with his daughters, whether skiing together in the winter or making music at home. An enthusiastic amateur musician, he plays guitar and sings—often accompanying his younger daughter, who also plays piano and guitar. Raised in a family with a background in homebuilding, Josh is also an avid DIYer who enjoys woodworking, cabinetry, and home improvement projects whenever he can convince his family to let him tackle the next one.