About Us
Your Partner in Building Financial Security
Working with POWWOW means
you come first
Taking control of your finances means so much more than managing investments and creating portfolios. In fact, investments are simply the tool to accomplish your plans and create a legacy. Doesn’t it make sense to start the process by defining and prioritizing what’s most important in your life? Knowing where you’re headed and understanding how to get there empowers you to make better decisions and be confident in your direction, which is a pretty great feeling.
Whether it’s having us confirm and critique a path you’ve started or needing guidance on a completely new venture, POWWOW is here to help. When it’s time to implement plan recommendations Quentara is happy to guide and participate in the process to make sure your best interests are being met.
What to expect as a client?
- An ongoing conversational relationship
- The opportunity to adjust or outright change your goals
- The freedom to invest and bank wherever you’re most comfortable
- No pressure to purchase insurance or investment product
- A sounding board and advocate for pop-up issues as they arise
- The personal touch of a small shop with the resources of a large firm
- Technology aggregating all the pieces of your life in one convenient spot
In a nutshell
- Mom of 3, Wife, Daughter, Niece, Friend, Volunteer, Presenter, Business Owner
- Bentley University, Bachelors and Masters in Personal Financial Planning
- Certified Financial Planner™ since 2010
- Notary Public in Massachusetts
- Fee Only / Fiduciary
With 15+ years of experience, I have worked with clients of all varieties. From those in debt to founders of public corporations. Occupational observation: no single approach works for everyone! My mission is to answer your questions in a way that makes you feel confident to push past self-doubt. Whether our meetings require getting into the details of a cash flow report, looking at colorful before and after charts, or simply brainstorming ideas – I have you covered.
Apart from office work, I enjoy working within the community to provide financial literacy and guidance. In 2016 I created the Facebook group “Merrimack Valley Seniors and Caregivers.” This is a dedicated forum for local families and professionals to problem-solve, share resources, and learn about upcoming events. Please join if you feel you can benefit by receiving support and connecting with others. Over the last few years, I’ve also been invited to create presentations and speak on a wide range of topics, including financial planning fundamentals, women in the workplace, and elder care planning. Looking forward, I’ll serve my fourth year on the North Andover Council on Aging, which will play a large part in the development of the town’s new senior center!
On evenings and weekends I am likely listening to an audiobook, taking my family for a walk, and sampling take-out cuisine from a favorite restaurant. Despite almost always being home, I do my best to recharge my batteries in Upstate NY, Disney, or beyond (most recently Croatia!)
For more information on my education and career path, connect with me on LinkedIn.
Our firm has allied with GeoWealth, an SEC-registered investment advisor, to provide investment management services to our clients. These services include portfolio construction, trading and rebalancing, account administration, performance reporting, and billing.
Partnering with GeoWeath’s portfolio management specialists allows Quentara to focus on clients’ planning needs. Powwow selected GeoWealth, formally First Ascent Asset Management, because of the team’s experience, the depth of their capabilities, and the objectivity of their advice. While Quentara works with various members of the team to ensure top notch client service, here is the who’s who of their investment commitee:
Jennifer Wing, MBA: As Chief Investment Officer of GeoWealth and Chair of its Investment Committee, she is responsible for delivering on the broad range of investment needs of clients, ensuring the platform offers access, flexibility, and investment expertise. In this role, Jen draws from 15 years’ experience, primarily at J.P. Morgan Private Bank and Asset & Wealth Management divisions. Her roles at J.P. Morgan included investment manager due diligence, portfolio management, digital product and strategy. Ms. Wing received her MBA from The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania. She received her BS in Finance from The Smeal College of Business at The Pennsylvania State University. She also holds a Series 65 designation. She is based in Greenwich, Connecticut with her family.
Ivo Ivanov, CFA & CIPM: Ivo has long tenure with GeoWealth, having joined the company in 2011. His current role as Head of Investment Research has him supporting the investment program through data analytics and quantitative research. Prior experiences include: serving as a Director at TD Ameritrade; as the Chief Portfolio Manager for Amerivest; and as Vice President and Director of Research at Bear Stearns Asset Management.
Scott MacKillop, JD, Founder and CEO of First Ascent Asset Management: He is an Ambassador for the Institute for the Fiduciary Standard and an award-winning author who has written over 200 articles and papers on topics of interest to financial advisors. Mr. MacKillop brings the unique experience of having served as leader of five firms that provided outsourced portfolio management services to financial advisors. He started his career as an attorney in Washington, DC practicing securities and ERISA law.
Clifford Schoeman, EVP, Chief Product Officer
Stoyan Illiev, Investment Research Associate
Charles Staples, Investment Solutions Manager
Josh Smith, Portfolio Manager Associate
