Fort Myers: Empowering Your Wallet: Strategies for Taking Control of Your Financial Future

As we delve into the month of February, often associated with love and romance, let us redirect our focus towards another form of affection – self-love through financial empowerment. In our upcoming meeting, “Empowering Your Wallet: Strategies for Taking Control of Your Financial Future,” we recognize February as an opportune time to express care for our financial well-being. This month serves as a reminder to cultivate a healthy relationship with our finances, ensuring they align with our long-term goals and aspirations. Join us for a panel discussion and workshop that will guide you in nurturing a financially secure future. Let’s make this month not only about matters of the heart but also about investing in our financial well-being, laying the groundwork for a prosperous and secure tomorrow.

Our emcee:

Patrick Neale, Patrick Neale & Associates: Patrick is an attorney, civil mediator and arbitrator who practices law in the areas of business & entrepreneurial law, construction and contractor law, land use & zoning, real estate, government & administrative law and bankruptcy. He is also a mediator and arbitrator. Patrick moved to Collier in 1987. He has served on and chaired many local charity boards and is currently Secretary to the board of Avow Hospice. He has received numerous awards of distinction for his community and professional service. Patrick is an adjunct professor at FGCU. Patrick sits on the Executive Council of the Above Board Chamber of Florida.

Our Panelists:

Colin McCarthy, CFA® Vice President | S. FL Market Leader U.S. Wealth Advisory | BlackRock & iShares Colin McCarthy, CFA®, Vice President, is a Market Leader in South Florida, representing BlackRock & iShares. In his role, Colin is responsible for delivering the Investment Products & Portfolio Construction capabilities for BlackRock, the World’s Largest Asset Manager with ~$10T in AUM. During his time at BlackRock, he has won numerous Awards for Leadership & Sales Results. Colin is a Chartered Financial Analyst & lives with his Wife in Fort Lauderdale.

Joseph S. DeSena, CFP®, MBA, is a Managing Director and founder of Siena Wealth Advisory Group. Joe began his career as an advisor in November 1994, and has been one of the top 100 Financial Advisors at Ameriprise for twenty-one consecutive years (1999 – 2019). Joe has trained over 600 financial advisors across the country. He has been recognized as a Forbes Best-In-State Advisor for 2020 & 2021. Joe has been quoted as a financial expert in publications such as Newsday, Long Island Business News, Worth Magazine and was featured on the cover of Financial Planning Magazine. Currently, Joe and his Siena colleagues manage $1.3 billion in client assets. Siena has offices in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, Melville, New York, New York City and Naples, Florida. Joe is currently training to do a full distance IRONMAN – “Anything is Possible!”

Kerri Goldsmith, CFP®, CRPS®, AIF®, CDFA® is a Senior Financial Advisor with HBKS® Wealth Advisors Fort Myers office since 2009. She provides financial planning, investment management, and protection planning services in addition to working with business owners on qualified retirement plans and financial wellness education to their employees. She is featured in 2023’s Women to KNOW in Florida, and was an APEX Award finalist. A member of the Financial Planning Association and the Estate Planning Council, Kerri has chaired the firm’s financial planning committee and especially enjoys being a mentor to young professionals. Beyond work, she is very involved in giving back to the community as a Rotarian and volunteering with local non-profits.

Carolie Burroughs, SBC Investment Management Chief Investment Officer has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and has spent most of her career serving institutions and individuals in need of investment research, and asset management services and advice. In her current role, she creates and develops new strategies to build and preserve wealth for the future, as the long-term investing landscape changes. Caroline has a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Connecticut, an M.B.A. from Duke University, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Anthony J. Leopizzi, CFP®. CLU®, ChFC®, CIMA® Private Wealth Advisor President and CEO Verita Wealth Advisory Group has been a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial, serving the Florida and NY areas for over 30 years. Winning multiple awards, Anthony is a Five Star Wealth Manager, 28 year Circle of Success qualifier, and in 2014, Anthony was inducted into the Ameriprise Hall of Fame. Anthony served as past President and Chair of the FPA/GHV chapter in NY for 6 years and has been named a Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor for 2022 & 2023.

Thomas Robinson, Senior Commercial Lender Gulf Coast Business Bank. Thomas Robinson joined Gulf Coast Business Bank as Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending in May of 2022. He is responsible for commercial loan production, portfolio growth and deposit growth. Prior to joining Gulf Coast Business Bank, Mr. Robinson was Senior Vice President of First Florida Integrity Bank based in Naples, FL. He has over 23 years in banking, and commercial banking experience in Southwest Florida. Previously, Mr. Robinson worked with Wells Fargo Bank. He served as Chairman of the FGCU Naples Advisory Board, FGCU Athletic Advisory Board, Former President and Board Member of The Imaginarium Museum and History Center, Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program Graduate.