Experts and Authors You Can Trust

 

When it comes to the people helping to guide your financial strategy, credentials matter. That’s why we’ve assembled a team of first-rate subject matter experts whose deep experience and insights thoughtfully inform our content and guide our advisors. They’re backed up by accomplished editorial specialists who help bring our experts’ insights to life through content created for you.

EMPOWERING YOU WITH KNOWLEDGE

 

Our experts cover the topics you care about – across financial planning, investment management, tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning and insurance – to help you put strategy into practice with relevant, actionable information. Get to know what drives them and their mission to serve you and your financial future.

  • Anna Hays

    Director of Estate Planning

    With more than 25 years of experience, Anna is a senior member of the Advanced Planning Strategies Estate Planning Team. With expertise in estate and trust planning, she helps advisors and their clients with integrated estate planning strategies that align with their financial goals.

  • Ashley Day

    Director of Estate Planning

    With more than 25 years of experience, Ashley is a senior member of the Advanced Planning Strategies Estate Planning Team. With expertise in estate planning, trust administration and litigation, she helps advisors and clients with integrated estate planning strategies.

  • Eric Bronnenkant

    Head of Tax and Director, Tax Advisory and Planning

    Serving as the Head of Tax, Eric helps lead our tax planning experts’ efforts to identify tax planning opportunities for clients and ensure tax planning is integrated into their overall financial outlook and strategy. He specializes in tax guidance for retirement planning, equity compensation and small business.

  • Erin Gilmore Smith

    Head of Estate Planning

    With nearly 20 years of experience working with high-net worth clients and their families, Erin leads the Advanced Planning Strategies Estate Planning Team. Erin joined Edelman Financial Engines in 2022 and has expertise in estate and wealth transfer planning.

  • Jennifer Chomicki

    Senior Director, Advanced Planning Strategies

    Having started her career in communications, Jennifer brings those valuable skills and more than 20 years of experience in financial services to her role leading the Advanced Planning Strategies Team.

  • Katie Klingensmith

    Chief Investment Strategist

    With more than 25 years of experience, Katie uses her passion for research, wealth management and client communication to advise clients on how investment strategy can help them meet their financial goals.

  • Kelly M. Lewis

    Director, Wealth Strategies

    With more than 10 years of experience in financial services, Kelly is a senior member of the Advanced Planning Strategies Team. She helps lead the team’s efforts in complex wealth strategies, education and research, with expertise in retirement income planning, tax planning, estate planning, risk and debt management, education planning and behavioral finance.

  • Lamu Dawa

    Director, Tax Advisory and Planning

    A Certified Public Accountant with more than 13 years of experience, Lamu is a senior member of the Advanced Planning Strategies Tax Team, helping planners and clients identify tax planning opportunities. As a part of her work, Lamu develops complex projections and reviews many types of tax plans.

  • Megan Rhodes Litteral

    Senior Advanced Planning Specialist

    With nearly 15 years of experience in financial planning, Megan is a key member of the Advanced Planning Strategies Team. With expertise in retirement planning, she helps build financial plans, working with advisors to help them provide the best-in-class guidance and service their clients need.

  • Melissa Lizotte

    Director, Insurance

    Melissa joined Edelman Financial Engines in 2024, is a Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and holds a Certification for Long-Term Care (CLTC®). Prior to EFE, she held senior insurance roles with WealthVest, Global Benefits Group, John Hancock and Genworth.

  • Nefertari Ward

    Senior Advanced Planning Specialist

    With more than 20 years of experience in financial services, Nefertari is a key member of the Advanced Planning Strategies Team. With expertise in retirement plan design, suitability, implementation, maintenance and compliance, she helps advisors troubleshoot complex problems and position solutions for their clients.

  • Neil Gilfedder

    Chief Investment Officer

    As executive vice president of Investment Management and chief investment officer, Neil oversees the team that manages investments for all Edelman Financial Engines clients while helping them navigate the financial market cycles.

  • Rich Lahijani

    Director, Tax Advisory and Planning

    A Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant® with 20 years of experience, Rich is a senior member of the Advanced Planning Strategies Tax Team, helping planners and clients identify tax planning opportunities that can help them achieve their financial goals.

  • Robert Bain

    Head of Insurance

    With more than 20 years of experience in the field, Rob leads the Advanced Planning Strategies Insurance Team, specializing in insurance guidance and planning. Rob joined Edelman Financial Engines in 2016 and holds a Certification for Long-Term Care (CLTC®).

  • Rodney Weaver

    Director of Estate Planning

    With more than 20 years of experience working with high-net worth clients, Rodney is a senior member of the Advanced Planning Strategies Estate Planning Team. Rodney joined Edelman Financial Engines in 2020 and has expertise in estate planning and wealth transfer.

  • Wei-Yin Hu

    Vice President, Financial Research and Strategy

    With more than 30 years of experience, Wei helps lead a team of financial researchers and portfolio strategists who work on stimulating problems that also have a real-world impact on people’s lives.

PAIRING EDUCATION WITH EDITORIAL EXCELLENCE

 

Our content team puts decades of editorial experience to work in bringing you the coverage that can help you move your financial life forward. Get to know the knowledgeable professionals who partner with our experts on educational content.

  • Carissa Caramanis

    Lead Writer, Digital Content and Education Center

    Carissa joined Edelman Financial Engines in 2022 to lead content development for the Education Center and to support digital content growth. She took her first paid newswriting job at the age of 16 and has been writing ever since, having worked in print and digital media as well as television and radio.

  • Joy Coronel

    Senior Copywriter

    Joy joined Edelman Financial Engines in 2023 and has expertise in content creation and education. Prior to joining EFE, she held editorial roles at a large financial firm, creating educational content and marketing communications for direct investors. Joy’s passion for financial education is inspired and driven by her personal experiences.

you’ve done the research. now, take action.

  • 1. Connect with an Advisor

    Start by sharing some information about yourself and your financial outlook.

  • 2. Schedule your appointment

    One of our representatives will reach out to schedule an appointment to meet with an advisor in person or virtually.

  • 3. Discuss your goals

    After a thorough conversation, your advisor can create and deliver a personalized financial plan.