Nicole Allen | Chief Compliance Officer & Wealth Advisor

MONARCH WEALTH STRATEGIES | WWW.MWSUS.COM
NICOLE@MWSUS.COM | (805) 564-0800

About: Before joining Monarch Wealth Strategies, Nicole Allen held leadership roles in lending, retail banking, and management for over a decade. Her desire to feel like she was making a real difference, beyond being a cog in the machine, led her to Monarch in 2019. Her wealth of knowledge in planning, the finance industry, and relationship management, and her ability to connect with and put clients first made her a natural fit for her dual role.

As her career evolved, Nicole gained insight into various functions of the firm, assisting in compliance activities, leading two large-scale and complex account migrations, and overseeing operations. In addition, her cross-departmental experience helps her better serve clients and provide a level of understanding and transparency in the planning process.

Her favorite part about working in financial planning and wealth management is nurturing meaningful connections and empowering clients to positively direct their financial futures with transparent, objective guidance. She also enjoys providing her clients with the peace of mind of working with a fiduciary-focused firm that puts their interests first and is unencumbered by conflicts of interest so she can focus on their total financial picture in a purposeful way.

Specialties: Nicole always seeks ways to stay connected to her local community and develop her skills to deepen client relationships, which is evident in her involvement with the Santa Barbara Young Professionals Club, as past president, serving as a committee member for the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and recognition on the Pacific Coast Business Times 2023 “40 Under 40” list.

Nicole has a natural ability to forge and develop meaningful connections, put clients first, and simultaneously manage multiple tasks and expectations. Having assisted in various areas of the firm, she has extensive insight into the onboarding, planning, and management processes. Nicole’s enthusiasm for learning allows her to absorb and apply new knowledge quickly while maintaining a high level of service and integrity in her work. She is also passionate about the planning process, organizing, and piecing together the interdependent details that position her clients for success.

Quote: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to engage in fulfilling work that allows me to impact our clients’ lives in meaningful ways and build lasting relationships that truly help to make a difference on their financial journeys.”

Connect: Contact Nicole at nicole@mwsus.com or at (805) 564-0800, or visit her website below!

MEMBER SINCE JANUARY 2023

Rachelle Barnier | CPA

NASIF, HICKS, HARRIS & CO., LLP | WWW.NHHCO.COM
RBARNIER@NHHCO.COM | (805) 966-1521

About: Rachelle graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics with an Emphasis in Accounting. She is a Certified Public Accountant whose practice focuses on working with clients and their professional advisors on tax planning for individuals and closely held businesses as well as tax planning associated with marriage dissolution. 

Specialties: Rachelle’s practice includes tax planning and consulting for individuals and closely held businesses as well as tax planning associated with marriage dissolution matters which includes property division (i.e. stock options, real estate, deferred compensation, and business entities) and obligations outlined in the divorce decree (i.e. alimony, life insurance policies, and retirement plans).

Quote: "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln

Connect: Contact Rachelle at rbarnier@nhhco.com or at (805) 966-1521, or visit her website below!

member since November 2017

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Kristen Blabey | Attorney

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PRICE, POSTEL & PARMA LLP | WWW.PPPLAW.COM
KMRB@PPPLAW.COM | (805) 962-0011 EXT. 161

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About: Kristen works with clients to create a cohesive estate plan, helping individuals update their retirement plan and life insurance designations, making sure there is alignment between their financial assets and the ultimate disposition provided for in the documents. She facilitates discussions for families regarding wealth preservation and transfer strategies between generations and to charitable organizations. Another focus area to her practice is planned giving where she helps local non-profit organizations to create planned giving programs and helps individuals craft charitable trusts or other planned giving vehicles as a component of their estate plan.

In addition to lifetime estate planning, she handles probates and trust administrations. Kristen helps executors, trustees, and beneficiaries navigate through the various steps of the probate process or a trust administration including the filing of federal estate tax returns, court petitions and filings, sub-trust funding, real property transactions, business succession planning, and estate distribution issues.

Kristen joined Price, Postel & Parma in 2005. She previously worked for the law firm of Warren, Hensley and Bowen in Boston, MA, where she was involved in a wide range of legal matters, including civil litigation, estate planning, and real estate transactions. Ms. Blabey is a native of Santa Barbara where she attended Laguna Blanca School.

Specialties: Kristen's practice includes estate planning, probate, trust administration, conservatorship, charitable planning, and taxation matters. Her practice focuses on all aspects of estate planning including creating wills, trusts, charitable trusts, health care directives, durable powers of attorney, deeds, and other estate planning instruments.

Connect: Contact Kristen at kmrb@ppplaw.com or at (805) 962-0011 ext. 161, or visit her website below!

member since october 2017

Danielle Bolster | Second Vice President & Business Specialist

About: Having joined Northern Trust in 2019, Danielle has over 13 years of wealth management industry experience. Prior to joining Northern Trust, she was a Regional Sales Office Supervisor with Bank of New York Mellon. She graduated from Sonoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on marketing and has completed her CFP education requirements.

Specialties: As a Business Specialist for Northern Trust in Santa Barbara, Danielle collaborates with an extensive network of team members and external advisers to develop and implement comprehensive wealth management solutions for entrepreneurs, founders, philanthropists, business owners and executives. Danielle frequently works with individuals with assets in transition, such as from inheritance, retirement or divorce. Guiding individuals, families and foundations in their holistic investment and wealth planning. Danielle is responsible for assembling a team of advisors to help ensure that clients fully benefit from the comprehensive capabilities and individualized solutions Northern Trust provides.

Quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don't take” — Wayne Gretzky

Connect: Contact Danielle at db405@ntrs.com or at (408) 656-6784, or visit her website below!

MEMBER SINCE March 2023

Anna Burnbaum | Senior Associate Attorney

About: Anna Burnbaum is a senior associate in the firm’s Business and Commercial Litigation Department and Labor and Employment Department. Anna also has extensive experience in dealing with medical malpractice matters. Anna is licensed to practice law in the states of Washington, New York, and California. Anna earned her Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law in 2011 and graduated from the University of Montana Davidson Honors College in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Pre-Law. In 2012, Anna earned her LL.M. in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Specialties: Anna represents clients in labor and employment and business and commercial litigation matters in federal, state, and administrative forums involving wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, defamation, and contract disputes. She also regularly provides counsel and advice to clients’ human resources personnel, managers, and executive teams on contract, employment, and wage and hour laws.

Quote: “Mediation is conflict's way of looking at itself.” — Jeff Cohen

Connect: Contact Anna at aburnbaum@kleinlaw.com or at (661) 395-1000, or visit her website below!

MEMBER SINCE MAY 2023

Hannah Buschbom | Wealth Advisor & Co-Founder of The W Source

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About: Hannah Buschbom CFP®, CDFA™, CFF® is a Wealth Advisor at The AmeriFlex Group. She has over a decade of experience working in the financial services industry. Her specialty is working with people, especially women, during a significant life transition, such as retirement, sale of a business or real estate, change in marital status, or loss of a loved one.

She enjoys engaging clients cooperatively, to develop creative solutions to their often-complex scenarios together. This method, she says, leads to their preferred outcome– “My ultimate goal is to enable clients to be better educated, and in turn to make confident and informed decisions.”

In her search for connections to educate and serve her clients better, Hannah noticed a lack of a centralized way for women to establish and strengthen powerful relationships with other women business leaders in their communities. By Co-Founding The W Source, she helps female professionals tackle this challenge by providing a way for them to connect, engage, and grow their professional networks.

Hannah holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification – the gold standard for financial planning in the financial services industry. Also, Hannah noticed early on in her career that those grappling with the complexities of divorce settlements could benefit from the help of a specialized, trusted advisor. Wanting to fill this void, she pursued and obtained her Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Designation®. Finally, wanting to provide the highest standard of care for clients, she holds the Certified Financial Fiduciary designation.

As a featured speaker, Hannah frequently shares her expertise with other female professionals. She has contributed to Barron’s Magazine, Financial Advisor magazine, Investment News, Financial Planning Magazine, and Wealth Management.com.

In 2019, Hannah was named “Grassroots Champion of the Year” by Financial Services Institute (FSI). FSI advocates for a more business-friendly regulatory environment for independent financial services firms and independent financial advisors in Washington D.C. The award is given at the discretion of FSI.

Specialties: Hannah focuses on helping her clients navigate transitional events including divorce, sale of a home, sale of a business, retirement, and inheritance.

Quote: “We can't direct the wind, but we can always adjust the sails.” — Unknown

Connect: Contact Hannah at Hannah@AmeriFlex.com or at (805) 770-1356 for a confidential consultation today!


MEMBER SINCE SEPTEMBER 2017
 

Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through The AmeriFlex® Group, an Independent Registered Investment Advisor. Osaic Wealth, Inc is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth, Inc. Insurance is offered independent of Osaic Wealth, Inc.

Diane Byun | Class Action Associate

About: Diane received her B.A. from UCSB and her J.D. from University of San Diego, School of Law. Upon graduating law school, she clerked for the Honorable M. James Lorenz in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California. Subsequently, she worked as a data privacy and commercial litigation associate at an AmLaw 100 firm and as a transactional associate at a sophisticated boutique firm in Santa Barbara, CA. Diane enjoys her class action practice with Strange LLP because she can utilize her legal skills while helping persons and entities who have been wronged.

Specialties: Diane is a dedicated class action attorney with a passion for seeking justice on behalf of individuals and companies. Skilled in legal research, case strategy development, and negotiation, Diane leverages her background in commercial litigation and commercial law in class actions to contribute to impactful legal cases and make a difference in the lives of those affected.

Quote: “Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” — Fyodor Dostoevsky

Connect: Contact Diane at diane@strangellp.com or at (310) 207-5055 or visit her website below!


MEMBER SINCE March 2023
 

Sara Caputo, MA | Owner

About: With a master's degree in organizational psychology from Antioch University, Sara has developed the nationally-recognized Productivity Puzzle model that helps individuals, teams and businesses transform their workflow in order to increase productivity. Sara’s approach starts with helping people to find strategies and solutions that work for their own brains, needs and life—creating their individual Productivity Puzzle that works for them, not against them. With a background in using StrengthsFinder in her coaching, you might find it interesting to know her top five strengths are Discipline, Responsibility, Input, Relator and Developer.

Sara’s work has been featured in Working Woman and Success magazines as well as on Forbes.com. Sara’s column, Simply 805, appears regularly in the Santa Barbara Independent, and her writings on all matters of productivity have spanned many publications. Learn more about Sara and her journey on her website.

Specialties: Individual, Team, Business Coaching + Consulting

Quote: “Be with what is, so that what is to be may become.”

Connect: Contact Sara at sara@saracaputoconsulting.com or at (805) 689-8414, or visit her website below!

MEMBER SINCE JULY 2022

Kim Crawford | Real Estate Agent, CNE, CDPE, SRES

About: Kim has been serving the Santa Barbara market since 2007. Born and raised in Seattle, WA, Kim came to study at Westmont College in 1996, fell in love with the area and never left! Kim worked for a Real Estate Developer and wore many hats as a project manager, administrative assistant and salesperson. She joined Village Properties in 2010 and joined forces with Angelina Speier in 2018. The Crawford Speier Group has been nominated Best Real Estate Team six years in a row and they have been a consistent top producing team for number of sales as well as sales volume. Kim's extensive market knowledge, years of experience and enthusiasm for helping clients build their dream lives in Santa Barbara all contribute to her being recognized as a trusted expert.
In her free time, Kim is involved with the Westmont College Women's Council, Santa Barbara Young Life and is active in volunteering for her children's classrooms and loves to read, cook and be on the water. She has three children, a Portuguese Water dog and an incredibly supportive husband!

Specialties: Kim and her team, The Crawford Speier Group represent both sellers and buyers in the Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, Carpinteria and Santa Ynez Valley areas. They have a commitment to serve their clients with integrity, dedication and an extensive knowledge of the market. With over 20 years of experience, they are top producers year after year. Kim is part of Forbes Global Properties, Luxury Portfolio, and Leading RE.

Quote: “Life is too short to drink bad wine.”

Connect: Contact Kim at kim.crawford@villagesite.com or at (805) 886-8132, or visit her website below!

MEMBER SINCE NOVEMBER 2023

Courtney DeSoto | Private Fiduciary

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About: Courtney moved from the Sacramento area to attend Westmont College. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1998 and later earned her Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from Santa Barbara College of Law. She has over 15 years of social service experience with the County of Santa Barbara and for the past ten years she served as the Court Investigator for the Santa Barbara Superior Court. She worked specifically for the probate division monitoring conservatorships and guardianships for legal compliance. She left the Court in 2013 and launched her own fiduciary business in an effort to continue assisting the vulnerable adults in the local community. Her approach and dedication provide trustworthy stewardship of you or your loved one's affairs.  With the services offered through CI Fiduciary Group, she is able to reach beyond the constraints of public service employment and implement unique and creative solutions to your elder's crisis while respecting each individual's unique and personal lifestyle choices. She is the mother of two young daughters and a photographer by hobby.

Specialties: Courtney specializes in comprehensive elder care and aging well services that are geared toward her individual clients' needs. She serves a variety of populations including at-risk seniors, those who wish to age in their own homes, individuals suffering from mental and/or emotional challenges, those suffering from substance abuse, adults vulnerable to exploitation or abuse, isolated adults, and other vulnerable populations.

Connect: Contact Courtney at courtney@cifiduciarygroup.com or at (805) 804-3131, or visit her website below!

member since october 2017

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Jennifer Duffy | Attorney

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About: Jenn earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from UCLA and her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of San Francisco. In college, she wrote for the Daily Bruin newspaper. During law school, she served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review, a Judicial Extern with the Supreme Court of California, Vice President of the Student Body, and a Public Interest Law Scholar. She returned to her home town of Santa Barbara in 1999 as an attorney and became a Partner at her prior law firm in 2008. As of  March of 2021, she is a founding partner of the Santa Barbara office of the international law firm of Rimon Law.

Jenn loves what she does and enjoys helping people. She says that her favorite part of her work as an employment law attorney is to help companies solve problems. Her favorite part of her work as a family law attorney is to help her clients get to a place of empowerment, ready for their next chapter.

Jenn also thinks it is important to give back to the community, to give a hand up to people in need. She is on many local boards, and she also volunteers weekly for Dream Foundation's Flower Empower program and other events and programs. She has been a member of the Santa Barbara Chapter of National Charity League since 2012, which is a mother-daughter philanthropy organization. Since 2016, she has been awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award from the President of the United States for her volunteer work (separate from her board work), and she was named Volunteer of the Year for Dream Foundation in 2018. (her daughter was Youth Volunteer of the Year in 2020.) Jenn has also named one of the Top 50 Women in Business in the tri-counties as well as Who’s Who in Professional Services by the Pacific Coast Business Times in multiple years since 2017.

Specialties: Jenn has two distinct practice areas: employment law (mostly on the management side) and family law. When asked which she does more of and which she enjoys more, she comments, "My work in each field ebbs and flows, but it is pretty even, over time. I love them both. They keep me balanced and focused."

Quote: "Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." —Unknown

Connect: Contact Jenn at jennifer.duffy@rimonlaw.com or (805) 618-2606, or visit her website below!

member since october 2017

Jill Friedman | Attorney/Partner

MYERS, WIDDERS, GIBSON, JONES & FEINGOLD, LLP |

WWW.MWGJLAW.COM | JFRIEDMAN@MWGJLAW.COM | (805) 644-7188

About: Jill Friedman is a tenacious civil trial attorney, seeking justice for her clients for more than three decades. She graduated from UCLA with a BA in English and was a Chancellor’s Scholar. She received her JD from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. She is a past president of both Santa Barbara Women Lawyers and Women Lawyers of Ventura County. Ms. Friedman has served on the board of directors for the Santa Barbara County Bar Association and the Ventura County Bar Association. She is a founding member and former chair of the Ventura County Diversity Bar Alliance, now known as the Ventura County Unity Bar. In 2016, she was the keynote speaker at the Women Lawyers of Ventura County’s annual dinner and received the Legacy Award for her work as a pioneering woman attorney.

She joined Myers, Widders, Gibson, Jones & Feingold, LLP in 2010, and later became the first female partner in the now 50+ year old firm. In 2024, after a 23-day binding arbitration on behalf of a local educator, she obtained a $3.1M judgment in a real estate fraud case against prolific house flippers.

She enjoys the intellectual challenge of litigation and prides herself on making complicated legal matters easy for her clients and juries to understand. All trial attorneys are litigators, but not all litigators are trial attorneys. Cases are more likely to settle when the other side knows you are ready and able to take the case all the way to trial.

Specialties: Jill Friedman’s litigation practice includes personal injury, employment, business, and real estate. She represents plaintiffs and defendants. Ms. Friedman is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a prestigious invitation-only organization for attorneys who have tried a minimum of ten civil jury trials to conclusion as lead counsel. Nationally, women comprise approximately 10% of ABOTA membership. She is one of only four female ABOTA members in the Tri-Counties. In 2018, Ms. Friedman served as president of the ABOTA Tri-County chapter.

Quote: "A strong woman stands for justice, fights for equality, and empowers others through the law." - Unknown

Connect: Contact Jill at jfriedman@mwgjlaw.com or at (805) 644-7188, or visit her website below!

MEMBER SINCE JANUARY 2025

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Angela Greenspan, Esq. | Attorney

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FAUVER LARGE ARCHBALD & SPRAY, LLP | WWW.FLASLLP.COM
agreenspan@flasllp.com | (805) 453-6439

About: Angela Greenspan, an attorney at Fauver, Large, Archbald & Spray, LLP, focuses her legal practice on transactional business law and estate planning. She has a deep commitment to ensuring the protection of families and business owners. Alongside her legal expertise, Ms. Greenspan holds a California Real Estate Agent license and is the co-founder of schoolofbookkeeping.com.  

Ms. Greenspan is passionate about assisting business owners in establishing a well-protected business. Her experience includes adeptly representing clients in business transactions and settlement negotiations. This litigation background uniquely positions her to guide clients to proactively avoid unforeseen challenges in business. Ms. Greenspan offers a holistic approach emphasizing the significance of a secure business foundation, aligning legal strategies with real-world business challenges to ensure compressive protection for her clients. 

As a seasoned professional in estate planning, she is dedicated to empowering individuals and families to secure their legacies and protect their wealth. With a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding estate planning, she specializes in crafting personalized solutions that transcend generations

Specialties: Estate plan drafting and tax planning, trust administration and litigation, business succession planning, negotiation and dispute resolution, entity formation and preparation of formation documents, contract drafting and review, and corporate governance

Quote: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and starting on the first one.” — Mark Twain

Connect: Contact Angela at agreenspan@flasllp.com or at (805) 453-6439, or visit her website below!

MEMBER SINCE March 2024

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Caitlin Hensel | Commercial Real Estate Broker | Partner

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About: Caitlin Hensel’s expertise extends across a broad range of commercial property transactions, including investment sales, acquisitions, and landlord and tenant representation for all asset types, with an emphasis on value-add deals and repositioning of properties. She has cultivated a reputation for meticulous attention to detail, extensive market knowledge and unparalleled client service for both corporate and family-run clientele.

Caitlin is one of the region’s most active agents, having completed more than 400 transactions valued at over $240 million. She has been awarded both “Top Women in Business” and “40 Under 40” honors for the tri-county area by the Pacific Coast Business Times and is a sought-after speaker at conferences and panels on real estate and the regional economy.

Caitlin is a proud UCSB graduate and has been a central member of the Hayes Commercial team since 2008. With a background in real estate transaction coordination, marketing and market research, she is able to navigate complex transactions and provide strategic insight to clients, assisting them in achieving their business or investment objectives.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Caitlin is actively engaged in the local community, sitting on the boards of the Downtown Organization and Santa Barbara Toastmasters and holding several board positions over the years with The Junior League of Santa Barbara. She also dedicates her time on a weekly basis to multiple non-profits in the Santa Barbara area.

Specialties: Caitlin has earned a reputation for attention to detail, market knowledge and exceptional client service for both corporate and family-run clientele. She represents clients throughout the South Coast in the leasing and sales of commercial property, including office, retail, industrial, and land. Being one of the only women in commercial real estate, Caitlin loves to work with female owned businesses to help them strategically achieve their goals.

Quote: “Always deliver more than expected.” - Larry Page

Extra: Learn more about Caitlin at her other website: www.805cre.com

Connect: Contact Caitlin at caitlin@hayescommercial.com, (805) 898-4374 or visit her website below!

MEMBER SINCE JANUARY 2020

Kat Hitchcock | REALTOR

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About: A Texas Native, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Corporate Communications & Business Foundations. I spent seven years working in the advertising and marketing industry which I credit with my ability to negotiate, creative problem-solving skills and my ability to market the listings. I have been in the real estate industry for almost a decade now and is representing buyers and sellers. I started my team Hitchcock and Associates in 2016 and since have received numerous awards for sales volume. Last year we closed just under $42 million. I really enjoy helping people successfully achieve their real estate goals no matter how large or small.

Specialties: Providing quality Real Estate service based on integrity, knowledge, and professionalism. We have a wide range of expertise including: first time home buyers, selling anything from luxury estates to manufactured homes, trust/estate sales, 1031 exchanges, investors, contingency sales, second home purchases. We work with both clients near or far. No job is too small and no task is unattainable.

Quote: “Creating the results you want through a process that you enjoy.”

Connect: Contact Kat at kat@hitchcockre.com or at (805) 705-4485, or visit her website below!

MEMBER SINCE JANUARY 2021

Marisa Holly | Title and Escrow Sales Representative

About: Marisa went to both Cal Poly Humboldt and Cal State Channel Islands where she graduated in 2013 with a B.A. in Communication- Nonprofit and Business Emphasis. After graduating, she began her career as the Title and Escrow Sales Representative for South Santa Barbara County at First American Title. She has over a decade of experience in the Real Estate Industry with 10 years spent as the Sales Representative at First American Title. Marisa has works closely with Real Estate Professionals (Realtors and Mortgage Brokers) to help grow their business and ensure that her client’s escrows close smoothly as well as help Buyers and Sellers throughout the escrow process. Through her many years in the industry, she has developed expertise in troubleshooting title and escrow scenarios which helps her close escrows smoothly and quickly all the while putting her clients and customers first.

She is an active volunteer at the Friendship Adult Day Center in Montecito and serves on many committees including the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors (SBAOR) Education Committee, SBAOR C.O.R.E. Committee, SBAOR Statistical Review Committee and the SBAOR Young Professional Network. She has been awarded the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors Affiliate of the Year recognition as well as numerous awards presented by First American Title to her, most recently; Elite Eagles $2 Million+ Club.

Specialties: Marisa’s specialties include building and maintaining trusted relationships with her clients, problem solving and her strong work ethic. She is able to assist clients with their Title Insurance and Escrow needs anywhere in the State of California. She has helped her clients grow their business and facilitate smooth escrow transactions. A great joy in her work is when all parties in the transaction (Buyers, Sellers, Realtors, Lenders) are happy that they chose to work with First American Title and become repeat customers.

Quote: "If you see someone without a smile today, give 'em yours." — Dolly Parton

Connect: Contact Marisa at mholly@firstam.com or at (805) 325-3730, or visit her website below!

MEMBER SINCE JANUARY 2024

Stefani Kohler | Wealth Advisor

About: Stefani has more than a decade of experience in the financial services industry, all with Mercer Advisors. She previously served as an investment operations supervisor, acting as a liaison between advisors and custodians and managing account maintenance and monetary movement for the company. Her desire to collaborate directly with clients led to her transition to client service. Stefani is passionate about assisting clients in achieving Economic Freedom™. She serves a diverse range of clients at various life stages, including young couples accumulating wealth, doctors approaching retirement, and widows planning their path forward after the loss of a lifelong partner. Stefani prioritizes her clients' most important goals, creating custom-tailored plans that help provide clarity and confidence about their financial future. Using a comprehensive approach that includes financial planning, proper asset allocation, and tax strategies, Stefani helps ensure her clients are set up for success in all aspects of their plan. Her deep care and commitment make her an excellent partner in financial decisions. Stefani graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara where she received a bachelor's degree in psychology. Stefani is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and holds the FINRA Series 65 license

Specialties: Stefani walks in partnership with clients through difficult life events such as the death of a life-long partner. She is currently studying to become a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst through the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts to help clients navigate divorce and see how a potential divorce settlement can impact their future financial plan. She delivers wealth management for women from the eyes of a woman.

Quote: “Do not save what is left after spending; instead spend what is left after saving.” – Warren Buffett

Connect: Contact Stefani at skohler@merceradvisors.com or at (805) 565-2559, or visit her website below!

MEMBER SINCE March 2025

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Austin Lampson | Licensed Mortgage Professional

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About: Austin’s 15 years in the mortgage industry began by assisting a successful producer in 2002. For the next five years, she worked under her and had the opportunity to experience a variety of client situations. Austin’s career began at Wells Fargo, and she later moved to Countrywide where she shifted to operations in 2007. It was in that role that she experienced the BofA/CHL merger, the drastic rate drop in 2009, as well as her transition into a Branch Operations Manager (AVP) for Bank of America—all before she reached the age of 30.

For Austin, keeping her clients informed and being available for them are two cornerstones of her practice; she believes that clients should always know where they are in the process of a mortgage loan and that they should always be able to reach their Loan Officer should they have any questions. She has since expanded that belief into a team experience, and believes that responsible lending is one of the highest forms of community service. She feels honored to have reached the Top 1% of Originators* in America every year since 2015 and continually looks forward to helping her clients on their journey. 

Specialties: Austin's greatest skills are pipeline management, forward thinking, and creating an efficient process for mortgage loans.

Connect: Contact Austin at austin@austinlampson.com or at (805) 869-7101, or visit her website below!

Learn more about me by reading my Mini Member Spotlight!

MEMBER SINCE OCTOBER 2017

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Kelly Marsh | Vice President/ California for Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc.

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CORNERSTONE HOME LENDING, INC. | WWW.HOUSELOAN.COM
KMARSH@HOUSELOAN.COM | (805) 563-1100

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About: Kelly Marsh, Vice President / California for Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc. has more than 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry. Her knowledge has been featured in the Santa Barbara News-Press and she’s been a guest on several podcasts and industry trade journals. Additionally, Kelly regularly facilitates seminars for real estate professionals. She is passionate about learning and growing as a person not only professionally but personally. Kelly strongly believes in the power of face to face client meetings. She loves working with people, and enjoys forming relationships with her clients built on trust, integrity and hard work.

Kelly leads a team of 12 highly-skilled and experienced team members. The systems Kelly has implemented in her business have led to some of the best and brightest coming to work with her. Kelly believes anything is possible with the right people on her team.

Specialties: With the support and resources of Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc. we are able to offer specialized programs to our clients, including Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo, and more. She has helped homeowners through her broad range of expertise and financial knowledge which includes Financial Market & Interest Rate Analysis, Cash Flow & Debt Analysis, Real Estate Equity Management, Real Estate Investment Planning and Mortgage, Real Estate Taxation Concepts and more. She also applies these real estate investment strategies when analyzing her client’s mortgage, debt and home equity strategy into their overall financial plan.

Quote: “I believe my team is my number 1 client. In order to have a world class client experience you must have a world class team." - Kelly Marsh

Connect: Contact Kelly at kmarsh@houseloan.com or at (805) 563-1100, or visit her website below!

MEMBER SINCE APRIL 2019

1826 State Stree | Santa Barbara, California 93101 | Branch NMLS 1662683 CAFLL 60DBO75169 | CARMLA 41DBO-75170 | CAFLL 60DBO75169 | CARMLA 41DBO-75170

Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. Company NMLS 2258. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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Cristi Michelon Vasquez | Attorney

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LAW OFFICE OF CRISTI MICHELON VASQUEz | WWW.MICHELONLAW.COM
CRISTI@MICHELONLAW.COM | (805) 882-2226

About: Cristi specializes in the areas of probate, trust and  conservatorship litigation as well as landlord-tenant litigation. Cristi is known for her strong client service skills, the clarity of her advice, and straightforward legal approach.

Cristi is a former President of Santa Barbara Women Lawyers, former Vice President of the Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Foundation, and former affiliate governor to the Board of California Women Lawyers, and Santa Barbara County Bar. Cristi is also past president and former board member to the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center and Women's Economic Ventures. She is a current board member for Coastal Housing Partnership.

Cristi received her law degree from Santa Barbara College of Law in 2001 and was admitted
to practice law in the State of California in May 2001. She was also admitted to practice
before the United States District Court, United States Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court
of the United States.

Cristi is a member of the State Bar of California, the Santa Barbara County Bar Association,
Los Angeles County Bar Association, Santa Barbara Women Lawyers, and California Women
Lawyers.

Specialties: Cristi focuses her practice on assisting Business Owners, Real Estate Investors, Landlords, Trustees, Beneficiaries, Conservators, and Conservatees.

Quote: "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

Connect: Contact Cristi at cristi@michelonlaw.com or at (805) 882-2226, or visit her website below!

member since october 2017