Smart Money Circle

Brian A. Lee

Vice President of Sales

BL Wealth Management

Firm AUM

$600M

Website

https://blwealthmanagement.com/

About Brian Lee

Brian possesses a unique combination of experience in the public and private sectors. Recognized for integrity, ability to work cross functionally, and being passionate about innovative results and achieving goals.

Brian started his career in the Insurance/Financial Services space after a two years graduating from Northern Illinois University. He began his journey at Country Financial in Sales helping middle market clients with insurance and financial planning.

Brian possesses a unique combination of experience in the public and private sectors. Recognized for integrity, ability to work cross functionally, and being passionate about innovative results and achieving goals.

Brian started his career in the Insurance/Financial Services space after a two years graduating from Northern Illinois University. He began his journey at Country Financial in Sales helping middle market clients with insurance and financial planning.

My focus now is helping younger generation with financial planning, understand compounding of investments, saving for the future and providing protection for the unexpected. My work also helps individuals, small business owners plan, save and plan for long-term.

Brian is supported with a team of insurance and financial professionals with over 70 years of combine experience to forge strong customer relationships and provide competence and integrity. Brian is a financial advisor representative who is the investment advisor representative at First Advisors National. In a fiduciary capacity, he develops and reviews financial plans for individuals and families. He has a Series 65 and Life and Health license.

Brian resides in the Western suburbs of Chicago with his wife, daughter. Brian enjoys outside activities like golfing, boating, snowmobling, socializing with family and friends!

Use Your Investor Voice To Make A Big Impact – Meet Kristin Hull Founder NIA Impact Capital

Name: Kristin Hull

Title: Founder, CIO

AUM: $530M

Website: www.niaimpactcapital.com

Bio:

Kristin is the Founder, Chief Investment Officer, and Portfolio Manager of Nia Impact Capital. Kristin oversees research and decision-making for Nia’s Flagship Global Solutions portfolio, Nia Growth and Dividend SMA, and Nia’s Equity Forward Portfolio, leading company analysis, portfolio design, and criteria setting.

Kristin started her investment career at Hull Trading and later Hull Investments, LLC, then combined her worlds of financial markets and systems change in 2007, becoming an early pioneer in the impact investing space after Hull Trading sold to Goldman Sachs.

As President and Chair of the Board, Kristin supervised the creation of the first 100% mission-aligned foundation endowment in 2007. She went on to found Nia Community Investments and Nia Community Foundation, the second 100% impact-invested foundation portfolio in 2010.

Nia Community is a 100% impact-invested portfolio of companies crossing the entire spectrum of impact investing opportunities from early-stage angel investments to public equities, funds, and loan guarantees. After extensive due diligence on public equity options, Kristin was called to create Nia Global Solutions to offer investors high-quality impact alongside daily liquidity.

She spent two years at Domini Social Investments, working on fossil fuel–free portfolio options and building out Nia Global’s six solution themes.

Kristin is co-founder of Impact Hub Oakland and North Oakland Community Charter School, and she served on the founding board of George Mark Children’s House. She currently serves on the advisory board of Limitless Bridge Venture Capital Fund, Emerging Women, How Women Invest, and several non-profit boards.

Kristin is a Registered Investment Advisor. She earned her B.A. and teaching credentials from Tufts University in 1990, her M.A. in Research in Bilingual Education from Stanford University in 1995, and her Ph.D. in Urban Education from the University of California at Berkeley in 2006.

Full name: Thierry L. Bernard

Title: Chief Executive Officer

Website: https://www.qiagen.com/us

Ticker: $QGEN

Biography:

Thierry Bernard joined QIAGEN in February 2015 to lead the company’s growing presence in molecular diagnostics, the application of Sample to Insight solutions for molecular testing in human healthcare.

He was named Chief Executive Officer in March 2020 after serving in this role on an interim basis and became a member of the Managing Board in 2021.

Previously, Mr. Bernard held roles of increasing responsibility during 15 years with bioMérieux SA, most recently as Corporate Vice President, Global Commercial Operations, Investor Relations and the Greater China Region, and held senior management roles in several other leading international companies.

He was named Chair of the AdvaMedDx Board of Directors in March 2023, a U.S. industry trade association, and joined the Board of Directors of Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ: NEOG) in 2024.

Mr. Bernard has earned degrees and certifications from Sciences Po, the London School of Economics, the College of Europe, Harvard Business School, Centro de Comercio Exterior de Barcelona. He has been appointed Conseiller du Commerce Extérieur by the French government.

Guest:

Edward (a.k.a. Scooter) F. Thomas III

Title:

Financial Advisor

AUM:

~$250M

Website:

https://savantwealth.com/employee/scooter-thomas/

Bio:

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®), and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Scooter is knowledgeable in all areas of financial planning, including wealth transfer and philanthropy, proactive income and estate tax planning, retirement cash flow projections, retirement income optimization, insurance needs analyses, debt management, and education funding.

Scooter has been involved in the financial services industry since 2017. He was an associate advisor with Bridgeworth until it joined with Savant in 2023. Prior to joining Bridgeworth, Scooter served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and then transitioned to the reserve forces.

While serving our country, Scooter was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. In 2021, he was recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal as a Veteran of Influence.

Scooter maintains his affiliation with the Marine Corps Reserve and serves as a Regional Air Defense Policy Planner on the Aviation Expeditionary Enabling team at the Pentagon. He is a member of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club and the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park Board, serves as president of the Birmingham chapter of the Hampden-Sydney Alumni Club, and is the board finance chair for the Birmingham Committee on Foreign Relations..

Scooter earned a bachelor of arts degree in religious studies (Islam) from Hampden-Sydney (VA) College.

Scooter and his wife Megan happily reside in Mountain Brook with their daughter Evie, son Franklin, and two dogs, Lettie and Macy.

Disclaimer

This discussion is intended to provide general information. Please consult your financial professional for guidance on your unique situation before implementing any of the ideas presented. Savant Wealth is a registered investment advisor with the SEC. Visit www.savantwealth.com for more information about our firm.

Guest:

Neil Blumenthal Co-founder and Co-CEO of Warby Parker

Website:

https://www.warbyparker.com/

Ticker:

$WRBY

Bio:

Neil Blumenthal is a co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker, a direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand focused on vision for all. Since day one, over twenty million pairs of glasses have been distributed through the company’s Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program.

Neil has been named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, and one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company.

He serves on the board of directors of Sweetgreen (NYSE: SG), as well as the nonprofit organizations Robin Hood, Tech: NYC, the Partnership Fund for New York City, and the Warby Parker Impact Foundation.

Neil also sits on the leadership council of Responsible Innovation Labs, and he serves as a General Partner of Good Friends LLC, an early stage venture capital firm.

A native of New York City, Neil received his BA from Tufts University and his MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

GuestTed Halpern, Regional President, Managing Director | MAI Capital

MAI Capital’s AUM =$35BWebsitehttps://mai.capital/

BioTed Halpern brings over 30 years of experience in financial services, having launched Halpern Financial, Inc. in 1998. He joined MAI in 2024, where he continues to provide comprehensive financial, investment, and wealth management planning to affluent families, professionals, and their businesses. Ted serves on the Board for Institutional Investor and is involved in several charities. He holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Maryland. He and his wife, Bethe, live in both Naples, FL and Ashburn, VA, and are proud parents of twins.

Guest:

Mark DiGiovanni is founder and president of Marathon Financial Strategies Inc.

Website:

https://www.marathon-forthelongrun.com/

Bio:

-Runner since 1969

-BS in 1975

-Middle school teacher 1976-1980

-Married since 1983

-MBA in 1987

-Passed CPA exam in 1988

-Episcopalian since 1989

-Father since 1989

-Founded Marathon in 1995

-Certified Financial Planner (CFP) since 1997

-Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) since 1997

-CFP Ambassador since 2010

-Named a Five-Star Wealth Manager by Atlanta magazine last thirteen years (click here for details)

-Board member of Episcopal Community Foundation since 2017

-Member of AARP's Executive Council since 2018

-Wrote seven books in ten years. (See Mark's Books-Free to You page.)

Name: Will Rhind Granite Shares ETFs – Over $10B AUM

Title: Founder and CEO

AUM: GraniteShares AUM ~ $10 Billion AUM

Company name:

GraniteShares

Website:

https://graniteshares.com

Bio:

Will Rhind is the Founder & CEO of GraniteShares, an award-winning ETF company managing over $10 billion in assets. A recognized leader in commodities and alternative investing, Will helps investors protect and grow capital in inflationary and volatile markets — exactly where smart money wants an edge.

Before GraniteShares, Will held senior roles at iShares, ETF Securities, and The World Gold Council, building innovative products that make real assets accessible to everyday investors. He’s a trusted voice on CNBC, Bloomberg, and Fox Business, known for breaking down complex macro trends into clear, actionable strategies. Originally from the UK and now based in New York.

Guest

Axel Merk President and Chief Investment Officer of Merk Investments With Over $2.5B AUM

AUM: $2.5B

Company:

Merk Investments

Website:

https://www.merkinvestments.com/

Tickers: OUNZ / ASA

Bio:

Axel Merk is the Founder, President, and Chief Investment Officer of Merk Investments, a leading investment advisory firm managing over $2 billion, with a focus on gold and precious metals. With a B.A. and M.Sc. from Brown University, Axel brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the financial industry.

Known for his proactive approach, Axel believes in taking action, whether in markets or life. His leadership extends beyond finance, as he actively participates in community service, including serving on the Board Committee for the Dancers Repertory Theatre.

Axel's commitment to using his skills and resources for the greater good makes him a dynamic and inspiring figure in both investment and community circles.

Guest: Oktay Kavrak, Director of Comms and Strategy at Leverage Shares & IncomeShares

Company: Leverage Shares ETPs

Website: www.leverageshares.com / www.incomeshares.com

AUM: ~$2 Billion

Bio:

Oktay Kavrak is the Director of Communications & Strategy at Leverage Shares, the pioneer in single-stock ETPs, and IncomeShares, Europe’s first options-based income ETPs on single stocks, indices, and commodities. He has been instrumental in bringing some of the most popular products to the London Stock Exchange, including the most traded ETP for three consecutive years.

A CFA Charterholder, Oktay has built his career across banking, fund administration, and product strategy before taking on his current leadership role in the ETF industry. He has been quoted in Bloomberg, the Financial Times, CNN, and ETF Stream, and has appeared on CNBC, Benzinga, and others.

Known for making complex financial products easy to understand, Oktay has built a following of more than 30,000 investors and professionals by sharing digestible, data-driven content across social media. When he’s not deep in markets, he reminds himself - and his audience - that life is too short to overthink the petty things.

Disclaimer:

The views expressed in this interview are Oktay’s own and not necessarily those of Leverage Shares. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Always do your own research.