Meet the Team

After 13 years working at large financial institutions, Rick wanted to challenge the status quo and develop a financial planning and investment firm built on the core values of Integrity, Caring, Passion, and Balance. A firm that measured its success by clients’ long-term well-being and financial independence – success defined by clients’ ability to live their BEST Lives on their terms. This work required a team of empathetic and passionate professionals capable of designing plans that address the unique challenges of clients in the context of ever-changing technologies and unpredictable economic and geopolitical events. And, most importantly, a team of professionals who define living their BEST lives as helping clients live theirs.

Rick’s founding vision continues to inspire Financial Independence today.

A fireside chat with Rick

Jude’s passion for the past 20+ years has been helping organizations leverage talent, technology, and processes to deliver exceptional client experiences. Helping organizations ensure the whole is greater than the sum of the parts is what can make the difference between a good place to work that delivers satisfactory client experiences, and a great place to work where every process, procedure, and client interaction creates a positive experience with clients; an organization that helps clients and employees live their BEST Lives.

Mark is an outgoing and empathetic individual who takes great pride in getting to know our clients at a personal level in order to develop customized and workable plans. After 25 years in the financial services industry working with institutions, corporations and individuals, Mark found a natural fit with Financial Independence because of both his and the firm’s compassionate client focused philosophy.

For Kevin, helping clients live their BEST Lives is his ultimate compensation. He is particularly drawn to making a difference for the younger generation, a group that hasn’t historically had access to high-quality planning at a reasonable cost. It gives Kevin a gratifying sense of accomplishment to do what is best for clients, a value that seemed to be lacking with other firms that he interviewed with, and why he was so pleased to join Financial Independence in 2018.

Nikki joined Financial Independence as an Office Administrator. After quickly demonstrating the skills and abilities to handle more responsibility, Nikki was promoted to Office Manager. Nikki’s prior Financial Services experience at Merrill, Bank of America and Citizens Bank, in conjunction with her “can do” positive attitude, position her well to design and deliver exceptional customer service experiences to our clients. Nikki’s passion for helping our clients live their BEST Lives comes through loud and clear. Nikki holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Rhode Island College in Community Health and Wellness.

A Colombian and Ecuadorian Rhode Island local and lover of all things creative. Betty’s most recent experience includes Fidelity Investments (Customer Relationship Advocate) and graduating from Year Up with a concentration in Business Operations. Her background also includes involvement with a wide range of Diversity, Inclusion, and Philanthropy initiatives that took place during the rise of the BLM Movement and Covid. In 2025, Betty will return to Rhode Island College part-time to finish her Business Management degree. Betty values a strong moral compass and helping others live their BEST Lives.