As leader of Acumen Financial Advantage’s Credit Union practice, Scott brings over twenty-five years of experience in the financial services arena. He specializes in working with CEOs, CFOs and key executives of credit unions, nonprofits, and successful businesses using tools and techniques custom-designed to minimize taxes and maximize the efficient use of assets. As a member of the California Bar in addition to being a Certified Financial Planner CFP, he brings unique perspective and expertise in the structure and funding of insurance programs that benefit both the employer and key executives. Scott loves to golf, surf, and spend time traveling with his wife and three kids.

A former Senior Partner of Stearns Financial Group & Regional Vice President of BFB Gallagher, Ryan is recognized as an industry expert regarding non-qualified deferred compensation. He has worked with over 200 tax-exempt organizations with updating, enhancing, and designing their supplemental executive & key leadership member retention plans. A common theme across his consulting engagements at Acumen Financial Advantage, Ryan focuses on aligning data, relationships, and circumstances to drive mutually beneficial outcomes for both the organizations and individuals in question. Ryan graduated from Tufts University in 2015 with a dual degree in Quantitative Econometrics and Entrepreneurship. At heart, Ryan is an entrepreneur that is driven by helping individuals in all aspects of his life.

Samantha Paxson is a visionary Fintech growth strategist with over two decades of C-suite leadership. At Acumen, Paxson is leading strategic growth for the company, overseeing sales, client experience, product commercialization, and marketing. As the former CXO of Co-op Solutions, she founded and leads Power & Light Collaborative, a consultancy dedicated to uncovering growth potential for Fintechs servicing community-focused financial institutions, and serves on multiple credit union and fintech boards, including her services as an Advisor in Residence for EY. Paxson brings an unmatched ability to uncover growth opportunities, harnessing customer-centric insights to optimize financial performance and drive meaningful impact for portfolio growth. A sought-after speaker in the financial services industry, Paxson masterfully integrates technology, operations, and customer experience to help financial companies enhance operations, fuel revenue growth, and expand market reach.

As a Senior Financial Consultant and a CPA, Chris has 30 years of corporate finance and audit experience, with 25 years in the financial services industry. He most recently served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer for SAFE Credit Union in Northern California. His responsibilities included financial and strategic planning, board governance, treasury, risk management, and data analytics. Chris specializes in analyzing the financial products and investment strategies that help businesses achieve their objectives.

Mark provides strategic leadership in executive compensation, retention solutions, and institutional asset management for credit unions, hospital systems, and other nonprofit organizations. He also oversees all aspects of strategic partner relationships to ensure exceptional and seamless service delivery.

Previously, Mark spent over 15 years in private wealth management, specializing in alternative investments with a focus on non-market-correlated assets. His expertise spans direct investments in operating businesses, real estate, long-only public markets, long/short hedge funds, private equity, and private credit. Over time, his focus evolved toward helping nonprofit organizations optimize their financial strategies.

Mark holds a degree in Economics from Miami University (OH) and studied business at NYU’s Stern School of Business through the Stern Advantage Program. He maintains FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses, as well as life/health and long-term care insurance licenses. Additionally, he holds the Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor® designation from the College of Financial Planning. 

Outside of work, Mark enjoys the beach, travel, tennis, and spending time with his wife and son.

Eric Bach brings over 20 years of experience in executive and employee benefits to his role as Regional Manager at Acumen Financial Advantage. Previously, as an Area Vice President at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Eric specialized in alternative funding strategies for medical, disability, and ancillary benefits—developing customized solutions that align with the mission and financial goals of nonprofit healthcare systems, associations, credit unions, and other 501(c)(3) organizations.

Eric is known for his strategic approach to plan design, helping organizations implement sustainable benefit programs that support long-term growth and retention. He holds certifications as a Voluntary Benefits Specialist (VBS) and Non-Qualified Plan Advisor (NQPA), and is licensed in life, accident, and health insurance.

Eric earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Accounting from St. Bonaventure University and is based in  Charleston, South Carolina.

Rick is the Regional Vice President for Acumen Financial Advantage.  He is an Experienced Senior Executive Benefits Consultant with over 35 years of expertise in the key Manager & executive benefits consulting, specializing in design , implementation, and administration of Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plans.  Proficient in the administration, finance, compliance, and technology of benefits programs, including 457(f), SERPS, Section 162 Plans, Collateral Assignment & Endorsement Split Dollar plans, and employee Benefit Liability Offset funded by Institutionally Owned Life Insurance (IOLI). Adept at delivering complex financial models and strategies in simple, client-friendly formats. Highly skilled in advising financial institutions and their outside auditors including banks, credit unions, and not-for-profit institutions, on key employee and executive benefit structures that align with both client goals and regulatory requirements. Rick earned a BA from the University of Florida, Gainesville and an MBA from Washington University, St. Louis.

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Jim is a seasoned financial services expert with a long track record in treasury, balance sheet strategy, and capital markets. Jim helps financial institutions navigate complex interest rate risk, liquidity, and earnings challenges while building meaningful strategic partnerships.

Prior to joining AFA, Jim was Senior Managing Director at Alden Investment Group and has held key leadership roles managing treasury, ALCO (Asset/Liability Committee) operations, and capital markets functions for major financial organizations — experience that gives him a practical, front-line view of the pressures and opportunities facing depository institutions today.

Jerry is a 40-year veteran of the banking industry, including 35 years at BNY. During his tenure, he contributed to the organization's evolution from a regional bank into a $400 billion global investment services firm. Jerry held senior management roles within domestic and international corporate treasury​. His core expertise lies in asset and liability management, risk management, structured finance, and alternative investments, with a specific focus on product innovation and balance sheet optimization.

Prior to joining Acumen​, Jerry was SVP & Chief Bank Strategist for MBSA,where he delivered tailored financial solutions ​to enhance strategic performance​for financial institutions.

A California native now based in the Nashville area, Deborah brings more than 20 years of administrative and client service experience to Acumen Financial Advantage. She holds a degree in court reporting and is a NAILBA Certified Contracting & Licensing professional, reflecting her strong commitment to accuracy, compliance, and industry best practices.

In her role as Case Coordinator, Deborah supports advisors and clients with professionalism, care, and a detail-oriented, process-driven approach that keeps cases organized and moving forward efficiently. Known for her reliability and warm demeanor, she is a trusted partner and valued member of the AFA team.

Outside of work, Deborah enjoys traveling and exploring new destinations with her rescue Chihuahua by her side.

Dante joins Acumen Financial Advantage as a Financial Analyst, where he supports mission-driven organizations by developing data-driven financial solutions that help strengthen long-term planning, executive benefits, and organizational impact. He brings a background in life insurance plan design, financial modeling, and operational strategy, contributing to Acumen’s commitment to delivering insightful, tailored strategies for credit unions, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, and educational institutions.

Eric Diaz is an Analyst in our Case Design department, where he partners with advisors to craft tailored insurance solutions for their clients. Withmore than 14 years of experience in the life insurance industry, Eric brings deep expertise in the life insurance market, having filled roles in underwriting, case design, product analysis, and policy service. Before joining Acumen, Eric served as a case designer and product specialist at NFP Insurance Solutions, where he developed strong relationships with top insurance and annuity carriers.

Eric earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and is a licensed life and health insurance producer in Illinois. He lives in Elmwood Park with his wife, Lynette, and their son, Benny. In his free time, he enjoys cheering on Chicago sports teams, playing golf and hockey, and volunteering with his fraternity’s alumni association.

Ameya focuses on proposal design, plan review, and corporate analytics. He leverages his expertise in business, finance, and statistics, gained from previous roles at TriscendNP, Citigroup's Financial Planning and Analysis Department, and an internship at the Central Bank of India’s Risk Management Department. Ameya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and an MBA in Finance from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies in Mumbai, India. He also earned a Master’s in Business Analytics from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where he achieved Beta Gamma Sigma and Alpha Iota Delta honors, and completed a Professional Certificate in Data Science and Business Analytics from the University of Maryland in 2023.

Mike brings more than 35 years of experience helping financial institutions design and implement executive benefit and balance sheet strategies with creativity, discipline, and long-term impact.

Throughout his career, Mike has been a pioneer in introducing innovative concepts to credit unions, including loan regime split-dollar programs more than two decades ago, total benefits prefunding strategies, Charitable Donation Accounts, and private placement life insurance and annuities. His work has consistently focused on aligning executive benefits, retention strategies, and mission-driven financial outcomes.

Mike maintains FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 registrations, along with life, health, and long-term care insurance licenses — a credential set that reflects both his technical expertise and commitment to comprehensive client solutions.

He enjoys sports, fishing, and spending time with his large, blended family of 7 kids.

Pam leads all digital content, paid, owned, and earned media, channel partner marketing, as well as oversees events and speakerships for the company. She joined Acumen in late 2024 and previously served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at Velera, the industry’s premier credit union service organization, leading internal and external communications and integrated marketing. As a seasoned leader and strategist, she has more than 25 years of experience in both agency and corporate settings, managing high-performing cross-functional teams, implementing marketing and brand strategies, employee engagement initiatives, and effectively executing crisis communication plans. Brands she has supported include Toyota, Volvo, Honda, Mattel, and Nestle.  

Pam holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communications and a master’s degree in professional communication. An active thought leader, she is an adjunct instructor at Temple University and serves on the board of the International Association of Business Communicators in Philadelphia.

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Alicia brings nearly eight years of experience in the life insurance industry, specializing in regulatory and consumer compliance, policy maintenance, and new business across life operations. Known for her precision, professionalism, and reliability, she stays well-versed in product intricacies, communicates effectively with stakeholders, and consistently meets or exceeds deadlines. She is a trusted resource for both agents and colleagues.

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Alicia has served as an Advanced Case Manager and New Business Associate, supporting application completion, coordinating with underwriters and vendors, and ensuring accurate submission and processing of new life insurance applications. Her strong analytical skills and commitment to accuracy have earned her multiple promotions and a reputation for dependable, high-quality work.

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Outside of her professional life, Alicia has a deep appreciation for the arts and enjoys playing guitar as well as creating her own jewelry and accessories. She has a love for the earth and animals and is passionate about hiking, kayaking, foraging, and rescuing wildlife.

Robert A. Fink, J.D., is a former tax and estate planning attorney who, over the past 30 years, has worked with high-net-worth individuals and business owners to devise strategies that reduce market volatility while also minimizing the impact of taxes on his clients’ assets and estates. Rob uses his combination of legal, tax, and insurance expertise, often through the use of premium financing, to craft creative solutions through which his clients can meet their financial goals.

In 2016, inspired by a desire to use his skill set to give back to his community, Rob came up with an idea on how to help nonprofits build a sizable endowment on a guaranteed basis. Called the Charitable Endowment Plan™, this strategy magnifies the impact of funds contributed by donors to help ensure the nonprofit’s work and the donor’s legacy live on for generations to come.

Although no longer a practicing attorney, Rob is a member of the bar in both Michigan and California and maintains a life insurance license. He is married and is a proud father to two young boys.

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James has over 20 years of experience in the financial sector, with a proven track record of driving growth and delivering client-centric solutions. Previously, he served as Vice President of Solution Consulting at Velera, leading a team of ten product sales experts, driving a 39% increase in enterprise product sales over two years. His career also includes roles at Co-op Solutions, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Fairwinds Credit Union, where he consistently demonstrated his ability to lead high-performing teams, foster deep client relationships, and generate measurable results for financial institutions and their customers.

James holds a BA in Finance from Western Washington University, is certified in Pragmatic Marketing, and is an accredited trainer for The Integrity Team sales training programs.  He currently resides in St. Augustine, FL with his wife, son and bull terrier, Kali.

David is a veteran account management professional with over 30 years of experience in life insurance, annuities, and financial services. He specializes in advanced case design, advisor training, and sales strategy, supporting hundreds of advisors through compliant, results-driven solutions. Known for his leadership in operations and relationship management, David combines deep industry knowledge with a proactive approach to deliver impactful outcomes.  He lives in North Carolina with his wife and two children.  In his spare time you’ll find him doing a DIY project or playing cornhole.

Steve Howard is a seasoned finance leader with a 25+ year career spanning the financial services, automotive, financial technology and advisory industries. Howard leads strategic financial management for Acumen, including forecasting and financial analysis, cash and liquidity planning and financial reporting. He will also partner closely with Acumen’s Growth Organization to accelerate business expansion through the development of revenue forecast models, performance metrics and data-driven insights to optimize growth for the company.

Equally adept in large global organizations as well as in emerging companies, Howard’s honed his expertise in developing financial strategies, capitalization solutions and driving innovation for several blue-chip organizations Co-op Solutions, Toyota Financial Services and Bank of America. He is a collaborative leader and problem solver with a passion for leveraging finance as a strategic enabler for organizations.

Tim has been in finance and accounting for over 30 years.  Most recently, he was CFO at two California credit unions with assets of nearly $10 billion and $2 billion. Before working as a financial executive with credit unions, he held roles as a risk manager at a global trading firm in Chicago and as an ALM and Secondary Marketing consultant for some of the largest banks and mortgage companies worldwide.

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Tim’s passion is developing and executing financial strategies for credit unions of all sizes.  His areas of expertise include optimizing earnings through effective ALM practices, product pricing and profitability strategies, and leveraging alternative investment opportunities that help credit unions maximize their impact in the community.

Dr. Jordan S. Josephson is an internationally renowned expert in nasal and endoscopic sinus surgery, specializing in both functional and cosmetic procedures. A board-certified otolaryngologist, he earned his medical degree from SUNY Downstate and completed his residency at Long Island Jewish Hospital. He was the first fellowship-trained endoscopic sinus surgeon in the U.S., training under Dr. David W. Kennedy at Johns Hopkins, where he later served as faculty.

A leader in his field, Dr. Josephson has trained hundreds of physicians, been a consultant to the NIH, working on groundbreaking techniques in nasal and facial reconstruction, and has lectured globally. His research and textbooks are widely recognized, and he has been featured as an expert on CBS, NBC, FOX, and NY1.

An active member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology’s Rhinology and Paranasal Sinus Committee, Dr. Josephson has helped set national standards for sinus surgery. He continues to practice in Manhattan, providing state-of-the-art care to his patients.

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Shubham joined the Case Design team as an Analyst in 2025. With 3 years of specialized industry experience, he brings a technical and strategic perspective to the team. Before joining Acumen, Shubham served as a Product Manager at New York Life Insurance, where he led the development of features for a digital sales enablement platform serving the company’s insurance agents.

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Shubham holds a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics & Telecommunication from the University of Mumbai. Outside of the office, he enjoys reading and watching soccer.

As the Events Coordinator at Acumen Financial Advantage, Luisa Lora plays a key role in shaping the company’s event strategy, overseeing sponsorships and trade show presence to maximize engagement and impact. Luisa joined Modern Capital in 2023, bringing with her a strong background in event management and brand activation. Prior to that, she held a similar role at Co-op Solutions, where she managed industry events, partnerships, and sponsorship initiatives.

Luisa ensures that Acumen Financial Advantage stands out at every event, helping drive awareness and foster strategic relationships.

Judah provides strategic leadership in digital innovation, product development, and mission-aligned technology solutions at Acumen Financial Advantage. As the founder of The Community Impact Fund—a nonprofit focused on helping organizations identify and meet the needs of their employees, customers, and communities—Judah is passionate about leveraging technology to create meaningful, measurable change. His work empowers mission-driven organizations to scale their efforts, deepen their influence, and maximize long-term impact.

Judah has led successful software initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, startups, and social enterprises. He has also partnered with dozens of credit unions and nonprofit organizations to develop purpose-driven solutions that align technology, strategy, and community impact—enabling leaders to "do well by doing good."

Judah holds a double major in Aeronautical Science and Business from Saint Louis University and is a graduate of the Oxford Fintech Program at the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.

Based in Castle Pines, Colorado, Judah enjoys life outdoors with his wife, Shanna, and their two children. He finds joy and inspiration in flying, fishing, snowboarding, and exploring new adventures with his family.

Kyla brings 17 years of experience in case management, with a strong background in the life insurance industry. She is passionate about fostering growth and understanding complex processes to improve outcomes for clients and teams alike. Known for her attention to detail and commitment to efficiency, Kyla consistently delivers high-quality support while navigating the nuances of each case with care and professionalism.

Russell is a dedicated and results-driven Business Life Insurance Case Support Specialist with over 15 years of experience in customer service and more than 5 years of specialized expertise in quality assurance, retirement services, and new business case management. A proud graduate of Marian University, Russell combines strong academic foundations with a passion for delivering exceptional client experiences and operational excellence.

As a new addition to the AFA client success team, he brings a deep understanding of customer-centric service and operational discipline that will deepen Acumen’s focus on growth, compliance, and customer satisfaction.

Karen joined Modern Capital, now Acumen Financial Advantage, in January 2023 as Senior Client Success Manager. She comes with over 19 years of experience in the financial planning and insurance industry. She prides herself with her client service expertise and relations. Karen is a native of Southern California, where she still resides with her family. While not at work, she spends her free time with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoys reading and is a huge fan of USC football.

Steve is the Principal and Chief Sales Officer for Acumen Financial Advantage, bringing over 20 years of expertise in financial services. He is dedicated to building growth and delivering exceptional value for clients and their stakeholders. Before joining Acumen Financial Advantage Steve advised national financial firms and multi-family offices on relationship development strategies. He holds certification from Michael Gerber’s E-Myth Academy in business development and is a graduate of the Strategic Coach program for entrepreneurs.

Iain is the Vice President/Strategic Relations for Acumen Financial Advantage. Specializing in strategic partnerships, Iain has worked the better part of a decade building and managing pipelines for financial service firms. Specifically, focused on providing alternative investment, executive benefits, and charitable giving solutions for the tax exempt entity space. Iain graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, TN with a degree in business. In his spare time, Iain is serving his community through church and various local nonprofits as well as enjoying the vibrant music scene of Music City, USA.

Shannon joined Acumen Financial Advantage in 2025 as a Analyst.  She has 20 years of experience in financial services, including over a decade in the non-qualified space with CUNA Mutual Group (now TruStage), Prudential Retirement, and Empower Retirement.  She has a Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College and a doctorate in Modern European History from Pennsylvania State University, which provides her with a unique creative approach to problem-solving.  She enjoys gardening, hiking, writing, and music in her spare time.  She lives in northern Vermont with her husband, 3 dogs, and 5 cats.

Austin is a Case Manager at Acumen Financial Advantage and proudly holds the NAIBLA Case Manager Certification, reflecting his deep knowledge of the new business process and commitment to excellence. He works closely with clients and partners to guide cases from submission through policy issuance with care, accuracy, and efficiency.

Before joining Acumen, Austin managed operations for the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and led field teams in the arborist industry. Known for his detail-oriented and approachable style, Austin thrives in fast-paced environments focused on delivering outstanding service.

Outside of work, Austin enjoys fishing, golfing, and spending time outdoors with his wife, daughter, and their dog, Blu.

Katrina brings over 30 years of operational leadership in the financial services industry. She holds the Associate, Life Management Institute (ALMI) and Associate, Customer Service (ACS) designation, demonstrating her dedication to excellence and service. She has built and led high-performing teams across several large General Agencies and Brokerage firms, streamlining operations and strengthening industry partnerships. Known for her client-first approach, Katrina combines strategic insight and inspiring leadership to every challenge.
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Based near Nashville, Tennessee, she enjoys traveling with her family and two pugs.

Christine is the Director of Executive Initiatives at Acumen Financial Advantage. She has worked in the financial services industry for over twenty years and with Scott for the last fifteen. Christine’s primary responsibilities include coordinating client relations meetings, proactive medical underwriting, and reliable servicing of our clients’ policies. She is passionate about demonstrating good work ethics to ensure the firm’s clients receive the highest level of service and have a consistent, high-level quality of work that is completed correctly, and in a timely manner. Christine resides in Wine Country, Temecula, CA with her husband and two children.

Robert Tell is an experienced senior financial analyst working primarily in the semiconductor and wine industries. His expertise within finance is focused on forecasting and economic analysis. Robert will utilize his technical capabilities to build financial models that enhance Acumen’s ability to make informed strategic decisions and will also partner with the Sales Team to develop tools that optimize their capacity to identify growth opportunities.

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In addition, Robert has over 10 years of experience as a Senior Plan Administrator within the Qualified Retirement Plan industry. Working primarily with C-level executives within small, mid, and large-sized companies, he has helped to establish, optimize, and ensure ERISA compliance of a variety of 401(k), Employer Match, and Profit-Sharing arrangements.

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Robert is a former college athlete committed to maintaining an active lifestyle. When he is not immersed in his life with his wife and two energetic children, Robert enjoys working out, running, reading, drawing, and, in general, enjoying life.

Carly is Regional Vice President of Acumen Financial Advantage.  As a former SVP at GQR Global Markets and Regional Director and Managing Partner at Adaptive Medical Partners, Carly has been consulting in the healthcare industry for 10+ years. She has been primarily focused on partnering with C-level executives in all clinical and hospital settings to develop successful strategies to recruit physicians, nurses and executives. Carly has been a valued consultant with her clients. In addition, she adds significant value to her company through gaining strategic partnerships, building out dynamic internal teams, and streamlining costs & operational workflows. In her spare time, Carly enjoys investing in startups, traveling, yoga, and anything water related.

Mallory  is a human resources leader with over 16 years of experience driving talent strategy, organizational design, and operational transformation across diverse industries. She recently earned her MBA from the University of Iowa, along with certificates in Leadership and Business Communication. Mallory has held roles including Director, People & Culture; VP, Talent Acquisition; and HR Strategy, where she led enterprise-wide initiatives across multiple HR functions. She brings deep expertise in talent acquisition, total rewards design, and performance management.