OUR WHY: Inspire Confidence. Simplify Life. Reduce Stress.

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Our advisors

Sasa Mirkovic

MBA, CFP®, BFA, CRPC, CEPA®

Private Wealth Advisor

Managing Partner of Inspire Confidence Group
Learn more about Sasa Mirkovic

Maria Natarelli

CFP®, BFA, CRPC, CDFA®

Private Wealth Advisor

Managing Partner of Inspire Confidence Group
Learn more about Maria Natarelli

Brent Makarczyk

CRPC, APMA, CFP®

Financial Advisor

Managing Partner of Inspire Confidence Group
Learn more about Brent Makarczyk

Andrea Kirk

CFP®, APMA

Private Wealth Advisor

Managing Partner of Inspire Confidence Group
Learn more about Andrea Kirk

Derek Shoden

CFP®, BFA, CEPA®

Financial Advisor

Managing Partner of Inspire Confidence Group
Learn more about Derek Shoden

Mark Keeling

MBA, CFP®, BFA, ChFC®, CLU®, APMA, CEPA®

Financial Advisor

Managing Partner of Inspire Confidence Group
Learn more about Mark Keeling

Sara Blondin

CFP®, MBA, CRPC, BFA

Financial Advisor

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional
Learn more about Sara Blondin

George Amedore III

CFP®, CKA®, APMA

Financial Advisor

Learn more about George Amedore III

William Amesbury

CFP®, BFA, CRPC, APMA

Financial Advisor

Learn more about William Amesbury

Philip Madonna

CFP®, CRPC, APMA

Financial Advisor

Learn more about Philip Madonna

Alex Davison

CFP®, BFA, CRPC, APMA

Financial Advisor

Learn more about Alex Davison

Ryan Dudzic

CFP®, APMA, CRPC

Financial Advisor

Learn more about Ryan Dudzic

Olivia Casale

CRPC, APMA

Associate Financial Advisor

Learn more about Olivia Casale

Emma VanGorder

CRPC

Associate Financial Advisor

Learn more about Emma VanGorder


Our team

Kayla Wells

Kayla Wells

Operations Director

Personal Intro

  • Kayla grew up in Schenectady, NY and currently lives in Ballston Lake, NY with her husband, two kids, and two dogs.
  • She loves dogs, puzzles, coffee, and going to her kids’ sporting events.

Qualifications

  • B.A. in Communications, SUNY Albany

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists advisors with leadership sessions
  • Performs financial reporting functions
  • Makes clients feel at home
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Laura Mirkovic

Laura Mirkovic

Marketing Manager

Personal Intro

  • Laura has been with the team since 2006, handling non-advice projects such as marketing, social media, branding, new offices, etc.
  • She is very involved with her three kids, Oscar, Stella and Kosta, who give her purpose.
  • She is a big believer in giving back to the community; current Foundation of Ellis Medicine Board Member.
  • Exercise keeps her sane. In her free time, you can find her at CrossFit or cycling.

Qualifications

  • Masters in International Law, American University

  • B.A. in Communications, Towson University

  • Public Notary

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Practice Branding
  • Advertising/Marketing/Event Manager
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Joanne Augstein-Collins

Joanne Augstein-Collins

Business Development Director

Personal Intro

  • Joanne grew up in Greenville, NY and currently lives in Niskayuna, NY, with her wife and two daughters.
  • She has a Blackbelt in Taekwondo and was a member of the USA Masters Team for Taekwondo.
  • In her free time, Jo follows her kids sports and activities.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology, Russell Sage College

  • Master's Certificate in Business Intelligence, Villanova University

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Associate Franchise Consultant
  • Professional Integrator
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Betty Bee

Betty Bee

Executive Assistant

Personal Intro

  • Betty was originally from Bel Air, MD and currently lives in FL with her husband Andre.
  • She is a huge traveler and loves Disney.

Qualifications

  • 20+ Years of Experience with Ameriprise

  • Series 7, 65, and 66

  • MD Life, Accident and Health Exam

  • Bachelor of Music Education, Shenandoah University

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Advisor Support
  • Business Processing
  • Meeting Preparation and Follow-up
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Michael Shuck

Michael Shuck

Financial Planning Analyst

Personal Intro

  • Mike was born and raised in MD.
  • He has a wife and three children.
  • In his free time, Mike enjoys exercising, golfing, playing board games, and travelling.

Qualifications

  • B.A. in Economics, Dickinson College

  • CFP® CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

  • ChFC® Chartered Financial Consultant®

  • Retired Private Wealth Advisor

  • 30 Years of Experience

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Inspire Confidence Group Investment Committee Team Member
  • Researcher for complex cases
  • Assists advisors in preparing for meetings
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Jennifer Bayliss

Jennifer Bayliss

Client Concierge,

Paraplanner

Personal Intro

  • Jennifer grew up in Norwalk, CT and currently lives in Williamstown, MA with her 17-year-old son Jameson, 14-year-old daughter Maisie, and golden doodle Sassy.
  • In her free time, Jen likes to work out, cook, read, and go to her kids’ sporting events.

Qualifications

  • M.S. in Education, Old Dominion University

  • B.S. in Education, University of Connecticut

  • Series 7 and 66

  • Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam

  • Life, Accident and Health Exam
  • CRPC™ Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists advisors in preparing for meetings
  • Makes clients feel at home
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Jaylen Chicaway

Jaylen Chicaway

Client Service Coordinator

Personal Intro

  • Jaylen was born and raised in Cohoes, NY, where she currently lives.
  • She has two sisters, a brother, and a nephew.
  • She likes watching sports, spending time with friends and family, hiking, road trips, and anything outdoors.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Business Economics, SUNY Cortland, Spring 2021

  • Public Notary
  • CRPC™ Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™

  • Life, Accident and Health Exam

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Oversees financial planning specialists and interns supporting the advice team
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Ashley J. Makarczyk Rokosz

Ashley J. Makarczyk Rokosz

Practice Manager

Personal Intro

  • Ashley grew up and currently lives in Nanticoke, PA with her husband and two dogs.
  • She loves to play golf, watch sports, and travel.

Qualifications

  • B.A. in Elementary Education, Kings College, 2010

  • Began her career with the Company in July 2011

  • Public Notary

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Makes clients feel at home
  • Visit preparation
  • Financial planning support
  • Client communications liaison
  • Event planning support
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Jenna Farro

Jenna Farro

Marketing Specialist

Personal Intro

  • Jenna is originally from Stamford, CT and currently lives in CO.
  • She loves sports, baking, photography, and spending time with friends and family.
  • Jenna also has a cookie business with her mom.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Business with concentrations in Business Analytics, Market Research Analysis, and Sports Marketing, Siena College, May 2022

  • MBA in Business Analytics and Marketing, Siena College, May 2023

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists the marketing team with social media, website, and marketing activities
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Joshua Vogel

Joshua Vogel

Financial Planning Specialist

Personal Intro

  • Josh grew up in Queensbury, NY.
  • In his spare time, he enjoys playing rugby, working on cars, snowboarding, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.

Qualifications

  • Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam

  • B.S. in Finance, Siena College, May 2022

  • CRPC™ Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™

  • Life, Accident and Health Exam

  • Series 7

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists advisors in preparing for meetings
  • Makes clients feel at home
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Ashton Britt

Ashton Britt

Financial Planning Specialist

Personal Intro

  • Ashton was born and raised in Cohoes, NY in a family of eight.
  • He enjoys reading American literature, hiking, playing basketball, watching football, and traveling.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Business with concentrations in Finance and Economics, Siena College, May 2023

  • CRPC™ Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™

  • Life, Accident and Health Exam

  • Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists advisors in prepping for client meetings
  • Makes clients feel at home
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Brittany Trahan

Brittany Trahan

Client Concierge

Personal Intro

  • Brittany enjoys reading, watching football, and spending time with friends and family.
  • In her free time, she practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Business/Marketing, SUNY Plattsburgh, 2012

  • Public Notary

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists advisors in prepping for client meetings
  • Makes clients feel at home
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Deidre Maturo

Deidre Maturo

Client Service Coordinator

Personal Intro

  • Dee has a daughter, cockapoo, and pomapoo, who are the light of her life.
  • She is passionate about arts and spends her free time on her own art business.
  • Besides getting creative, Dee loves animals, music, traveling, and adding to her bucket list.

Qualifications

  • B.A. in Writing and Communications, Empire State College

  • Public Notary
  • Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP)®

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists clients with scheduling
  • Makes clients feel at home
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Angelynne VanPatten

Angelynne VanPatten

Client Concierge

Personal Intro

  • Angie was born and raised in Watervliet, NY.
  • She enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, and participating in movie & music trivia.

Qualifications

  • B.A. in Communications, SUNY Cortland

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists clients with scheduling
  • Makes clients feel at home
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Alison Orr

Alison Orr

Marketing Specialist

Personal Intro

  • Alison is from Allendale, NJ.
  • She is the oldest of three and has two cats and a dog.
  • In her free time, she enjoys playing/watching sports (Mets & Nuggets), exercising, listening to music (especially punk rock), and spending time with friends and family.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Business with concentrations in Business Analytics and Market Research & Analytics, Siena College, May 2024

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists the marketing team with social media, website, and marketing activities
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Francesca Varvaglione

Francesca Varvaglione

Client Concierge

Personal Intro

  • Francesca was born and raised in PA.
  • She enjoys shopping, working out, and spending time with family.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Marketing, Kings College

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists clients with scheduling
  • Makes clients feel at home
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Christen Kelly

Christen Kelly

Client Concierge

Personal Intro

  • Christen is from Harford County, MD.
  • She loves to travel and explore the arts with her family.

Qualifications

  • B.A. in Psychology, Hunter College

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists clients with scheduling
  • Makes clients feel at home
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Tristan Keeling

Tristan Keeling

Intern

Personal Intro

  • Tristan is from Guilderland, NY.
  • He is majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance at the University of Vermont, expected to graduate in May of 2027.
  • Some of Tristan's favorite things to do include snowboarding, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, playing guitar, and spending time with his friends and dog.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, University of Vermont, Expected Graduation May 2027

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Joseph Ciccarelli

Joseph Ciccarelli

Intern

Personal Intro

  • Joe is from Guilderland, NY.
  • He is majoring in Finance at Merrimack College, expected to graduate in May of 2026.
  • During Joe's free time, he enjoys hiking, golfing, and spending time with friends and family.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Finance, Merrimack College, Expected Graduation May 2026

  • Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam

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Nicholas Cuchna

Nicholas Cuchna

Intern

Personal Intro

  • Nick is from Manchester, MD.
  • He is majoring in Personal Finance at Roanoke College, expected to graduate in May of 2026.
  • Nick is on his school's swim team and also loves to golf.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Personal Finance, Roanoke College, Expected Graduation May 2026

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