Vesta’s Network of Professionals – CA

Ivan is a Financial Advisor, Investment Advisor Representative, and proud to be part of the Vesta Beverly Hills Hub.  The majority of his practice is focused on clients at all stages of divorce. Through Strategic Divorce Planning, Ivan can offer comprehensive divorce financial planning services for those considering or going through the divorce process. He helps by looking at asset division options, cash flow analysis and the future implications of the financial decisions people make during the divorce process. In essence, his goal in working with clients is to help them answer the question “Am I going to be okay?”

Ivan’s passion for this work is fueled by recognizing the emotional impact of divorce on most people and having seen too often the impact of making forced decisions in an emotional time.  Ivan understands the value of a team approach to help clients feel they are informed about the process to make decisions that positively impact themselves and their families. 

Many divorce professionals focus on the client’s divorce and don’t offer services beyond that point. Ivan and the Strategic Divorce Planning team are unique in that they guide the client through divorce and help in rebuilding their financial life after divorce. Whether a financial plan or investment advice is needed, Ivan focuses on the strategy of how to get people on track to accomplishing their goals. 

Ivan attended both the University of Southern California and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduating from the latter.  He has lived in Los Angeles since 2007, and calls Beverly Hills home. He started his career in Financial Services in 2016 after having been a long-time client of a financial services firm and seeing the power of informed financial decision making.  He feels very fortunate to have found such a passionate niche and has focused his business on what he knows is truly meaningful work. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Los Angeles (LA5), Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, and the Beverly Hills Bar Association.   

To learn more about Ivan, visit https://advisors.massmutual.com/ivan-lovegren

Russ Siadatian is a Financial Planner with Signature Resources Capital Management. Most of his practice is focused on clients in West LA in all stages of divorce. Through Strategic Divorce Planning, Russ can offer comprehensive divorce financial planning services for those considering or going through the divorce process. He helps by looking at asset division options, cash flow analysis, and future implications of the financial decisions people make during the divorce process. 

Having experienced first-hand those close to him going through the divorce process and the impact that has on all aspects of everyone involved, Russ understands the challenges the divorce process can present. Russ goal in working with clients is to give them a clear picture of what their finances look like today, the day after finalizing their divorce, and down the line during Retirement.

To learn more about Russ, visit http://srcmadvisors.com/why-signature/the-team/

Maryam is a Certified Family Law Specialist and her legal practice focuses exclusively on family law.  She began her career in civil litigation representing a number of plaintiffs whose civil rights were undermined by major corporations and insurance companies in both state and federal court.  While handling civil matters, she took on a family law case and quickly learned that her passion is in helping her clients navigate through an emotional time in their lives and help bring stability into the family dynamic that is learning new ground in a divorce setting.  

In Family Law, Maryam is focused on one goal:  to obtain the best possible result for her client while alleviating the emotional charge of a divorce.  Maryam works with the client, provides a listening ear through the most difficult time in his/her life, and remains compassionate without compromising aggressive representation.   Maryam knows that her clients are faced with the most valued treasure, their children, and will guide them through the legal proceedings to ensure their legal rights are met.  Maryam also has extensive trial experience and does not hesitate to litigate a matter if necessary to reach a resolution.  

Maryam obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Connecticut.  She attended Western State University School of Law where she earned a Juris Doctorate degree.  While at Western, Maryam was one of a select few to be chosen to represent the school in national moot court competitions based on her superior writing and oral skills.  She was honored with the opportunity to travel the nation and represent the school in mock trials.

Maryam is admitted to practice law in California State Court, the United States District Court for the Central District, the United States District Court for the Southern District, is a member of the American Bar Association, the Los Angeles Bar Association and Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles.

Maryam Atighechi was elected as a Super Lawyer Rising Star, an honor reserved for the top 2% of all attorneys in California who exhibit excellence in their field and was featured in Los Angeles Magazine, Super Lawyers Edition in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.  She was recently honored with the award of Top 10 under 40 with the National Academy of Family Lawyers Association (NAFLA) for 2016 and recently rated as Top 50 Up and Coming Women Lawyers in Southern California and Top 100 Up and Coming Rising Stars for 2017 in Southern California by Super Lawyers.

Maryam Atighechi is an avid indoor cyclist and enjoys Soul Cycle six times a week.

The Atighechi Law Group sincerely hopes you allow us the opportunity to guide you through these difficult times.

To learn more about Maryam, visit http://www.familylaw-firm.com/

What is your profession? 

Enrique is a professional family mediator. He is also an Advanced Practitioner member of the Academy of Family Mediators for the Association for Conflict Resolution, and a Certified Practitioner Member of the Academy of Professional Family Mediators. Enrique is fully bilingual in both the English and Spanish languages, and is the principal founder of Koenig Mediation, LLC.

How do you help people before, during and after divorce?

Enrique’s focus is in providing clients with family conflict, the necessary support and encouragement to facilitate informed decision-making. This kind of process provides families with a more viable plan to resolve their differences in a more cost-effective manner. By approaching conflict within the family with a cooperative approach in mind, families have an opportunity to explore resolution of conflict creatively rather than adversely. Knowing that life still continues after divorce, couples working together with Enrique can deeply probe into their areas of disagreement and together find alternatives to solve difficult problems. Families will have an opportunity to plan ahead and know that their individual needs and interests will be explored in detail beyond the legal issues and rights of both.

Enrique’s objective in every family mediation setting is to empower people and lead them to become more proficient problem solvers. By visualizing and creating a suitable and workable blueprint by mutual agreement, families can effectively address their relational, financial and retirement goals within the scope of their individual family dynamic.

Why did you join Vesta?

Enrique joined Vesta because he is an ardent believer in collaborative approaches to problem-solving. The idea of bringing together highly competent professionals to work collaboratively to help families facing divorce is very unique. This novel model aids people to make better-informed decisions, to get through the process with more confidence, and not only helps each family to save time and money, but also incorporates a new approach to the traditional divorce process as a whole. 

What is your professional background?

In 1998, Enrique attained his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law. After law school, Enrique continued to manage, with his brothers, the various family business interests in Mexico, and also became more focused as a business investor in the United States. Working with families to advance business interests, Enrique has well understood the value of transparency and collaboration in family business relations. In 2009, Enrique began his quest to become a mediator to assist people in conflict to solve problems via cooperation and collaboration. After serving the Los Angeles Superior Court as a mediator volunteer, Enrique continued to advance his education and practicum focused on enhancing his skills as a family mediation professional.  After completing the necessary requirements in 2014, Enrique was inducted into the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR), Academy of Family Mediators as an Advanced Practitioner. He was thereafter approved as a Certified Practitioner Member of The Academy of Professional Family Mediators.

What is your website?

http://www.KoenigMediation.com

Ari, the Founding Agent for Compass in Los Angeles, is the lead agent for Ari Afshar & Associates, a highly experienced real estate sales team, based in Beverly Hills, CA and servicing The Greater Los Angeles and San Fernando areas.

 Ari Afshar and Associates are focused on the LA market and there is virtually no market that we can’t cover. Our agents are top in class and are familiar with each area as we have the reach to service our clients. 

 Having seen year over year growth since 2014, and 2019 that will yield over $100 million in sales volume, Ari is confident that the team will continue to become even stronger and more educated for years to come.

 For years AA&A has been assisting clients who need an exceptionally high level service, attention and often confidentiality.  This experience has proven to be invaluable when addressing the concerns and intricacies that arise when a divorce is clouding the real estate transaction process, and Ari’s team consistently excels in managing the finest details – to ultimately provide the smoothest experience possible for all involved.

Ari’s high volume of transactions has enabled him to build his own support staff, and a team of collaborating agents.  This gives Ari Afshar & Associates the ability to provide a level of attention and knowledge that is quite simply, hard to find in real estate and many other industries.  As a result, both sides working through the divorce process, while also trying to maximize their real estate position – are able to do just that.

To learn more about Ari, visit https://www.ariafshar.com

Andrea is a real estate agent with Douglas Elliman in Beverly Hills, specializing in working with families at times of change: in addition to being the Executive Director of the Trust & Probate division of my firm, she has been hand-picked by Vesta as one of just two Real Estate specialists to serve you with your real estate needs, whether it be now, or in the future.

Andrea prides herself on comprehensive Real Estate planning consultations for those

contemplating, or currently going through the divorce process. Working with the other Vesta Professionals, she helps you consider your best options long-term. As a two-time survivor of childhood divorce, Andrea understands the importance of getting back on track for your homeownership goals post-divorce as quickly and seamlessly as possible.

Her goal in working with clients is to help them feel safe, secure, and at home again.

To learn more about Andrea, visit https://andreaharrisshink.elliman.com/

Vince Lombardi is the Regional Manager of the Los Angeles based Houston Properties, in Beverly Hills, with more than 24 years of experience as a Residential and Commercial Loan Originator. He started his career as an Accountant and Auditor and found that financing of Real Estate was his true passion.

Vince believes that excellent customer service is what sets him apart in the mortgage industry. He thinks the quality of the experience as well as an awareness of the marketplace and it’s many products helps him match his client’s needs with the best rates, terms, loan-types. 

Houston Properties has more than 54 residential and 32 commercial lending relationships that help serve any and all real estate needs from Veteran loans, first time home buyer programs, conventional, non-conventional, bank statement income loans, asset depletion, reverse mortgages, hard money and any/all commercial loans (multi-family, churches/synagogues, strip malls, mixed-use.) The corporate philosophy of speed, accuracy, service and satisfaction carries though all of Vince’s work as evidenced by many life-long clients. Vince has closed more than $20 million or more consistently for the past 12 years.

Vince received his B.A. in Economics and Accounting from University of New Hampshire, a graduate certificate in Accounting from New Hampshire College, and a Masters in Psychology from Phillips Graduate University. 

Why Vesta: Divorce can be a devastating life change that impact the rest of your life and the lives of your children. I have seen this first hand when my sister went through a very difficult divorce and without the knowledge and experience of handing the finances, she was lost. In working with her and many other clients through the years, I found great satisfaction for those who needed help in navigating the complicated waters of real estate and the financing. In helping these individuals get on their feet, stay in their family home, find alternative ways of financing a new home, or starting over with some confidence in their future. I have made many meaningful relationships though this work by being there to help when someone really needed someone to trust. 

How can I help: In my personal time for the past many years, I volunteered for an LA Foster Youth program which lead to a journey into pursuing a Master’s Degree in Psychology. My degree has led me to be a better listener and better at understanding and meeting the needs of my clients. I have found in the last few years since obtaining my degree, I hear and understand the world in a very different way that bleeds into my own business. 

To learn more about Vince, visit http://thevincelombardigroup.com/

Aska is a transformational coach and transition expert with specialties in divorce, life and career transitions, self-leadership, mindset and communication. In addition to her work at Vesta, Aska works with leaders and decision-making professionals for individual and group sessions and facilitates workshops for organizations and corporations. She is also a professional interpreter and incorporates holistic wellness in her consultation and coaching services. 

When she was going through her own divorce over 10 years ago, she lived in a different country and had very little support from her family and friends. Eventually she decided to go to Japan to have family close to her, she still faced isolation and cultural stigmas as no one around had been divorced at that time. Through her own trial and errors, Aska realized how powerful emotional support and guidance can be during this process as she continued to help her friends and family when many started to go through their own divorces. One of the reasons why she became a coach was so she can hold space to better support those who are going through transitions. Her most recent divorce support was for her life partner, whom she coached and supported, because she believed everyone deserves to have a cheerleader in their corner while going through these challenging life transitions. Aska believes that sometimes these most challenging times gives us the best opportunities to create the biggest shifts and reclaim and align ourselves with who we have always wanted to be. 

Through her professional and personal experiences, Aska has worked with many who have been going through their own divorce process. She is now thrilled to join Vesta at the Beverly Hills Hub to continue her work to empower and help transform people in all stages of divorce. Her role as a transformational coach is to help people become aware of their stress and inner conversations and guide them through mindset shifting strategies. Managing emotions during this process is important for the families’ best interest to make effective, informative and healthy decisions that are not emotionally, or distress driven. She believes in the power of a collaborative approach to divorce encouraged within Vesta. As she has done herself, she encourages people to find ways to use this challenging transition as an opportunity for personal growth, so they can create something better for themselves post-divorce. 

Aska graduated with a B.A. in International Studies from Trinity College in Hartford, CT, and received her professional coaching certification from the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching. She has lived in 21 cities across 4 countries and her unique upbringing and life experiences allow her to connect with people from all walks of life without judgment and bring her a wealth of knowledge in cultural viewpoints. She is also a communication specialist being a professional interpreter for over 20 years and has been passionate about education and empowerment since she was 13 years old. 

To learn more about Aska, visit https://www.askanaito.com/

Following graduation from college, Dr. Memel worked as a Family Law Paralegal and assisted in handling forty divorces a month for five years, and truly understands the stresses of divorce, personally and professionally.  She is a former Conciliation Court Family Mediator at the Los Angeles Superior Court, a former Psychology Teacher at Beverly Hills High School, a Divorce Co-Parent Educator, and a former Executive Assistant to the Vice President of the William Morris Talent Agency in Beverly Hills.

Growing up, Kathy is the eldest of four children, with three younger brothers.  Every six months her parents went through the stages of divorce and at the last minute, her parents decided to stay together.  It was an era of emotional turmoil and trauma for the entire family. At 11 years old, her dream was to become a therapist to help families learn effective communication tools, understand their fears and the fears of their children, help them deal with grief and loss, learn about divorce options and stay out of the court system.

Kathy often works closely with Family Law Attorneys so individuals and couples receive the benefit of psychological as well as legal expertise.  Through education and fair negotiation, she specializes in helping couples increase communication skills so they can create positive and workable Parenting Plans for families and their children, while at the same time working with the intense emotions that can arise in custody cases.

Through education and fair negotiation, she specializes in helping parents work through all stages of their legal divorce and their emotional divorce, as the two go hand in hand.  Her goal is to help increase family consciousness and awareness, and when they’re ready, help them build a new life. When parents choose cooperation, they can retain complete control over all decisions, while never having to step foot in a courtroom.  

Kathy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Cal State Los Angeles, a Masters Degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Kensington University.

Dr. Memel is very dedicated to helping couples and families through this transition and looks forward to working with you.

To learn more about Kathy, visit http://www.drkathymemel.com/ 

Anna is a Wellness Expert with specialties in professional speaking, corporate wellness events and planning, personal training, senior fitness, nutrition, and weight management.  In addition to her work with Vesta, Anna works with businesses and individuals of all ages and walks of life to inspire their passion for a wellness from within. Anna delivers this message to a wide range of audiences through educational events, customized and scalable programs, and customized planning towards each client’s individualized goal.  

A child of divorced parents, Anna has been divorced for over 6 years and is a single mother.  When going through her own divorce, she found herself swimming in emotions and responsibilities, moving to a new city, and maintaining her work in a full time, demanding executive job.  Anna believes she would have benefited from a resource that connected all of the heavy decisions she would have to be making so immediately, that would impact her current situation, and whatever the future had in store in the coming years for both her and her child.   The support of family members and friends made her eternally grateful and with a desire to pay it forward.

When presented with the opportunity to join Vesta’s vetted professional in the Beverly Hills Hub, Anna knew this was her opportunity she was looking for to help others going through all stages of their own divorces.   Her role as Wellness Expert is to help people practice self-care through the divorce process, creating and maintaining a healthy base to drive and grow from with simple, goal-based solutions. Physical well being, exercise, rest, and gratitude, along with other self-care topics are priorities Anna discusses at Vesta events and retreats and with her clients.  By allowing people going through divorce to bring, create and maintain a wellness from within, they can be their optimal best self so they can be present for others and life’s demands. Often, those going through a divorce are overcome with emotions and time restraints. Anna guides people to turn this life-changing situation into a discovery of finding out who is their best self and creating steps to get to that healthy vision.

Anna worked for 18 years as a manager in wealth management and investments, obtaining several industry licenses and credentials, and has a B.S. in Management from University of Phoenix.  After experiencing several significant physical issues from stress, Anna studied, trained, and transitioned into the wellness industry, founding Meraki Fitness, LLC. Anna is involved with her community as an Ambassador at the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, a Girl Scout Leader, and enjoys several other philanthropic involvements.

Anna’s extensive background in corporate environments, wellness, divorce, parenthood and philanthropy gives her a unique perspective in helping others find and maintain their wellness from within through all of life’s experiences. 

To learn more about Anna, visit https://www.merakifitnessbyanna.com/ 

As a Financial Advisor and Certified Fund Specialist (CFS), Brendan helps his clients create and protect their wealth using prudent risk management techniques and a holistic/wide-angle approach to maximize cash flow now and in retirement. Brendan’s areas of specialty include wealth management, estate planning & transfer strategies, investments, retirement income, life insurance and long-term care insurance. 

Brendan has worked with many families, including close friends, going through divorce and has seen first-hand how proper financial education and planning can ease stress in the short term during the separation and divorce phases. He excels at being there for his clients and with their immediate needs, and more importantly, making sure the key decisions during this difficult time lay the groundwork for a secure and successful future.  To further his expertise in this area, Brendan recently completed divorce financial analyst coursework.  

Brendan has always had a passion for the financial industry, earning his degrees in Economics with an emphasis on Finance from San Diego State University in 2002. Prior to starting his financial services practice, Brendan worked as a Project Manager in residential development and became a licensed general contractor in 2008. The pain felt by so many during the economic crash, led him back to his true passion of finance. As a Financial Planner, Brendan is able to help clients and loved ones through the difficult times in life and secure an optimistic future. 

Born, raised and living in North County San Diego, you can find Brendan enjoying the surf on the weekends or on the soccer pitch with friends at the Encinitas YMCA. Brendan is also an active member of the community as a 6-year board member of ElderHelp of San Diego, an organization dedicated to helping seniors maintain independence in their own home.  

Brendan is a founding member of the Carlsbad Vesta hub and passionate about the coordinated emotional, financial and legal support that Vesta is bringing to families in his community.

To learn more about Brendan, visit https://www.advisors.massmutual.com/brendan-farrelly

Gregory is a Financial Planner and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA). The sole purpose of his practice is to create better financial outcomes for his clients. He believes that personalized service, a shared vision, and a balanced academic approach to wealth management is key. He graduated with a double major in mathematics and music from the University of California, Santa Barbara where he also played on their lacrosse team. Out of college, Gregory worked teaching math and music while also coaching a local youth lacrosse team. In his financial practice, Gregory continues to educate people to become empowered to make their own decisions with confidence. He finds great fulfillment helping people with their finances, because through one’s finances they realize their dreams. Having the opportunity to help people make their various dreams become a reality is a profoundly rewarding experience. 

 Gregory’s passion for helping people going through divorce comes directly from his work with children. He saw first hand the effect that divorce has on children and their ability to not only pursue the things they are passionate about but excel in those pursuits. His experience teaching also taught him that understanding where people are in their life, where they’re coming from, and where they’re trying to go is vital to helping them learn and progress. Gregory takes this idea to heart in his financial practice.

When working with people going through divorce it is especially important to meet people “where they are”. Everyone has a unique situation and level of experience, and on top of going through one of the most difficult emotional times of their life they’ve got to navigate one of the most important business transactions of their life, divorce. Divorce is complex, there are emotional, legal, and financial issues that all need to be addressed while balancing your everyday life, and it doesn’t stop there. Once the divorce is finalized you then need to move on and rebuild your new life. This is why Gregory joined Vesta’s team, they understand the complexity of the experience and have built a team of highly vetted professionals to help address each of the different areas. As a team athlete and coach Gregory works well as part of a team and values the power of people working towards a common goal, because it’s impossible for someone to be an expert in everything.

There are many potential pitfalls in the financial part of the divorce process that can impact a person for the rest of their life, and as one of the financial professionals on the team Gregory has specialized in helping people navigating these pitfalls. As a CDFA, his purpose is to help people makes sense of their financial situation and understand the consequences associated with various decisions that they can make. He also brings ideas to the table to help people not only be “okay” but thrive in their lives post-divorce. This is the impact that Gregory lives to make in the lives of his clients.

To learn more about Greg, visit https://advisors.massmutual.com/gregory-r-schmitt 

What is your profession?

Laura is a Mediator specializing in divorce, parent planning and other family matters.  She is the founder of Leave Strong Divorce Services located in the Village of Carlsbad, CA.

How do you help people, before, during and after divorce?

Most couples who elect to work with Laura hire her to be their mediator because they want a cost-conscious, conflict managed and streamlined divorce process. Many of those couples have children and they want help designing a parent plan that meets their specific family needs and keeps the children out of their conflict. Laura also works with couples in the contemplation stage of divorce who may want to negotiate financial guidelines or parenting structure during a trial separation. Some clients need post-divorce support, even if they have previously relied on the courts or another mediator, Laura can help couples who want to modify their parent plan and or child and spousal support in a confidential and supported manner. Regardless of where couples are in their process Laura’s years of experience and training, calm, professional demeanor and facilitative approach empowers them to truly leave strong.

Why did you join Vesta?

 As soon as Laura learned about Vesta’s mission to change how couples divorce and saw how carefully they vetted their professional members Laura knew Vesta was perfectly aligned with her own collaborative model as a mediator and professional mission statement to help couples and families to use what could be a destructive time in their lives and truly transform into the best version of themselves.

What is your professional background?

Laura graduated in 1984 with her law degree from the University of British Columbia and spent 20 years as a very successful trial lawyer working on behalf of plaintiffs. She has acquired over 300 hours of training as a mediator from such prestigious institutions as The Justice Institute of British Columbia and the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine.  Laura is a skilled speaker and trainer and she mentors’ other mediators. She typically mediates over 60 divorces a year and is praised by her clients for her calming presence, clear ability to educate, inform, set boundaries, and create a safe and productive environment for mediation. 

What is your website?

www.leavestrong.com 

What sets Kelly apart as a real estate agent is her passion, both for real estate and helping clients through two of the biggest transitions of their lifetime –  a divorce and a House Sale. Achieving a special designation as a Real Estate Collaboration Specialist in Divorce – RCS-DTM and going on her 14th year as a divorced, single mother of 3 children (now grown), she wanted to pursue a deeper knowledge of how to better assist divorcing couples through the process of uncoupling. Assisting couples in this capacity has been a goal of Kelly’s for quite sometime and partnering with Vesta gives her the ability to become a resource and be able to provide a service to those who seek to be more informed about the divorce process. 

Kelly has been living in North County San Diego, specifically Carlsbad, for seventeen years as well as in the Carmel Valley and Del Mar communities for 8 years before that. Her college degree is in Advertising & Marketing and out of college she worked for a local ad agency in Del Mar. She left that career to raise her children and pursue her passion in real estate. Prior to becoming a real estate agent, she worked as a real estate appraiser and as a mortgage loan officer. Her combined experience in real estate is going on 19 years, the last 9 of them being a full time Realtor®. 

Having gone through her own divorce created a fire in her to pay it forward to help women and men in a similar situation navigate the divorce process, sharing the knowledge she gained from her own experience.

“I made a lot of mistakes in my divorce because I just didn’t know. Vesta would have been such a valuable resource for me when I was going through it. I want to help the couple as a whole to preserve their home ownership eligibility once the dust settles and help protect their credit scores so they can move on after divorcing and be able to purchase a home of their own and begin their fresh new start. Emotions can escalate where decisions are made out of spite and I want to help in keeping things calm and serve to remind my clients of what’s important to get to the finish line.” 

Selling the marital home can be the most emotional part of uncoupling. Her business approach in working with divorcing clients is to give them extraordinary, compassionate and professional service that goes above and beyond a typical client/ agent relationship. If the client’s desire is to stay in the home, she will help with the house homework to stay in the home, and work collaboratively with the attorney and lender to assist in the buyout of the exiting spouse. On the flip side, often times the house has to be sold to to finalize the divorce, and Kelly is there every step of the way. Preparing the home to sell is a big task and can be overwhelming. She has a vetted team of subcontractors to assist in the preparation and will take that burden off of her clients so they can focus on other things. 

Outside of her job, Kelly loves to volunteer, travel, explore local farmers markets, wine tasting, the beach, and the mountains. Her genuine love for her work and helping people through challenging times obviously shines through in both her personal and professional life. 

Learn more about Kelly at https://kellygriffin.elliman.com/

What is your profession?

Zachary Taylor is a mortgage lender with 30 years of experience. Over 25% of his business involves people in some phase of the divorce process. 

Zach knows the divorce guidelines and is able to access programs from his company (Commerce Home Mortgage) as well as programs from dozens of other banks, lenders, and Wall Street investment firms. This allows him to achieve his main goals for his clients: Get them the best rate, and one that fits their situation, that can be approved and that can be closed within the required time-frames.

How do you help people, before, during and after divorce?

The division of real estate property in divorce can be challenging to navigate. Contacting Zach as early in the process as possible helps people to have a more seamless experience. He will determine if you can do a buyout or will have to sell.  He will also determine if you can buy a new property based on your “post-divorce” situation using the buyout or sale proceeds. This can save time and prevent unexpected difficulties during the settlement process.

Why did you join Vesta?

Zach has  experience helping people who are going through divroce to better understand and determine the issues involving property and mortgages. Zach shares a common mission with the other professionals in the Carlsbad Hub: to provide information and support so that people can feel confident and have peace of mind with the decisions they make in the divorce process. Zach wants to be a valued resource, whether or not a new mortgage is needed, and can also help address issues about credit as well. 

What is your professional background?

Included in Zach’s 30 year of lending experience, is a 98% close ratio since 2008 to present, which happens to be the tightest lending environment ever! He has closed over 2,000 transactions. His background includes underwriting and approving loans. For 16 years he was Managing Broker and Partner is a successful local mortgage company. He is a licensed California Real Estate Broker and passed the Federal and State Mortgage tests with all background checks required for the NMLS license. He is a graduate of U.C. San Diego with a B.A. in Economics.

What is your website?

 www.zachtaylormortgages.com

Growing up in Chicago, Nick followed in his grandmother’s footsteps and attended Northwestern University where he studied International Political Economics. Recruited on campus in 2005 by a 30-year financial advising veteran, he joined New York Life and began working in personal financial advising, with an emphasis in retirement income planning. His passion in advising was centered on helping the blue-collar community that he grew up in. Eight years into his career Nick decided to move to California so he and his family could be closer to his wife, Candice’s hometown in Orange County. While there, he joined the advising firm, Signature Resources 

After moving to California Nick was introduced to Vesta and its collaboration of professionals. They were so passionate about helping families that were going through the divorce process that Nick quickly became very interested in joining their cause. Coming from a family of divorce, Nick witnessed first hand the emotional and financial stress that divorce put on a couple and their loved ones and could easily see the value and impact that Vesta made in the divorce community. Collaborating with the amazing team of professionals in Vesta has given Nick the opportunity to serve families in Orange County and help them reach the best financial outcomes possible while going through the divorce process.

To learn more about Nick, visit https://pacificcoast.massmutual.com/about-us/our-management-team/nicholas-ewen

After earning his degree in Economics, Brett started his career in institutional asset management with clients including pensions, endowments and foundations. He later moved into alternative investment syndication, helping to develop programs for institutional and accredited investors. After the major market declines in 2008 and its aftermath, Brett moved into financial planning because it became clear to him that for people to truly have a successful financial experience they need a thorough financial plan that includes ways to grow their wealth and also protect it from the inherent risks of investing and the financial impact of life uncertainties.

 Working with a broad range of clients, from individuals and families to for profit and non profit organizations, Brett has seen first hand the pain, fear and frustration his clients experience with the various stages of divorce. Whether they are just considering, going through or on the other side of a divorce, Brett and his team offer people comprehensive divorce financial planning services that include clarifying asset division options, providing cash flow analysis and the future implications of the financial decisions people make during the divorce process.

 Ultimately, Brett’s goal in working with clients is to help them answer the question “Am I going to be okay?” He believes in the value a team approach brings when helping people feel they are informed about the process to make decisions that positively impact themselves and their families. Brett and his team are unique in that they guide the client through divorce and help them in rebuilding their financial life after divorce. Whether a financial plan or investment advice is needed, Brett focuses on the strategy of how to get people on track to accomplishing their goals.

To learn more about Brett, visit http://srcmadvisors.com/why-signature/the-team/

 Patricia is passionate about helping individuals, families, and business owners achieve peace of mind by developing and implementing creative cost-effective plans tailored to the unique needs each clients. 

Patricia has been a practicing attorney since May of 2011. Prior to attending law school, she was a family law paralegal for approximately 20 years.  In that time, she acted as a Paralegal for several attorneys. After establishing her own practice, she used her skills and knowledge from her two decades of previous experience to develop her own family law practice with the best interests of her clients at heart. 

Patricia went through her own divorce when her three children were very young. During that time, she was working as a paralegal and used those skills to assist her in preparing her own documents to present to her attorney. 

Patricia understands the challenges of going through a divorce and understands that no matter who decides that it is time to ultimately end a marriage, the process can be a difficult and painful one.  Patricia strives to assist her clients in getting through the divorce process with the least pain possible. She also understands the challenges of raising children without a partner and seeks to assist families in transitioning to co-parents from being a couple. 

Patricia raised three children as a single mother while working and attending law school at nights and on weekends. After graduating from law school, she established her first office and opened her doors as a sole practitioner.  The focus of her practice is to assist families in their life transitions and growth. Patricia’s office prides itself on being able to establish personal connections with their clients. While working at other law firms, Patricia realized that very often the attorneys knew little about the client or the family that they were working with and she wanted to practice differently.  Patricia’s understanding of the key to being a trusted counselor and advisor and the key to achieving the client’s objectives is to genuinely know the client on a personal level. 

Patricia knows that family is important, which is why she wanted to create a family focused practice.  Patricia is determined to create sincere, long lasting relationships with her clients, and help guide them through life’s journeys and changes the best she can.  Patricia represents both married and single individuals with family law related legal needs. This includes, but is not limited to, adoptions, prenuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements, contested and uncontested divorces, child custody matters, guardianship, military divorce, paternity cases and child support modifications.  With this experience, Patricia has become comfortable with understanding intricacies of property arrangements, and the characterization of property as it relates to her clients’ situations and needs. Patricia’s office can help you with family law matters through litigation, collaborative divorce or mediation.

In addition to practicing family law, Patricia works in the probate arena in setting up guardianships and conservatorships for minors, individuals with special needs, and individuals who can no longer manage their own affairs. Patricia treats her clients like family, protecting their interests as if they were her own, and make sound recommendations to help them accomplish their planning goals.

Patricia is a new member of Vesta. She has wanted to find a way to use her skills to educate the public about the process of divorce and to help her community.  Vesta has the same philosophies that Patricia uses in her practice and she wants to be able to provide her clients with a collaborative approach to the divorce process and to provide them with resources that they will need to assist them after the divorce is over. Vesta can help Patricia achieve these goals. 

To learn more about Patricia, visit pcvlawyer.com 

Nicole M. Christopherson is a highly respected and sought-after real estate expert who has been helping couples, families and individuals buy and sell throughout the coastal and estate neighborhoods within Orange County since 2003.  A Southern California native, she is renowned for her in-depth knowledge of the real estate system—from demographics, market trends and timing to property sales, management and leasing. Over the years, she has earned a stellar reputation as a trusted advisor and partner to clients and colleagues alike in choice locales such as Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Coto De Caza and Huntington Beach as well as high- and mid-rise communities in Irvine.

Prioritizing family, health and personal well-being, Nicole is passionate about helping people navigate the stress that comes with a move, particularly when it is initiated by a divorce, which often presents more than logistical, financial and legal challenges. Clients who face the added stress of this transition require a thoughtful, grounded and compassionate real estate professional who can be trusted beyond reproach to ensure their needs and expectations are not just met but exceeded. With a wealth of experience providing steadfast support to many clients before, during and after divorce, Nicole is committed to helping people move forward and embrace the next chapter of life with clarity and confidence.

With an undergraduate degree in education from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in literacy from Chapman University, Nicole leverages her rich background and applies it to every aspect of real estate, from growing a one-person operation into a successful full-service real estate agency—NMC Realty—to educating her clients. As home and property values rise and fall, she works tenaciously to keep them informed and market savvy to help protect their most valuable assets. This is especially important when divorce is part of the equation. With a keen awareness that dividing assets and households even in the most amicable of circumstances can be life-altering, she communicates with genuine authority that puts people at ease and lifts their burdens. Being so passionate about her ability to support others throughout the home buying and selling process and having the keen awareness to give strength during what is often an uncharted path or time in a person’s life is sincerely the driving force that led her to partner with Vesta in 2019.

To learn more about Nicole, visit: www.NMCRealty.com

What is your profession?

D’Aun is a Transformational Speaker and Life Coach who specializes in helping people with divorce and other significant life transitions.  She works with people on mindset, self-esteem and self-confidence. In addition to her involvement with Vesta, D’Aun is a Master Certified Trainer and Coach with Mindvalley, one of the world’s leading personal development companies.  D’Aun frequently leads seminars across the U.S. teaching people how to identify and overcome limiting beliefs and cast an inspiring vision for the future. She also teaches the Mindvalley Intuition Seminar based on the work of Jose Silva and is a certified Lifebook Leader and Coach, supporting people in creating lives that both inspire and motivate them to leave a positive mark on the world.

How do you help people before, during and after divorce?

At the heart of the work that D’Aun does with her clients, it’s about getting them back into the Essence of who they really are.  D’Aun works with her clients on who they are Being in the world. Who we are Being affects what we Do, and what we Do leads to the results that we get in our life.  D’Aun has had the opportunity to coach clients in all phases of divorce. When it comes to divorce, she helps her clients to get complete with the past in a once and for all kind of way which creates new possibilities in their lives for what they want to create next.  She helps her clients to make emotionally sound decisions and guides people in finding ways to use this challenging life transition as a vehicle for personal growth and transformation.

Why did you join Vesta? 

D’Aun has been divorced for over 10 years.  When she was going through her own divorce, she lived across the country from her family and closest friends and had little support throughout the process.  When D’Aun’s 18 year marriage fell apart, she turned to the world of personal development and immersed herself with new ideas and concepts and began her own transformation.  D’Aun’s mentor and coach said, “Out of your greatest pain can come your greatest contribution to the world.” Since that time, D’Aun set an intention to use the pain that she experienced in her own divorce to help others in similar situations.  D’Aun knew that she had found the right organization to partner with when she found Vesta.

What is your professional background?

D’Aun spent 25 years in the Corporate world as a Human Resources leader, primarily in the medical device industry, with companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Covidien and the Nature’s Bounty Company.  She holds a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Design & Effectiveness from Fielding Graduate University and a Master of Arts degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. D’Aun holds three Coaching Certifications.  She was certified by the Ford Institute of Integrative Coaches for their Blueprint Process and also became a certified Spiritual Divorce Coach, which is about how to use divorce as a catalyst to reclaim your life and take back your power. Her third coaching certification came from Accomplishment Coaching, which has been recognized as the world’s finest coach training program.

D’Aun’s business experience coupled with her 10 plus years of intense personal growth experience gives her a unique perspective in helping people achieve greater satisfaction, success and joy in all areas of their lives.

What is your website?

www.daunmoorecoaching.com

Bio coming soon! 

Bio coming soon!

Juergen Schmid is a highly engaged Mortgage Consultant and Coach who specializes in problem solving, perspective and enhancing lives by providing the proper resources to move forward in life after divorce. A large portion of his practice deals with people going through life changes and he has earned the prestiges RCS-D Designation (Real Estate Collaboration Specialist, specializing in Divorce). His alliance with VESTA is an extension of his passion to support people going through any stage of divorce and move on to the next chapter of their life. 

Having two children, including one that was in the Little League World Series in 2015, has magnified the importance of proper leadership and guidance to achieve desired goals. The collaboration concept promoted by VESTA is one that rings true in every aspect in life. The African proverb of “If you want to go quickly, go alone-If you want to go far, go together,” rings true to him every moment of every day. It just makes sense. Support makes sense. 

Divorce has touched Juergen personally in many ways, including the most recent divorce of his younger sister. He was part of the family recovery in a big way supporting his two nephews and his sister, who has since moved on to continue supporting her kids in a positive way. 

Juergen’s role as a mortgage coach is to provide options in the often found dissolution of the family home through creative refinancing or repurchasing a home. Working with a Broker allows him to offer wholesale rates and programs that are not as easily found. The ability to truly work for the client by “shopping” a loan, allows for greater flexibility. He places an enormous emphasis on maintaining credit scores and guiding clients to the most informed decisions possible. 

Ultimately, Juergen believes that there is no “I” in “Team” and that team members all have a role to play. He also sits on the Board of the National non-profit Board of Directors for VAREP (Veteran’s Association of Real Estate Professionals). Collaboration is key. 

Learn more about Juergen at https://www.westerncapitalmtg.com/juergen

 What is your profession? 

India is a Certified Divorce Coach who guides people through the transition of divorce from married to “happily” divorced . She helps them gain confidence, build security and be happy again. In addition to her involvement with Vesta, India authored the book, Surviving the Unwanted Divorce and is a facilitator of divorce support groups in San Diego. 

How do you help people before, during and after divorce? 

As a Certified Divorce Coach, India helps men and women navigate the divorce process without falling into the common emotional pitfalls. India’s forward-thinking approach minimizes the “overwhelm” of divorce. As a result, her clients feel confident that they are making wise, informed decisions regarding their divorce. 

Why did you join Vesta? 

In 2011, India went through a devastating divorce. She realized that she had a choice – to either get “bitter” or get “better,” and she chose to get better. Based on her own experience with divorce, India is confident that her clients can move from a place of pain to a place of purpose and fulfillment, with the ultimate goal being to create their best life after divorce. 

What is your professional background? 

India graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts from Mercer University. She is a Certified Divorce Coach through the CDC Divorce Coach© Intensive program. India is a Life Coach through LeaderBreakthru Coaching. Besides running her coaching practice, India facilitates DivorceCare, a divorce support group in La Jolla, Ca Prior to coaching, India was the owner of FaithfulWarrior Yoga and was a Vinyasa yoga instructor for eight years.

What is your website? 

https://www.indiakern.com/ 

Glenn is a Financial Advisor, Investment Advisor Representative (Series 65), Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) in progress, Life & Health Agent is Medicare certified and a member of Taylor Financial Services.  He has dedicated a large part of his practice focus to working with clients in all phases of the divorce process. Glenn provides his clients with holistic financial wellness planning and designs plans which take into consideration the division of assets, income analysis, tax diversification and planning for retirement to provide clients with their best financial outcomes in the divorce process.   Glenn’s mission is to give people peace of mind and clarity in knowing “they came to the right place” to navigate the divorce process.  

Glenn is dedicated to working with people through the divorce process and experienced it first hand when his parents got divorced after a long marriage.  Even though he was a young adult, it still had a significant effect on him and his siblings. Additionally, Glenn himself got divorced after 24 years of marriage and raising 3 young adults.  He knows first-hand that many people are operating in a mental and emotional “fog” going through this process which can impair one’s judgement. Glenn is dedicated to helping people in this position navigate to clear waters with the wind in their sails.

Over the course of his career, Glenn has excelled at every level.  Before joining the financial services industry 7 years ago, he was a founder of a successful information technology firm with over 500 employees.  Although he was accomplished in business, he derives greater enjoyment from helping people make sense of the world of financial instruments and financial wellness.   He believes discussions are made to be more complex than they really are. He prides himself in being able to talk about finances in a way that can be easily understood by someone who doesn’t live in the world of finance and says “armed with enough, intelligible information, people will make the right decision in their best interest”.  

Glenn graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in General Business administration.  Of note, he was a member of the 12-0 Fiesta Bowl and Co-National Champion SunDevil Football team in 1975.   His special skill is connecting with people and lifting them up. 

To learn more about Glenn, visit https://www.taylorinsfin.com/glenn-crawford/

I am Mike Sangervasi and I am a Financial Services Professional with Signature Resources in Irvine, California. I specialize in working with clients going through divorce.  I am personally motivated to assist persons in the divorce process because their need for support is urgent. I recently chose to work with Vesta because the whole person is supported, and all the resources are immediately available. I work collaboratively with my other financial services professional colleague in the hub and we both have access to our firm’s nation-wide resources.  I am originally from San Francisco, I have a master’s degree and I am currently working on a divorce financial analyst certification.  

To learn more about Mike, visit https://advisors.massmutual.com/michael-sangervasi 

Bio coming soon!

Zivile is an accomplished real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties specializing in the residential market here in Southern California. She sold her first property at the tender age of 18 and also was owner and operator of an agency in Lithuania, her birth country.  Zivile worked with major builders and also built several pristine homes from the ground up herself, so she has a strong understanding of construction as well. She has sold 1000’s of properties in her career and consistently provides the highest level of service across all phases of the real estate transaction process.  Whether it’s preparing homes for sale or locating properties for purchase she is adept at marketing, market analysis, social media marketing, negotiating, staging and completing all facets of the paperwork and processing. Moreover, her dedication to customer service and customer satisfaction is of the highest level.  

Her firm offers concierge services that provide interest free loans for property improvements so her clients get top dollar for the sale.   Her clients appreciate the way she goes the extra mile for them and how she makes the process easy by listing out every detail of the timeline and expectations.   Her clients absolutely love her signature open houses replete with her exquisite handmade pastries. 

Zivile’s parents divorced when she was a child and has also gone through the divorce process more than once as an adult.  She knows first-hand the turmoil a life changing event like this can cause and joined the Vesta team to help people go through the process with a lot more clarity and confidence than she experienced.   She places great value in the collaborative process at Vesta.

One of the things that sets Zivile apart in the industry is her deep sense of caring and her ability to quickly connect with people.  Additionally, she is known to brighten up any room she enters.  

Besides running her own real estate agency in Lithuania where she started her career, she also studied Law at Mykolas Romeris University for 3 years before moving to California in 2011.  She is fluent in Lithuanian, Russian and English.

To learn more about Zivile, visit www.zivilerealestate.com 

Teresa is a licensed Real Estate Broker with specialties in divorce focused on the creation of win/win property sale and new home acquisition strategies, real estate asset maximization, 1031 exchange, pre-sale design and preparation and works with a wide range of asset values from lovely small homes to luxury estate properties.   She is an expert in architectural and historic property sales. With years of experience in residential home sales, Teresa sees herself as an expert in transition. At Vesta, her goal is to facilitate transition for her clients with the best information and resources.

Teresa has been divorced for over 21 years.  In hindsight, although her divorce was disruptive and difficult, her post-divorce years are the best of her adult life.  As an entrepreneur, Teresa’s business ventures became local post-divorce and working locally, with little business travel, has allowed her to discover the joy of home and community.  By helping people re-create home during and after divorce, Teresa feels incredible satisfaction. Home, for Teresa, is the launch-pad of new beginnings.

As a founding member of Vesta’s Pasadena Hub, Teresa can help people at all stages of divorce to use the real estate they currently own as a strategic starting place for the next phase of life.  To begin with the end in mind is a powerful tool when creating strategies regarding real estate sale and purchase. Teresa places great value on Vesta’s collaborative approach to divorce, as information is the key to strategic decision making.  Teresa is laser- focused on finding ways to navigate decision-making regarding real estate to create both value and life-style for her Vesta clients.

A fun fact about Teresa; she gave the commencement address at both her high school and college graduations.  At Mills College, Teresa graduated with a BA in Communications and Art History. Teresa earned an MA from USC in Communications Management and while studying at USC taught History of Art and Architecture and studied for an MBA in Entrepreneurship at the Marshall School.  She has studied Historic Preservation at California College of Arts and Crafts with Hand Dunlop and has a certificate in Construction Management from UCLA. After 10 years of highly successful corporate sales and management experience, she has worked in real estate for the past 20 years.  She was #1 agent at Sotheby’s Pasadena in 2017 and transitioned to Compass where she has remained top ten among the most productive agents in the area. She has recently been appointed to the City of Los Angeles Historic Preservation Zone Board.

Teresa’s unique background in art history, architecture, historic preservation, construction, business and marketing is the perfect storm for success in real estate.

To learn more about Teresa, visit https://www.compass.com/agents/teresa-fuller/

 Michelle is a Loan Officer with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, a nationwide Direct Lender.  Fairway provides a wide range of mortgage programs – from Conventional and FHA products to Jumbo and Reverse Mortgages.   Their mission is to help determine the best program to suit their customer’s needs.

As a mortgage advisor, Michelle helps those going through a divorce in a couple of ways.  First, she can assist one spouse from buying out the other’s interest in a property through a refinance. Second, she can help with financing options to purchase a new home. Knowing your options as it relates to equity in a property owned jointly,  can be quite a comfort through the divorce process.  

As a child of divorce, Michelle saw firsthand how difficult this process can be on a family, especially when not handled correctly.  She also went through a divorce in 2004 and worked together with her ex-husband to make it as easy as they possible could, for both themselves and their daughter.  Michelle understood then, the importance of communication, planning, cooperation and proper research to make the transition easier for everyone.

Michelle decided to join Vesta when it expanded into Southern California so that she could share her own experience, as proof that a divorce does not have to be contentious, and confrontational. With proper guidance and attention, we can help create a peaceful future, starting with a home of your own.

Michelle graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Science Degree.  Since then she has volunteered with Rotary International and TEAM Referral Network, a business networking group in Pasadena CA.

To learn more about Michelle, visit https://www.fairwayindependentmc.com/Michelle-McConville

Mondie is a Licensed Mortgage Banker who specializes in strategic mortgage planning.  She has used this specialty to assist individuals going through divorce to create a plan and ensure they are able to secure financing whether they stay in their current home or purchase a new one.  She understands that navigating the loan approval process while going through a divorce can be both stressful and difficult. 

While Mondie has been married for over 30 years, she is the child of a painful and financially devastating divorce.  This divorce changed the course of her life. She and her mother moved out of their family home and her college plans were put on hold.  She found herself as a teenager needing to support herself. That need to survive led her to a lifelong career in Mortgage Banking and she found her passion in helping families achieve the dream of owning a home. 

Over her career, Mondie has had the opportunity to help individuals in all stages of divorce. It is her goal that every family she helps has a strategic plan to successfully retain their current home or purchase a new one. Her priority is to educate her clients on their choices so they can make confident decisions about their financing, while understanding that any plan takes into consideration their current financial situation and long term objectives.   Over many years she has found that a strategic plan is the key to making good choices and reducing the stress associated with the mortgage process and purchasing a home. It is her goal to be a partner that is relied upon for advice and guidance on the planning and management of their largest financial obligation, regardless of their stage in life.

Mondie has consistently been in the Top 1% of Mortgage Bankers, nationally.  She feels very fortunate to have found a profession that she not only loves but one that also allows her to help people. She understands that mortgage banking is about solving problems and creating financial solutions that are unique to each family. Participating in Vesta has allowed Mondie to help families rebuild their financial and emotional wellbeing through home ownership, something she understands on a personal level is very important to any individual after going through a divorce.

To learn more about Mondie, visit https://www.fairwayindependentmc.com/Mondie-Picl. 

What is your profession?

Nikki is a Post-Divorce Coach who helps people reclaim their power, find joy, and stage Epic Comebacks in their personal and professional lives in the wake of divorce. In addition to her involvement with Vesta, as founder of The Epic Comeback, Nikki works with individuals and groups in her Epic Comeback coaching and mentoring program, engages in thought leadership in both broadcast and print media, and speaks publicly about post-divorce recovery, high-conflict communication, verbal and emotional abuse, co-parenting, entrepreneurship, and intuition. 

How do you help people before, during and after divorce?

Nikki focuses on helping people thrive in the later stages of divorce, as well as after the divorce is finalized. She understands that the impact of divorce reaches far beyond the signing of a final agreement, especially when co-parenting children is part of the scenario. Nikki strongly believes in the importance of moving beyond divorce in a healthy, positive, empowered way rather than allowing the label of divorce to define our identity and the identities of our children. Through her Epic Comeback Framework, which is based on cross-discipline study as well as personal and professional experience, divorced individuals reclaim and rebuild their self , their body, and their community. She helps her clients find joy again, rediscover and use their superpowers, and take bold action in multiple aspects of their lives. While working with Nikki, people use the strength and wisdom they gained from the divorce process as a springboard for discovering their life purpose, starting a new business or career, finding a new partner, reinventing their image, building a fulfilling social life, getting into fantastic physical shape, and other epic moves.

Why did you join Vesta?

Nikki was sidelined by a three-year-long, high-conflict divorce that impacted every aspect of her life, including her physical and emotional health. The divorce process began when her children were 9 months old and 3 years old. When Nikki “came out on the other side” of the crisis, she decided to change her career plans, summon all of her credentials and skills, and help people triumph over trauma and stage Epic Comebacks after going through experiences similar to hers. Vesta’s mission to redefine divorce—to make the process more humane, more positive, more collaborative, and more supportive—has resonated with Nikki since she first learned about the organization a few years ago. She is proud to collaborate with other Vesta professionals to provide resources, support, empathy, and hope.

What is your professional background?

Nikki graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Anthropology from Princeton University, and earned her Ed.M. in Teaching and Curriculum from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Nikki has been a full-time entrepreneur since 2007. Before becoming a professional coach, she spent 18 years as an editor and writer in the book-publishing industry. Nikki has also been a high school English teacher and a youth nonprofit administrator. 

What is your website?

www.theepiccomeback.com 

 Lori is a Certified Life Coach, Specializing in Divorce, Life Transitions, Mindset and Positive Aging. In addition to her work with Vesta, Lori works with individuals, facilitates groups and speaks on topics related to personal growth, transformation and moving life forward. 

Divorced for over 12 years now, Lori was able to partner with her former spouse through their divorce with respect, regard and support for their changing family, their children’s wellbeing and theirs as well. They worked together with the goal of doing the best possible for the good of the family. Lori knows that this can be a challenge during an emotion filled and very difficult time and that it is not always possible for both parties to be in agreement, though she absolutely believes that when we help ourselves to make even the smallest changes in our mindset, the impact can be great. 

Lori is proud to be a part of Vesta in supporting her clients as they navigate all the emotion and change that will occur through divorce. She guides her clients as they move through all the stages of divorce, working on mindset, developing new tools and strategies allowing for healthier decisions during this time and for life ahead. Her clients walk through the divorce experience feeling more supported and able to make healthier decisions today, and for living a happy and fulfilling life ahead. Lori believes that divorce can be the beginning of meaningful and happy next chapter and an opportunity for deep personal growth. 

Lori is a CPCC Certified Co-Active Coach, trained by the Co-Active Institute, and holds a PCC Professional Certified Coach designation from the International Coach Federation. . She continues to study and expand her knowledge in many areas of Personal Development and psychology. With years of experience in partnering with clients and going through all kinds of life changes herself, Lori brings her compassion, empathy and deep caring to her work and values so greatly what is possible in this process. 

To learn more about Lori, visit https://lorikleimanlifecoach.com 

What is your profession?

Michelle Mai is a Financial Advisor, College Funding Specialist, Certified Family Business Specialist and the CEO/Founder of College Planning Source, Inc. 

How do you help people before, during and after divorce?

Michelle Mai’s financial planning practice began while working with families to help them navigate the complicated task of building a funding plan for their children that are college-bound and ensure their retirement is secure as well. Working with over 1600 families, she has often worked with parents that are either planning on getting a divorce or have been divorced and are working to structure their finances while co-parenting and funding their children’s needs. At Signature Resources Capital Management and College Planning Source, Michelle provides comprehensive divorce financial planning services for those considering or going through the divorce process. She helps by taking the time to understand the needs of those involved (including children), provides cash flow analysis and on-going financial advising.

Why did you join Vesta?

While being a child of divorced parents, Michelle understands the effects of divorce, but her specialized work within the college planning industry has made her realize the need for families to understand the various options for funding their children’s college and secure their own financial futures. 

Most divorce professionals provide services for individuals before and during the divorce phase. However, Michelle recognizes the need for on-going support after a divorce is finalized. Michelle and her team work to ensure there are tailored strategies and plans that address the needs and interests of an individual before, during and after their divorce.  

What is your professional background?

While attending the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), she gained experience and knowledge working within the financial aid office that helped her recognized the negative impact that insufficient financial planning can have on a family’s financial future. The last 14 years as a financial advisor and CEO/Founder of College Planning Source, Inc. has provided her with a significant amount of experience with families to provide the right solutions for their needs.

What is your website?

www.srcmadvisors.com

www.collegeplanningsource.com

Bio coming soon!

What is your profession?

Kelly is a Divorce and Transition Coach specializing in helping men and women deal with the emotional, financial and physical stress that divorce causes.  In addition to supporting her clients through the divorce process, Kelly is also a certified YouMap® Career Coach and Facilitator. YouMap® is a holistic assessment which allows Kelly to provide her clients with an unprecedented level of self-awareness related to strengths, values, skills and interests while offering actionable guidance on how to use this knowledge to make fulfilling personal and professional choices. Kelly also uses her training as a Mastermind facilitator to bring together small groups of individuals that have common experiences and/or goals and are wanting to achieve success in a specific area of their lives. Through a combination of brainstorming, education and peer accountability, the Mastermind group helps each member set objectives, create a plan and most importantly accomplish their goals.

How do you help people before, during and after divorce?

Having gone through her own divorce in 2012, Kelly brings not only a professional understanding of what the divorce process entails, but also a very personal perspective on the individual toll of divorce. Her goal is to create clarity out of the chaos of divorce and make what can be a confusing, frustrating and often hurtful process more manageable by helping her clients focus on what they can control.  For things that can’t be controlled, Kelly will assist you in finding your center, staying true to your values and maintaining your dignity, grace and integrity in times of high conflict and stress. Kelly will help you work through the confusion, uncertainty, and hurt to find the clarity of knowing who you are and what you want out of your next stage in life.

Why did you join Vesta?

Kelly is proud to be a part of the Vesta network because she strongly believes that the divorce process needs to change. The trauma of divorce not only hurts the individuals divorcing but also the children and extended families. She believes that by creating a team of professionals that are working together, with the goal of finding the best outcome for each individual, will change the divorce process from one that is focused on “winning the battle” to one that is supportive and focused on what is fair and right for all involved.

What is your professional background?

After Kelly’s divorce she decided to embark on finding a second career that could empower people to find their truth and help themselves through the challenges that life can offer.  It was a natural choice for her to turn to Divorce and Transition Coaching due to her experiences before, during and after her divorce. From finding the courage to ask for a divorce, navigating the daunting divorce process, and learning to co-parent, to the constantly evolving journey of self-discovery, Kelly understands the challenges divorce presents. 

Kelly graduated with a BA in Speech Communications from the University of San Diego and went on to receive her coach training from Coach U.  In addition, Kelly is a certified YouMap® Coach and Facilitator and had the honor of being trained by Kristin Sherry, the creator of the YouMap® assessment. Kelly’s desire to lessen the isolation that divorce can cause led her to become trained as a Mastermind facilitator so that she can create a sense of community for people experiencing similar situations.

What is your website?

www.yourdivorceadvocate.com 

 Bio coming soon!

What is your profession?

Jylan is “Your Legal Warrior” at M E G A H E D, E S Q. Inc.  

How do you help people before, during and after divorce?

Before deciding whether a divorce is the best option, Jylan educates her clients on their legal rights as a divorcing spouse and or divorcing parent. Understanding that the practice of divorce law can be drastically different than the letter of the law, Jylan discusses the realistic outcomes of each client’s case. She also encourages clients to seek therapy to improve their overall wellbeing during this highly emotional process. Once a client decides to retain Jylan, then they are part of her warrior community. They have access to her seven (7) days a week for qualified emergencies. Emergencies can be kidnapping, physical abuse, or a client being incarcerated. Jylan assists clients with disclosures of finances and assets as well as discovery of financials and assets. Once disclosures are sufficiently completed, then Jylan will negotiate a settlement (including the resolution of child custody and visitation issues), or put her blades up for the client’s trial. After the divorce has been entered, then she’ll ensure that an order for restoration of maiden names is processed and a certified copy of the Judgment is processed. She continues to be available to her clients for any post-divorce issues such as enforcement or modification. 

Why did you join Vesta?

Our missions align! Clients cannot make informed decisions about one of the toughest moments of their life without being educated on the consequences of their actions. 

What is your professional background?

Jylan graduated with a Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Since graduating high school in San Diego, Jylan knew that family law would be fulfilling.  

What is your website?

www.megahedesq.com 

What is your profession?

Savanna is a Real Estate Professional, specializing in residential properties that involve helping families, both with the sale of their house, and purchase of their house.  Savanna deals with the process of helping families who are going through divorce and need to divide or liquidate assets involving the home. Providing families with the important data, and current market conditions, she helps families understand the importance of valuing these assets that are investment properties or primary residences. Savanna is also a Certified Property Manager and Notary.

How do you help people before, during and after divorce?

During Savanna’s Real Estate career, she has helped clients prepare and properly secure assets, in the event that divorce becomes an option.  Setting up trusts for clients and placing an accurate value on assets involving Real Estate helps keep families informed. During the process of Divorce, Savanna has worked with families, providing concise information that allows families to focus on what is best for everyone.  After divorce, Savanna provides new beginnings for families with a process which allows them to purchase again, and begin a whole new chapter with more assets, and the ability to keep pace with the family’s goals. Vesta has allowed a platform for Savanna to properly help families purchase properties and still stay informed with what to do, in the event of divorce.

Why did you join Vesta? 

Savanna went through divorce 6 years ago and having so many questions that involved what to do with her then current house, she needed someone with a strong real estate background that could help answer many questions.  Savanna needed to know why to sell, and what do during and after the sale of the house. Savanna remembers all the questions the process cultivated, and really wanted someone with real estate knowledge to guide her. Vesta’s platform provides Real estate experts, which turned out to be her calling.  Savanna always wanted to help people see through the process with a clear path to success, and Vesta helps in doing this.

What is your professional background?

Savanna lived and studied in California as well as internationally. Savanna is skilled in connecting with people from all walks of life. Finalizing her education in Sweden, Savanna later relocated to San Diego to zealously dominate the demanding real estate market for the last fifteen years. Savanna began her career in the private sector, as a loss-mitigation team lead for JPM Chase. After working in the corporate field, she transitioned to working with builders and developers in helping them acquire land entitlements and proper permits. She subsequently marketed those projects and sold them successfully. She also helped families on the other side of the equation by avoiding foreclosure or short sale. Now she is a partner/owner at Zeal Property Group. She built the concept of helping people with their real estate needs, while keeping focus on the law aspect of the industry with her partner/sister.

Savanna is extremely skilled in connecting with people and identifying their needs with patience and nurture. Opening her brokerage, allowed her to follow her bliss and really focus on helping and guiding people through a strenuous process. Giving clients full guidance and support with their real estate assets, along with other assets is something that comes full circle for her and her clients 

What is your website?

 www.Zealpropertygroup.net  

What is your profession?

Ruba Zanaid is a Life & Success Coach, Certified NLP (Neurolinguistic
Programming) Practitioner and the founder of Healthy Living with Ruba. She helps people find the clarity, the road map, and the action plan to  achieve success, ultra health, happiness & a passion driven life.

Ruba helped hundreds of clients worldwide and leads dynamic coaching programs, women circles, workshops and retreats on mindset, emotional health, confidence, communication, mindfulness, life work balance, health including lifelong solutions to lose weight and living on purpose.  She is a speaker, mom of 3 girls, half-marathon runner and a world traveler.

How do you help people before, during or after divorce?

Over the past 10 years Ruba has had the opportunity to inspire and empower her clients with a result focused approach with proven to work tools, resources and accountability to navigate through many life’s transitions and taking their current life to the next level. She supports her clients with a clarity focused approach to breakthrough limiting beliefs, habits and patterns that kept them stuck, release pain and emotions that are no longer serving them, upgrade their health and body image and actualize their goals and dreams by creating an action plan to live an empowering and fulfilling life.  

Why did you join Vesta?

Ruba has a passion to help people elevate their emotional state and guide them to make sound decisions especially while going through tough life’s transitions like divorce. She has close family members who had gone through divorce where she played a huge role in supporting them navigate through it with dignity and self respect. She worked closely with clients who are going through divorce using her coaching expertise to equip them with effective tools and a compassionate approach to guide them through this process to the other side.

What is your professional background?

Ruba is Certified as a health Coach and Neuro Linguistic programming practitioner . She has a background in Medical Technology and Clinical Research. In addition to working with individuals and groups, Ruba facilitates workshops, retreats and trainings. 

What’s your website?

http://www.healthylivingwithruba.com/

What is your profession?

Jeremy G.  Edge is a Certified Financial Planner who enjoys working closely with his clients through all phases of their life. He has been an advisor with Vesta since January 2020

How do you help people before, during and after divorce?

Since inception Jeremy has been dedicated to his working with his clients through the good times and the more challenging times. Although new to Vesta, he has helped his clients understand the nuances of divorce planning, and helped a few of his clients find financial footing during and after they have gone through a divorce.

Why did you join Vesta? 

Jeremy joined Vesta because he has witnessed first hand the struggles of a tumultuous relationship that should of ended in divorce. While growing up both Jeremy’s parents, although deeply in love could not agree on, well, anything. They didn’t know where to turn for advice and the family couldn’t find peace until Jeremy’s mother sadly passed away at the age of 40. Being a member of a professional community is Jeremy’s way of bringing the resources and information necessary to people who are faced with these challenges and helping they make informed decisions that are not only best for themselves but also their family.

What is your professional background?

Jeremy is an alumni of Slippery Rock University and a Bachelor of Business Administration who concentrated in economics, finance, and international affairs. Jeremy is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®) practitioner, and has earned designations as a Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) and a Certified Family Business Specialist (CFBS). With these advanced designations, Jeremy is also an Investment Advisor Representative, Registered Representative, and is licensed in life, accident, and health insurance.

What is your website?

www.edgewealthstrategies.com 

Garrett is a Financial Advisor with specialties in income protection, retirement planning, overall financial strategies. Garrett offers financial planning services for those considering or going through the divorce process. He helps by looking at asset and insurance options, cash flow analysis, and the future implications of the financial decisions people make during the divorce process. All in all, his goal in working with his clients is to help them answer the question “Am I going to be okay?”. 

 While he is not a child of divorce itself, he has seen the effect it has had on his family members who have gone through it. Coming from a background where divorce is practically seen as taboo, Garrett saw the effects that divorce had on his family members and the shame they felt for “failing” in their marriages. His drive for his work is fueled by a passion for helping others. He hopes to change the stigma around divorce that has left a dark cloud around several of his family members in recent years. 

 Garrett recently joined Vesta as part of their West Coast expansion. He found Vesta’s model and core values to be immensely powerful and a great fit for his own personality and penchant for helping others in need. Garrett understands the value of a team approach to help clients feel they are informed about the process to make decisions that positively impact themselves and their families. Garrett helps his clients navigate the financial options that they have and the future implications of those decisions. Most insurance and financial professionals help the client for a certain period and don’t offer services beyond a certain point. Garrett and his team are unique in that they help guide their client through the process, this is particularly important in the divorce process and helping the client in rebuilding their financial life after divorce. 

Garrett graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Psychology from California State University, Long Beach. Garrett has always had a love for helping and connecting with others which was a key factor in his decision to pursue a career in financial services. He hails from a family of financial advisors and is the 3 rd generation of his family to come into the business. He feels very fortunate to be able to help others while doing something he loves. 

 To learn more about Garret, visit https://advisors.massmutual.com/garrett-kaltenbach

What is your profession? 

Jennifer is a Professional Family Mediator, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and the founding partner of San Diego Family Mediation Center. Jennifer’s focus in her profession as a family mediator is to help couples transition through divorce as peacefully as possible. 

How do you help people before, during and after divorce? 

When working with divorcing couples, Jennifer works with both parties involved from the outset of the process all the way through signing the final divorce documents. She often works with couples for years beyond finalizing the divorce, when issues surface between the couple post-judgment. 

Jennifer takes a very holistic approach with her clients and tries to provide a safe place for the couple to vent to each other, learn about each other, forgive each other and find closure with one another. When children are involved, she takes her time to ensure the children remain the focus of the process and of the couple’s lives. 

Jennifer is passionate about her work and cares about each and every client she works with and it shows. 

Why did you join Vesta? 

San Diego Family Mediation Center strives to work collaboratively with similarly minded professionals in their area of practice. Jennifer joined Vesta because she saw the value in bringing together strong, compassionate professionals with the same goals and interests she has; to help people in the most efficient and caring way possible through a very difficult time in their lives. 

Jennifer is once divorced and realizes she is one of the “lucky” ones; to have gone through a divorce prior to having children and to have been well-versed in divorce law prior to divorcing. She now has 2 young daughters and is happily remarried. Becoming a mother herself made her understand all too well the heartache that comes with being apart from your babies at all, much less 50% of the time. Her struggle with her first  marriage and success in her current marriage has helped her to understand the ups and downs of marriage and child rearing that is beneficial when assisting clients through this transition.

What is your professional background? 

Jennifer was born in Northern California and grew up in Southern California. She attended San Diego State University where she graduated with her Bachelor’s degree and then went on to Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where she graduated Cum Laude in 2004. Jennifer attended law school with the idea that upon graduation she would find a better way to assist couples through the broken family law system. In an effort to learn as much as she could about the family law court system and how it all worked, she interned at Family Court Services “FCS,” in San Diego, as a law student and then went on to clerk for many family law attorneys during and after law school. Jennifer recognized early on that litigation was not where her passion would be fulfilled. As she gained experience, she continued to search for a better way. A few years after graduation, she was trained as a family law mediator and a couple of months later, in January of 2008, she opened San Diego Family Mediation Center. Over the last 11 years, she has watched mediation gain popularity and she is always looking for new ways to get information out to the public about the benefits, both emotionally and financially, of family mediation. 

What is your website? 

www.SDFMC.com  

Amanda Singer Esq., MDR, CDFA is a family mediator and co-owner of San Diego Family Mediation Center. She is also a licensed attorney and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. She works to help families improve communication, solve problems and reach agreements while staying out of court.

Amanda strongly believes that communication is the key to resolving any conflict. She works with families, divorcing and pre-marital couples to help deal with conflict constructively. Amanda and her colleague recently co-authored a chapter on Blended Family Mediation that was featured in Putting Kids First in Divorce: How to Reduce Conflict, Preserve Relationships and Protect Children During and After Divorce, which is now an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Book in Divorce & Separation!

Amanda is on the board of Academy of Professional Family Mediators and is the co-chair for this year’s conference. She is a member of the State Bar of California and actively involved in Lawyers Club of San Diego.

To learn more about Amanda, visit https://sdfmc.com/amanda-d-singer/Meet

Rachel has been selling residential real estate in San Diego County since 2011.  She started her career in medical sales and also has interior design experience. Her primary objective is to always treat her clients with loyalty and respect, and to give them premier customer service.  Rachel is truly invested in her clients, not just during the home buying and selling process, but even after the transaction is complete.

Rachel met Linda Lederer Bernstein several years ago at the Helen Woodward Animal Center gala.  They became fast friends and confidants. Their strong friendship and business partnership is centered on a shared vision to help everyone find their place in the world.

Rachel divorced in 2012 after an 18 year marriage.  It was a very challenging time. She was repeatedly surprised by the lack of support available and professional guidance.  Rachel and Linda have subsequently represented numerous divorcing couples in various stages of the divorce process. The intricacies of any real estate transaction require that clients are fully informed and all questions are answered.  Additionally, when a dissolution is transpiring, matters can become more financially and emotionally complex. In these situations, offering a separate point person for each party can help to keep the process moving along smoothly. They actively listen to their clients and offer confidentiality and discretion.

They were very impressed after attending the informative discussion about Vesta, and its expansion to San Diego County.  Because of their experiences with divorce, representing their clients and a desire to give back, they believed there was a need for change and support in this area.  Their services have been marketed to the family law community in San Diego and they have been providing educational newsletters to local divorce attorneys to keep them informed.  They also host various events, including Quarterly “Meet, Mingle & Mix “gatherings, which provide an opportunity for networking and friendship.

Their services are characterized as “hands- on”, with a boutique style and personal attention to each client. They emphasize that they know their sales area intimately. As a team, they are consistently evolving and growing with newer technology and marketing strategies. They place a great deal of importance on offering a caring and personal connection to each of their clients, giving them a completely dedicated and committed approach to meet their needs.

To learn more about Rachel, visit www.coastalrealestatesandiego.com 

As a Realtor with 34 years’ experience, Linda started her career in property management, new construction and title and escrow, providing her with extensive knowledge of every aspect of a real estate transaction. She places a great deal of importance on offering a caring and personal connection to each of her clients, giving them a completely dedicated and committed agent. As someone who has lived in San Diego for the last 37 years, she knows each of the areas intimately and can match her clients with the lifestyle they desire. Linda is truly invested in her clients, not just during the home buying and selling process, but even after the transaction is complete. She has formed long lasting relationships with all of her clients because she truly cares.

Linda met Rachel Collins several years ago at the Helen Woodward Animal Center Gala.  They became fast friends and confidants. Their strong friendship and business partnership is centered on a shared vision to help everyone find their place in the world.

Linda identifies with the challenges of divorce and the effect it has on the whole family. Living through divorce at a young age with her brother, Linda experienced first-hand the disruption and instability of a traditional home life. Linda experienced her own divorce with a new born baby. Her attorney gave her little guidance and did not counsel her on what to expect.  After this experience, she felt the need to guide others through the trials and tribulations of this most trying time. Linda and Rachel have represented numerous divorcing couples in various stages of the divorce process. The intricacies of any real estate transaction require that clients are fully informed and all questions are answered. Additionally, when a dissolution is transpiring, matters can become more financially and emotionally complex. In these situations, offering a separate point person for each party can help to keep the process moving along smoothly. They actively listen to their clients and offer confidentiality and discretion.

They were very impressed after attending the informative discussion about Vesta, and its expansion to San Diego County.  Because of their experiences with divorce, representing their clients and a desire to give back, they believed there was a need for change and support in this area.  Their services have been marketed to the family law community in San Diego and they have been providing educational newsletters to local divorce attorneys to keep them informed.  They also host various events, including their Quarterly “Meet, Mingle & Mix “gatherings, which provide an opportunity for networking and friendship.

Their services are characterized as “hands- on”, with a boutique style and personal attention to each client. They emphasize that they know their sales area intimately. As a team, they are

consistently evolving and growing with newer technology and marketing strategies. They place a great deal of importance on offering a caring and personal connection to each of their clients, giving them a completely dedicated and committed approach to meet their needs.

To learn more about Linda, visit www.surfandturfhomes.com 

Juergen Schmid is a highly engaged Mortgage Consultant and Coach who specializes in problem solving, perspective and enhancing lives by providing the proper resources to move forward in life after divorce. A large portion of his practice deals with people going through life changes and he has earned the prestiges RCS-D Designation (Real Estate Collaboration Specialist, specializing in Divorce). His alliance with VESTA is an extension of his passion to support people going through any stage of divorce and move on to the next chapter of their life. 

Having two children, including one that was in the Little League World Series in 2015, has magnified the importance of proper leadership and guidance to achieve desired goals. The collaboration concept promoted by VESTA is one that rings true in every aspect in life. The African proverb of “If you want to go quickly, go alone-If you want to go far, go together,” rings true to him every moment of every day. It just makes sense. Support makes sense. 

Divorce has touched Juergen personally in many ways, including the most recent divorce of his younger sister. He was part of the family recovery in a big way supporting his two nephews and his sister, who has since moved on to continue supporting her kids in a positive way. 

Juergen’s role as a mortgage coach is to provide options in the often found dissolution of the family home through creative refinancing or repurchasing a home. Working with a Broker allows him to offer wholesale rates and programs that are not as easily found. The ability to truly work for the client by “shopping” a loan, allows for greater flexibility. He places an enormous emphasis on maintaining credit scores and guiding clients to the most informed decisions possible. 

Ultimately, Juergen believes that there is no “I” in “Team” and that team members all have a role to play. He also sits on the Board of the National non-profit Board of Directors for VAREP (Veteran’s Association of Real Estate Professionals). Collaboration is key. 

Learn more about Juergen at https://www.westerncapitalmtg.com/juergen

Heather is a Divorce Coach, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, a Financial Coach and a CPA (inactive). She founded Divorce Transition Mentors thinking there must be a better support system for the days that people are too emotionally and physically exhausted to face all of the decisions and organizing that the divorce process requires.  Her goal for her clients is to have them come through their divorce as emotionally, financially and physically whole as possible. 

Heather started her practice after going through her own divorce 3 years ago and wondering who she could have called to support her. She needed someone to help her “adult” through the decisions and be a sounding board for making the hard decisions that divorce requires.

Vesta’s mission of redefining divorce by providing education, connection and empowerment to people before, during and after divorce resonated with Heather’s vision for her practice immediately. She is really excited to be a part of the founding group bringing this successful model to the California market and work with a vetted group of like-minded professionals. 

Heather brings a unique balance of a strong financial background and passion for coaching and change management. In her previous career she was a supply chain executive managing large integrations and re-organizations. She is passionate about bringing these skills to help individuals through the transitions that divorce can bring about.

Learn more about Heather at DivorceTransitionMentors.com 

Tanya is a Financial Advisor, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) and founder of Comprehensive College Planning LLC.  She started working in the financial services industry soon after she went through her own divorce and initially focused on college planning for her children.  Tanya expanded her practice to include all financial issues related to divorce for clients at all stages.  She offers comprehensive divorce financial planning services by examining asset division options, cash flow analysis and the future implications of financial decisions (such as paying for college) made during divorce.  Tanya’s purpose is to help families not only survive the divorce process, but show them that they will be okay on the other side.

To learn more about Tanya, visit https://tanyaaure.com/

What is your profession?

Melissa is a career and transition coach specializing in professionals re-entering the workforce, career changers, cultivating executive presence and leading authentically. Divorce offers a fresh start and she loves helping her clients regain confidence to reimage their lives and align their careers with their most authentic selves. In addition to her involvement with Vesta, she works with individuals, facilitates groups, and provides training. 

How do you help people before, during and after divorce?

Melissa utilizes her extensive professional background in HR and recruiting to help clients make meaningful career moves with confidence. Whether clients are re-entering the workforce or professionals ready to advance their careers to the next level of success, she helps clients develop strategies to navigate each step in a process that can feel overwhelming, especially during or after divorce.  She believes in the power of collaborative approach to divorce encouraged within Vesta. As she has done herself, she encourages people to find ways to use this challenging transition as an opportunity for personal growth, so they can create something better for themselves post-divorce.

Why did you join Vesta? 

Melissa herself divorced nearly ten years ago. While the process was mostly amicable, the decision to divorce was excruciating for her and took longer than it probably should have. In addition, since the choice was hers, she felt a lot of guilt and gave up a lot. For these reasons, she places value in being able to help clients feel confident in their most challenging decisions. A child of a contentious divorce, she has witnessed first-hand how difficult divorce can be for families. 

What is your professional background?

Melissa received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), an ICF certified professional coach (CPC) and holds a certification in mediation and conflict resolution from Cal State University. She is also certified in the Grief Recovery Method and uses those tools often with clients facing divorce. 

Prior to launching her own coaching and consulting practice, Melissa was an HR Director at a global environmental nonprofit. She cares deeply about both people and the planet. 

What is your website?

www.melissaseipel.com

As a Wealth Management Advisor, Mike provides personal wealth management services for clients seeking to efficiently grow and position their assets for retirement and effectively mitigate taxes both today and in retirement. Mike also works with a range of business owners to help them build, grow, protect and transfer a successful business and has a thorough understanding of corporate financial needs, from closely-held family businesses to large corporations with hundreds of employees.

 Having experienced family members, friends and clients go through divorce, Mike understands the challenges the divorce process can present.  His passion to help clients through this significant life transition shines through his insight, expertise and clarity to the process of making important financial decisions. Mike sees Vesta as a uniquely valuable resource to people going through any point of the divorce process due to the collaborative and educational focus of the organization.

 Mike takes a tax-centric approach to planning, emphasizing  tax-efficient strategies and solutions than simply seeking the highest rate of return investment vehicles with little regard for the plan. For his personal clients, Mike helps his clients prepare uniquely designed plans with strategies that address each individual’s financial goals and objectives; whether retirement, investment or insurance-related. He tells every client he works with, “I want to help you protect, preserve and grow what’s most important to you.” For his business clientele, he helps them clients attract, retain and reward employees by designing and implementing benefit programs including tax qualified retirement plans such as 401(k), group health plans, and individual disability income, life and long term care insurance coverage.

A Santa Monica native, Mike attended John Thomas Dye and Harvard-Westlake School, followed by UC Santa Barbara with stops at Iowa State and UCLA along the way. Mike and his wife Tiffany live with their two children in El Segundo.

 To learn more about Mike, visit http://srcmadvisors.com/why-signature/the-team/

As a Financial Advisor and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), Mike brings extensive experience in the financial services and wealth management industry. Mike attributes his success to being committed in maintaining the focus, discipline and motivation to impact the financial and emotional quality of life for the clients we serve.

Passionate about serving our clients, Mike is focused on helping individuals, families and closely held business owners create financial security, while navigating all aspects of the divorce process.  He leverages his expertise in providing strategies for managing their risks, asset division options, retirement income planning and providing solutions to help clients confidently answer a very important question, “am I going to be okay?”

Having experienced family members, friends and clients go through the divorce process and seeing it first hand, Mike understands the challenges the divorce process can present.  Mike’s passion to help clients through this significant life transition shows through his insight, expertise and clarity to the process of making important financial decisions.

Mike believes in giving back to both the community and the industry he has grown so passionate about. He participates in various youth sports organizations, along with helping youth and families through his work with community groups. Mike is a past Board Member with Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, past Board Member of CASA Dupage and gives time and energy towards Lurie Children’s Hospital, Teen Living Program, Junior Achievement and Feed My Starving Children. Industry focused, Mike is a past Board Member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Chicago Region, member of AALU and GAMA International.

Mike is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, where he earned a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Economics.  At the forefront of Mike’s personal life are his wife Richelle and three children.

To learn more about Mike, visit http://srcmadvisors.com/the-team/mike-lacey-aif/

What is your profession?

Matthew is a Family Law Attorney, a Certified Family Law Specialist, a Certified Public Accountant, and founding partner of Skarin Law Group, APC.

How do you help people before, during and after divorce?

Matthew’s legal practice is primarily focused on clients during the pendency of their divorce. Matthew uses his wide variety of legal and financial skills to effectively and artfully guide high net worth individuals, business owners, and investors through the process of dissolution.  Through Matthew’s extensive experience he is able to discern the potential pitfalls to his client early in the process, allowing him the opportunity to communicate these issues to the client and take steps to minimize exposure.  

Following the completion of the divorce, Matthew will assist in effectuating the terms of the Judgment following the divorce, and will ensure that all orders have been abided by and all loose ends are tied up.

Why did you join Vesta?

Matthew was a child of divorce, as his parents had a fairly contentious divorce when he was 10 years old.  When Matthew became an attorney later in life, he was drawn to family law as a means of helping people in this particular time of need.  After practicing for more than 10 years in the family law community, Matthew knows how to best serve his clients, often approaching the case from a cost vs. benefit perspective.  When Matthew learned about Vesta, he was impressed with the focus on informing the community about the dissolution process rather than the typical focus of referring business. Matthew joined Vesta as a means to reach out to the community and assist those that are currently going through the divorce process but might not know where to turn. 

What is your professional background?

Matthew graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a degree in Business Economics and an emphasis in Accounting.  After working for four years as a Certified Public Accountant at major accounting firms, Matthew went to Loyola Law School in Los Angeles to get his JD.  After graduating law school, Matthew worked for over a decade at one of the largest family law firms in Los Angeles where he was a partner for several years before leaving.  Now Matthew is the founding partner of Skarin Law Group, APC. Matthew is also a Certified Public Accountant, an Attorney and Certified Family Law Specialist, and a Real Estate Broker.

What is your website?

www.skarinlaw.com

What is your profession? 

I am a Real Estate Agent.

How do you help people before, during and after divorce?

Having personally gone through a divorce, I learned that there are some definite do’s and don’ts. Emotions can tend to override knowledge, and a couple whose relationship is possibly coming to an end can be overwhelmed with all the moving parts. Therefore, when I am working with a couple going through divorce, I make myself available to both parties to help them manage the real estate business aspect and their individual personal needs, as it pertains to the next phase in their lives. After the divorce, it is also important for me that I am available to help each side to secure their next home, whether it’s a purchase or rental.

Why did you join Vesta?

I joined Vesta because I thought it was a great opportunity for me to share my experience and expertise in this field, and to help people get through the process in a better way.

What is your professional background?

A successful entrepreneur who built a multi-million dollar commercial-cleaning business employing hundreds of people over a 25-year period. Alex sold his corporation in 2003 to pursue his passion in Real Estate and quickly became a top producing agent. He has consistently been ranked as the #1 or #2 Real Estate agent for Palm Realty Boutique from 2013 through 2018. In 2019, Alex joined Compass Real Estate. He has shown his leadership through his involvement with a variety of community organizations as the Founder for Commissions for Education, Chairman of the El Segundo Education Foundation, Partner with Giveback Homes, Member of the El Segundo Economic Development Advisory Council, and Founder of The Tower60 Foundation.

What is your website? 

www.AlexAbadRealEstate.com

Launching his real estate career in 2005, Mike has immersed himself in all facets of the industry including mortgages, investment properties and residential developments.  An El Segundo native, Mike is knowledgeable of the neighborhood in which he resides and utilizes this familiarity when showing clients the intangible benefits that El Segundo and surrounding South Bay cities have to offer.  Mike’s passion for real estate is evident in every transaction; he listens to his client’s needs, offers feedback on the market and its trends, and demonstrates keen negotiation skills with a low pressure approach. 

An enthusiastic member of the community, Mike contributes to philanthropic organizations such as the El Segundo Education Foundation, Heal the Bay, Surfrider Foundation, and more. 

To learn more about Mike, visit https://www.alexabadrealestate.com/our-team

Peter Cannon is a branch manager at Fairway Independent Mortgage in Hermosa Beach.  Peter has been originating mortgages since 1996. With over 20+ years of mortgage experience; he has helped hundreds of satisfied customers who have used his services to purchase a home or to refinance their current loan.  He is committed to putting his clients into the best loan program that will help meet their financial goals. He is here to support you; not only through the mortgage planning process, but through the entire life of your loan.  Peter is committed to helping “customers for life”!

Why Vesta:  Through my 20+ plus years in the business; I have had to assist hundreds of clients through the difficult divorce process.  Whether it was helping my client stay in their family home or whether it was finding alternative ways of financing a new home; I find great satisfaction in helping my clients through this difficult process.  One main piece of advice that I would recommend to everyone going through a divorce or thinking about doing so is to reach out to an Attorney, financial advisor, a relationship coach, therapist, a Realtor, and a Mortgage Lender as early in the process as possible.  Please contact Vesta for assistance in all of these areas.

Peter received his BA in Business Management from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.

To learn more about Peter, visit https://www.petercannon.com/

What is your profession?

Rachel Goldman, JD, CPC is a Coach who specializes in divorce, communication, and conflict management.  In addition to her involvement with Vesta, she mediates difficult conversations between two or more people and leads workshops and trainings on topics related to conflict resolution and management.

How do you help people before, during and after divorce?

Rachel was a family law lawyer and mediator in Massachusetts for over 30 years. She worked with hundreds of divorce clients, helping them successfully navigate the divorce process, without any court intervention. In June 2018, Rachel moved cross-country to Los Angeles.  Reflecting on what she enjoyed most about her divorce law and mediation practice, she realized it was the moments when she provided support, tools, coping strategies, and guidance to clients as they experienced the inevitable emotional roller coasters during this life-altering transition.  Learning to manage emotions during the divorce process is critical to making informed, sound, and sustainable decisions that will have lasting impact into the future. Rachel has a deep understanding of the complexities of divorce both professionally and personally, having gone through her own divorce and come out on the other side.  She is a firm believer that in the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity. Drawing on this belief and her personal and professional experiences, Rachel is able to effectively coach her clients through the divorce process and beyond.  

Why did you join Vesta?

Restructuring a family is complex, especially when there are children.  The more constructive the divorce process, the higher the likelihood that former spouses will move on to create healthy, happy lives and that children will feel loved by both their parents.  Vesta’s professional divorce team model offers the most holistic way for people to move through the divorce process. This collaborative approach aligns with Rachel’s personal values and professional experience and skills. 

What is your professional background?

Rachel graduated from Macalester College with a B.A. in anthropology (Magna Cum Laude) and earned her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School (Cum Laude).  She received her training and Professional Coach Certification from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC). Rachel is also an Energy Leadership Index (ELI) Master Practitioner and is certified in administering the ELI attitudinal assessment tool.  She utilizes this tool with all of her coaching clients.  

What is your website?

www.rbgoldmanconsulting.com

What is your profession? 

Sara is a Relationship Coach who specializes in setting the stage for a more collaborative divorce, a critical step often overlooked, which saves clients untold amounts of time, money, and frustration. In addition to her work with Vesta, Sara offers private mentoring programs worldwide, hosts industry interviews on her YouTube channel, and offers workshops and retreats – all proven to provide fresh approaches to recovering your power and potential, especially during difficult times. 

How do you help people before, during and after divorce? 

While new to her role as a Relationship Coach with Vesta, Sara has an extensive background in helping clients to develop coping strategies to manage their emotions so that they make effective, wiser decisions so as to reduce the damaging effects of a combative divorce. She places great value on the collaborative approach to divorce encouraged within Vesta and guides her clients in finding ways to positively transform their lives following divorce. Sara believes that divorce can be the springboard for powerful, personal growth. 

Why did you join Vesta? 

Sara is currently in the middle of her own divorce which she orchestrated amicably using her own tools and skillset. However, she can attest to how painful and challenging divorce can be for all involved. Her own struggles with the taboos of divorce and how few resources were available for support led her to begin orchestrating her own, cooperative model with other industry peers. When she learned of Vesta’s arrival in California, she was thrilled to join this successful model and team of local professionals, committed to the same vision of ‘redefining divorce’. 

What is your professional background? 

Sara graduated Cum Laude with B.A. in Communications from The University of Tennessee. She spent 15 years working in New York and Los Angeles for international advertising and marketing agencies where she helped Fortune 500 brands craft messaging that best communicated the company’s vision. At the peak of her career, she was called into intuitive healing where she believes she can combine her keen communication skills to uniquely support her clients in finding the root of their wounds and ultimately in creating strategies for better outcomes. Sara holds certifications in many healing modalities including DNA Theta Healing, Reiki, Sacred 

Body Language, EFT, among others. She considers her approach uniquely transformative. 

What is your website? 

https://saraloos.com/