Hi, I’m Ryan.
My goal is simple: to help you understand your money and feel confident about the decisions you make with it. I've spent over 20 years researching and managing my own investments, and I started my career in private wealth management and institutional equity research at RBC Wealth Management and Robert W. Baird & Co. — but what I care about most is translating that experience into practical knowledge you can use.
I believe financial planning works best when it's a partnership. My job is to explain every recommendation, so you understand why, not just what, we're doing. I specialize in personal finance, retirement and early retirement strategy, family financial planning, investing and portfolio construction, and tax-aware planning, and I especially love helping clients turn big, fuzzy goals into a clear plan they understand and feel good about.
Outside the office, I'm a proud husband, father (to a human and a fur child), and a Certified Personal Trainer. I've found that the habits that build financial health — patience, consistency, playing the long game — are the same ones that build physical health.
My Approach
A sound financial plan doesn’t begin with a spreadsheet; instead, it starts with a question: What do you actually want your life to look like?
Before we talk about portfolios or tax strategy, we talk about your values, your goals, and the future you’re trying to build. Money, in this framework, isn’t the destination — it’s the tool that helps you get there.
Life Goals
This is where we start: understanding what matters most to you — the relationships, experiences, freedoms, and legacy you want your life to reflect. We define success in your own terms before we ever touch a number.
Money Goals
Once we know what you're working toward, we build the financial strategy — savings, investments, tax planning, and risk management — that turns those aspirations into an tangible plan. The numbers exist to serve the life, not the other way around.
Education & Experience
Education
B.S., Finance (Cum Laude w/Honors), University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business
B.A., Economics (Magna Cum Laude), University of Maryland, College of Behavioral & Social Sciences
Master of Biotechnology Enterprise & Entrepreneurship (MBEE), Johns Hopkins University
Professional Experience
Private Wealth Management - RBC Wealth Management, Robert W. Baird & Co.
Equity Research Analyst - Robert W. Baird & Co.
Founder & Principal - Philosophe Financial