College & Professional Athletes thrive here.
At Strategies for Wealth, many of our most successful advisors are former college athletes. We realize the connection between high level athletic talent translating to high level performance as advisors. These traits show themselves as discipline, drive, leadership and intrinsic motivation. We invite you to meet some of our former college and professional athletes that are now our advisors.
Nikolas Nugnes
"Playing college sports shaped my career by instilling a deep work ethic, resilience, and a team-first mindset. Competing at a high level taught me how to navigate adversity, stay disciplined when outcomes were uncertain, and remain focused on long term goals. The emphasis on teamwork, clear communication, and shared accountability carried naturally from sports into entrepreneurship, and now guides how I build relationships, work with teams, and serve clients as a financial planner."
- 2014 University of Maine - Men's Ice Hockey Team
- 2015-2018 Tufts University - Men's Ice Hockey
- 2016-2018 Tufts University - Men's Golf
Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). Financial Representative of Guardian.
Patrick Ryan
"Playing Division 1 Baseball was such a great experience. It taught me that there is a ton of talent out there and that showing up to get 1% better every day is what creates separation and sustained success.
As an advisor, it is crucial that my team and I are in constant communication and collaboration with each other to ensure a seamless client experience. My experience as a former College Athlete has helped me understand that my teammates and now my coworkers and clients have completely different personalities. Everyone has their own way of taking in information and interacting and it's so important to understand what motivates people."
- 2015-2018 Iona University - Baseball
Stephanie Fort
"College athletics directly correlates to my success in the financial field, as there are a lot of commonalities between running a practice and being a student-athlete. As a college softball athlete and coach, the greatest lessons learned were persistence and discipline. Discipline allows you to work hard, even when you don't want to and don't see the results yet, and persistence keeps you going when things aren't going the way you had planned. The correlation between the two careers helps me to be successful, see "failures" as learning opportunities, thrive in a team environment, and drive myself to achieve new heights. I credit my time as a student-athlete and coach to knowing who I am, which allows me to genuinely connect with clients, build strong relationships, and strengthen my identity in the financial space through my platform at Strategies for Wealth."
- Allegheny College
Registered Representative of Park Avenue Securities LLC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® CA Insurance License Number - 4418136.
Miles Gendron
"After retiring from professional hockey, I knew I had transferable skills around time management, goal setting, and relationship building but was not sure a career that would allow me to be successful post hockey. Joining Strategies for Wealth has been the perfect transition into the workforce. The mentorship and team atmosphere of Strategies for Wealth has provided me with the opportunity to stay connected with my hockey community while being able to provide for my family. It has been a blessing and made the transition seamless I am forever grateful to have the opportunity to work at such an amazing company.
- 2014 NHL Professional Hockey
Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America®, New York, NY. CA Insurance License Number - 4469523.
Andrew O'Leary
"Being a college athlete was perhaps the most valuable and challenging experience of my life up to this point. Balancing the obligations necessary to excel both in the classroom and on the golf course at an elite program like Notre Dame pushes you to your limits. The number of life lessons drawn from this experience was immeasurable.
At Strategies for Wealth, success will only be accomplished through relentless pursuit and an unbreakable commitment to placing the needs of others in front of your own. Being a college athlete taught me to never back down from adversity, stand up for what I believe in, and have unwavering belief in mentors, coaches, and colleagues. For those reasons, being a student athlete at Notre Dame could not have prepared me any better for a career at Strategies for Wealth."
- 2018-2023 University of Notre Dame - Golf
Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® CA Insurance License Number - 4485616.
Kyle Galloway
"I played soccer at Rutgers University for four years before using my covid year of eligibility to play at Marist University, where I was named the MVP, won the conference tournament, and led the team to their first NCAA tournament in 16 years.
College sports translate directly to professional life as it prepares you with responsibility, time management, and how to be personable."
- 2017-2021 Rutgers University - Soccer
Andrew DeLucia
"Playing college baseball was one of the most formative experiences of my life and it continues to shape how I show up professionally every day. Competing at a high level taught me discipline and accountability along with how to perform under pressure whether things are going your way or not. Showing up early, preparing consistently, and staying focused on the long game weren’t optional they were the standard.
Baseball also reinforced the importance of teamwork and trust. No one succeeds alone and the best outcomes come from clear communication, shared goals, and doing your job for the benefit of the group. I’ve carried that same mindset into my career where preparation, resilience, and collaboration are critical to serving clients well.
Most importantly, the game taught me how to handle failure, learn quickly, and keep moving forward which are invaluable skills in a result driven, relationship-based profession. The lessons I learned on the field continue to influence how I work, compete, and grow every day."
- Muhlenberg College
Financial Representative of Guardian. CA Insurance License Number - 4477931.
Liam Ferguson
"College hockey taught me important life skills that I rely on every day. Participation in a sport builds character and promotes discipline on and off the playing surface. Being a part of a team reinforced the importance of trust, communication, and preparation, while strengthening work ethic. The impact of one's involvement in sports is immeasurable and gives you an edge over the competition in the real world."
- Connecticut College Men's Ice Hockey 2016-2020
Financial Representative of Guardian. CA Insurance License Number - 4063192.
Drew Helmstetter
"Playing college baseball taught me how to show up prepared every day, stay disciplined, and perform when it matters. It also gave me a team-first mindset and thick skin, which helps me stay consistent, handle rejection and setbacks, and keep the focus on doing what’s best for clients' long term."
- Iona College 2018-2022 - Baseball
- Monmouth University 2022-2024 - Baseball
Financial Representative of Guardian. CA Insurance License Number - 4428840.
Cole Palmeri
"Playing college baseball taught me essential skills that directly translate to serving my clients. It instilled the importance of teamwork, discipline, and setting clear goals—and consistently working toward them."
- Colby College Baseball
- University of Richmond Baseball
Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). Financial Representative of Guardian CA Insurance License Number - 4513773.