The Rutgers Wealth Management, Advising, and Planning (MAP) Symposium brings together wealth management and financial planning professionals, alumni, and students for a day of shared learning and engagement. The professional program features a CFP Board Continuing Education session and a collaborative dialogue between Rutgers and industry leaders. The student program offers meaningful exposure to careers in financial planning and wealth management through industry panels and direct interaction with professionals and alumni. Connecting the two is the Student Mentoring Lunch, where students engage with industry leaders in small-group conversations about career paths, professional development, and lessons learned. The Symposium is made possible through Schwab Advisor Services in partnership with the Charles Schwab Foundation.
Professional Program
Bridging the Professional and Student Programs
Student Program
Participant Bios
Dr. Vaughn Calhoun, Rutgers–Camden
Dr. Vaughn Calhoun is Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Rutgers–Camden, a proud Rutgers alumnus, and a former Scarlet Knights football student-athlete who brings a distinguished record of leadership in student affairs and academic services. His work and insights on higher education have been featured in publications, such as Fortune, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and Inside Higher Ed. Nationally active in NASPA, he has held various leadership roles, including chair of the Public Policy Blog Committee and Region II and chair of the Black Diaspora Knowledge Community. Dr. Calhoun holds graduate degrees from Cal State University-Long Beach and Northeastern University and brings both personal and professional perspectives to moderating today’s panel.
Eric Carlson, CFP®, CRPC, APMA, Ameriprise Financial
Eric Carlson is a Private Wealth Advisor and Branch Manager with Ameriprise Financial, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the industry. He has led significant growth in his branch while also building his own advisory team, Insight Financial Advisors, which has been recognized as a Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Team. Eric also holds the CFP® designation and is passionate about developing both clients and advisors.
Lisa Crosta, CFP®, CPA, Crescent Harbor
Lisa Crosta is a Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor, and Director of Financial Planning at Crescent Harbor Private Wealth. A CFP® professional and CPA, she brings deep expertise in comprehensive financial planning, with experience spanning Ernst & Young and more than a decade in wealth management. Lisa earned her MBA from Rutgers University.
Scott Gutman, CFP®, CCFC, SGI Wealth Management
Scott Gutman began his career as a financial advisor in 2006 and is now the founder of SGI Wealth Management, an independent firm focused on holistic financial planning and retirement strategy. A CFP® professional, he specializes in guiding clients as they approach retirement and has been an active partner of Rutgers–Camden, providing students with hands-on experience in wealth management and financial planning.
Kate Healy, AdvoKate IQ
Kate Healy is CEO of AdvoKate IQ and a nationally recognized advocate for the future of the wealth management profession. A former Managing Director at TD Ameritrade Institutional, she has led transformative initiatives focused on advisor development, NextGen talent, and women’s leadership. She is also a Rutgers graduate, a member of the Rutgers School of Business–Camden’s Finance Area Advisory Board, and a leading voice on the evolving RIA landscape.
Edwin Lopez, WSFS Bank
Edwin Lopez is Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at WSFS Private Banking, where he develops tailored financial strategies for individuals and families. With more than 22 years of experience in banking and private wealth management, he brings deep expertise in helping clients navigate complex financial decisions and build long-term financial plans.
William Love, CFP®, RICP, RTD Financial
William Love is a Senior Financial Planner at RTD Financial with more than 20 years of experience, specializing in retirement planning. A CFP®, Retirement Income Certified Professional, and Certified Retirement Coach, he helps clients navigate both the financial and non-financial aspects of retirement. William also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Temple University.
Patrick Means, Charles Schwab
Patrick Means is a Vice President and Branch Manager at Charles Schwab in Dallas, TX, with more than 20 years of experience in leadership, personal financial planning, and investing. He is a regular contributor to Schwab’s Money Talk column, including his recent piece, Sports Betting Versus Investing: 4 Key Differences. A proud Rutgers alumnus, Patrick is passionate about giving back to his community and alma mater.
Patrick Natale, Morgan Stanley
Mr. Patrick Natale is a Managing Director and Head of Wealth Management Equities at Morgan Stanley, where he leads equity strategy, trading, and product solutions for advisors and clients. A Rutgers graduate and former varsity wrestler, Patrick brings more than 30 years of experience in wealth management and a strong commitment to mentorship and developing the next generation of professionals.
Aaron Nelson, Evesham Capital Management
Mr. Aaron Nelson is a Rutgers–Camden alumnus and former two-time captain of the varsity wrestling team with more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. As Senior Vice President at Evesham Capital Management, he provides wealth management, financial planning, and employee benefit consulting services. He is also deeply committed to community leadership and serves on the Rutgers School of Business–Camden Dean’s Leadership Council and Finance Area Advisory Board.
Dr. Lia Nower, Rutgers University
Dr. Lia Nower is a Distinguished Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Director of the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University. She is both an academic and clinician, and her work focuses on gambling disorder, online gambling, and sports wagering, with a strong emphasis on harm reduction and responsible policy. Dr. Nower also co-directs Rutgers’ Addiction Counselor Training Program, which provides nationally recognized training for gambling counselors, and she serves as chair of the public policy committee of the Rutgers Addiction Research Center. She brings deep research, clinical, and policy expertise to moderating today’s panel.
Dr. Kevin Pisciotta, University of Kansas
Dr. Kevin Pisciotta is an Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Kansas School of Business. His research examines financial markets, innovation, and the economic effects of vice, including his recent study, “Gambling Away Stability: Sports Betting’s Impact on Vulnerable Households”. He has published widely in leading academic journals and brings a strong evidence-based perspective to today’s discussion. In his spare time, he enjoys running and playing basketball, and yes, also some sports betting.
Dannielle Sesay, RSBC MS in Finance–Financial Planning (Class of 2026) / New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
Dannielle Sesay is Director of Compliance at the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, where she leads statewide financial oversight and governance initiatives. With a background in fiduciary responsibility and risk management, she is also earning her MS in Finance-Financial Planning degree at Rutgers School of Business–Camden.
Alison Susko, Asset-Map
Alison Susko is Vice President of Community and Partnerships at Asset-Map, a financial technology firm known for its visual communication tools used by advisors and clients. She has more than 15 years of experience in financial technology, with leadership roles in account management, training, and partnership development. Prior to joining Asset-Map, she held positions at eMoney Advisor and Docupace Technologies.
Nicole Townsend, Vanguard
Nicole Townsend leads Investment Product Strategy within Vanguard’s Personal Investor business, where she focuses on investment product research to inform decision-making across Vanguard’s mutual fund and ETF offerings. Her work centers on advocating for the needs of individual investors and translating research into practical product strategy. Nicole is a CFA® Charterholder and brings a strong institutional and investor-focused perspective to our conversation.
Brittany Webb, Cerity Partners
Brittany Webb is a Principal in the Philadelphia office of Cerity Partners, where she provides comprehensive financial planning as part of the firm’s wealth management team. Previously a Vice President in Goldman Sachs’ Ayco division, she was recently named a 2025 InvestmentNews Rising Star, recognizing top wealth managers under 40 nationwide.
Avery Wissmar, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Ms. Avery Wissmar is a Registered Client Associate with Fox, Penberthy & Dehn at Morgan Stanley, where she supports client engagement, behavioral finance analytics, and business development. A 2025 graduate of Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, she double majored in Operations & Analytics and Finance and served as a senior captain on the Georgetown softball team.
Rutgers Wealth MAP Partners
