Women’s financial power is greater today than it has ever been. With more women in leadership positions and staying in the workforce longer, the amount of wealth women control will only continue to grow.

Often, women’s financial management needs differ than those of men. Women have many unique challenges: they live longer lifespans but often make less money than their male counterparts; many women pause their careers to take care of children or aging parents, and some women may even pay more in taxes if they choose to remain single. All of these factors can likely influence their financial and investment decisions.

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate Coldstream’s women wealth managers, and the depth of skill, care, and expertise they bring to their work. Flip through the slideshow or read more below about what each of them finds meaningful and rewarding as part of their career in wealth management.

Anne Marie Stonich

Anne Marie Stonich, CFP®, CPA

Chief Wealth Strategist & Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Business Owners, Tax Planning

annemarie.stonich@coldstream.com

I chose a career in wealth management because I love helping families get organized and create a plan to achieve their goals. While my accounting background made the finance and tax aspects second nature, what truly drew me in was the opportunity to build meaningful, lasting relationships and make a real impact on people’s lives.

As a mom of three young adults — one in college and two in high school — I understand the time constraints and financial concerns that come with raising a family. Starting a wealth management business in my late 20s while also starting a family gave me firsthand insight into the challenges business owners face, from navigating tax complexities to making strategic financial decisions. I know how valuable it is to have a trusted financial team to lean on.

As a female advisor, I believe empathy plays a crucial role in the wealth management process. Active listening, clear communication free of jargon, and an awareness of inclusive language create an environment where clients feel understood and empowered. Sometimes, even something as simple as intentional eye contact can make all the difference.

Read Anne Marie’s full bio here.

Becky Wilcox, CFA®, MBA, FRM®

Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Tax Planning, Company Benefits

becky.wilcox@coldstream.com

It’s hard for me to believe that I’ve been working in financial services for more than 25 years. I must admit that my motivations for starting out in this business were very different than my current motivations for staying in this business. At the outset, I believed I was on a quest to discover the secrets of investing and high returns. Experience has taught me something else: financial security is built on a base of methodical and reason-based practices — a program of steady savings, staying invested, and diversification.

I now know my highest value to clients is as a partner. One who will keep them on the path of financial stability as we navigate complexities that arise from issues like tax and estate planning and company benefits. I’m happiest when I know in my heart that I’ve made life a little easier for my client.

Read Becky’s full bio here.

Brittany Gabelein, CPA

Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Business Owners, Tax Planning

brittany.gabelein@coldstream.com

Read Brittany’s bio here.

Elaina Shemeta, CFP®

Team Lead & Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Financial Planning, Business Owners

elaina.shemeta@coldstream.com

My journey in financial services has evolved over time. While I was initially drawn to the intricacies of investing, I now realize my greatest value lies in being a true partner to my clients. I thrive on helping individuals and families get organized and creating a clear plan to achieve their financial goals. I help them navigate the complexities of financial planning — from tax and estate planning to company benefits — and find the greatest fulfillment in providing clarity and support to simplify their financial lives.

As a mother of three young children, I understand firsthand the juggling act many women face, balancing careers, families, and aging parents. I believe this shared experience, combined with a focus on empathy, active listening, and clear communication, allows me to explain complex topics in an accessible and empowering way.

Read Elaina’s full bio here.

Heather Kessler, CFP®

Team Lead & Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: College Savings, Philanthropy

Email Heather to Schedule a Meeting

I see many similarities in my roles as a mom of a busy toddler and as a wealth manager — both roles require a mix of empathy, strategy, and the ability to adapt to unexpected changes. Whether it’s holding my child’s hand as he tries tackling a new skill or being there for the transitions my clients experience in their careers, personal lives, and portfolios. After over 15 years in the industry, the biggest joy I have is seeing the goals my clients set years prior come to fruition — it’s like watching my son go from crawling to sprinting. I am honored to be a trusted partner and accountability coach, offering the discipline and strategic decisions that pave the way to help clients achieve these milestones.

I love celebrating as a family member graduates from college debt-free after years of diligent savings to a 529 Plan. Or enabling a woman I work with to pivot from a successful corporate career to the confident pursuit of a passion project after strategically exercising her stock options or diversifying a concentrated equity position. It’s the relief I hear in a client’s voice knowing the estate and insurance planning we did years earlier will support their family when they are struck with unexpected health challenges. It’s partnering with CPAs, attorneys, and other trusted professionals to ensure all elements of a client’s plan are working together so it’s one less thing she has on her plate. Helping women and families build a legacy — whether it’s for their children, a cause they care about, or their own personal goals — brings a sense of fulfillment much like seeing my own child grow up.

Read Heather’s full bio here.

Hilary M. Clark

Wealth Manager & Senior Client Team Operations Manager

Areas of Focus: College Savings, Company Benefits

hilary.clark@coldstream.com

After several years as a financial advisor, I realized my true passion wasn’t just in numbers—it was in people. In my late 20s, I pivoted my career to focus on a path that aligned more deeply with my values and aspirations. While my career evolved, one thing remained constant: the meaningful relationships I built with my clients. I cherish the trust they place in me and the opportunity to guide them through life’s financial milestones. Their stories, dreams, and successes continue to inspire my journey every day.

Read Hilary’s full bio here.

Katelyn Spangler, CFP®

Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Financial Planning, Executive Equity Compensation & Company Benefits

Schedule a Meeting with Katelyn

When I started in this industry ten years ago, I was making a huge career shift from working in restaurants and bartending. I knew next to nothing about financial planning and investments, but I loved connecting with customers on their good and bad days and making sure they were well taken care of. It didn’t take long to realize that much of my skillset from serving people at a restaurant would translate to sitting with our clients in a conference room and being their wealth manager.

In the first year, I fell in love with financial planning and the unique puzzle it brings for each client. I learned through my amazing female mentor that caring for the emotions that come with money talk is just as important as the numbers. I take pride in helping my clients develop a plan that meets their goals and more importantly — following through with the action steps that can lead to its success. As a busy mother of two little boys, I know how important and impactful an accountability partner can be, and I love being that person for my clients!

Read Katelyn’s full bio here.

Katie Berntson, CFP®

Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Financial Planning, Family Needs

katie.berntson@coldstream.com

I grew up in a household that did not talk about money, and after seeing my parents navigate a divorce, I knew I wanted to make a career out of helping people better understand the financial aspects of their lives. Now as a Certified Financial Planner with more than seven years in the industry, the most rewarding part of my job is creating peace of mind for my clients as they navigate life changes and milestones.

As a lead advisor, I believe it is my main goal to make sure clients feel secure and up to speed on their entire financial life. I lean heavily on financial planning tools to make informed investment and tax decisions and serve as the first point of contact for all areas of clients’ finances.

Read Katie’s full bio here.

Katie Quick, CFP®

Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Financial Planning, LGBTQ+

Schedule a Meeting with Katie

The role of Wealth Manager provides me the opportunity to be an analytical numbers person and a people person. Anyone can have a mathematically secure financial plan, but it will provide so much more power and meaning if it aligns with the values, styles, needs and ambitions that make up your life. I love the unique puzzle that each relationship presents, and am honored to serve as a trusted advisor as my clients navigate various life changes.

As a woman in finance, I feel compelled to use my knowledge and experience to give back and lift other women up. I find a great amount of joy in organizing and strategizing with people who have historically faced barriers to building independent wealth—particularly women and LGBTQ+ clients.

Read Katie’s full bio here.

Kim Rosenberg, CFP®

Team Lead & Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Aging Parents, Widows

kim.rosenberg@coldstream.com

I entered the financial services industry after my husband was diagnosed with cancer and given five years to live. At the time, I was a mother of two — soon to be three — young children, a partner in a thriving family business, and a wife to the love of my life. The overwhelming thought of raising my children alone and managing our financial future was daunting.

Little did I know that this life-altering experience would lead me to become a Certified Financial Planner. Today, I’m more than just an advisor to my clients — I’m an educator and accountability coach, helping them navigate life’s financial complexities with confidence. I primarily work with individuals in their 50s who are balancing careers, family responsibilities, and financial goals. My mission is to shift their mindset from financial fear to financial empowerment.

Most recently, I wrote a financial guide for widows called Life After Loss, designed to help new widows navigate the financial stress they face in the year following their spouse’s passing. Through my work, I strive to provide clarity, support, and actionable strategies to help my clients feel secure and in control of their financial future.

Read Kim’s full bio here.

Kristi Panza, CFP®

Associate Wealth Manager & Client Team Operations Manager

Areas of Focus: Financial Planning, Company Benefits Planning

kristi.panza@coldstream.com

I became a Wealth Manager because I wanted to empower others to take control of their financial futures. I’ve always been passionate about helping people achieve their goals, and I realized that financial literacy is a powerful tool for making that happen.

As a woman in the industry, I also saw an opportunity to bring a unique perspective to the table. I wanted to break down barriers and make financial planning more approachable, especially for those who might feel underserved or overlooked. I’m driven by the desire to create meaningful, long-term relationships with my clients and to guide them through life’s financial milestones with confidence and clarity.

Read Kristi’s bio here.

Larissa Vidal, CFP®

Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Financial Planning, Divorce and Transitions

larissa.vidal@coldstream.com

I have had the pleasure of advising clients for over 25 years — through market cycles, housing bubbles, and my own phases as a single mom. I love the balance between analytical thinking and emotional intelligence that comes with this career; my conversations range from discussing concentrated stock positions through uncertain times to the challenges of divorce — and everything in between.

Nothing can replace those moments when my clients start to relax after our initial meetings, when trust grows and we find our footing as partners. I am honored when clients speak openly with me about what keeps them awake at night and what they dream of doing. As one of the founders and co-leaders of our Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Committee, I am constantly learning to invite genuine conversation and new perspectives to better collaborate with my clients and colleagues.

Some of our deepest resources as women are not on our account statements. We build communities, we learn, and we innovate. When we see clearly what all our strengths are, we can make better financial decisions, and we are more likely to succeed.

Read Larissa’s full bio here.

Melody Behnke, MBA, CFP®

Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Retirement and Estate Planning, Seniors

melody.behnke@coldstream.com

I am equal parts passion and discipline, which have only grown after 30 years of serving clients in the financial services industry. I became an advisor because I love helping people achieve financial independence and seeing them build their legacy. The discipline comes in part from my more than 25 years in the Armed Forces and is a perfect match in terms of its application to portfolio management and financial planning. I take great pleasure in applying my energy and skills where they are needed.

I work with many elderly clients, and there is nothing more fulfilling than being able to deliver the peace of mind and confidence that comes with knowing they and their families are secure financially. I enjoy partnering with their professional advisors to make sure there is alignment across tax planning, trust and estate strategies, spending needs, and philanthropic giving.

With older investors, part of my job is helping my clients navigate the process of bringing in the next generation and including heirs in the financial planning process; I love getting to know their children and grandchildren – it is always an honor to be a trusted member of their resource team and asset to their family.

Read Melody’s full bio here.

Rachel McCracken, CFA®, MBA

Team Lead & Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Tax Planning, Estate Planning

rachel.mccracken@coldstream.com

When I sat in my first investment class for my MBA, I fell in love and never looked back. I went into this industry because I liked the ever-changing world of the stock market and corporate finance. I stay in this industry because the markets and economy are not static and therefore, I am always learning and thinking. I stay in this industry because I get to work with different clients and hear their diverse perspectives and help them visualize their unique financial goals.

I think the mere fact that I am a woman brings more of the family to the table to discuss finances. I’d like to think that I am approachable, and clients are comfortable asking questions and being vulnerable with me. Talking about money can be quite intimate and scary. I hope I bring confidence to all my clients.

Read Rachel’s full bio here.

Reegan Rae, CPWA®

Team Lead & Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Family Needs, Business Owners

reegan.rae@coldstream.com

I always knew that I wanted a career where I could help people. When I graduated college, I had the opportunity to work as a registered broker’s assistant; after being around advisors and understanding how they engaged with clients, I was hooked. They were kind, honest, and spoke clearly to their clients in a way that put them at ease. I set my sights then and there on building a career where I could give everyone a seat at the table by making finance accessible.

My focus is on truly engaging with my clients, listening to what their needs are rather than pushing an agenda. I think keeping finance relatable, telling stories, cutting through the jargon — these are the things that help me connect with my clients and build relationships that are really meaningful.

When people look at our industry, they often see it as being focused on money. But it’s not money or wealth creation that gets me out of bed in the morning, or that is even central to what I do. At its core, what I really do is help my clients live the life they dream of and build a legacy for the future, paying it forward and giving back.

Read Reegan’s full bio here.

Thanh Evoniuk, CPA, CFP®, MSF

Associate Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Multinational Asset Management, Tax Planning

thanh.evoniuk@coldstream.com

As a teenager, I witnessed my mother struggle through a divorce, questioning whether the division of personal and business assets was fair. I became her trusted listener on nights when she woke up searching for reassurance, and learned to apply my math skills to help her navigate the process. My family background is the source of my strong belief in the importance of higher education and financial independence.

At age 18, I embarked on a journey from Vietnam to America to pursue my education and find true independence, with the goal of helping others do the same. (After seven years of planning and taking small, deliberate steps, I was also able to help my mom and younger sister move to America as well.) When people ask why I chose a career in wealth management, I tell them about my genuine passion for it. I learned to manage money early on to empower myself, and doing the same for others has become my true calling.

I am here to support individuals, family members, and business owners. My job is to help lighten the load by making sure their finances are in order so they can focus on what’s important to them and thrive.

Read Thanh’s full bio here.

Victoria Serles, CPA

Team Lead & Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Business Owners, Tax Planning

Victoria.serles@coldstream.com

Read Victoria’s bio here.

Vonie Bright, CFP®

Wealth Manager

Areas of Focus: Financial Planning, Philanthropy

vonie.bright@coldstream.com

I first became interested in financial services while studying economics at the University of Washington. I was lucky enough to get an internship as a young college student at a local investment firm and I’ve never looked back.

I’ve been helping clients with their finances since the mid-1990s.  Over that time, the industry has seen a lot of changes. What hasn’t changed is my focus on serving my clients. It gives me great joy to partner alongside people and help them navigate the complexities around their wealth. From creating a comprehensive, personalized financial plan, to discussing issues such as insurance, estate planning, tax strategies, and philanthropic giving, I love solving problems and putting all the puzzle pieces together for clients.

Read Vonie’s full bio here.

Disclosures

All of Coldstream’s staff shall attain the required licenses and designations necessary for his/her position. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and Certified Financial Planner™ in the U.S. FRM – Financial Risk Manager – is certified by the Global Association of Risk Professionals. The CFA Institute owns the certification marks CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst®. Investments & Wealth Institute® (the Institute) is the owner of the certification marks “CPWA®,” and “Certified Private Wealth Advisor®.” Use of CPWA®, and/or Certified Private Wealth Advisor® signifies that the user has successfully completed the Institute’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for wealth advisors.