Born in Kingston, Jamaica as the son of Missionaries, Jay shortly thereafter moved to the States where he grew up between Boston, Massachusetts and Greenville, South Carolina. Jay attended Emmanuel College and Boston College where he received a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Theology. Upon his graduation in 2010, Jay became a Financial Advisor with a focus on estate planning and investment advising. Jay has been with Stearns Financial Group since 2015 and enjoys working with executives, committees and boards to create customized solutions that drive retention, attraction and yield.

Jay lives in Boston with his wife Alex, their daughters Caroline and Raegan, son James, and their dog Dabo.

Steve grew up in Old Town, Maine, and obtained a BBA degree from Husson College in Bangor, Maine. Out of college, Steve worked for a short time in Cash Control at Disney World in Florida, then as a Computer Systems Analyst at Pepsi-Cola. He shifted into workers compensation insurance and ran the largest claims TPA in Bangor, then became an Account Manager for CUNA Mutual Group for several years.

Steve then went on to serve as the President / CEO for Penobscot County Federal Credit Union for 19 years, where he drove their healthy growth from a small to mid-sized Credit Union and was awarded the Maine Credit Union CEO of the Year in 2019. He retired as President and CEO in 2020 and “retirement” has included consulting, management, and operational roles.

Steve joined Stearns Financial in 2023 as an Executive Benefits Consultant to help clients understand the newly reinvented opportunities with SERP retirement plans, both old and new. He then opted to take on the Chief Operations Officer role in 2024 to help steer the rapid growth of the organization.

Steve currently resides in Otis, Maine with his wife, Stephanie. He enjoys reading a good science fiction book, but prefers outdoor activities such as boating, skiing, and hiking. He also enjoys spending winter months as a snowbird with daily walks on Manasota Key Beach in Florida.

Jackson Blau is an esteemed professional focusing on economics, entrepreneurship, and new technology, boasting an impressive career trajectory. He began his career in various positions in real estate. His experience continued to grow as a Venture Fellow for Detroit Venture Partners, where his research surrounded the Tokenization of Commercial Real Estate. After becoming enthralled with secondary markets for alternative investments, Jackson worked as Community Manager at Security Token Market where he was instrumental in researching and analyzing the emerging world of security token. Jackson has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Entrepreneurship from the University of Michigan.

As , Jackson is responsible for engaging the community and overseeing strategic partnerships, public relations, social media, and more. He is committed to professional excellence and his unique ability to combine analytical skills, critical thinking, and innovative thought processes. His extensive background in various sectors reflects a dynamic and adaptable professional who continues positively impacting those around him.

Phil was born in Cincinnati and grew up in Northern Kentucky. He attended Northern Kentucky University and earned his bachelor’s degree in Marketing in 2004. After a short stint working at the Cincinnati Bengals in the public relations department, Phil joined Fidelity Investments where his primary focus was 401(k) plan sales. In 2017, Phil joined BB&T as Vice President, Business Development Officer in their Retirement and Institutional Services group where he advised small businesses regarding their 401k and investment advisory service needs. Phil has obtained his Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) professional certification. He joined Stearns Financial in 2021 to lead their qualified plan advisory group.

Phil and his wife, Rachel, now live on the northern side of Cincinnati with their two kids, Luke and Mae.

Kaitlyn hails from a charming village in midwestern Illinois with a population of just 1,300. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Finance from the University of Illinois at Springfield, graduating Magna Cum Laude in just three years.

After relocating to the Cincinnati area, Kaitlyn began her career as an analyst at Fund Evaluation Group, where she provided in-depth research for high-net-worth clients. In January 2019, she joined Stearns Financial Group, leveraging her expertise in Financial Management and Statistics to deliver comprehensive analyses for our clients.

Kaitlyn finds great fulfillment in her role at SFG, particularly in her work with non-profit organizations. She was promoted to Director of Analytics in May 2024, reflecting her commitment and expertise. Kaitlyn values the diverse range of projects she undertakes, which enhances her financial knowledge, analytical skills, and managerial skills. Additionally, she has cultivated strong relationships with her colleagues, contributing to a collaborative work environment.

Currently residing in Champaign, Illinois, with her partner Austin and their three cats—Eve, Crookshanks, and Kahlua—Kaitlyn is also a certified Financial Modelling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA).

Christopher grew up on Long Island, New York, and obtained a BS degree in Accounting from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, followed by an MBA in Finance from Dowling College in Oakdale, New York. He began his career with Dime Savings Bank of New York, then went on to hold roles at Citigroup, Ally Bank and Sprout Mortgage in New York. Over the course of his career, Christopher has gained extensive experience in accounting, finance, and treasury, taking on numerous leadership positions.

In October 2023 Christopher joined Focus CFO in Cincinnati, Ohio as a Principal Chief Financial Officer where he worked with a number of small and medium-sized businesses with a mission to help them on their climb to sustainable, transferrable business value. In September 2024 Christopher transitioned to Stearns Financial Group as Vice President of Finance, where he manages the company’s accounting and finance functions.

Christopher currently resides in Port Jefferson, New York with his wife, Christine. He has two daughters, Kimberly, and Jessica. He enjoys walking and spending time with his family.

Kirsten grew up in Columbus, Ohio and then migrated to Southwest Ohio to attend the University of Cincinnati. She obtained a degree in Communications and has since occupied various roles in account management, client service, and office administration to support small organizations with day-to-day operations.

Kirsten joined Stearns Financial Group in January of 2020 to coordinate marketing efforts and compliance initiatives, as well as handle general office administration. She enjoys working for an innovative organization that serves an industry filled with community focused people.

Kirsten has also lived in Kentucky, Arizona and North Carolina, but is currently settled in the East side of Cincinnati with her 2 sons. In her free time she enjoys yoga, tennis, pickleball, and spending time with friends and family.

Joseph, a Cincinnati native, holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Xavier University. With over 25 years of experience in client management, he has contributed his expertise to Citi Bank, GE, and various small financial firms. His portfolio includes managing relationships with prominent corporations like Ford Motor Company, The Goodyear Tire Company, and Sam’s Club, as well as numerous small businesses across different sectors. Joseph’s direct collaboration with C-level executives and business owners has been pivotal in helping them reach their financial aspirations.

His professional accreditations include 6-Sigma Greenbelt, Wealth Management Specialist, and Conflict Resolution certifications. At GE and Citi, Joseph not only managed client relationships but also improved processes and programs, driving enhanced performance outcomes.

In April 2024, Joseph embarked on a new journey with Stearns Financial Group as a Business Analyst. His role is crucial in fostering communication between SFG clients and internal team members, and he is instrumental in refining internal processes to boost efficiency and productivity.

Joseph’s career journey included a stint in Baltimore, Maryland, during his tenure at GE and Citi Bank. He has since returned to Ohio, settling in West Chester. Outside of work, Joseph is an outdoor enthusiast, tending to his garden, taking strolls with his two Weimaraners, and enjoying quality time with loved ones. He also enjoys participating in the local Elks Lodge, where he can connect with fellow members and engage in various activities to support his community.

Sable is originally from the Park Hills suburb of Denver, Colorado and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio when she was fairly young. With her love of knowledge and a passion for helping others, she pursued her Bachelors degree in Biopsychology at the University of Cincinnati, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She went on to attain her Associates Degree in Finance Technology from Cincinnati State, after honing in on her love for math, numbers and just calculation altogether.

Sable started her finance career with Fidelity Investments, where she studied to get her Series 7 and 63. She was then recruited by a division of Western and Southern, Columbus Life Insurance Company, where she managed rapport with agents and clients alike. She developed and trained a team of associates, while collaborating with all service/support teams to manage Life and Annuity products from applications to claims. Sable joined Stearns Financial in October of 2023 and hit the ground running with the Service Team as a Delivery Analyst.

Sable currently resides in Cincinnati with her pup Archer. She enjoys roller-skating, binge-watching Law and Order, being a foodie and shopping!

Donna was born and raised in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, right on the shores of Lake Superior. At 18, she moved to Florida, living on the Gulf of Mexico, before settling in Cincinnati in the early '90s. She has raised three daughters: Amanda, Brooklyn, and Olivia. Her two grandsons, Chris and Ares, affectionately call her Oma.

With a background in the sales and service industry, elevating the overall experience has always been a priority for Donna. In 2020 and 2021, she obtained her insurance licenses and developed a passion for life insurance products that can also supplement retirement plans. She is thrilled to be part of the team at Stearns, where they make a beneficial impact in the nonprofit community.

Donna and her daughter have been actively involved in two worthwhile nonprofit organizations: The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation and The National Alliance for Mental Illness. Over the years, they have found creative ways to raise awareness and funds for these causes.

She is relatively adventurous and enjoys kayaking, hiking, and ziplining. She also loves traveling, live music, and spending time with family and friends.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Andrew Schmutte holds a deep connection to his hometown. He attended the University of Cincinnati, where he was part of the Lindner Honors program in the Kolodzik Business Scholars. He further broadened his academic experience with a semester abroad at the University of Mannheim in Germany, where he undertook master’s-level coursework. Andrew graduated Magna Cum Laude with a double major in Finance and International Business and aspires to pursue a master’s degree in finance or analytics in the future.

Andrew’s Co-Op career has spanned project management, real estate accounting, data analysis, and financial modeling, equipping him with diverse expertise. He brings this wealth of experience to his role as a Financial Analyst at Stearns Financial, where his primary responsibilities include Supplemental Illustration creation. Andrew has found Stearns Financial to be the perfect fit for his growth and development as a recent college graduate.

Outside of work, Andrew is passionate about outdoor adventures, including camping, hiking, and kayaking, and enjoys net sports like pickleball, spikeball, and volleyball.

Natalie is a proud Cincinnati native and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati Lindner College of Business, where she earned a bachelor's degree in finance with a minor in law. Her professional experience includes financial analyst internships at GE Aerospace in Cincinnati and Amazon in Seattle.

Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new restaurants with friends, staying active with Pilates, and cheering on her favorite sports teams. A passionate traveler, she treasures her visit to Croatia, her favorite destination so far. Soccer has been a central part of her life, as she played throughout her childhood and at the collegiate level.