Our Team
Meet the Wade Financial Advisory Team: As Fiduciaries, we bring together the expertise of CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT (CPAs) and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professionals, Accredited Investment Fiduciaries (AIFs), Chartered Financial Analysts® (CFAs®), Chartered Alternative Investment Analysts® (CAIA®), and Enrolled Agents (EAs) on our team to develop strategies that will provide comprehensive and tailored solutions to our clients’ unique and complex wealth management needs.
Our Founder
Rodney D. Wade CFP®, AIF®, EA, MS Taxation
CEO & Wealth Advisor
As a trusted industry thought leader and go-to financial source for the press, Rod has been quoted in many publications including Investment Advisor magazine, Financial Planning magazine, Financial Services Weekly, and featured on MSN’s Money Central. He also is often invited to speak on employee equity compensation strategies and many other wealth management topics.
Rod graduated with distinction with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance with a minor in Economics and earned a Master’s degree in Taxation, both from San Jose State University.
When he was getting started after college, he noticed that there were many valuable financial disciplines and professions – from accountants, stockbrokers, insurance agents, realtors to mortgage agents – but it seemed very few of these experts worked together. It was during this time that Rod saw an opportunity to better serve clients as a holistic financial advisor.
Nowadays, with WFA, Rod and his team can coordinate the array of financial disciplines that clients need to navigate life with confidence.
Rod is an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the IRS, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP), Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF), and has held FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses.
Active in the local community, Rod coached for many years in the local soccer league and volunteers for Catholic Charities. He recently finished serving two years on the Financial Advisory Committee to the local school board. He lives in Los Gatos with his wife Korrin and their children Michael and Bella, where he stays fit by mixing it up with running, biking, hiking, swimming, tennis, and golf.
Shareholders
Eric M. Solve CFP®, EA
Senior Advisor
Eric is an active member and past president of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Silicon Valley and served on the board of directors for several years. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the IRS.
Before becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Eric worked in the mortgage industry. This experience helped him realize that families and individuals need and want advice on many different financial matters, which resulted in him pursuing the CFP® designation.
Eric earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from San Diego State University and received a Certificate in Personal Financial Planning from the University of California at Santa Cruz Extension. A frequent speaker, Eric has presented to a wide variety of associations and groups on financial issues such as retirement planning, budgeting, the impact of the credit crunch on home mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages, credit scores and what they mean, and how to avoid identity theft.
Eric, his wife Bridget, and their two daughters live in Boulder Creek. As a family, they enjoy outdoor activities and appreciate traveling to new places.
Annrose Isaac CPA, CFP®, MBA
Senior Advisor
Before leaving New York, Annrose was a Financial Advisor with Modera Wealth Management, LLC. As a lead advisor, she was responsible for the development and implementation of comprehensive financial plans, management of target investment allocations, research of tax-related issues as well as client communication and education. Annrose has worked with Eisman, Zucker, Klein & Ruttenberg as a Tax Accountant, with Ernst & Young as a Senior Auditor responsible for auditing hospitals and health insurance plans as well as with McBee Associates, Inc. as a Management and Financial Consultant for health care providers and insurance companies.
Annrose entered the financial services industry because she has a passion for understanding and solving complex financial planning issues. She enjoys getting to know her clients’ unique circumstances and life goals so that she can provide customized and holistic advice that that is tailored to their specific needs.
She holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation and is also a CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT (CPA). Annrose is a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) as well as the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CALCPA). Annrose earned a Bachelor's Degree from Barnard College, Columbia University and an MBA from Baruch College, Zicklin School of Business. Annrose has been quoted often by various media including Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg.com, InvestmentNews.com and YahooFinance.com.
Annrose lives in the Bay Area with her husband and their 3 children. In her spare time, Annrose enjoys hiking, exploring new neighborhoods, traveling, and spending time with her family. She also enjoys giving back to her community through volunteer efforts with her children's schools and various community service organizations. She has also been an active member of her community serving as a past Board Member of the Head Start of Rockland and a past member of the Endowment Committee for Eastern Christian School in New Jersey.
Neelesh Champaneri CFA, CAIA, CFP®
Chief Investment Officer
Before joining WFA, Neelesh was a member of the portfolio management team at a West Coast wealth management and mortgage banking business. There, he was responsible for implementing the firm's investment strategy, researched non-traditional investments, and contributed to the team's portfolio construction process. Before that, he held roles in accounting and Finance at Razorfish, a Microsoft subsidiary, and Boeing.
Neelesh has a real passion for the complex and continuously evolving environment of investing. He enjoys working in an environment that is focused on working as a team to take care of clients and focusing on the long-term practices that drive successful investing outcomes.
Neelesh is a Chartered Financial Analyst®, Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst, earned an MBA from the Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University, and is a member of the CFA® Society of San Francisco. Neelesh also holds a bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Washington and studied at the Audencia School of Management in Nantes, France.
Outside of work, Neelesh enjoys riding his bike, spending time with family and reading novels, and the latest news. As a Seattleite, he also loves espresso, mochas, and almost all forms of coffee.
Rachael Bellah
Chief Operating Officer & Chief Compliance Officer
Working side by side with WFA's founder, Rodney Wade, since 2001, Rachael has become knowledgeable in all aspects of the firm. She started as an Administrative Assistant, progressed to Client Service Associate, then Portfolio Management Associate and finally moved to Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer. She became a partner in WFA in 2013.
Since joining WFA, Rachael has taken many tax, management, and compliance courses. She enjoys working with clients and employees and strives to make a positive difference in people's lives in everything she does.
In her spare time, Rachael enjoys powerlifting and learning the ukulele. She and her husband Phillip live in San Jose, where they enjoy live music events and the outdoors. Rachael also enjoys visiting with her son Matthew and her parents in the Sacramento area
Wade Client Services Team
Patrick T. Giddens CFP®, EA, MBA
Senior Advisor
Pat enjoys helping and educating people on financial complexities so they can achieve their goals. With an MBA in Finance from Golden Gate University, Pat is an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the IRS, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), and a National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) Registered Financial Advisor. Previously, he has held FINRA Series 3, 7, and 63 licenses and currently is a member of the Silicon Valley Financial Planning Association (FPA) and NAPFA.
As a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Pat retired from the Air Force reserves after 28 years in 2011. While on active duty, Pat served as a communications officer in Sacramento and Spain before finishing off as a cost analyst on the Space-Based Laser and Interceptor (“Star Wars”) programs in 1990. It was in that year that Pat decided to become a reservist so he can focus in on his pursuit of becoming a full-time financial planner.
In his free time, Pat serves as Admissions Liaison Officer for college-bound kids interested in going to the Academy or into Air Force ROTC. Over the span of almost three decades, he has placed dozens of kids into the programs and seen them graduate to become outstanding airmen and citizens.
Pat, his wife Rona and their children, David and Dana, keep busy with soccer, tennis, hiking, and swimming. If there's any time left over, they visit Hawaii and the Philippines to be with extended family.
Jesse Lownsbury CPA, CFP®
Associate Advisor
He moved to the Bay Area and started his career as an auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in 2013, working on teams to service large public and private companies. After several years in public accounting he transitioned to corporate accounting, where he held various management and project based roles before deciding to make a career change to personal financial planning.
Jesse decided to make the transition because he has a passion for working with and helping people. He believes his background in accounting, where he developed skills to perform thorough research, explain complex financial issues, and collaborate with clients have prepared him well for the transition. He looks forward to working with clients to help them understand and solve the complex financial planning issues they face.
He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Fresno State and graduated as the Craig School of Business Dean’s Medalist. He holds the CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT (CPA) designation and is a candidate for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.
Jesse, his wife Jodee, and their son Brooks, live in San Jose. Together they enjoy family barbeques, outdoor activities, and visiting family near Yosemite National Park. In his free time, Jesse volunteers on several teams with his church and enjoys playing basketball, softball, and a weekend round of golf.
Caleb Bjerk, CFP®, EA, ChFC®
Associate Advisor
Caleb began his professional career as a social studies teacher before switching to financial services. Prior to joining Wade, he served as an Associate Financial Advisor at another firm for five years. Caleb holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation and Chartered Financial Consultant® designation. He previously held life and health insurance, Series 6, 63, and 7 licenses. Caleb’s goal is to continue learning more about the world of personal financial planning.
A graduate of Maranatha Baptist University, Caleb received a degree in Secondary Social Studies Education, with additional certifications in Economics and Psychology. He lives in Ogden, Utah with his wife Holly and daughter Elowen. In his free time, he visits national parks and enjoys camping as often as possible. Caleb is also an avid reader and enjoys being involved in his local church.
Kary J. Meschke, CFP®, CDFA®
Associate Advisor
Kary received her Bachelor of Science degree in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University. She also holds a Certificate of Financial Planning from the Boston Institute of Finance/Bryant University and is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst through the Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts. She has worked in personal finance for more than six years, serving as an Account Administrator, Client Relationship Coordinator, Wealth Management Advisor, and Portfolio Manager prior to joining the Wade Financial Advisory team.
Kary was recently awarded 20 Under 40 class of 2023 recognition in Flathead Valley, Montana, as well as placing 1st in Best Financial Advisor in Best of the Flathead 2023. Her community involvement includes serving as the Treasurer for Code Girls United, Treasurer of the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army in Kalispell, MT, and membership in the Kalispell Daybreak Rotary Club and their International Committee for global clean water initiatives.
When she’s not working, Kary enjoys volunteering and traveling. She and her husband Reed enjoy adventuring outdoors, searching for waterfalls, or exploring our nation’s great National Parks with their three dogs, Rai, Leonard and Koopa.
Stephanie Wong, CPA
Tax Manager
Stephanie earned her BBA in Accounting and Finance + MACC (Master of Accounting) from Abilene Christian University, and her MPA + certificate of Charitable Financial Planning from Texas Tech University. Prior to coming to Wade, she spent two years tax planning in a financial service company and three years in a local CPA firm in Lubbock, TX.
Stephanie is an active member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and Texas CPA (TXCPA). In her spare time, she volunteers with the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the Texas Tech Tax Clinic.
As self-described foodies, Stephanie and her husband Travis love traveling, trying out new cuisines, and spending time with their dog, Jack. They reside in Lubbock, TX.
Caroline O’Neill FPQP®
Client Service Associate/Paraplanner,
Caroline O’Neill FPQP®
Client Service Associate/Paraplanner,
Caroline grew up near Geneva, Switzerland and speaks four languages. She now resides in Idaho with her husband Sean. She has three boys who are pursuing their college education in the States of Washington and Colorado. Outside of work, Caroline enjoys the outdoors, traveling, and most importantly spending time with family and friends.
Cody Nisenbaum
Portfolio Management Associate
Cody Nisenbaum
Portfolio Management Associate
Cody earned his BBA in Finance and Business Economics from Grand Valley State University. Prior to coming to Wade, he worked as an investment analyst for five years. His professional goals include pursuing the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation.
When he isn’t working, Cody spends time playing sports, enjoying board games, watching movies, and spending time with friends.
Jessica Hernandez
Client Service Associate
Jessica Hernandez
Client Service Associate
Prior to joining Wade Financial Advisory, she held various positions within the Service Teams at two Independent Broker Dealers where she assisted Financial Professionals and provided technology training to offices and internal teams. This gave her vast experience in technology, operations and business processing procedures. She decided to transition back to a client-facing role because she has a passion for working with and helping people. She is a service-minded person and enjoys assisting clients and team members.
Jessica holds Associate Degrees in Social Behavioral Sciences and Criminal Justice and is pursuing to continue her education. She grew up in Tijuana, Mexico but now calls San Diego her home. She resides there with her boyfriend and puppy, Lilo. Together they enjoy hiking, traveling, and spending time with family.
Sharon Gill
Administrative Assistant
Sharon Gill
Administrative Assistant
Sharon received her associate degree in Business and Financial in England, where she was born and raised, before moving to California to raise a family.
For 15 years, Sharon was a stay-at-home mother to three children before beginning her professional career. She spent two years at a financial services company before joining the Wade team, where she relishes the opportunity to get to know and assist clients. Sharon enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising, baking, and going for long walks.
There is no time like the present
Contact us today to speak to one of our trusted advisors and learn how our team can partner, educate, and guide you on your path to financial confidence.