OUR WHY: Inspire Confidence. Simplify Life. Reduce Stress.


Our advisors

Sasa Mirkovic

MBA, CFP®, BFA, CRPC

Private Wealth Advisor

Managing Partner of Inspire Confidence Group
Learn more about Sasa Mirkovic

Maria Natarelli

CFP®, BFA, CRPC, CDFA®

Private Wealth Advisor

Managing Partner of Inspire Confidence Group
Learn more about Maria Natarelli

Brent Makarczyk

CRPC, APMA, CFP®

Associate Financial Advisor

Managing Partner of Inspire Confidence Group
Learn more about Brent Makarczyk

Andrea Kirk

CFP®, CRPC, APMA

Private Wealth Advisor

Managing Partner of Inspire Confidence Group
Learn more about Andrea Kirk

Derek Shoden

CFP®, BFA

Financial Advisor

Managing Partner of Inspire Confidence Group
Learn more about Derek Shoden

Mark Keeling

MBA, CFP®, BFA, ChFC®, CLU®, APMA

Financial Advisor

Managing Partner of Inspire Confidence Group
Learn more about Mark Keeling

Michael Shuck

CFP®, ChFC®

Private Wealth Advisor

Learn more about Michael Shuck

Philip Madonna

CFP®, CRPC, APMA

Financial Advisor

Learn more about Philip Madonna

William Amesbury

CFP®, BFA, CRPC, APMA

Financial Advisor

Learn more about William Amesbury

Alex Davison

CFP®, BFA, CRPC, APMA

Financial Advisor

Learn more about Alex Davison

George Amedore III

CFP®, CKA®, APMA

Financial Advisor

Learn more about George Amedore III

Ryan Dudzic

CFP®, APMA, CRPC

Financial Advisor

Learn more about Ryan Dudzic

Matthew Gentile

APMA, CRPC

Associate Financial Advisor

Learn more about Matthew Gentile

Olivia Casale

CRPC, APMA

Associate Financial Advisor

Learn more about Olivia Casale


Our team

Kayla Wells

Kayla Wells

Operations Director

Personal Intro

  • Kayla grew up in Schenectady, NY and currently lives in Ballston Lake, NY with her husband, two kids, and two dogs.
  • She loves dogs, puzzles, coffee, and going to her kids’ sporting events.

Qualifications

  • B.A. in Communications, SUNY Albany

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists advisors with leadership sessions
  • Performs financial reporting functions
  • Makes clients feel at home
View more
Laura Mirkovic

Laura Mirkovic

Marketing Manager

Personal Intro

  • Laura has been with the team since 2006, handling non-advice projects such as marketing, social media, branding, new offices, etc.
  • She is very involved with her three kids, Oscar, Stella and Kosta, who give her purpose.
  • She is a big believer in giving back to the community; current Foundation of Ellis Medicine Board Member.
  • Exercise keeps her sane. In her free time, you can find her at CrossFit or cycling.

Qualifications

  • Masters in International Law, American University

  • B.A. in Communications, Towson University

  • Public Notary

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Practice Branding
  • Advertising/Marketing/Event Manager
  • Public Notary
View more
Joanne Augstein-Collins

Joanne Augstein-Collins

Business Development Director

Personal Intro

  • Joanne grew up in Greenville, NY and currently lives in Niskayuna, NY, with her wife and two daughters.
  • She has a Blackbelt in Taekwondo and was a member of the USA Masters Team for Taekwondo.
  • In her free time, Jo follows her kids sports and activities.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology, Russell Sage College

  • Master's Certificate in Business Intelligence, Villanova University

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Associate Franchise Consultant
  • Professional Integrator
View more
Maureen Buckley

Maureen Buckley

Operations Specialist

Personal Intro

  • Maureen was born and raised in Albany, NY, and currently lives in Loudonville, NY.
  • Right out of high school, she earned her degree in fashion merchandise and opened a women’s boutique in Latham, NY.
  • She loves to golf and is an avid reader on all things leadership and self-development.

Qualifications

  • Retired CEO of RiverSource Life Insurance Company of NY

  • MBA in Accounting, Siena College

  • Bachelor of Applied Science in Accounting, Siena College
  • Series 7 and 24

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Practice Chief Operations Officer
  • Practice Counselor on Business Development
View more
Betty Bee

Betty Bee

Client Concierge,

Paraplanner

Personal Intro

  • Betty was originally from Bel Air, MD and currently lives in FL with her husband Andre.
  • She is a huge traveler and loves Disney.

Qualifications

  • 20+ years experience with Ameriprise

  • Series 7, 65, 66

  • MD Life, Accident and Health

  • Bachelor of Music Education, Shenandoah University

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Advisor Support
  • Business Processing
  • Meeting Preparation and Follow-up
View more
Jennifer Bayliss

Jennifer Bayliss

Client Concierge,

Paraplanner

Personal Intro

  • Jennifer grew up in Norwalk, CT and currently lives in Williamstown, MA with her 17-year-old son Jameson, 14-year-old daughter Maisie, and golden doodle Sassy.
  • In her free time, Jen likes to work out, cook, read, and go to her kids’ sporting events.

Qualifications

  • M.S. in Education, Old Dominion University

  • B.S. in Education, University of Connecticut

  • Series 7 and 66 exams
  • Securities Industry Essentials
  • Life, Accident and Health Exam
  • CRPC™ Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists advisors in preparing for meetings
  • Makes clients feel at home
View more
Jaylen Chicaway

Jaylen Chicaway

Client Service Manager

Personal Intro

  • Jaylen was born and raised in Cohoes, NY, where she currently lives.
  • She has two sisters, a brother, and a nephew.
  • She likes watching sports, spending time with friends and family, hiking, road trips, and anything outdoors.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Business Economics, SUNY Cortland, Spring 2021

  • Public Notary
  • CRPC™ Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Oversees financial planning specialists and interns supporting the advice team
View more
Ashley J. Makarczyk Rokosz

Ashley J. Makarczyk Rokosz

Practice Manager

Personal Intro

  • Ashley grew up and currently lives in Nanticoke, PA with her husband and two dogs.
  • She loves to play golf, watch sports, and travel.

Qualifications

  • B.A. in Elementary Education, Kings College, 2010

  • Began her career with the Company in July 2011

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Makes clients feel at home
  • Visit preparation
  • Financial planning support
  • Client communications liaison
  • Event planning support
View more
Jenna Farro

Jenna Farro

Marketing Specialist

Personal Intro

  • Jenna is originally from Stamford, CT and currently lives in CO.
  • She loves sports, baking, photography, and spending time with friends and family.
  • Jenna also has a cookie business with her mom.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Business with Concentrations in Business Analytics, Market Research Analysis, and Sports Marketing, Siena College, May 2022

  • MBA in Business Analytics and Marketing, Siena College, May 2023

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists the marketing team with social media, website, and marketing activities
View more
Joshua Vogel

Joshua Vogel

Financial Planning Specialist

Personal Intro

  • Josh grew up in Queensbury, NY.
  • In his spare time, he enjoys playing rugby, working on cars, snowboarding, being outdoors, and enjoying time with friends and family.
  • Josh graduated from Siena College in spring of 2022 where he studied Finance.

Qualifications

  • Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam

  • B.S. in Finance, Siena College, May 2022

  • CRPC™ Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists advisors in preparing for meetings
  • Makes clients feel at home
View more
Ashton Britt

Ashton Britt

Financial Planning Specialist

Personal Intro

  • Ashton was born and raised in Cohoes, NY in a family of eight.
  • He enjoys reading American literature, hiking, playing basketball, watching football, and traveling.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Business, Finance and Economics Concentration. Siena College, Class of 2023

  • CRPC™ Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists advisors in prepping for client meetings
  • Makes clients feel at home
View more
Emma VanGorder

Emma VanGorder

Financial Planning Specialist

Personal Intro

  • Emma recently graduated with a Finance degree from Liberty University.
  • In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, cooking, traveling, reading, and spending time with the people she loves.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Financial Planning, Liberty University, May 2024

  • Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam

  • CRPC™ Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™

  • Life, Accident and Health Exam

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists advisors in preparing for meetings
  • Makes clients feel at home
View more
Brittany Trahan

Brittany Trahan

Client Concierge

Personal Intro

  • Brittany enjoys reading, watching football, and spending time with friends and family.
  • In her free time, she practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists advisors in prepping for client meetings
  • Makes clients feel at home
View more
Deidre Maturo

Deidre Maturo

Executive Assistant,

Client Concierge

Personal Intro

  • Dee has a daughter, cockapoo, and pomapoo, who are the light of her life.
  • She is passionate about arts and spends her free time on her own art business.
  • Besides getting creative, Dee loves animals, music, traveling, and adding to her bucket list.

Qualifications

  • B.A. in Writing and Communications, Empire State College

  • Public Notary

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Makes clients feel at home
  • Assists clients with scheduling
View more
Angie VanPatten

Angie VanPatten

Client Concierge

Personal Intro

  • Angie was born and raised in Watervliet, NY.
  • She enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, and participating in movie & music trivia.

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Makes clients feel at home
  • Assists clients with scheduling
View more
Alison Orr

Alison Orr

Marketing Specialist

Personal Intro

  • Alison is from Allendale, NJ.
  • This past year, she graduated from Siena College and studied Business.
  • She is the oldest of three and has two cats and a dog.
  • In her free time, she enjoys playing/watching sports (Mets & Nuggets), exercising, listening to music (especially punk rock), and spending time with friends and family.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Business with concentrations in Business Analytics and Market Research & Analytics, Siena College, May 2024

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Assists the marketing team with social media, website, and marketing activities
View more
Justin Durand

Justin Durand

Intern

Personal Intro

  • Justin is studying Finance at Siena College and is expected to graduate in May of 2025.
  • He enjoys working out, watching all of his favorite sports teams, and spending time with his friends, family, and dog Conrad.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Finance, Siena College, Expected Graduation May 2025

View more
Kaci Owens

Kaci Owens

Intern

Personal Intro

  • Kaci is from Ballston Spa, NY.
  • She is double majoring in Finance and Economics at Siena College, expected to graduate in May of 2026.
  • Kaci is also on the swim team at Siena.
  • She loves spending time outdoors, watching movies, traveling, and spending time with her friends, family, and dog.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Finance and Economics, Siena College, Expected Graduation May 2026

View more
Rachel Havely

Rachel Havely

Intern

Personal Intro

  • Rachel is from Allentown, PA.
  • She is majoring in Business Management with a concentration in Finance at King's College, expected to graduate in May of 2025.
  • Rachel loves shopping, reading poetry, hiking, and spending time outdoors.

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Business Management with a concentration in Finance, King's College, Expected Graduation May 2025

View more