View 2026 Annual Report flipbook.
UPDATE2026
Whether you have been a client for years or only recently began working with us here at Pathway, we are grateful and excited to share your life’s journey with you. This brochure provides you with an overview of Pathway in 2025, offers a sense of what clients have told us is on their minds, and a peek into 2026 and beyond. You’ll find information on your Pathway team and see how we gave back to our community this year. We’ve also included access to digital resources curated just for you. As Pathway grew in 2025, we were excited to welcome a new team member to our Burlington office. She has brought fresh ideas that will help us enhance our services and better support you in the future. We are excited for what lies ahead in 2026 and look forward to helping you achieve your definition of a successful life. As always, your best interests continue to be our first priority. ~ Your Pathway Team WELCOME Wealth is about much more than money
This past year was defined by physical transformation and internal evolution at Pathway. Most notably, we successfully relocated our Vermont headquarters to Technology Park in South Burlington. More than just a new office, the space was designed to better support the way our team works together, with open, collaborative areas, upgraded client meeting spaces, and abundant natural light that has created a more energized and connected environment. We also completed a comprehensive overhaul of our IT infrastructure, equipping our team with stronger systems, enhanced data security, and greater redundancy. These improvements not only strengthen our operations internally, but also reinforce our ongoing commitment to protecting and safeguarding your information. If you haven’t stopped by yet, we look forward to welcoming you. Our Growing Team - Welcoming Kaylee Wolfenbarger: Kaylee joined Pathway as its newest Client Operations Associate. Her quick wit and dedication to learning have made her an instant asset to our firm. You will likely hear her friendly voice the next time you call the office. - Professional Excellence: A huge congratulations to Jordan MacDougall, who earned his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation. Jordan has transitioned to a Financial Advisor role, bringing even deeper depth to our planning team. Pathway in the Community - Mary Brigham continues to be an inspiration, crushing her bucket list by completing the New York City Marathon and raising over $28,000 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. - Many from our team once again braved the cold and participated in the Burlington Penguin Plunge, supporting the Vermont Special Olympics. Strength and Stability - Pathway continues to grow alongside the families we serve. We now have the privilege of partnering with over 250 families, managing more than $1.7 Billion in client assets. This scale allows us to remain one of the premier fee-only financial planning firms in the region while maintaining the boutique, personal service you expect. We are proud of our achievements this past year and are excited to continue progressing on many levels in 2026. 2025: A Year of New Horizons
Our practice is built upon three pillars. First, everything we do is rooted in our distinctive advisory status as a fiduciary, fee-only firm, which ensures that we align with your best interests. Second, our team dedicates their time and resources to a limited number of clients, allowing each client to receive the individualized attention they deserve, and that matches their individual needs. S O U N D A D V I C E | D E D I C A T I O N | E X P E R T I S E Lastly, our team of 12 has a wealth of knowledge in traditional financial planning, with over 120 years of combined experience. We specialize in investment management, retirement planning, and estate planning, all enhanced by our unique approach to guided discovery. We're here to help you navigate your financial future with confidence and clarity. We are proud to be at the forefront of providing integrated, holistic financial planning. Few firms in the nation have invested the necessary resources to acquire this skill set, and we are proud to be one of them. Clients are at the heart of what we do, and that drives us to keep learning, improving our processes, and supporting the growth of our team. ~ Mary Beth Brigham, CFP® OUR PHILOSOPHY
At Pathway, we will lead you through a collaborative process that uncovers what truly matters to you. In addition to traditional financial planning and holistic approaches, we'll confidently guide you toward the life you aspire to live. • Retirement Planning • Estate Planning • Guided Discovery Process • Tax Planning • Charitable Giving • Risk Management • Education Planning • Investment Management • Business Transitions I am deeply grateful for each Pathway client I have the pleasure of working with. ~ Jonathan Smith, CFP® YOUR PLAN YOUR GUIDE OUR SERVICES
For more than a decade, June has been a valued client who, like many, once struggled to feel financially secure. Though she had substantial assets and saved carefully, she found it difficult to spend money or believe she had the ability to enjoy what she had built. both important and possible. Together, we developed a financial plan and investment strategy that gave her confidence to live the life she envisioned. Today, June is embracing her plan: traveling, making memories with her family, and feeling more comfortable enjoying the rewards of years of thoughtful planning. We continue to check in on her journey, and she often shares how amazed she is that she can sustain the lifestyle she once hoped for. Her story is a reminder that financial planning is not just about numbers. It is about helping people feel free to live the lives they have worked so hard to create. Mary Beth Brigham, CFP® Through our guided discovery process and ongoing financial planning conversations, we helped June explore her goals, understand her resources, and gain clarity around what was CLIENT STORIES
In 2019, a client family was referred to Pathway by a local estate planning attorney. The patriarch of the family had done an excellent job of managing their inherited wealth and even adding to their family legacy. As his health failed, it became clear that his daughter Jane, would assume stewardship of the family's multi-generational wealth. She was willing to take up this mantle; however, she did not feel prepared due to limited exposure to investments and other areas of wealth management. During our first meeting with the family, it was clear that Jane wanted to build a "team" (CPA, Attorney, and Financial Planner) that would provide support, guidance, and education, putting her in the position to make the necessary decisions in that moment and also help her develop the skills and confidence to succeed in her new role as the primary steward of her family's financial legacy. All while including her mother in the limited role she chose. Jane also made it clear that she intended to ensure her teenage children were prepped in advance for the transition she was navigating on the fly. Over the past six years, Jane's team has worked together to meet her family's needs. Pathway, in addition to our general financial planning and investment management role, held regular meetings focused on various aspects of the family's finances, helping Jane understand the details of investing and wealth management. Once Jane was comfortable with her own competence, we shifted to the next generation and decided to set up investment accounts and financial planning meetings for her children, funded with gifts from Jane's mother. This allowed Jane's mother to enjoy giving to her grandchildren while also giving the kids a practical introduction to investing and financial planning. It has been an honor to serve three generations of Jane's family and see their growth along the way. Jonathan Smith, CFP®
Mike Schell, CFP®, EA LEAD FINANCIAL PLANNER YOUR PATHWAY TEAM Mary Beth Brigham, CFP® FINANCIAL PLANNER Jordan MacDougall, CFP®, MS FINANCIAL PLANNER Darren Beck, CFP®, MBA LEAD FINANCIAL PLANNER Jonathan Smith, CFP® LEAD FINANCIAL PLANNER Scott Beaudin, CFP®, CPA/PFS LEAD FINANCIAL PLANNER
Allyssa Stevens DIRECTOR of OFFICE ADMINISTRATION & COMPANY CULTURE Ben Rinehart, CFA®, PHD INVESTMENT DIRECTOR Kaylee Wolfenbarger CLIENT OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE Shannon Kilborn CLIENT SERVICE ASSOCIATE Allie Hardy CLIENT SERVICE LEAD YOUR PATHWAY TEAM
Education is a key part of what we bring you. Stay informed and empowered with our monthly educational videos! Each month, we post new content on our website covering essential financial topics to help you make informed decisions and reach your goals. Whether you're interested in budgeting, investments, retirement planning, or tax strategies, our videos are designed to provide valuable insights in a clear, easy-to-understand format. Visit our website regularly to stay updated and continue building your financial knowledge. Pathway Financial Advisors is on LinkedIn. Find us via the QR code to the left, or directly on LinkedIn at Pathway Financial Advisors, LLC (Vermont) We have added secure texting to our communication tool-box. If you are interested in adding this to your profile, please speak with your advisor. They can give you more information about what is, and is not, involved in the process. DIGITAL EDUCATION
At Pathway Financial Advisors, we believe that charitable giving, whether through the contribution of time, money, or talent, is an exceptionally personal and heartfelt way to contribute to the betterment of our community. Each of us supports various causes that hold a special and meaningful place in our heart. In 2025 we worked as a group to support the Vermont Special Olympics Penguin Plunge and Spectrum Youth & Family Services. Mary conquered the New York City Marathon and raised over $28,000 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Causes we support: VTSO Penguin Plunge Spectrum Youth and Family Services HSCC Humane Society Chittenden County SLAMT1D Vermont Summer Classic HomeShare Vermont Richmond Land Trust ALS Association-New England Chapter Vermont International Film Festival Dana-Farber Cancer Institute A Woman’s Lunch Place Flynn Center for Performing Arts South Burlington Rotary Heifer International Rarely do we find people who are as invested in our success as they are in their own. When you find them, you've found your work family. ~ Unknown ACTS OF KINDNESS
With offices in VERMONT and GEORGIA, we serve clients all across the country. ATLANTA SERVING YOU WHERE YOU ARE BURLINGTON
Pathway Financial Advisors has been featured in:
BEHIND THE SCENES 2025
Team Bonding Atlanta
How does Pathway make money? We are Fee-Only and commission-free. In other words, we are only compensated by our clients and not from commissions, kickbacks, or sales quota bonuses. You may have heard of “Fee-Based”. While “Fee-Based” sounds similar to Fee-Only, it means the advisor can be compensated by the fees directly from their clients and by commissions from the investments or financial products they sell. Our transparent fee is based on a percentage of the investments we manage for our clients. Are you a Fiduciary? Yes, we are full-time fiduciaries. We have a legal obligation to act in the best interest of our clients. Do you have a minimum asset requirement to work with your firm? Most new clients we work with have approximately $3,000,000+ of investable assets (not including real estate) or have planning needs tied to business ownership or wealth spanning multiple generations. Do you offer one-time financial plans? Our primary focus is on ongoing relationships with individuals and families. We may occasionally offer a one-time planning engagement for those who are exploring a longer-term relationship with Pathway and would like to start with an initial project. Frequently Asked Questions
How are you different than other financial advisors? 1) We are Fee-Only. We believe compensation structures matter when it comes to financial guidance. To avoid the conflicts of interest that often occur when selling products, we choose not to sell any products at all. Instead, our compensation is transparent and only comes from our clients. 2) We limit the number of clients we work with. This allows us to provide highly personalized services to the individuals and families who place their trust in our firm as a guide and steward of their financial plan. 3) Our focus goes beyond money. We believe the components of a fulfilling life go beyond dollars and cents. We utilize a refined planning framework to help individuals and families clarify what is most important to them, organize their priorities, and define their unique vision of a fulfilling life. How do I know if Pathway is not the right firm for me? We believe an investment portfolio should be constructed in alignment with a client’s financial plan. Our approach to managing success focuses on time-tested factors, including global diversification, tax impact, and fee minimization. We are not the right fit if you’re looking for an advisor to: - Speculate and decide when the best time is to hop in and out of the market. - Make short-term investment decisions based on the “headline of the day.” Who holds my investments? For the convenience and safety of our clients, the accounts we manage are held by a third-party custodian. Clients can have their accounts held at Charles Schwab or Fidelity.
The Pathway team continues to grow! Kaylee Wolfenbarger joined Pathway in October, 2025 as a Client Operations Associate.. Kaylee attended Springfield College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in health science with a minor in gerontology. Before joining Pathway, she worked as a case manager supporting older adults in accessing community supports. Visit pathwayadvisors.com anytime to learn more about our team members. From the website Home page, click on ABOUT, then Your Team followed by the team members name. Kaylee lives with her husband and two cats. In her free time, she enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Kaylee has proven to be a great asset to our team. If you have not yet met her, please say "hi" next time you are in the office.
Whoaaaa ... Hold the Presses!!!!! We have another two staff members who joined Pathway in early 2026. Rather than make you wait an entire year, here's a sneak peek about who they are and their new positions. Lyndsie Kennett joined Pathway in a new role, Operations Coordinator. Her talents and knowledge quickly shined through and she has proven to be a great addition to the Pathway team. Andrew Hanson is a brand new member of our team having just joined us May 4th of 2026 . As our new Director of Financial Planning and Investments, Andrew brings a wealth of finance experience and is a member of the Vermont CFA Society. You can learn more about our team members by heading to their bio's on our website's Your Team page .
Pathway Financial Advisors, LLC VERMONT (802) 660.7086 725 Community Drive Suite 402 South Burlington, VT 05403 GEORGIA (404) 812.4979 2000 Riveredge Parkway Suite 640 Atlanta, GA 30328