Erin Niehaus CFP®, CEPA

I've witnessed too many friends and family members making financial decisions that not only affected their own accounts, but also strained family dynamics. I moved from institutional money management to helping individuals after discovering that a close family friend's trusted accountant had been embezzling small amounts over many years while the friend battled cancer. No one should endure such betrayal. Another friend faced a divorce, only to find out that her ex-husband had been manipulating his spending with a future divorce in mind, leaving her with far less than she anticipated.

My superpower lies in simplifying financial discussions, making planning and investing both manageable and solution-oriented, and effectively communicating these concepts to all stakeholders. I specialize in investment research and portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, equity compensation strategies, and navigating complex situations such as death and divorce. Additionally, I excel in succession planning and optimizing business operations for entrepreneurs.

I work with a diverse set of clientele which includes executives, business owners, women, and families.

I enhance the execution of investment strategies and bolster asset protection through adept trust and estate planning, which includes appropriate asset titling and tax strategies, ILITs, and both revocable and irrevocable trusts. I seek cost efficiency through tax-conscious investment management and promote intra-family discussions. Additionally, I assist with education planning using 529 plans and guide philanthropic efforts employing DAFs, CRTs, and CLTs.

Life often takes unexpected turns, and I assist my clients in navigating these diverse events. My personal journey—being married, raising four children, losing parents, and enduring numerous market cycles—has endowed me with valuable perspective and empathy. These qualities enhance every conversation I have and allow me to connect with my clients on a more meaningful level. 

At a strategic level, I emphasize tax-optimized and cost-efficient investment implementation. This involves detailed long-term financial planning, with designated allocations for liquidity, lifestyle, and legacy goals. I am also a Certified Exit Planner, which means I optimize business valuations and plans for private business transitions. 

Creating structures that simplify and clarify how clients can see their assets and understand how to identify and then achieve their priorities. I also love getting to know their stories, their histories, their families and their interests. 

We live in a digital world, and Savvy allows me to interact with my clients in simpler, more transparent ways. The visibility of the platform allows for richer and more productive client conversations, and gives clients more comfort with what is going on with their money. Clients also like to see all their finances in one place, and Savvy has the platform that supports it.