From the Lab Bench
to Your Wallet.

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional
& Former FBI Forensic Scientist

Hi, I'm Barb. I'm a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, and I used to be a forensic scientist with the FBI — yes, that FBI.

When I worked there as a research fellow after graduate school, I had no idea what to do with my first "big girl" paycheck. While teaching myself to manage my own money, I stumbled onto the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement, which emphasizes aligning your spending with your values. I started skipping the expensive dinners out and saving up for scuba diving trips and international adventures with friends instead.

I'd intended to spend my whole career at the FBI and retire with a comfortable government pension. After a decade, though, I knew it was time to move on — and only because I'd found FIRE years earlier did I have enough saved to take a chance on myself. I uprooted my life in Virginia and moved to coastal Charleston, SC to help others find clarity, peace, and empowerment in their financial lives. In many ways, I felt like I'd already won: I was secure enough to leave a high-paying job and follow what mattered to me.

I may have stepped outside the lab, but my scientific roots still shape how I see the world. I've always loved learning about people and their stories, and yours will be no exception. As a scientist, I'm not here to argue with the data. How you arrived here is part of your journey. I'll ask questions to understand you and your aspirations more clearly, never to judge. And I'm not afraid of difficult or awkward topics, because nothing gets better when we refuse to look at it.

As a CFP® professional, I also offer full scope, comprehensive financial planning. Learn the differences between coaching and planning, see which might fit you best, and get started.