Who We Are

Steve Wilson, CFA, CPA, RICP, is a co-founding partner of the Wilson Team and joined Strategies for Wealth in 2009 after more than 15 years of experience as a CPA and portfolio manager. His background brings significant depth to the financial planning process, allowing him to help clients make thoughtful, well-coordinated decisions across investments, taxes, and long-term strategy. Steve’s philosophy is straightforward: financial planning should help money work for you and your family—not just today, but for generations. His approach blends technical expertise with a personal, attentive style that ensures each client’s priorities are clearly understood.

Beyond his work on the Wilson Team, Steve is a non-directed living kidney donor and a passionate advocate for living organ donation. He serves on the Board of Directors for Kidney Donor Athletes, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on education and awareness, and mentors potential donors through the National Kidney Donation Organization. In March 2022, Steve and a group of 21 fellow living kidney donors climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro—believed to be the largest group of donors ever to summit the mountain—a trek that was featured on Good Morning America. An accomplished endurance athlete, Steve is a five-time Ironman triathlon finisher and most recently competed in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii alongside his two sons.

Steve earned his undergraduate degree from Fordham University and later completed an MBA in Accounting and a Master’s in Taxation, also from Fordham. He lives in Katonah, New York, with his wife and three children.

Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). Securities products and advisory services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Strategies for Wealth is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian.   Not practicing CPA for Guardian or its subsidiaries or affiliates.  CA Insurance License Number - 0K71235.

Pat O’Gara began his career at Strategies for Wealth as an intern during his senior year at Fairfield University. Through prior experiences at several respected financial institutions, he developed an early perspective on the industry, but it was at Strategies for Wealth that he recognized something fundamentally different. The firm’s approach went well beyond account statements and benchmarks, emphasizing deep, personal relationships built around understanding what clients truly value and want to achieve.

After practicing independently for a year, Pat partnered with senior advisor Steve Wilson, and together they co-founded what has become a comprehensive financial services team. Since 2009, Pat has helped shape a planning philosophy rooted in education and clarity—equipping clients with the understanding needed to self-discover their ideal path forward and align their financial decisions with what matters most to them. Pat is driven by a desire to be the best husband, father, and financial coach he can be, alongside his wife Shana and their two children, Kennedy and Connor.

Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). Securities products and advisory services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Strategies for Wealth is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. CA Insurance License Number - 4334674.

Jordan Ceraso first came to Strategies for Wealth as a client. Seeing firsthand the difference between “having a plan” and letting products drive the plan changed the way he thought about money—and ultimately inspired him to become an advisor himself. That perspective still guides him today: clarity first, products second.

Before becoming an advisor, Jordan spent more than two decades immersed in financial markets. He began his career on the trading floors of the New York Mercantile Exchange and the American Stock Exchange, gaining a ground-level understanding of how markets truly function. He later joined Kamunting Street Capital Management, a New York–based hedge fund, where he spent nearly eight years trading global credit and equities and ultimately overseeing the firm’s European fixed-income and equity portfolios. These experiences continue to shape how Jordan thinks, makes decisions, and helps clients navigate both growth and distribution throughout their lives—with discipline, perspective, and clarity.

Jordan builds every plan from the ground up around a client’s actual values and objectives. Whether someone wants to avoid certain sectors or prioritize specific opportunities, he focuses on designing strategies that reflect what matters to them while keeping their long-term goals intact.

Jordan and his wife have two sons (8 and 4), who he hopes will one day share his love for the world’s sport—soccer. Family, health, and staying active are central to his life.

Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). Securities products and advisory services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Strategies for Wealth is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. CA Insurance License Number - 0K34684.

Cathy DeMartino, RICP, specializes in holistic financial planning for individuals, families, and small businesses, helping clients build confidence through thoughtful, coordinated strategies. She takes a collaborative approach, focusing on improving the efficiency of each financial decision—aligning tax strategy, risk management, and long-term planning to give clients greater clarity and control over their financial lives. Using a collaborative process, Cathy produces measurable results through unique macro-economic planning, with the goal in mind to increase the efficiency of the dollars in your world.

With more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry, Cathy is known for her ability to meet clients where they are and guide them forward with patience and insight. Her strong communication skills, grasp of economic strategy, and passion for education help clients understand their options and plan for the future with confidence and security.

Cathy earned her MBA from Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business and holds the Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designation from the American College. Outside of her professional work, she is an active volunteer with the NYU FACES Foundation, which supports families affected by epilepsy. Originally from England, Cathy has lived in New York for over 25 years and resides in Westchester with her husband, Anthony.

Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). Securities products and advisory services are offered through PAS, member of FINRA, and SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Guardian. Strategies for Wealth is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian.

Sam is a Financial Advisor who joined Strategies for Wealth in July of 2024. He works with young professionals, established professionals, and pre-retirees, helping clients navigate financial complexity through clear, thoughtful planning. Known for his calm approach and big-picture perspective, Sam focuses on translating complex financial concepts into coordinated strategies that support long-term confidence and stability.

Sam’s work centers on comprehensive financial planning and ongoing client relationship management. He holds his Series 7 and Series 66 licenses and is particularly drawn to the analytical and modeling aspects of planning, while maintaining a strong emphasis on communication and education. He was drawn to the advisory profession by the opportunity to reduce financial anxiety and help individuals and families feel more confident in their financial futures—combining a strong interest in finance with a genuine enjoyment of working closely with people.

Originally from Fairfield, Connecticut, Sam studied finance and psychology at the University of Miami before earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Studies from Bard College. At Bard, he served as captain of the varsity men’s tennis team and Chair of the Fiscal Committee, roles that reflected his commitment to leadership, service, and involvement in the broader community. Outside of his professional work, Sam maintains a strong connection to creative pursuits, having previously produced and performed original music recorded with Grammy-winning engineers. Sam lives in the East Village and brings the same curiosity, discipline, and interpersonal energy from his creative pursuits into his work with clients.

Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). Securities products and advisory services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Strategies for Wealth is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. CA Insurance License Number - 4415662.

Lori serves as Director of Client Relations for our team, where she plays a key role in ensuring clients feel supported, informed, and well cared for. She partners closely with advisors to coordinate services, strengthen relationships, and provide a consistently high level of client service.

Lori lives in Yorktown Heights with her husband and is the proud mother of two grown daughters. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, golfing, and biking.