Meet Us

Michelle Kaufman, CFA, CPWA®

Principal

When I was young, I thought life was linear. I grew up in a family of doctors and engineers who praised education and taught me to set ambitious goals, work hard to achieve them, and cross things off the list. I doggedly got through MIT, rose up the ranks of Wall Street bank Credit Suisse, travelled cross-country in my role at Bloomberg and became a mother. As much as I tried to set and follow a direct path, life got in the way causing me to make course corrections that unfortunately weren’t enough. Instead, I would need to alter the plan entirely. Key aspects of my career and life were about to change dramatically.

After having my youngest daughter, I suffered a severe medical complication which required hospitalization for several weeks and extensive recovery time that put me on long term disability for months. I was brought to my knees. During low points, such as when I couldn’t feed myself and needed consistent IV support, it was hard to think expansively. In the months to follow I recognized the gift this would ultimately turn out to be. This experience provided an opportunity to reevaluate my life path.

As I recuperated, I met many other women and men whose lives were irrevocably interrupted. Away from the typical pressures of work and home life, people opened up and shared their painful stories, fears, and hopes for the future. During my life’s pause, I realized how fascinating it is for me to dig under the hood and connect with others in such a deep and meaningful way. I decided to parlay my extensive experience in finance and markets into a career where I could help individuals and see their lives improve over a long time in a close relationship.

Today, my true purpose is to create a positive and engaging financial experience for women and couples based on their unique priorities. Because of my life altering encounter, it’s especially rewarding for me to help those who have been marginalized in some way. By blending clients’ personal, career and financial goals, we design a cohesive plan where everything works together. This creates the clarity and confidence they need and want so they too can handle anything that life throws their way.

Education & Certifications

B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designee
Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) professional

Past Experience

Fidelity Investments, Financial Consultant
Bloomberg LP, Market Specialist
Credit Suisse, Vice President – Trading

My Linkedin profile

Sara DiRuscio

CFP®, Paraplanner

I have a vivid memory of sitting in the Subway parking lot about to graduate from college, talking on the phone with my dad, when he asked me what I was going to do with the rest of my life. I told him I wanted to work as a consultant, helping people identify what they could improve in their lives and somehow get paid doing it. He laughed at me! Soon I found myself hired on at a financial planning firm doing exactly that! I began working in the financial services industry in 2005, as a financial planner. I received my Certified Financial Planner™ designation in 2009. I have worked as both a financial planner and advisor coach for a large financial planning services firm, personal banker, financial center manager, and a Senior Small Business Banker for large national banks. At Prioritas, we love working with our clients by getting to know them and their passions. Working together, we can navigate the path to get their goals dreams within reach. I have a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a Management concentration and a Spanish minor. I am involved in my church, my children’s never-ending activities, tennis, and running.

Darci Depweg

Client Services Manager

I have been working in the Financial Services Industry since 2000, and previously Securities Licensed for 13 years. Having a servant’s heart I find assisting others has been my focus and passion. I have had the benefit of working in several different areas in this industry from a Licensed Brokers Assistant, Director of Services for a Trust company; facilitating alternative investments within IRAs, and now working as Client Services Manager with clients all across the spectrum. This has always kept things interesting. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and Counseling with a minor in Economics, which has served me well in this industry. Prior to this I was an inpatient counselor for mental health and addiction. I am a Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, Veteran of the US Army and entrepreneur. I also volunteer in my community in various activities throughout the year.

Dynamic Wealth Advisors

We have a singular focus on clients, and wanted to structure Prioritas Financial Advisors in a way to serve that vision. Through an alliance with Dynamic Wealth Advisors, a registered investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we are provided with the support we need to confidently serve our clients.

Dynamic oversees Prioritas from a compliance perspective and assures that we are serving clients with integrity and meeting regulatory guidelines. Dynamic also provides operational support so that Michelle can focus on overseeing client planning and investments.

Dynamic offers investment advisory services to individuals, high net worth individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, pension plans, profit sharing plans and businesses through investment advisor representatives such as Michelle.

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