Built on Experience. Driven by Purpose.

Magdalena “Maggie” Johndrow brings both industry experience and personal perspective to her role as CEO. A graduate of Providence College and the London School of Economics, she began her career on Wall Street at Barclays and J.P. Morgan, working with high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients. That experience shaped her disciplined approach to planning and her commitment to making financial guidance more accessible.

When Maggie joined her family’s women-owned practice, she focused on expanding outreach to groups often overlooked by traditional financial services, particularly women and younger professionals. She launched the NextGen planning service to provide practical guidance on topics like student loans and retirement planning, along with community divorce workshops that connect financial, legal, and emotional resources during major life transitions. She also received her Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® certification.

Education remains central to Maggie’s work. She regularly hosts seminars including her well-loved “women and wealth” dinners and has volunteered with the Connecticut Money School, Miss Porter’s School, the Junior League, the YWCA New Britain Board of Trustees, Circle of Care, and the Petit Family Foundation, including serving on several of their boards. 

Maggie’s insights have been featured in outlets including Forbes, U.S. News, NPR, and Bloomberg, and she has been recognized as an InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 recipient* and InvestmentNews Women to Watch “Rising Star.”**, Hartford 40 Under 40***, and a Five Star Professional in Wealth Management****. She also was named Forbes NextGen Best in State Advisor in 2025***** and Forbes Best in State Top Women Wealth Advisors in 2026******. 

Outside of work, Maggie and her husband, Chris, stay busy raising their daughter, cuddling their rescue dog, traveling, skiing, and playing tennis. Experiences that help her relate to clients balancing full professional and family lives.

*2018 Investment News 40 under 40, created by Investment News. Presented in June 2018, based on data gathered in 2018. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary.

**2020 Women to Watch, created by InvestmentNews. This award is based on women financial advisers, industry innovators who are leaders in their firms, the industry, and their communities. This award is not specific to financial services and does not imply an endorsement, recommendation, or reflect the performance of the advisor.

***2019 Hartford Business Journal 40 Under 40, created by Hartford Business Journal. This award is based on leadership in each nominee’s respective organizations and not specific to financial services and does not imply an endorsement, recommendation, or reflect the performance of the advisor.

****2020 Five Star Wealth Manager Award, created by Five Star Professional. Presented in November 2020 based on data gathered within 12 months preceding the issue date. 3048 advisors were considered, 285 advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary.

*****2025 Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, created by SHOOK Research. Presented in Aug 2025; based on 03/31/25 data. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials . Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary.

******2026 Forbes Top Women Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, created by SHOOK Research. Presented in February 2026 based on data gathered from June 2024 to June 2025. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary.”

Colette Ward  joined the team in 2023 as an Associate Financial Advisor, bringing nearly a decade of experience in independent financial services and a genuine commitment to helping people make informed, confident financial decisions. She’s drawn to the collaborative, relationship-focused approach of the practice and values being part of a team dedicated to thoughtful financial guidance.

In her role, Colette works closely with clients and advisors to support review meetings, research investment strategies, and help each client’s financial plan stay organized and aligned with their goals. Her work spans everything from client communication and reporting to investment research and day-to-day operational support. She helps the team deliver consistent, attentive service.

Colette holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations and the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation, reflecting her commitment to fiduciary responsibility and client-centered advice. Being a fiduciary wealth manager means that Colette puts client interests ahead of both her own and that of the business. She earned her BA in Environmental Studies and Economics from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and began her career in environmental sciences before transitioning to financial services. Her background continues to shape her long-term, future-focused perspective.

Outside of work, Colette enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, Eric, whether hiking sections of the Appalachian Trail or exploring places closer to home. She also enjoys cooking, experimenting with new recipes, and spending time with her nieces and nephews whenever she can.

Susan Weingaertner has been an integral part of the Johndrow Wealth Management team since 2015, and we are proud to announce her well-deserved promotion to Director of Operations. In this expanded role, Susan will serve as a strategic partner to CEO Maggie Johndrow, helping translate the firm’s long-term vision into actionable goals while overseeing daily operations across client service, advisory, marketing, trading, and compliance.

As Director of Operations, Susan will lead strategic planning and execution, design and improve internal processes and workflows, and ensure operational scalability as the firm continues to grow. Her responsibilities span the full breadth of the business—from overseeing compliance and firm infrastructure to managing budgets, vendor relationships, and technology systems. She will also lead human resources functions including recruiting, onboarding, performance management, and staffing plans, while fostering a strong team culture rooted in accountability and collaboration.

Susan will ensure the firm executes on its vision, maintains operational excellence, and achieves consistent growth. In this capacity, she will align cross-functional teams, drive accountability across all departments, and act as a force multiplier for the CEO.

Susan’s promotion is a natural evolution of the leadership she has demonstrated throughout her tenure. With her warm, detail-oriented approach, she has been instrumental in managing client communications, coordinating seminars and events, leading the administrative team, and keeping the firm running smoothly behind the scenes. Her outstanding commitment to service was recognized in 2022 when she received the Support Staff of the Year award from our broker-dealer partner, Commonwealth Financial Network, selected from among thousands of staff members.

Before joining Johndrow Wealth Management, Susan built a strong foundation in accounting and financial operations. She began her career at a New York CPA firm and later continued her work in Connecticut with Whittlesey & Hadley and Travelers Property Casualty Corp. Susan earned her BS in Accounting from St. John’s University and holds a Series 6 license.

Outside of work, Susan enjoys exploring museums and new places with her family, crocheting various projects (including baby booties for our clients), and relaxing with a good book and her dog, Riley. She and her husband, Joseph, stay busy traveling with their two sons, both of whom have graduated college and are pursuing budding careers of their own.

Krista Mello serves as a Support Specialist at Johndrow Wealth Management, where she leverages her unique combination of financial expertise and entrepreneurial experience to support the practice’s operations and client service initiatives.

Krista’s career in finance includes roles as a Credit Analyst at JP Morgan and Assistant Vice President positions at both HSBC and GA Capital, giving her a deep understanding of financial analysis and the inner workings of major financial institutions.

When Krista stepped away from the corporate world to raise her two boys, she channeled her drive into an impressive venture: Sweet Mello Treats. What started as a passion project quickly grew into a thriving bakery known for beautifully crafted cookies, impeccable customer service, and a product that was constantly sold out. Krista didn’t just start a business; she scaled it, streamlined operations, found efficiencies, and built a loyal customer base from the ground up.

That firsthand experience in building and running a business, coupled with her finance background, she supports our CEO, Maggie Johndrow, and the broader JWM team. Krista is a graduate of Canterbury School and holds a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from Boston College.

Outside of the office, Krista enjoys time with her husband, their two boys, and their two labrador retrievers. When she’s not keeping up with her busy family, you can find her on the ski slopes or the tennis court.

Casey Morey joined Johndrow Wealth Management after earning his MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. His path into financial services reflects a thoughtful career pivot, shaped by experience in education, business research, and a growing interest in wealth management and client service.

During graduate school, Casey worked as a Business Innovation Analyst with the UMass Institute for Applied Life Sciences, supporting research-driven startups and venture development projects. He also completed a Summer MBA Associate internship with J.P. Morgan Private Bank in New York City, where he gained exposure to private wealth advisory work. Earlier in his career, he served as Director of Admissions at The MacDuffie School, an experience that strengthened his communication skills and his ability to guide people through important decisions.

Casey attended St. Andrew’s School in Barrington, Rhode Island, and earned his undergraduate degree in Business Psychology from the University of Maine at Farmington. He has completed the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam, Series 7, and Series 66 exams as part of his ongoing professional development.

Outside the office, Casey and his wife Ellie are enjoying life as new parents to their daughter Nettie, along with their chocolate lab, Charlie. When he has free time, Casey gravitates toward the outdoors. Snowboarding has long been a favorite, and he previously worked as an instructor at Sugarloaf Mountain. He also enjoys craft beer, has a well-known appreciation for sriracha hot sauce, and maintains a longtime interest in cars and sailing, influenced by a family background in boat building and professional driving.

Matthew Rosenblum supports Johndrow Wealth Management’s client service, reporting, and investment analysis efforts, bringing a strong interest in technology and data-driven insights to his role. His work helps the team translate complex financial information into clear reporting and materials that support both internal decision-making and client communication.

Matt’s connection with the practice began as a marketing intern while he was completing his degree at the University of New Haven. Over time, he developed a deeper interest in financial analysis and investment research, which led to his transition into a full-time role after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. That technical background continues to shape how he approaches his work, especially when it comes to organizing data and developing clear reporting. It also informs his perspective on financial analysis.

Outside of work, Matt enjoys baseball, golf, and spending time around music, particularly playing the drums. Lately, he and his friends have also picked up bowling.

Lori Johndrow founded what is known today as  Johndrow Wealth Management in 1985 with a vision of making financial guidance more accessible, personal, and grounded in education. Over the years, she helped shape the firm’s client-first philosophy with thoughtful planning, ethical guidance, and a deep commitment to financial literacy.

Her career began in life insurance, where she quickly developed a large and loyal client base. As the financial landscape evolved, Lori expanded her expertise through advanced certifications and continuing education, positioning herself at the forefront of retirement income planning and fiduciary-focused financial advice. Education has always been central to her work. She has organized and presented hundreds of seminars nationwide, including programs designed to help women better understand and manage their finances.

Today, Lori continues to contribute to the firm in a consultative capacity, sharing perspectives gained from decades of experience while supporting the team’s ongoing work with clients. Her influence remains an important part of the firm’s culture, particularly its emphasis on long-term planning and acting in clients’ best interests.

Outside the office, Lori enjoys traveling with her husband, Dave, and often brings a camera along to capture their adventures. Sailing remains a favorite pastime. Their travels have taken them from coastal New England to Europe and beyond. Time with family remains especially meaningful, and she takes great pride in the accomplishments of her two children. More recently, Lori has embraced yoga, a practice she finds grounding and energizing, and daily water aerobics at her gym in Florida.