Eric Spindt

CEO

Eric Spindt, CEO of Commonwealth Financial Group, leads the firm's strategic growth and evolution as a prominent financial planning organization. A thought leader in the industry, Eric champions a philosophy that positions financial planning as an immersive, ongoing experience. Under his leadership, CFG has doubled its advisor count and expanded its presence across New England.

Eric is deeply committed to the special needs community. He chairs the board of Special Olympics Massachusetts and co-founded BioBall, a charity basketball tournament that has raised more than $4.5 million since 2005. He also supports Special Olympics through annual participation in the Boston Marathon.

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) practitioner and Chartered Leadership Fellow® (CLF®), Eric earned his bachelor's degree from Brandeis University. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family, skiing, golfing, and running.

Dakota Brizendine

Managing Partner

As Managing Partner at CFG, Dakota is shaping the firm's strategic direction while reimagining what's possible in financial planning. Her leadership is rooted in turning challenges into opportunities and creating systems that empower advisors to succeed. She believes financial planning is more than a profession; it's a partnership with the power to change lives, strengthen families, and build communities.

Dakota joined CFG as an advisor in 2016 and was named Managing Director in 2018. She later launched the Financial Planning Mastery Program to address systemic barriers facing talented advisors. Her ability to identify challenges and build effective systems has helped CFG grow into a collaborative community of advisors with diverse experiences.

Grounded by her family, Dakota enjoys snowboarding, wake surfing, and spending time in nature. She's also inspired by intentional design across architecture, fashion, and food.

Dan Murphy

Head of Wealth Strategy

After graduating from Bentley University in 2012, Dan began his career in financial planning with a passion for helping others navigate retirement and investment decisions. He has since progressed from Planning Analyst to Head of Wealth Strategy at CFG.

With 10+ years of experience and more than 10,000 financial plans completed, Dan is a subject matter expert in financial planning. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®), he takes a holistic approach that integrates investment, risk management, tax, and estate planning strategies to help clients achieve their goals.

Originally from Long Island, Dan lives in Boston with his wife, Nicole, their daughters, Camille and Margot, and their dog, Mac. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, playing sports, beach trips, and the occasional long putt.

Mike Moran

Managing Partner, CFG Brokerage Network

Mike serves as Managing Partner of CFG Brokerage Network, where he leads a team supporting advisors and financial corporations with advanced markets and insurance planning. His expertise spans business owner planning, ultra-high-net-worth clients, high-income earners, executive benefits, and wealth preservation.

Mike began his financial services career in 2002 as a financial advisor focused on comprehensive planning. In 2006, he shifted his focus to business owner planning, building a successful business advisory group. In 2009, he merged the group with Commonwealth Financial Group (CFG), establishing CFG Brokerage Network.

Today, Mike remains focused on helping advisors and businesses unlock their potential through strategic planning, executive and employee benefits, and wealth preservation strategies.

Andrew Gordon

Advanced Planning Strategist

As Advanced Planning Strategist at Commonwealth Financial Group, Andrew works directly with advisors on the pre-sale analysis and design of Advanced Planning cases in the Business High Net-Worth, Estate Planning, and Personal High Net-Worth Markets. Andrew brings a creative thought process to opportunities, helping clients and advisors acknowledge and address various planning opportunities. His approach focuses on pairing timely concepts and unique funding ideas to specific client situations with an emphasis on future flexibility.

Before joining Commonwealth Financial Group, Andrew spent 10 years at First American Insurance Underwriters, a full-service Brokerage General Agency in the Boston Area. As a Senior Case Design Specialist, he worked with top national insurance producers from a multi-carrier design standpoint.

Todd Seresky

Investment Planning Strategist

As an Investment Planning Strategist at Commonwealth Financial Group, Todd works with clients to help them achieve their financial goals while supporting advisors in understanding the investment landscape and identifying potential solutions.

Prior to his current role, Todd worked at Bank of New York Mellon as an Associate Wealth Manager, overseeing more than $1 billion in assets under management. He also worked at Fidelity Investments as an Internal Wholesaler, selling Fidelity's mutual funds, 529 plans, and retirement products to financial advisors, generating over $300 million in mutual fund sales. Todd received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Lehigh University in 2012 and his MBA from Babson College in 2022. He holds Series 7, Series 63, and Massachusetts Life and Health licenses.

Sam Philbrook

Managing Director

As a Managing Director at Commonwealth Financial Group (CFG), Sam mentors new financial advisors through the Financial Planning Mastery Program and helps lead one of the fastest-growing financial planning groups in the Boston area. He also manages a successful book of business and serves in the Vermont Army National Guard.

Before joining CFG, Sam served as an Infantry Officer in the United States Army, where he developed the leadership skills he now uses to help veterans, small business owners, and tech sales professionals build successful financial planning careers.

A 2013 Norwich University graduate, Sam holds a degree in History with a minor in Marketing. He lives on the South Coast of Massachusetts with his wife, Sarah, and their three children.

Sam Paul

Managing Director

Samuel began his career in financial services in 2013, building a successful practice focused on business owners, families, and entrepreneurs. As a Managing Director, he combines his passion for relationships and leadership with a focus on developing and mentoring like-minded talent.

Known for his energy and forward-thinking approach, Samuel enjoys motivating others to turn their goals into action. He is also active in the nonprofit community and serves on the board of the Mutt Society, an organization dedicated to empowering communities around the world.

Outside of work, Samuel enjoys spending time with his family and pursuing his passions for flying, motorcycles, mountain biking, music, and cooking.

Nick Roop

Managing Director

Nick is a Managing Director and Financial Planner at Commonwealth Financial Group, a Norwich University graduate, and a United States Marine Corps veteran. He works with families and business owners to pursue financial independence, with a particular focus on military members, veterans, first responders, nurses, and other frontline professionals.

Nick takes a holistic, personal CFO approach to financial planning, collaborating with clients and their trusted professionals to align financial decisions with their goals. Education is also central to his practice, and he is passionate about helping clients feel confident and empowered in their financial lives.

Nick lives in Colchester, VT, with his wife, Maria, and their four children. Outside of work, they enjoy hosting friends, spending summers on Lake Champlain, and snowboarding in the winter.

Meghan Blomberg

Managing Director

Meghan joined Commonwealth Financial Group in 2015 after spending ten years as Controller at First Atlantic Capital, LLC. She is passionate about helping clients understand their options, develop a clear financial strategy, and work toward their goals.

Meghan holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Marist College and an MBA in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts. She holds Series 7, 6, and 63 securities licenses, as well as insurance and health licenses.

Meghan lives in Hanover, MA, with her husband and two sons. Outside of work, she teaches retirement planning and financial wellness classes and enjoys tennis, mountain biking, and running. She also serves on the Board of The Hanover Club.

Nicole Finlayson

Vice President of Operations

Nicole brings over 17 years of financial services experience across marketing, compliance, recruiting, and operations. As Vice President of Operations, she works closely with the COO to develop processes and systems that support advisor practices and uphold the firm's high standards.

Nicole leads continuous improvement efforts, strengthens cross-functional collaboration, and leverages technology to streamline operations and enhance advisor support.

She lives in Shrewsbury, MA, with her husband and two children. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially on the water.

Justin Hayward

Partner, Cross Coastal Advisors

As a Partner with Cross Coastal Advisors, Justin Hayward works with individuals and families nationwide to manage cash flow, maximize wealth, and protect their financial futures. He has extensive experience serving clients in private equity, medical, legal, and real estate.

Growing up in his family's school photography business, Justin developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing business owners, including succession planning, wealth creation, and maximizing business value.

Justin earned his B.B.A. in Entrepreneurship from Hofstra University and began his financial services career in 2011 with Commonwealth Financial Group. In 2015, he received NAIFA Massachusetts' 4 Under 40 Award in recognition of his growth and success in the industry.

Outside of the office, Justin volunteers with Raising a Reader MA and is involved in real estate development in Greater Boston. He lives in Needham with his wife, Lydia, and their two children.

Shane Norris

Financial Planner

Shane grew up in Burlington, VT, and earned a degree in Business Management from Keene State College in 2013. With a background in business-to-business services, he brings a personalized, solutions-oriented approach to financial planning.

Shane is passionate about helping individuals and families achieve financial independence through holistic planning and financial education. He works closely with clients and their professional teams to align financial decisions with their unique goals.

Shane lives in South Burlington with his fiancée, Abbie, their daughter, Talia, and their dog, Oakley. He enjoys cooking, golfing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Ellen Bauers

Financial Advisor

Ellen joined Commonwealth Financial Group in 2015. When presented with the opportunity to build her own practice, Ellen was thrilled to launch into a career that combined her love for helping people gain a better financial education with the skills she learned in business school. She holds her FINRA Series 6, 7, and 63 licenses as well as her Life, Accident, and Health insurance licenses. Prior to 2015, Ellen worked for over 10 years in non-profit fundraising, most recently as the Director of Development at Bennington College. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon and her MBA from Boston University.

Ellen has also served on multiple boards including the ROOTS Teen Center of Northern Berkshire, North Adams Chamber of Commerce, Berkshire Immigrant Center, and the Williamstown Community Preschool. She lives in North Adams, MA with her two children. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, running, reading and hiking with her dog.

Ed Quinn

Senior Partner and Financial Advisor, Generational Planning Team

Ed joined Commonwealth Financial Group in 2009 and has 20 years of experience in retirement planning and financial services. Previously, he served as a trust officer at a New England bank and as a VP at Fidelity Investments.

Ed takes a client-centered approach, providing customized solutions based on each client's unique needs. He earned his B.S. in Mathematics from Fairfield University and his MBA in Financial Management from the University of Rhode Island.

Ed lives in Cumberland, Rhode Island, with his wife, Melissa, and their two children. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and staying active through golf, skiing, and hockey.

Al Santosuosso

Financial Planner and Senior Partner

Al has been a Partner at Commonwealth Financial Group since 2010, helping clients create, grow, and preserve wealth through a process-oriented, collaborative approach. He works closely with CFG's team of tax, estate, investment, insurance, and business planning specialists to develop comprehensive strategies tailored to each client's goals. Al displays an unparalleled passion and enthusiasm towards helping his clients achieve their goals, dreams, and aspirations. He starts with the end in mind and communicates the big picture with clarity.

Al graduated from Stonehill College with a B.S. in Business Administration and holds the CFP®, CFBS, and CEPA designations, along with certifications in Business Succession Planning. He resides in Bedford, New Hampshire, with his three sons.