YOUR ADVISORY TEAM

Your team will work together to fulfill your dreams of financial security and peace of mind.

Your advisory team will consist of multiple Wealth Advisors. Each person has a distinct function, but all of the Wealth Advisors on your team are equally familiar with your unique set of circumstances. We believe this approach is the best way to serve you because you will have access to multiple team members with different areas of expertise and experience, as well as continuity if one member is out of the office.

Keep reading below to meet the individuals that make up the Woodward Financial Advisors team, or reach out to us to start the conversation!

James R. Miller, CFP®

President; Wealth Advisor

Interesting Facts About Me

I was born and raised in the Garden State, but Chapel Hill has definitely become home.
All 3 of my kids are active teenagers. On the weekends If I’m not driving up and down the east coast for their soccer games, I’m likely trying to sneak in 18 holes of golf with friends.
Best vacation I’ve taken – a week on a dude ranch in rural Colorado.
America’s pastime is one of my loves, specifically the Bronx Bombers.

James R. Miller, CFP®

PRESIDENT & WEALTH ADVISOR

My Story

Looking back, I ultimately owe my passion for helping people manage money all to that 1980’s phenomenon called the “Baby Bells.” Growing up in the 80’s and with a budding interest in the stock market, my parents bought me some shares of the local telephone company, AT&T. Much to my amazement those few shares of AT&T (aka Ma Bell) would split into shares of seven companies (after some government intervention), later to be known as the Baby Bells. Thus, started my fascination with companies, and why one companies shares might fare better than another’s over time.

While the seed had been planted by those family stock conversations, my path to this place in life as a financial advisor is certainly littered with immense amounts of good fortune. Growing up in a household that valued saving and investing provided me with the advantage of knowing what good money habits looked like at a pretty young age. Throughout school and early in my career, coaches and mentors took chances on me and provided opportunities to learn (and fail), which ultimately furnished me with a knowledge base that I can hopefully impart on our next generation of advisors. The ability to be in a place of trust with our clients is the ultimate honor and what brings these pieces all together and makes my professional journey so rewarding.

My Role on the Woodward Team

As the President of Woodward, one of my primary responsibilities is as the “cultural governor” of the firm. Our people are what make Woodward so special, and I firmly believe having happy, successful teammates is the key to being able to deliver world class financial advice for our clients. In addition to leading our firm, I also work with a number of client relationships in order to stay on top of the issues our clients are facing and the service offerings they are seeking.

Education & Credentials

Bachelor of Science in Finance | University of Hartford

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional

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Victor Colella, CFP®

Wealth Advisor

Interesting Facts About Me

My wife, Lizzy, and I moved in 2019 to Chapel Hill from Boston, MA.
We have two dogs (Huck and Juniper) and one cat (Raven).
I am an avid outdoorsman, and specifically love fly fishing, backpacking, archery, and climbing.
I consider myself a slightly above-average chef and home brewer
(Lizzy agrees, just in case my word is not enough)
I’m active in a cold-water conservation organization called Trout Unlimited, formerly sitting on the board of the Greater Boston chapter before moving to Chapel Hill and getting involved with the local chapter.

Victor Colella, CFP®

WEALTH ADVISOR

My Story

When I graduated from high school, I had things all planned out. I would learn the “language of business” by getting an accounting degree and a CPA certification, then go on to become the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. I believed being the CEO of a big company was the perfect job, and that all the other jobs I would have to do along the way to my goal were simply dues I had to pay. I guess in a way, I’ve been a planner from the very beginning.

Well, I got my Accounting degree, and after a busy season internship at a major accounting firm, decided that wasn’t very fun. I went on to work as a management consultant after college, working with the rising leaders at major corporations that I wanted to be. What I didn’t expect was that I would enjoy talking about personal finance and giving (sometimes unsolicited) financial advice to my colleagues more than my job as a consultant. I worked with brilliant individuals, many of which came from the most prestigious educational backgrounds in our country, and when I realized that many of them were still making damaging financial decisions, it clicked. There was tremendous value in personal finance knowledge, and many people don’t inherently have it (something my CFP® father made sure wasn’t the case for me).

From that point forward, I realized that I wanted to be the person with the knowledge and expertise to help deliver that very unique “peace of mind” that comes from confidence that your financial resources are working for you, not against you.

My Role on the Woodward Team

As a Wealth Advisor, my primary role is collaborating with the other advisors at Woodward and working with clients to help them achieve their personal and financial goals. What I find most rewarding about my role is boiling down, for my clients, very complex and interdependent topics into the critically important ideas and actions, whose completion can ultimately provide “peace of mind.”

Education and Credentials

Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting | Ohio University

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional

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Laura Neal, CFP®

Wealth Advisor

Interesting Facts About Me

I live in the East Texas town of Tyler. Tyler is the “Rose Capital of America” and celebrates this with the elaborate Texas Rose Festival every October.
In addition to my husband, Ben, I have a teenage daughter and a pre-teen son who keep me humble and constantly remind me that life is an ever-changing journey, not a destination.
I did a financial planning internship in a town called Haarlem, about 30 minutes outside Amsterdam. I loved it so much that I spent the following summer backpacking through Europe.
I have close to an acre of land that I try to keep in check with my somewhat green thumb. I also love either going to yoga or feeling guilty about not going.
I’ve worked remotely since before it was cool (starting in 2003)! I enjoy serving Woodward clients from the Piney Woods of East Texas, as well as with several in-person trips to Chapel Hill each year.

Laura Neal, CFP®

WEALTH ADVISOR

My Story

When I was visiting universities to decide where I wanted to go to college, Texas Tech was on my list as it was my dad’s alma mater. Like most 18-year-olds, I had no clue what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I made an appointment with the College of Human Sciences to talk to an advisor about their Interior Design major. They walked me through the required courses, and after listing many art classes, I thought, “Hmm, I’m not sure this is for me.” I had a one-page handout they had given me on the program, which I flipped over to the other side and read, “Family Financial Planning.”

What Tech now calls its Personal Financial Planning program began in 1985 and was one of the first 20 university programs registered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. It was love at first sight, and I feel lucky to have found my calling early in life. I have worked with three advisory firms over my career, in addition to taking a six-year hiatus to stay home with my children.

My passion for the art of financial planning is only surpassed by the joy of sharing and relating that information to clients. I have a dream that everyone can reap the benefits of financial education and learn the advantages of starting early. I have spent several years teaching financial literacy classes in my children’s school and also enjoy giving my time in a pro bono capacity.

My Role on the Woodward Team

As a Wealth Advisor, I want to make you feel like you have a trusted partner on this journey of life. One that is looking out for your best interests and those of your loved ones. I enjoy getting to know each client on a personal level, meeting you where you are and helping you achieve the goals you already have and, maybe, ones you haven’t even thought of yet. I love the client-centric, think-out-of-the-box, team approach that makes Woodward Financial Advisors so unique.

Education and Credentials

Bachelor of Science in Family Financial Planning | Minor in Family Studies | Texas Tech University

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM professional

Alex Richani, CFP®

Wealth Advisor

Interesting Facts About Me

I was born in Virginia but moved to Durham when I was four and consider it home.
I am a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. Though I no longer practice, I still think I can kick above my head (pants allowing).
Often, my Sundays (and occasionally Monday or Thursday nights) are spent watching the Carolina Panthers.
As the oldest of three siblings, helping others comes naturally to me.
I am half Lebanese and a citizen of the US and Lebanon.

Alex Richani, CFP®

WEALTH ADVISOR

My Story

In my youth, my Taekwondo Master instilled many principles in me that have influenced how I choose to live my life (my parents echoed them, but he had them painted on the walls of the Dojo, so I’ll give him extra credit). Among these principles is the importance of being generous in the service of others.

I knew from an early age that it was important for me to find a career that would allow me to serve others with my time and expertise. In high school, I learned that neither chemistry nor biology were areas of expertise. I decided to pursue a business degree for the career flexibility and in my first finance course it clicked. On a personal level, I enjoy the complexity of how math interfaces with law and psychology. Importantly, the study of finance, and specifically personal financial planning, allows me to positively impact the lives of and serve others.

Since I began my career in 2013, I have had the opportunity to touch the lives of teachers, non-profit employees, business owners, “average Joes and Janes” and multi-millionaires. I have been blessed with the opportunity to learn from and teach those that I have met. This is why I became a Financial Planner and why I do what I do each day.

My Role on the Woodward Team

As a Wealth Advisor, I strive to help our clients achieve their unique goals and live a more empowered life. Much of my time is spent collaborating with my team to ensure we are incorporating the best of our collective knowledge and ideas into the advice we provide our clients. I get the opportunity to educate clients on a variety of financial concepts and strategies, which is a lot of fun. Ultimately, what I value the most is the feeling I get when my work helps others.

Education and Credentials

Bachelor of Science in Finance | East Carolina University

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM professional

Taylor Cole, CFP®

Wealth Advisor

Interesting Facts About Me

I have an eleven-year-old chiweenie named Lux (pronounced Lukes) who has trained me to get him treats when he touches the cabinet door.
My favorite weekend activities include relaxing in my hammock by the lake, driving to and exploring small towns and attending music shows.
While living in Australia, I worked on a wine bottling line which allowed me to learn about wine and explore and enjoy wines of various vineyards.
I spent three months bicycling around the South Island of New Zealand. I love to travel and hope to continue visiting different states and countries.

Taylor Cole, CFP®

WEALTH ADVISOR

My Story

My journey to financial planning started with a background in education. After graduating from Emory University, I held several different jobs in the education field such as: lead teacher coordinator for an educational after school program through the YMCA, lead math coach at an online high school and as a community skills instructor for Autism Society of North Carolina. My path to financial planning came together in 2017 when I realized my passion for education and financial well-being could be combined therefore, I pursued my master’s degree in Personal Financial Planning from Kansas State University.

I am drawn to a career in financial planning because it allows me to continue to serve families which has always been important to me. I also enjoy the complex problem solving required to integrate insurance, taxes, investments, retirement and estate planning into one clear financial picture.

My passion is educating and empowering clients to lead fulfilling lives through comprehensive financial planning. Additionally, through my volunteer work with Special Olympics and HOPE NC, I aim to assist families who have children or other dependents with special needs. Special needs financial planning includes traditional planning while also addressing the many issues, questions, concerns and unique requirements of raising a child with special needs.

My Role on the Woodward Team

As a Wealth Advisor, I aspire to create a strong foundation with each client by learning about them individually and building a trusting partnership. I aim to help you thrive through education and to empower you to make sound financial decisions to achieve your goals both personal and financial. I find the most fulfillment when I can adequately explain a complicated topic and calm your fears surrounding your financial well-being. Much of my time here at Woodward Financial Advisors is spent collaborating with the team to ensure we provide exceptional service and advice to our clients.

Education and Credentials

Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning | Kansas State University

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM professional

Courtney Cubbin, FPQP®

Associate Advisor

Interesting Facts About Me:

I’m from Pennsylvania (right outside of Philadelphia) but moved to North Carolina after graduating college.
I live in Durham with my boyfriend and our two rescue dogs (Wrangler and River). We love having a yard for them to play in and enjoy taking them for walks around the neighborhood or going for hikes on the great trails around Durham.
I played many sports growing up, but my favorite was lacrosse, which I played in college. Now that my playing career is over, I enjoy watching great lacrosse on the weekends at Duke and UNC.

Courtney Cubbin, FPQP®

ASSOCIATE ADVISOR

My Story

I graduated with a degree in Economics from Haverford College, a (very) small liberal arts college outside of Philadelphia (Go Birds!). While there, I was able to take many high-level, generalized classes focusing on different aspects of finance and economics. I found I enjoyed the more behavioral and analytical courses that discussed the strategies behind decision-making and market research. Following this interest, I interned at a wealth management firm in Philadelphia during my senior year of college and was able to see first-hand the value of the relationships created in the industry. The advisors guided and taught their clients about what could otherwise be a very stressful topic. By forming professional and personal relationships with clients, advisors become a trusted source for not only tax or retirement planning, but also general life and financial advice. After some time in internal-facing fund administration, I recognized how much I value the client-facing aspects of financial advising. My experience in fund admin provided me with many technical skills that I have carried over to Woodward, and I am happy to have the opportunity to directly interface with clients again!

Playing sports throughout my life and in college, I was always on teams and cherished being a part of something bigger than myself. I knew I wanted my workplace to have a “team” environment, and that is exactly what I have found at Woodward. While we all bring different backgrounds, experiences, and personalities to the table, we are all working towards a common goal and always working to make ourselves and the team better.

My Role on the Woodward Team

As an Associate Advisor, I assist the other advisors on my team by preparing for and participating in client meetings, following up with action items, and answering client questions. I enjoy relationship building with clients through meaningful interactions and collaborating with the team throughout each day.

Education and Credentials

Bachelor of Arts in Economics | Haverford College

Christopher Reid, CFP®

Wealth Advisor

Interesting Facts About Me

My wife, Katrina, and I moved to North Carolina in 2019.
We have two dogs, an American Golden Retriever and a Pug.
We are both big Disney people – you can often find us in Disney World when our schedules allow it.
If I could, I would eat fried chicken tenders every day of my life!
I competed in the 2016 Olympic Games.

Christopher Reid, CFP ®

WEALTH ADVISOR

My Story

Originally from South Africa, I now call North Carolina home, and I love this state. My wife and I and our two dogs live in Durham and are both big Tar Heel fans; however, we are a house divided when UNC plays Alabama. Both of us come from very successful careers as professional athletes and student-athletes, and we are now growing together and creating a life that we both love and enjoy. Previously, I graduated from The University of Alabama with a dual degree in finance and statistical economics, with a minor in computer science. I love all things analytical, and my ideal day would involve being engrossed in spreadsheets and analyzing numbers.

I have always been drawn to the financial planning industry because of the impact my father had on our family throughout his career as a financial advisor. If he had not laid such a solid financial plan and created a level of security for our family, I’m not entirely sure where I would be today without his work. Not only did he provide security for us, but he was also an incredible person within the community, touching and changing many lives through his work. Like my father, I would love to make the same impact within my community and ensure my clients live happy lives as we work together.

My Role on the Woodward Team

My position at Woodward Advisors is the boots on the ground. Not only do I contribute to thought leadership and ideas related to financial planning, but I am also responsible for communicating with all of our clients, ensuring that all action items are completed concerning financial recommendations, investments, and trading. Additionally, I ensure the smooth running of operations within Woodward.

Education and Credentials

Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics | University of Alabama

Chartered Financial Consultant® | The American College of Financial Services

Derek Ellison

Client Experience Specialist

Interesting Facts About Me

I love chili.
My wife and I have 2 Rescues: 2-year-old Australian Cattle dog mixed with pittbull named Hazel and a 2.5-year-old Beagle Boxer mix named Herbert.
My dream is to get my Golf Handicap below 5.

Derek Ellison

CLIENT EXPERIENCE SPECIALIST

My Story

What is the best way to describe myself without mentioning the fact that I love sports? Honestly, I don't have a clue, so I won't even try to do that. Having grown up in the triangle, I was always bound to be a sports fan, whether it was playing sports, like golf, or watching the Tar Heels and Los Angeles Chargers. Sports have shaped a big part of my life and competition is something that drives me daily.

A seasoned professional with 2 years of experience in Wealth Management Operations, I am committed to exceeding client expectations. Turning challenges into opportunities is what drives me when it comes to managing complex projects and implementing innovative solutions. From graduating from Western Carolina University to landing here at Woodward, my journey has been filled with milestones and achievements. Not only have these experiences shaped my career, but also my commitment to excellence across all areas of my life.

My Role on the Woodward Team

As Woodward Advisors' Client Experience Specialist, I am at the forefront of operations. Working in a dynamic team, I steer initiatives for the benefit of our clients. With our combined efforts, we are driving innovation and helping our clients secure their financial future. It is an exciting time to be a part of Woodward and I am looking forward to the future.

Education and Credentials

Bachelor of Science in Finance | Western Carolina University

Ashley Abdalla

Client Service Associate

Interesting Facts About Me:

I was born in New York but moved to Chapel Hill when I was 5 (Go Heels!) My husband, Adham, was also born in New York. We lived on opposite sides of the Hudson River (Our son’s name, Hudson, is a nod to this fun fact!)
We currently have 2 dogs, Auggie and Bigsby, and an aquarium filled with a couple of fish, several snails, and a few shrimp!
This past summer, our family finalized the process of becoming a licensed foster family. This is something we were both passionate about and we’re excited for the next adventure!

Ashley Clark

CLIENT SERVICE ASSOCIATE

My Story

As I crossed the high school graduation stage, I had no plans for college. Not necessarily by choice or lack of desire but I wasn’t quite sure how to embed myself into this next chapter. I only lasted through the Fall, and I knew I wasn’t done with education. Three and a half years later, I walked across the stage as a proud first-generation college graduate. Since that day, I have spent the past 15 years working at all levels of K-12 education as an English Teacher, Academic Literacy Coach, and an Assistant Principal.

As I’ve made my career transition over to Woodward Financial Advisors, I’m comforted in knowing just how transferable my experience and talents are to our team – and how the experience of educating is universal. My deepest passion is supporting people while they’re on the road to becoming the best versions of themselves – and I’m so proud that I see this every day in our team, our clients, and our community.

My Role on the Woodward Team

As the Client Services Associate, I’m often the first face you see in the office and the voice you hear on the phone. My goal each day is to create a warm and welcoming space for our clients before and after meetings. I assist in all things client scheduling, data organization, event planning, rejuvenating our social media, and serve as a notary for our office.

Education and Credentials

Bachelor of Science in Education | University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Masters in Curriculum and Instruction | University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Masters in School Administration | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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