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Who We Are


Our Team



When you partner with Vantage Point Financial, you have access to a group of dedicated professionals with a combined total of 33 years of experience helping clients manage their financial lives.

Our team collaborates to help ensure that all of your life decisions are smoothly integrated into a complete strategy designed to work to your advantage and withstand the test of time. 

Dr. David Griswold Photo
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Dr. David Griswold

Founding Partner and Wealth Advisor

Dr. David GriswoldFounding Partner and Wealth Advisor

 

David is both an avid learner and teacher, constantly aspiring to educate those around him. With several business degrees of his own from Bowling Green State University, University of Cincinnati, and Boston University, as well as decades of teaching finance and economics courses at Simmons University, Reykjavik University, and Boston University, David is well equipped to educate others on the value of financial literacy and planning. His passion for education shows as he teaches clients how to systematically manage their wealth for the long term.

As founding partner, David fused together his extensive and diverse educational and professional backgrounds to form our firm, Vantage Point Financial.

David's career in finance began in international consulting for companies including Tyco International, General Electric, and Citicorp.

He began his career in financial guidance by working for a major national wirehouse. It was there that he learned firsthand the limitations of clients investing through a large investment firm, which prompted his decision to found Vantage Point Financial.David teaches finance and economics in both the undergraduate and MBA programs at the Boston University School of Management. His courses at Boston University include investments, economics, financial management, and risk management.

David was born and raised in the Midwest as one of 10 children. After completing his bachelor's degree at Bowling Green State University, David went on to complete his MBA in marketing and international business at the University of Cincinnati, and a master's in German literature from Bowling Green State University. David's academic pursuits did not stop there. He went on to earn his doctorate in finance and economics from Boston University, where he was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma as the top of his doctoral class.

Founders_seal

David Griswold is proud to have been recognized as a Founder’s Club advisor for 2020—a distinction based on annual production that places him among the top 37 percent of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network.

Each year, Commonwealth, the broker/dealer–RIA that helps us process investment transactions on your behalf, recognizes Founder’s Club advisors by inviting them to an exclusive gathering of their peers, leading industry experts, and Commonwealth home office staff. Founder’s Club advisors benefit from an intensive learning and networking experience designed to help them hone their expertise, share best practices, and provide ever-higher levels of service, education, and leadership. 


Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts, Concentration in German
    • Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
  • Master of Business Administration, Concentration in Marketing and International Business
    • University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
  • Masters, Concentration in German Literature
    • Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
  • Doctorate, Concentration in Finance and Economics
    • Boston University, Boston, MA


Designations & Licenses:

  • FINRA General Securities Representative Exam (Series 7)
  • FINRA Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam (Series 63)
  • FINRA General Securities Principal Exam (Series 24)
  • Massachusetts Life Insurance License
  • Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®)
  • Chartered Retirement Plans SpecialistSM (CRPS®) 
  • Chartered Sustainable Responsible Impact Investing Counselor™ (CSRIC™)


Professional Associations & Charitable Organizations:

  • Board of Investments, The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Newton
    • Newton, MA
  • You and Your Financial Fitness, Newton Free Library
    • Newton, MA
Ashley Ott, CFP®, AIF® Photo
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Ashley Ott, CFP®, AIF®

Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor

Ashley OttCFP®, AIF®, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor

 

Ashley has always had a passion for helping people. She earned her BA in psychology from Harvard University and planned on becoming a psychologist after graduation. She never would have thought that 10 years later she would be a co-owner of an independent financial planning firm with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Seattle, Washington. She now uses those principles to help families make smart, confident, and educated financial decisions to improve their overall well-being and financial stability. 

Ashley derives the energy she brings to her clients from her outside-of-work activities and lifestyle. She splits her year living both in Boston and Seattle with her husband, Tyler, son, Liam, daughter, Harper, and golden retriever Bronco. When Ashley is not working, volunteering, or enjoying time with her family, you can find her playing ice hockey, hitting the links, or training for her next marathon.

Economic Development 40 Under 40 Awards | 2021

Ashley joined Vantage Point Financial in July 2012 as a client services manager. She earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification from Boston University in 2015. Ashley became an Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network® in 2016. In 2018, Ashley was named partner and became a co-owner of Vantage Point Financial. Ashley’s accomplishments, industry contributions, and leadership were recognized in 2019 when she was named to InvestmentNews’ 40 Under 40.

 

Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts, Concentration in Psychology
    • Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
  • Certified Financial Planner Certificate Program
    • Boston University, Boston, MA


Designations & Licenses:

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional
  • FINRA General Securities Representative (Series 7)
  • FINRA Uniform Combined State Law Examination (Series 66)
  • Massachusetts Life Insurance License
  • Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®)


Professional Associations & Charitable Organizations:

  • Financial Planning Association
  • The Second Step, Board Member
    • Newton, MA
  • The Wave Foundation, Board Member
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Joanna Long

Director of Operations and Client Services

Joanna Long, Director of Operations and Client Services

 

Before joining Vantage Point Financial two years ago, Joanna enjoyed a career of more than 12 years in management and operational roles. Most recently, Joanna worked as a group manager at a recruitment firm in Boston. She oversaw a team that ran talent acquisition efforts for the Colleges of the Fenway, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and TripAdvisor. Before recruiting, Joanna worked as a store manager for The Container Store in several of their locations, including New York City; Orlando, Florida; and Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

Joanna began her career (and her love of customer service) after completing a college internship at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. During her time with Disney, she worked on attractions such as the Haunted Mansion and the Jungle Cruise.

Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Joanna now lives in Natick with her wife, Courtney, and their cat, Hazel.

In her free time, Joanna enjoys performing in plays and musicals in local community theaters. Joanna is currently taking voice lessons and has previous dance and theater experience. She is also an avid coin collector, loves animals, loves cooking (and wine), and exploring nature.

Joanna is thrilled to be a part of the Vantage Point Financial team!


Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts, Concentration in Communications
    • Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
    • University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
    • Wingate University, Wingate, NC
Paul Kim Photo
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Paul Kim

Client Services Associate

Paul Kim, Client Services Associate

 


Paul graduated from Northeastern University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Paul started his career interning for various companies in Boston such as Bain & Company and Wayfair. Through his early experiences, he built his foundations on financial analysis & modeling and corporate finance. Following his graduation, he worked at a fintech startup, Lendbuzz, which provides affordable auto loans for people without or lacking US credit history. It was there that he found his passion to learn and spread the importance of personal finance and wealth management. With this mission at heart, he joined us to learn more from his mentors at VPF and service the clients to the fullest.

Paul comes from a diverse background. Originally from South Korea, he grew up in New Jersey and spent his late teens in Moscow, Russia. He is bilingual in English and Korean. Before graduating college, he served in the Korean army as a combat engineer.

Outside of work, Paul enjoys playing golf at local courses and watching the most recent releases at a local movie theater.

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance
    • Northeastern University, Boston, MA

Designations & Licenses:

  • FINRA General Securities Representative (Series 7)
  • Massachusetts Life Insurance License

After Team Text

Our Broker-Dealer

We are proud to partner with Commonwealth Financial Network®, a Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer that helps independent advisors like us serve their clients. Commonwealth manages total account assets of $232.5 billion.1

Independent, Just Like Us

Commonwealth is independently owned and managed, which means the firm can act in the best interests of its financial advisors and their clients—not shareholders. Our partnership with Commonwealth supports our commitment to remain free to act in your best interest, without any pressure to promote proprietary products or strategies.

How Commonwealth Helps Us Help You

Commonwealth offers the scale, stability, and resources that help us deliver the solutions you need. It's that infrastructure—and the always expanding wealth of resources it provides—that makes it easier for us to provide you with the best possible guidance and the prompt, personal service you expect and deserve.

  • Choice. Through Commonwealth, we have access to robust, independent market research, financial planning expertise, and a wide universe of investment options— from individual stocks and bonds to mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, alternative investments, managed accounts, and retirement plans.
     
  • Service. The firm's advisor-to-staff ratio is one of the best in the industry. This means staff members answer our calls promptly, execute transactions quickly and accurately, and, in general, offer us the same highly personalized treatment we strive to give you.
     
  • Technology. Commonwealth's technology platform is a critical component in our ability to keep you on track with your financial goals. Its integrated web-based systems allow us to more efficiently manage your portfolio and your overall financial life.
     
  • Security. Commonwealth is second to none in its commitment to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your personal data remains secure. From encryption standards to disaster recovery plans and other measures the firm employs, we are confident that the information our clients entrust us with will remain secure.

Committed to Helping Those in Need

Commonwealth's commitment to service does not end with its advisors and their clients. For more than four decades, the firm has been dedicated to serving the communities where its employees and affiliated advisors work, live, and visit. Its charitable foundation, Commonwealth Cares, works to provide contributions of time, talent, and financial support to a wide range of philanthropic causes. That kind of dedication to the greater good is just one more reason we're proud to be affiliated with Commonwealth.

1 As of 12/31/20

Our Research Team

Our partnership with Commonwealth Financial Network®, a leading Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer, provides us access to a team of investment research specialists who assist us in our efforts to provide you with the best possible service. Each of the professionals on this team brings a breadth of experience in the industry and within his or her own specialization.

Our Planning Team

Our partnership with Commonwealth Financial Network®, a leading Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer, gives us access to a team of advanced planning specialists who can help us provide you the best possible service.