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Kaitlyn Zawada is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™, and Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™. She works with individuals and families to create personalized financial plans that bring clarity and direction, helping clients think through key decisions, understand trade-offs, and make informed choices aligned with their long-term goals. Kaitlyn began her career with Osaic Wealth (formerly Lincoln Financial Advisors), gaining hands-on planning experience alongside Athena Wealth Strategies. She graduated magna cum laude from Loyola University Chicago with a degree in Finance in three years and later earned a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning. She is committed to building lasting relationships and helping clients make important financial decisions with confidence.
Planning has always been an important part of my life. Growing up as a competitive gymnast, I learned early on the value of setting goals, staying disciplined, and adapting along the way. That mindset has carried into my career and continues to shape how I guide clients as they work toward their own goals.
I believe financial planning is not about predicting the future, but about creating a clear path forward and staying flexible as life evolves. I find great fulfillment in helping clients organize their financial lives and move confidently toward their long-term goals.
My experience has shaped a planning approach that is both practical and highly personalized. I actively apply many of the same financial principles in my own life that I guide clients through, which gives me a clear understanding of both the process and the challenges that can arise along the way.
Working with individuals and families across a wide range of life stages has reinforced my belief that effective planning goes beyond short-term decisions. It’s about building strong financial habits and maintaining a clear, adaptable framework that evolves as goals and circumstances change. My goal is to help clients feel confident in their decisions today while staying aligned with the future they envision.
Clients can expect a thoughtful, consistent approach grounded in understanding what matters most to them. Through Athena’s planning process, I take time to learn each client’s priorities, concerns, and goals so the advice we develop reflects their broader life, not just their finances.
I work alongside clients as a steady and reliable partner in the decision-making process, especially during uncertain or complex moments. My focus is on helping clients think clearly about their options, understand the trade-offs involved, and move forward with confidence. I also stay committed to ongoing learning so the guidance I provide remains relevant and well-informed
Through real-time modeling and scenario analysis, I help clients see how different decisions may impact their situation over time, turning abstract ideas into clear, practical next steps.
I’ve always been drawn to travel and learning about different cultures, something that started while growing up in Chicago and exploring its diverse neighborhoods and museums. That curiosity has grown into a strong interest in how people live around the world, and I’ve set a personal goal of visiting each country tied to my heritage, one trip at a time.
Outside of work, I enjoy documentaries that bring history and global perspectives to life, along with discovering music across all genres. Whether I’m planning my next trip or picking up a new interest, I look for ways to stay curious, intentional, and open to new experiences, an approach that carries into how I approach financial planning.
Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.
See Osaic Wealth’s Form CRS Customer Relationship Summary, available here, for succinct information about the relationships and services Osaic Wealth offers to retail investors, related fees and costs, specified conflicts of interest, standards of conduct, and disciplinary history, among other things. Osaic Wealth’s Forms ADV, Part 2A, which describe Osaic Wealth’s investment advisory services, Regulation Best Interest Disclosure Document, which describes Osaic Wealth’s broker-dealer services, and other client disclosure documents can be found here.
*Associated persons of Osaic Wealth who hold a JD and/or CPA license do not offer tax or legal advice on behalf of the firm. Osaic Wealth, Inc. and its representatives do not offer tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax or legal professionals regarding their specific circumstances.
Maritza Rogers, CA Insurance License #0E50369; Robin Starr, CA Insurance License #0G64012; Jeffrey Better, CA Insurance License #0182274; Kaitlyn Zawada, CA Insurance License #4084200
CRN-6837825-072624