Focus Partners Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Focus Partners has 10 executives leading key functions including strategic growth, financial oversight, operational efficiency, and client service excellence.

Committed to a fiduciary-first approach, Focus Partners delivers comprehensive wealth management and financial planning services that integrate individual values into holistic, research-backed strategies for high-net-worth families and institutional clients nationwide.

Leadership Roles at Focus Partners

  • Chief Executive Officer - Adam Birenbaum
  • Founder & Chief Executive Officer - Corey Abrams
  • Chief Financial Officer - Dhruv Gupta
  • Chief Operating Officer - Leif Czaplewski
  • Division President - Heather Mahoney
  • President, Client Services - Stephen Stelljes
  • Chief of Staff - Vanessa Wieliczko
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Dawn Lovelace
  • Principal and Chief Marketing Officer - Lisa Poff
  • Managing Director - Frederick Baird
  • Adam Birenbaum - Chief Executive Officer

    Adam Birenbaum, the Chief Executive Officer at Focus Partners, directs the overarching strategic vision and long-term growth initiatives for the firm. By championing a fiduciary-first culture, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that every investment strategy aligns with the specific life goals of high-net-worth families. Adam Birenbaum maintains rigorous standards across the nationwide network of experts, fostering an environment where technical depth meets boutique-level service. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of market trends to refine the firm's research-backed approach to wealth management. Through the integration of tax-efficient planning and estate strategies, the Chief Executive Officer drives the firm's reputation as a premier independent Registered Investment Advisor. Birenbaum consistently prioritizes client interests, ensuring that the organization remains a leader in the industry while navigating complex financial landscapes to secure sustainable outcomes for all institutional and individual clients.
    Adam Birenbaum

    Corey Abrams - Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Corey Abrams, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Focus Partners, architects the foundational principles and core mission that define the firm's market presence. As the primary visionary, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer oversees the expansion of the firm's specialized services, including complex wealth transfer and retirement planning. Corey Abrams cultivates a high-touch service model that distinguishes the company from larger, less personalized institutions. By focusing on the intersection of individual values and financial performance, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer ensures that the firm remains at the forefront of the independent Registered Investment Advisor space. Abrams monitors the competitive landscape to identify opportunities for innovation in fiduciary-led wealth management. This leadership position requires balancing the firm's boutique identity with the technical requirements of a growing national client base, ultimately ensuring that the organization delivers consistent, high-quality financial outcomes for every investor.
    Corey Abrams

    Dhruv Gupta - Chief Financial Officer

    Dhruv Gupta, the Chief Financial Officer at Focus Partners, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies that support the firm's nationwide operations. By overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, and risk management, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the organization maintains the stability required to serve high-net-worth families and institutional clients. Dhruv Gupta directs the financial planning processes that allow the firm to scale its boutique service model effectively. This leadership role involves collaborating with other executives to align fiscal resources with the company's long-term growth objectives and fiduciary commitments. Gupta monitors economic indicators to provide insights that inform the firm's broader investment strategies. By optimizing internal financial structures, the Chief Financial Officer enables the organization to invest in the research and technical expertise necessary for maintaining a competitive edge. Through disciplined fiscal oversight, Gupta secures the firm's ability to deliver consistent, high-quality wealth management services across all regional markets.

    Leif Czaplewski - Chief Operating Officer

    Leif Czaplewski, the Chief Operating Officer at Focus Partners, directs the internal processes and operational infrastructure that enable the firm to deliver high-touch wealth management services. By streamlining workflows and integrating technology, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the firm's fiduciary-first model functions efficiently across all client interactions. Leif Czaplewski oversees the implementation of operational standards that support the firm's research-backed approach to financial planning. This role involves managing the day-to-day activities of the firm's support teams to ensure that high-net-worth families receive timely and accurate service. Czaplewski coordinates with other C-suite leaders to align operational capacity with the firm's strategic growth goals. By focusing on process improvement and resource allocation, the Chief Operating Officer enhances the firm's ability to provide technical depth while maintaining a boutique feel. Through rigorous operational oversight, Czaplewski ensures that the organization remains agile and responsive to the evolving needs of the client base.

    Heather Mahoney - Division President

    Heather Mahoney, the Division President at Focus Partners, directs the operational and service delivery strategies for specific market segments within the firm. By overseeing the implementation of fiduciary-led wealth management, the Division President ensures that clients receive personalized financial planning that aligns with their unique life goals. Heather Mahoney manages the performance of the division to ensure that the firm's high standards for technical depth and service quality are met consistently. This role involves coordinating with the broader network of experts to provide specialized services such as tax-efficient wealth transfer and estate planning. Mahoney monitors regional market trends to identify opportunities for service expansion and client acquisition. By fostering strong relationships with high-net-worth families, the Division President supports the firm's mission to provide comprehensive financial guidance. Through effective leadership and strategic oversight, Mahoney ensures that the division contributes to the firm's overall success and reputation as a leader in the industry.

    Stephen Stelljes - President, Client Services

    Stephen Stelljes, the President, Client Services at Focus Partners, directs the client experience and service delivery models that define the firm's boutique approach. By overseeing the teams responsible for wealth management and financial planning, the President, Client Services ensures that every interaction reflects the firm's fiduciary-first commitment. Stephen Stelljes manages the delivery of specialized services, including retirement strategies and estate planning, to ensure that high-net-worth families receive comprehensive support. This role involves refining the client engagement process to integrate individual values and motivations into holistic financial plans. Stelljes collaborates with other executives to ensure that the firm's technical depth is accessible and actionable for all clients. By monitoring client satisfaction and service quality, the President, Client Services drives continuous improvement in the firm's offerings. Through dedicated leadership, Stelljes ensures that the organization maintains its reputation for high-touch service and superior financial outcomes in a competitive market.

    Vanessa Wieliczko - Chief of Staff

    Vanessa Wieliczko, the Chief of Staff at Focus Partners, coordinates the strategic initiatives and communication flows between the executive leadership team and the broader organization. By facilitating cross-departmental collaboration, the Chief of Staff ensures that the firm's fiduciary-first mission remains central to all business activities. Vanessa Wieliczko manages the execution of high-priority projects that support the firm's growth and market positioning as a premier Registered Investment Advisor. This role involves synthesizing complex information to assist the executive team in making informed decisions regarding wealth management services and client engagement. Wieliczko monitors the progress of key initiatives to ensure alignment with the firm's long-term goals. By optimizing the flow of information and resources, the Chief of Staff enables the organization to maintain its high-touch service standards while scaling operations. Through effective project management and strategic support, Wieliczko contributes to the firm's ability to deliver consistent, research-backed financial planning to high-net-worth families.

    Dawn Lovelace - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Dawn Lovelace, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Focus Partners, directs the talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies that sustain the firm's high-touch service model. By cultivating a culture centered on fiduciary responsibility and client-focused values, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the organization attracts top-tier financial experts. Dawn Lovelace oversees the professional development programs that keep the firm's staff at the cutting edge of wealth management and financial planning. This role involves aligning human capital with the firm's strategic objectives to support growth across all regional markets. Lovelace manages the organizational structure to ensure that the firm maintains the technical depth of a large institution while preserving a boutique environment. By fostering an inclusive and high-performance workplace, the Chief Human Resources Officer enables the team to deliver superior service to high-net-worth families. Through strategic workforce planning, Lovelace ensures that the firm remains a leader in the industry.

    Lisa Poff - Principal and Chief Marketing Officer

    Lisa Poff, the Principal and Chief Marketing Officer at Focus Partners, architects the brand identity and market positioning that define the firm's reputation as a premier Registered Investment Advisor. By developing targeted communication strategies, the Principal and Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the firm's fiduciary-first approach resonates with high-net-worth families and institutional clients. Lisa Poff oversees the firm's outreach efforts, highlighting the integration of personalized values into holistic financial plans. This role involves managing the firm's presence in the industry and ensuring that the value proposition of research-backed wealth management is clearly articulated. Poff collaborates with other leaders to align marketing initiatives with the firm's growth objectives and service expansions. By leveraging data-driven insights, the Principal and Chief Marketing Officer enhances the firm's ability to attract and retain clients who value technical depth and high-touch service. Through strategic brand management, Poff strengthens the firm's position as a leader in the financial services sector.
    Lisa Poff

    Frederick Baird - Managing Director

    Frederick Baird, the Managing Director at Focus Partners, oversees the execution of complex wealth management strategies for the firm's most sophisticated institutional and high-net-worth clients. By managing the delivery of technical financial planning, the Managing Director ensures that every portfolio reflects the specific motivations and long-term objectives of the client base. Frederick Baird coordinates with the broader network of experts to provide seamless access to tax-efficient wealth transfer and estate planning solutions. This role involves maintaining high standards of fiduciary responsibility while driving operational excellence across the firm's service offerings. Baird monitors market volatility and adjusts investment frameworks to protect client assets effectively. Through the application of research-backed methodologies, the Managing Director supports the firm's mission to provide comprehensive financial guidance. By fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders, Baird ensures that the organization continues to deliver superior value and personalized attention in a competitive financial environment.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Focus Partners Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Focus Partners?
    Focus Partners is led by Adam Birenbaum (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Corey Abrams (Founder & Chief Executive Officer) and Dhruv Gupta (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Focus Partners’s executive team?
    The executive team of Focus Partners includes leaders such as Adam Birenbaum (Chief Executive Officer), Corey Abrams (Founder & Chief Executive Officer), Dhruv Gupta (Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Focus Partners have?
    Focus Partners has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Focus Partners’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Focus Partners includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Division President.