Lauren J. DiNitto
Associate Vice President, Case Management
Boston
BIO
Lauren DiNitto joined Financial Architects Partners in June 2008 as an Associate in the New Business Department. In her current role as AVP of Case Management, Lauren's primary responsibilities include managing cases from the informal application process through portfolio implementation. This includes guiding clients through the application process, cultivating relationships with life insurance carriers, and negotiating with carrier contacts to ensure the best underwriting for our clients.
Prior to joining Financial Architects Partners, Lauren was involved with various business management and marketing internships, where she carried out financial planning, competitive analysis, and in-store marketing projects.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Bryant University
CONTACT
265 Franklin St. Ste 1102
Boston, MA 02110
617-259-1900
Joel L. Turcotte
Associate Vice President, Finance
Boston
BIO
Joel Turcotte joined Financial Architects Partners in 2007 as an Associate in the Design and Marketing Department. Joel transitioned into the Finance Department in March of 2008 and has now assumed the role of AVP, Finance. As a part of managing the firm's financial accounting, monitoring and reporting systems, Joel is responsible for processing deposits and producer commissions, handling invoices and managing vendor relationships, month end closing procedures and operational reporting to the management team, budget planning and variance analysis, firm tax reporting, and developing department process and procedures to maintain best in practice accounting practices and standards.
Joel is an active runner and ski enthusiast who resides and enjoys his free time on the New Hampshire Seacoast.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University of Rhode Island
CONTACT
265 Franklin St. Ste 1102
Boston, MA 02110
617-259-1900
David T. Valcourt, CFP®
Vice President, Client Planning
Boston
BIO
David Valcourt joined Financial Architects Partners in 2008 as an associate in the Design & Marketing department. In his current role of Vice President of Business Development, Dave is tasked with opportunity development from existing clients of FAP as well as those of our affiliate partners. Internally, his role includes partnering with producers to develop, manage, and close cases. While deeply involved in the design, planning, and implementation of complex cases, Dave helps with affiliate development and marketing support with External Business Development. In addition to his sales and marketing responsibilities, Dave is also active in the industry through speaking engagements on a range of topics from Service-to-Sales to Private Placement Life Insurance.
Prior to joining Financial Architects Partners, Dave worked as a 401(k) Design Specialist with Fidelity Investments. Dave is a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council. He is a sports enthusiast and loves spending time with family.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Merrimack College
CONTACT
265 Franklin St. Ste 1102
Boston, MA 02110
617-259-1900
Cheryl Dyer
Manager, Case Management
Boston
BIO
Cheryl Dyer joined Financial Architects Partners in March 2004 as a Coordinator in the New Business Department. As Licensing Coordinator, Cheryl manages all licensing obligations for the firm and its employees, working to satisfy carrier and state requirements. Additional responsibilities include managing cases from the informal application process through coverage implementation. Cheryl brings substantial industry experience to the firm and serves as a mentor in her department.
Prior to joining Financial Architects Partners, Cheryl worked with David Freeley at Westport Worldwide in the Private Client Group. She also spent 13 years with New England Life in their Brokerage Department. Cheryl is very active at her sons' school, serving as Treasurer of the Parent Teacher Organization. She and her family enjoy camping and fishing.
EDUCATION
Degree in Liberal Arts, University of Massachusetts, Boston
CONTACT
265 Franklin St. Ste 1102
Boston, MA 02110
617-259-1900
Sam Filipe
Account Manager, Client Services
Boston
BIO
Samantha Filipe joined Financial Architects Partners in November 2018 as an Associate in the Portfolio Administration department. One of her primary responsibilities is to help manage communications between clients and life insurance carriers. She collects policy information and illustrations from these carriers in order to prepare annual reviews, reports, and premium reminder notices for clients.
Prior to joining Financial Architects Partners, Samantha studied at Bryant University where she graduated with a concentration in Marketing and minors in communication and psychology. Sam had previously gained valuable internship experience at Natixis Global Asset Management working in their marketing department. During her junior year of college, she studied abroad in Italy and visited over 11 countries. In her free time, Sam enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Marketing, Bryant University
CONTACT
265 Franklin St. Ste 1102
Boston, MA 02110
617-259-1900
Gianna Gerace
Senior Project Manager, Sales & Marketing Operations
Boston
BIO
Gianna Gerace joined Financial Architects Partners in September 2018 as a Senior Administrative Assistant in the Sales and Marketing Operations team. She supports the production and management teams and facilitates the day to day operations of the office.
Prior to joining Financial Architects Partners, Gianna studied English Communications at Salve Regina University, obtaining a Master’s degree in Innovation and Strategic management while working at the university’s think tank as a Communications Assistant. She spends her free time traveling both domestically and internationally, as well as volunteering with various animal rescue organizations.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in English Communications, Salve Regina University
Masters of Innovation and Strategic Management, Salve Regina University
CONTACT
265 Franklin St. Ste 1102
Boston, MA 02110
617-259-1900
Ken Gordon
Case Manager, Case Management
Boston
BIO
EDUCATION
CONTACT
265 Franklin St. Ste 1102
Boston, MA 02110
617-259-1900
Sara Lane
AVP, Operations
BIO
Sara Lane joined Financial Architects Partners in 2005 as a Business Administrator before moving into the Case Management department. During her years there she implemented large complex portfolios; negotiated underwriting offers and delivered optimal results for clients. Her role expanded over the next 12 years to include Strategic Initiatives, Marketing and Operations. After a short hiatus, Sara rejoined the firm in 2021 and in her current role as AVP, Operations she spearheads several of the firms’ initiatives and departmental processes. Additionally, she oversees the Portfolio Construction department, which delivers carrier, product, and funding analysis for portfolio implementation.
Prior to joining Financial Architects Partners, Sara traveled frequently working with children. She enjoys reading, swimming, hiking, and yoga and hopes to resume those activities when her own children are older.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science, Allegheny College
CONTACT
265 Franklin St. Ste 1102
Boston, MA 02110
617-259-1900
Sara Lapin
Coordinator, Client Services
Boston
BIO
Sara Lapin joined Financial Architects Partners in October of 2021 as a Coordinator in the Client Services department. Her primary responsibilities include premium management, policy data collection in preparation for portfolio reviews, and helping to maintain communications between carriers and clients.
Prior to joining Financial Architects Partners, Sara studied at the University of New Hampshire where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She also studied abroad at the Instituto Lorenzo de Medici in Florence, Italy during her Junior year of college. Sara gained valuable experience at her internship working for the Laborer’s Union of Rhode Island as an Administrative Assistant. Sara still has a
passion for traveling and enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of New Hampshire
CONTACT
265 Franklin St. Ste 1102
Boston, MA 02110
617-259-1900
Kris Le
Office Coordinator, Sales & Marketing Operations
Palo Alto
BIO
Kirstin (Kris) Le joined Financial Architects Partners in August 2021 as an Office Coordinator in the Sales & Marketing Operations team. Kris is responsible for maintaining the Palo Alto office and providing support to other departments in the firm.
Prior to joining Financial Architects Partners, Kris held a position as a Behavioral Technician for a learning center in San Mateo, CA and worked as a Bank Teller in San Francisco, CA. They graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Education. Kris enjoys attending concerts and visiting art museums in their free time.
EDUCATION
Psychology, San Francisco State University
CONTACT
260 Sheridan Ave, Ste. 210
Palo Alto, CA 94306
650-252-1700
Chris Owen
Manager, Portfolio Construction
Boston
BIO
Chris Owen joined Financial Architects Partners in August of 2021 as a Manager in the Portfolio Construction team. He supports the production team and specializes in designing uniquely tailored insurance and risk management solutions.
Chris began his career at AXA-Equitable in 2001 as a member of the Retirement Benefits Group and soon transitioned to become the Client Relations Manager for the Boston branch, responsible for overseeing more than 17,000 client households. He left the retail side and began his career in life insurance brokerage in 2008. Prior to joining Financial Architects Partners, he gained valuable experience working for several national organizations in both sales and advanced case design roles.
In his free time, Chris enjoys attending sporting events and is a member of many social clubs and organizations in and around the greater Boston area.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Economics, St. Lawrence University
CONTACT
265 Franklin St. Ste 1102
Boston, MA 02110
617-259-1900
Jenna Ragusa
Manager, Client Services
Boston
BIO
Jenna Ragusa joined Financial Architects Partners in February of 2016 as an Associate in the Portfolio Administration department. As Account Manager, her primary responsibilities include preparation of client reports and annual reviews, collecting illustrations and information from life insurance carriers, facilitating communication between carriers and clients, as well as premium invoicing.
Prior to joining Financial Architects Partners, Jenna gained valuable experience working with high profile clients such as doctors and nurse practitioners at Medicus Healthcare Solutions in the credentialing department as a liaison between the clients and hospitals. Jenna also worked as a Resident Assistant in college and was an active member of her community and dance team.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Psychology concentrating in Counseling and Clinical Research, Liberty University
CONTACT
265 Franklin St. Ste 1102
Boston, MA 02110
617-259-1900
Shaina Yoo
Case Manager, Case Management
Boston
BIO
Shaina Yoo joined Financial Architects Partners in May 2020 as an Associate in the New Business Department. In her current role, Shaina is responsible for ordering and following up on Attending Physician Statements (APS), using APS to create medical summaries, packaging client information for submission to insurance carriers, and assisting New Business case managers with various parts of the underwriting process.
Prior to joining Financial Architects Partners, Shaina attended Boston University and graduated with a B.S. in Behavior and Health and a minor in Deaf Studies. After graduation, Shaina worked as a behavioral therapist for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and as a patient navigator at Boston Medical Center where she partnered with hospitals to connect patients to essential resources alongside medical care. Her healthcare industry knowledge bridges the gap between the financial world and the healthcare world. In her free time, Shaina enjoys traveling and trying new foods.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Behavior and Health, Boston University
CONTACT
265 Franklin St. Ste 1102
Boston, MA 02110
617-259-1900