Your Financial Wellness Team
At ARK, we not only employ financial wellness strategies for our clients, but also for the health and well-being of our team. A company is nothing without valued employees. We believe that companies who motivate, encourage and recognize the talents of its team members, will be able to provide the best service to its clients.
Lisa Avenevoli, CFP®, CMFC
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional ׀ Proud Mom ׀ Waterski Enthusiast ׀ Wannabe Ballroom Dancer ׀ Sweet Tooth Supporter ׀ Lake/Ocean Fanatic
“Life will always be complicated. Learn to be happy right now. Otherwise, you will run out of time.” -unknown
Lisa’s Passion
As a 27-year veteran in the financial planning world, Lisa’s greatest satisfaction and joy comes from providing individuals the ability and confidence to do more of what they love. Empowering clients to achieve their dreams through personalized, values-driven financial advice is truly the most fulfilling aspect of being a financial advisor for Lisa.
Lisa’s Background
Lisa graduated with honors from the University of Missouri-St Louis earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in May 1999 with Majors in Finance & Management and a Minor in Psychology. As part of Lisa’s studies, she participated in an Internship Program, writing a thesis on Modern Portfolio Theory and Asset Allocation Strategies in April 1998.
Lisa then obtained her Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor (CMFC) designation from the College for Financial Planning in May 1999. This designation exudes expertise and an understanding of mutual funds, asset allocation, retirement planning, risk and return, and investments.
After spending a decade in the industry, Lisa sought bigger goals in her desire to obtain her Certified Financial Planner™ Professional (CFP®) designation, which she obtained in March 2009. Becoming a CFP® is one of the most difficult and stringent processes, requiring years of experience, successful completion of standardized exams, a demonstration of ethics and a formal education. CFP® professionals are required to take 30 hours of continuing education requirements every two years in addition to ethical requirements in order to maintain his or her designation. The most important aspect of a CFP® is their fiduciary duty, meaning they must make recommendations with their client’s best interests in mind.
Lisa was awarded the FIVE-STAR: Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager each year from 2014-2024. This award recognizes professionals in the financial services industry who are committed to excellence. For more information on how this award is earned, CLICK HERE.
Lisa’s Why
Growing up, Lisa’s parents made countless sacrifices to ensure that her and her siblings experienced a life rich in love, faith, and adventure. Family vacations, birthday celebrations, extracurricular activities, and an unwavering Saturday evening tradition of attending mass were the cornerstones of my childhood.
Despite hardships faced, her parents mastered the delicate balance of hard work, living within their means, and enjoying life. Lisa, however, was always acutely aware of the toll that years of night shifts and relentless labor took on them.
Life as they knew it changed forever a few months after Lisa’s mother’s 60th birthday. With no prior health issues and plans to retire alongside Lisa’s father, her mother received an unexpected diagnosis of leukemia, shattering their lives. Over a grueling 2.5-year battle, medical bills mounted, forcing Lisa’s father to postpone his retirement. He finally stepped away from work just three months before her passing.
These experiences profoundly shaped Lisa’s path. Leaning on her faith, she realized that her upbringing and the lessons learned during those difficult times led her to establish ARK Financial Wellness, allowing her to use her years of experience as a financial planner in a more meaningful, impactful way. Her parents instilled in her an undeniable work ethic, the value of financial responsibility, and the importance of cherishing what truly matters in life. The stark reminder that life is fleeting drives her commitment to helping others embrace each moment.
As a financial advisor and founder of ARK, Lisa’s mission is clear: to help clients understand their financial landscapes so they can focus on what truly matters—nurturing their families, pursuing meaningful careers, and living fully in the present. Her goal is to empower clients to navigate their financial journeys with confidence, knowing they can achieve more than they ever thought possible.
Life will always be complicated, but with the right guidance and planning, happiness can be found in the here and now. After all, it’s about creating a purpose-driven life—balancing the importance of saving for the future with the joy of living for today.
Isabel Raycraft
Wealth & Client Service Manager ׀ Proud Mom ׀ Movie Fanatic ׀ Disney Lover ׀ Outdoor Enthusiast ׀ Wearer of Many Hats
Isabel’s Passion
Supporting others in reaching their financial goals is a gratifying and fulfilling experience in and of itself for Isabel. She believes one of life’s aspirations should always be to treat others as you want to be treated. This respect guides Isabel to strive to provide the best service in all aspects of the financial wellness world.
Isabel’s Background
Isabel is bilingual in Spanish. She holds an Associate’s Degree in General Study from College of DuPage and graduated with honors from the Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg with Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Digital Media Production.
Isabel has been in the service industry since her first job as a sales clerk. From there she left to learn guest satisfaction in an internship for Disney World. She has been involved in the financial industry field since 2006 and has had plenty of experience helping clients navigate the complexities of financial markets. She was a Certified Fund Specialist and is currently working towards obtaining a Chartered Market Technician® designation. Isabel is also a Notary Public for the state of Missouri.
Isabel’s Why
Math always came easily to Isabel. From 6th through 12th grade, she was in advanced math classes, ultimately graduating high school with college credits in Calculus. While many find math boring, she found it fascinating. There was no grey area; the numbers were either right or wrong, and that clarity made sense to her.
One of Isabel’s earliest memories of finance was in 6th grade when she learned about the stock market. She picked a stock and followed its price movements by reading the newspaper each day. The excitement of seeing her stock rise (and the disappointment when it fell) left a lasting impression.
Despite her love for numbers, Isabel pursued a degree in digital media, drawn to its creative aspects. Fresh out of college, Isabel needed a job and found one as a receptionist at a financial planning firm. At the time, she knew little about the industry, but as she learned more, she became fascinated by the client stories – how they saved, invested, and grew their wealth. Reviewing 401(k) statements rekindled the same excitement she felt in 6th grade watching stock prices fluctuate.
Encouraged by the advisors she worked with, one of them being Lisa, she pursued her Series 7 License. Though hesitant at first, questioning whether her Digital Media Production degree had been a waste, she accepted the firm’s offer to cover her licensing costs. In the back of her mind, she saw an opportunity: if she learned to invest wisely, she could pay off her student loans before turning 40. (Mission accomplished, thanks to financial planning!)
Isabel knows that not everyone finds numbers and stock price movements exciting, but for her, this is where she thrives. She believes financial planning was always her destiny, and today, she is passionate about helping others manage their investments so they can focus on their own passions and purpose.