Anitha G. Rao
Anitha Rao (e-mail) is co-founder of Financial Architects and serves as senior wealth manager. She
has earned the following professional designations:
- Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®)
- Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
- Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®)
The latter two designations were conferred by the Investments & Wealth Institute (IWI) through the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and the Booth School at the University of Chicago, respectively. In addition, Anitha has taught in the Certified Financial Planner programs at several universities.
Anitha holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park and has done post-graduate work in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech. Prior to her transition to wealth management and financial planning, she worked in IT Consulting with both boutique firms and a “big six” accounting firm. She has also served as a local chapter board member of the Financial Planning Association and is a member of the CFA Society Atlanta, the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, and the Investments & Wealth Institute.
When not at work, Anitha loves to cook and try new recipes. Her husband, Venki, is the main audience for her cooking, but she loves to entertain friends and cook for her two boys when they are visiting. Their dog, Teddy, also enjoys taste-testing occasional morsels that may find their way to him!
David E. Hultstrom
David Hultstrom (e-mail) is co-founder and chief investment officer of Financial Architects.
David is a thought leader in the wealth management industry and holds a graduate degree in business (MBA) as well as numerous investment management and financial planning designations:
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
- Chartered Alternative Investments Analyst (CAIA)
- Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®)
- Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®)
- Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®)
David has served as a local chapter board member of the Financial Planning Association and as a regional board member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors. He is also a member of the CFA Society Atlanta, the Atlanta Estate Planning Council, and the Georgia Planned Giving Council.
David has served as an arbitrator and expert witness in securities disputes and has taught hundreds of courses nationwide for CPAs, financial planners, investment managers, and other professionals including CFP programs at several universities. He also has served on investment committees that collectively managed several billion dollars.
David has been published in Financial Planning and Investments & Wealth Monitor and is the author of numerous white papers on financial planning and wealth management topics. He also produces a monthly newsletter for his clients and others who are interested, and a quarterly e-mail publication for financial professionals with several thousand subscribers. He is the recipient of the 2015 HONORS Award for contributions to the financial planning industry from the Financial Planning Association of Georgia. In addition, he has been quoted in numerous newspapers and journals, including the Chicago Tribune, the Christian Science Monitor, the Economic Times, the Journal of Financial Planning, Newsweek, and the Wall Street Journal.
When not immersed in Excel, David enjoys playing the piano and is an avid reader. His wife, Dawn, is a kindergarten teacher, cross country coach, and passionate marathon runner. Their daughter graduated from Duke with a doctorate in Physical Therapy and is enjoying her career.
Kaitlyn M. Barnes
Kaitlyn Barnes (e-mail) serves as financial planner for Financial Architects. She has earned the
following professional designations:
- Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®)
- Certified Student Loan Professional® (CSLP®)
- Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®)
Kaitlyn has been a core member of the FA team since June 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Kennesaw State University (Go Owls!).
Kaitlyn handles all financial-planning-only engagements as well as helping wealth management clients with financial planning needs that arise. She also is the point person working with many of he younger generation of client families.
In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys reading fiction, beach vacations, ice cream by the pool with her husband and two boys, and family night – complete with pajamas and a movie.