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People-First Wealth Management

 

At WHZ Strategic Wealth Advisors, delivering “Absolute Confidence. Unwavering Partnership. For Life.” isn’t just a tagline. It’s the foundation of a continually evolving client experience that prioritizes people over portfolios.

This client-first mindset recently took center stage as WHZ celebrated the grand reopening of its reimagined Pomfret office. The space now mirrors the look and feel of the firm’s Tolland location, featuring ADA accessibility, upgraded technology, expanded collaboration zones, and a state-of-the-art conference room, all while preserving the building’s historical character.

“This renovation isn’t just about aesthetics or space. It’s a tangible reflection of our ongoing investment in the client experience,” said Kate Pitts, newly appointed Managing Partner of Client Experience and Relationships. “Our clients deserve an environment that fosters connection, transparency, and growth, whether they join us in person or virtually.”

The Pomfret transformation is just one part of WHZ’s broader strategy to amplify its already personalized approach to wealth management. With an emphasis on collaboration and long-term continuity, WHZ has also introduced several key leadership promotions that further enhance its service model.

“We’re growing not just in size but in strength,” said James Zahansky, Managing Partner and Chief Goals Strategist. “As we move into the future, empowering the next generation of WHZ leaders ensures we can keep delivering on our promise to be that unwavering partner our clients rely on through every life milestone.”

Joining Pitts in leadership, Leisl L. Langevin, CFP®, CDFA®, has also been named Managing Partner, overseeing Advisory Services. Additional promotions include Holly C. Wanegar, CFP® to Vice President, Associate Financial Advisor; Hailey Costa to Director of Client Relationships; and Kayla Densmore to Manager of Client Experience.

“These changes represent a new era of strategic collaboration at WHZ,” said Langevin. “By expanding leadership roles and deepening our focus on the full client journey, we’re ensuring that every client receives proactive, customized guidance that evolves alongside their goals.”

The latest updates reflect WHZ’s dedication to being a proactive, evolving firm that listens deeply to client needs. From anonymous surveys to one-on-one conversations, WHZ consistently invites feedback to ensure every client’s financial plan reflects their unique goals, values, and life journey.

“At WHZ, we believe financial planning is ultimately about people, not just numbers,” said Zahansky. “That’s why we’ve made these strategic investments in space, leadership, and technology. Because when we focus on what truly matters, everything else falls into place.”

Experience the WHZ difference by visiting the newly reopened Pomfret office or scheduling a consultation at whzwealth.com. Together, let’s chart your path to Absolute Confidence. Unwavering Partnership. For Life.

This award was issued on 11/01/2025 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 02/01/2025 through 08/01/2025. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 3641 Connecticut-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 236 (6 % of candidates) were named 2025 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2024: 3,710, 282, 8%, 11/1/24, 2/13/24 - 8/30/24; 2023: 3,564, 313, 9%, 11/1/23, 2/13/23 - 8/31/23; 2022: 2950, 290, 10%, 11/1/22, 2/29/22 - 9/2/22; 2021: 3191, 272, 9%, 11/1/21, 2/15/21 - 9/10/21; 2020: 3048, 285, 9%, 11/2/20, 2/17/20 - 9/18/20; 2019: 3147, 289, 9%, 11/1/19, 2/18/19 - 9/27/19; 2018: 3178, 293, 9%, 11/1/18, 2/15/18 - 9/21/18; 2017: 2218, 283, 13%, 11/1/17, 2/15/17 - 9/11/17; 2016: 1985, 417, 21%, 10/1/16, 3/25/16 - 9/28/16; 2015: 2398, 468, 20%, 11/1/15, 3/16/15 - 9/10/15; 2014: 3926, 515, 13%, 11/1/14, 3/16/13 - 9/10/13; 2013: 2263, 531, 23%, 11/1/13, 3/16/12 - 9/10/12; 2012: 2204, 503, 23%, 11/1/12, 3/16/11 - 9/10/11.
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*Winners appearing on this page do not pay a fee to be considered or to win the Five Star Award. Professionals with a digital profile have paid a promotional fee.
Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria - required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP's consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP's consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client's experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria - considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager's future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients' assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.