Trustworthy. Authentic. Compassionate. Family.

Niki Mullinix

Owner, Private Wealth Advisor, CFP®, CRPC ®, CKA ®, CBEC ®, MBA

I came from humble beginnings…I spent a lot of time with my grandmother who grew up during the Great Depression.  She pinched pennies, cut coupons, and lived a very modest lifestyle.  Although we never went without, we lived on very little.  Meanwhile, both of my parents had extreme work ethics, but no experience or guidance to help them invest for the future, much less plan for it. My Dad worked hard and lived a comfortable lifestyle as a business owner with different professionals in his life but no one holistically guided him to plan for the future.   I grew up thinking my Daddy was rich when in reality, he lived for today. On the other hand, my Mom had an extreme work ethic, expensive taste, and an employer retirement plan that enabled her to save and invest for retirement.

I knew there had to be a better way. Education was the way.  I was the first college graduate of my family graduating from West Virginia University in 1991.  I had a deep drive and determination to make an impact and to be financially independent from an early age. I started working at age 16 and have never stopped.  I learned by example from my family what I wanted to model, and what I didn’t. I have my parents’ extreme work ethic, and my grandmother’s modesty, I became a lifelong learner and went on to earn my Master of Business Administration from Wheeling Jesuit University in 1997 while I worked full-time in advertising sales for the Wheeling News-Register, and then as an admissions counselor for Wheeling Jesuit University.

After finishing my formal education, I was invited to join the Pittsburgh Pirates organization to launch their first official baseball newspaper.    What else could I do with my life now that I was in a city?  With a leap of faith, I accepted a position as a stockbroker in a major investment firm in downtown Pittsburgh in 1998. This is when my knowledge of money grew.  I started investing in a mutual fund while in college but didn’t understand it…I just knew it was something good to do.  I had never had the opportunity to learn nor had I had any formal instruction to the world of finance and investing even after completing an MBA. I always thought you needed to be rich to invest and was intimidated and overwhelmed by the thought.

Living in the city of Pittsburgh where I knew no one, I felt as if something was missing in my life. As I was settling into my new career in a new city where I knew no one, and had no support, or family, I was called to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord & and Savior.

When I became a financial advisor, I realized how many smart capable women were still dependent on others for money, many were simply intimidated by the world of investments. So I began to speak their language, talking about what was important to them and slowly engaging them in the process of helping them build wealth, and all of a sudden their confidence started to grow. That’s when I realized my true value and purpose as a financial advisor. My true purpose as a financial advisor is to create a warm and inviting space where couples can talk about money without feeling intimidated.  They are encouraged to pray and plan for what matters the most and inspired to make an impact with their hard-earned wealth.

Cynthia R. Lapia

Director of Client Engagement, AWMA®, CRPC®, FPQP®

Wow, when asked to write down “my story” I thought to myself do I have one? Like so many investors of my generation my parents worked tirelessly to provide for their family.  They overcame devastating obstacles to ensure we were well cared for and had the foundations of a good work ethic, Christian values and a solid education.  My Mom used to tell me – use the brain God gave you and make a difference with your gifts.

I am a self-proclaimed student of the investment business, a lifelong learner, and a relationship builder.  I absolutely love hearing about how our clients came to do what they do, what brought them to our table, what happened in their life that led them to make the decisions about their careers and money they made.  I believe that financial planning should be a personal process.  It needs to consider who we are, what we value are and what we want our future life to be.  We should begin planning now for our future self, clarifying our financial goals, and determining the best way to structure our investments to achieve our goals.

Let’s be honest dealing with your finances can be difficult, time consuming and complicated.  Growing up as the fifth of six children I can remember feeling stressed and anxious about money. I dreaded asking my parents for money.  I knew then that being financially independent was important and it took hard work. But, as my parents used to say, we don’t grow when things are easy, we grow when we face challenges.

Throughout my career in the financial services industry, I have been blessed to experience the good, bad, and ugly side of the market.  Beginning with the male dominated culture, fluctuating interest rates, inflation, volatile markets, those that believed market timing was possible and multiple financial theories falling in and out of favor.  But I have also experienced the joy in supporting your family, seeing the prudent planning decisions work out and the excitement when your assets grow into a well feathered nest.  My career has been a multi-faceted journey and I would love to have the opportunity to know yours.

Come on, let’s plan together and measure your wealth not by the things you own but by the blessings your wealth provides.

Susie Grasky

Marketing Brand Manager & IT Communications Specialist, BSIS

I am a product of a close-knit family, one of five children, I was raised in an environment shaped by the strength and unwavering support of my parents. Early in their marriage, my father took on the responsibility of two jobs. Meanwhile, my mother, with grace and efficiency, dedicated herself to managing the home and finances.

My upbringing was grounded in the core values of family, faith, and support. My parents’ commitment to each other and to our family left an indelible mark, teaching me the importance of unity and mutual support. The foundation of faith they provided to me at an early age has been a guiding force, shaping my outlook on life and influencing the way I approach both challenges and opportunities.           `

My journey led me to the University of Pittsburgh, where I balanced my academic pursuits as a part-time student with a full-time position alongside world-renowned scientists. Their encouragement and support not only fueled my professional growth but also enriched me personally and academically. However, a pivotal moment caused me to shift gears. Recognizing the significance of my role at home, especially during my children’s formative years, I made the decision to devote more time to family. This period became a transformative chapter where my faith deepened, and my involvement both in church and community flourished. I am blessed with the friendship of supportive faith-based women, who continue to strengthen and inspire me with their company.

My life has been a journey guided by faith. I’ve always felt the hand of God leading me every step of the way.  As I continue to grow in my walk with Christ, my aim is to infuse faith in every facet of my life. In 2017, my journey took a professional turn as I joined a group of successful women at Astyr Wealth. Here, our mission aligns with my personal values – we strive to support and serve faith-based families, empowering them to be steadfast stewards of their wealth. It’s a calling I approach with dedication.

Connie Ravella

Director of Practice Management & Client Service

Growing up under the guidance of a resilient single mother, I observed firsthand thetenacity required to overcome financial obstacles. Motivated by my mom’s unwavering determination, I embarked on a personal journey toward financial independence. Fueled by the desire to empower others, I cultivated a passion for demystifying finances and aiding individuals in achieving their aspirations.

Now, as a Paraplanner, I support Niki and dedicate myself to helping people navigate the intricate landscape of personal finance. Our mission extends beyond mere financial literacy; we strive to provide practical solutions, guiding others to reach their goals with confidence.

With two young boys of my own, I see in them the potential to shape a future generation of financially savvy individuals. Through my teachings and example, I endeavor to instill not only a strong work ethic and financial acumen but also a sense of compassion and the desire to uplift others. In my journey, I not only seek personal success but aim to create a ripple effect of positive change, inspiring my two boys and countless others to lead empowered and purposeful lives.

Carolyn Daniocek

Planner Assistant

I come from a family of six, being the third out of four kids. My Father, a Marine Veteran, taught me the importance of completing tasks the correct way the first time, communication skills, and how to be a leader. My Mother was a stay-at-home mom for part of my childhood and later went to school for Nursing and now has a very successful career as a Nurse Case Manager. She instilled within me kindness and patience, time management, and the benefits of creating a routine. My parents allowed me to explore my interests while promoting the importance to choose a career I love, and it will never feel like work. As a child, I would always create my own pretend businesses and force my siblings to participate as employees or customers. At that point is when I realized that being a part of the business and finance world was my passion. 

I took that passion all throughout grade school, making it an easy decision to commit to Robert Morris University where I later graduated with my bachelor’s in finance. Combining my knowledge in finance with my desire to help people has allowed me to meet amazing like-minded professionals. Over the years, I have developed my skills in banking, accounting, customer service, financial planning, and investment services.

My goal is to continue to grow as a student of life, absorbing knowledge and experiences along the way. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work on the Astyr Wealth Team where I can provide kindness and support to benefit our client’s lives.