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.

Craig Peterson

Private Wealth Advisor & Chief Operating Officer

Craig is originally from Chicago but has proudly called Pittsburgh home for several years now. With over 5 years of experience as a financial advisor, he brings a deep commitment to helping individuals and families build lasting financial confidence through education, planning, and disciplined strategies.

Outside of the financial planning world, Craig enjoys quality time with his wife, Lindsey, and their two four-legged kids, Lionel and Tink. A passionate runner and fitness enthusiast, he also stays actively involved in his community as a dedicated member of his local Rotary club. 

Craig’s mission is to promote financial literacy and a strong work ethic—values he believes can transform lives and be passed down for generations to come.

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.

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.

Kim Peters

Practice Manager

I grew up in Erie, PA and earned my undergraduate degree from Duquesne University, followed by graduate studies at Miami University of Ohio. As Practice Manager at Astyr Wealth, my goal is to help the practice run smoothly, enhance the client experience, and contribute to building a culture where people feel truly cared for.

Over the course of my career—including a time when I ran my own small business—I’ve learned that what inspires me most is getting to know people and hearing their stories. That passion drives how I show up every day, both for our team and for our clients.

I now call Pittsburgh home and proudly embrace all things Pittsburgh. I live in Peters Township with my husband Mike, a Pittsburgh native and one of ten siblings. We have three grown children and are blessed to be surrounded by family. We attend South Hills Bible Chapel, which has been a meaningful part of our lives and community.

Is not registered to offer securities or investment advice.

Jodi Zegarelli

Business & Client Support Specialist

I grew up in a small, close-knit community where I learned firsthand the value of hard work by watching my family’s tireless efforts. Recognizing early on that success comes not from working harder, but from working smarter, I committed to education and thoughtful decision-making. Proudly, I became my family’s first college graduate.

I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Business from the University of Pittsburgh. While working through college, I developed critical skills and an appreciation for the drive and discipline required to support both personal and financial growth.

Following graduation, I pursued various roles that enriched my understanding of people’s financial and personal needs. These experiences sharpened my ability to offer thoughtful guidance and support.

For several years, I had the privilege of dedicating my time to raising my three daughters—an invaluable experience that deepened my insight into family dynamics and long-term planning. Now, I’m excited to bring that perspective back to the financial services field as part of the Astyr Wealth team.

Your goals—whether planning for the future of a special needs child, saving for college, navigating long-term care, planning for retirement, or even traveling—are deeply personal and meaningful. My own life journey has taught me the importance of setting clear financial objectives and crafting purposeful strategies to reach them.

I’m thrilled to join Astyr Wealth, a firm that embodies a values-based, holistic approach to financial planning—one that emphasizes integrity, compassion, and commitment in aligning your finances with what matters most. 

Together, we will work collaboratively to empower clients and help them flourish with clarity and confidence.

Thank you for trusting me, and I look forward to partnering with individuals and families to turn their hard work and aspirations into meaningful, achievable financial plans.