Hazel Secco

About Hazel Secco

I didn\'t become a financial advisor to chase titles or sell products. I became one because I know, deep in my bones, what it feels like to grow up wondering if everything could disappear overnight. My father\'s gambling left our family in a constant state of financial instability. From a young age, I was determined to rewrite that story — not just for myself, but for my mom and eventually for the women I serve today. By 27, I had built what looked like the \"perfect\" life. I was married, owned a beautiful home, and had become a self-made millionaire. On paper, I had achieved financial success. But internally, I was anxious, exhausted, and afraid of losing it all. That\'s when I realized something important: financial success does not automatically create financial confidence, especially when you\'re carrying invisible money fears from your past. That insight led me to launch Align Financial Solutions, an independent, fee-only fiduciary financial planning and wealth management firm serving high-earning women nationwide. Who I Serve I specialize in helping independent women and female executives — VPs, Directors, and execs earning $300K+ and running their financial life between meetings — who have done the saving, the earning, and the climbing, yet still feel uncertain about what represents \"enough.\" How I Help (Fee-Only Fiduciary Services) As a CFP® and CDFA® professional, I provide objective, fiduciary advice without the conflict of product sales. My expertise includes- Equity Compensation Strategy: Maximizing RSUs, ISOs, and NQSOs to reduce tax liability- Tax-Efficient Investing: Roth conversion timing, asset location, and tax-loss harvesting built into one coordinated plan- Work Optional Lifestyle Design: Planning for early retirement or career pivots with confidence- Life Transitions Support: Navigating layoffs, career pivots, job changes with unvested equity, and inheritance planning with confidence. This work is deeply personal to me. Because I know that for many women, money isn\'t just numbers. It\'s safety. It\'s identity. It\'s freedom. If any part of this resonates, I\'d love to connect. You can also book an Align Call (no pitch, no cost) at alignfinancialsolutions.com/book-a-call, or subscribe to my monthly newsletter on LinkedIn.

Experience

1. President and Founder

   Align Financial Solutions Llc

   Apr 2023 — Present · Hoboken, NJ, US

   I founded Align Financial Solutions because I believe financial success shouldn\'t come with constant anxiety. Having built my own wealth from the ground up, I understand that for high-achieving women, money isn\'t just a number—it’s safety and freedom.I provide an integrated,\"done-for-you\" wealth experience for independent women who have done the climbing and the earning, but lack the headspace to manage the growing complexity of their finances. I move my clients beyond \"backward-looking\" accounting to forward-looking strategies that ensure their money is working as hard as they do.What I deliver for my clients:Done-for-You Wealth Management: I handle the complex heavy lifting of portfolio strategy and financial planning so you can focus on your life and career.Proactive Tax Strategy: We move from \"reacting\" to taxes in April to leading a year-round strategy designed to help you keep more of what you earn.The One-Page Plan: I trade the \"50-page binder\" for a clear, actionable roadmap that makes \"work-optional\" a reality on your own terms.Specialized Advocacy: Advice designed for the unique career arcs and longevity of women—not the \"male-default\" models used by the rest of the industry.Awarded: Recipient of the Wealthtender Voice of the Client Highly Rated Advisor Award, reflecting a 100% commitment to fiduciary integrity and client trust.

Education

• University at Buffalo

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Psychology

• Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

  International Business