The Sensible team is constantly learning and growing. This month, we welcome two new employees!
Ellen Breau, Operations Associate
Ellen Breau has been a fan of Sensible Financial since 2012 when she met Rick Fine and Rick Miller at a few NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors) meetings. She was working for a wealth management firm at the time, and after a few years, she shifted gears to financial management in an educational setting. She worked in budgeting and endowments for the Fay School in Southborough. Then, she joined the staff at UMass Amherst as an accountant/financial manager. After spending eight years in academia, Ellen is eager to return to personal financial management as an Operations Associate.
Joining the team at Sensible in 2024 “really feels like I’m coming full circle,” Ellen says. “I’m excited to be part of a firm with such an exceptional combination of skill and caring.” She’s analytical, detail-oriented, and a people person, which makes her ideal for Sensible.
Ellen earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the College of the Holy Cross and her master’s degree in management from Boston University Brussels. She started her career as a scientific programmer and then moved to Belgium to work as a consultant in information systems at NATO. She later moved to Greece and taught mathematics and international business at an American university in Athens. Her time in Europe solidified her love of languages and travel.
In her free time, Ellen can be found practicing Bachata, a type of dance from the Dominican Republic, hiking, and playing frisbee.
“I’ve reached a point in my life where I have fewer responsibilities,” says Ellen. “My 16-and-a-half-year-old canine best friend (the only one in the household who listened to me with undivided attention at times) passed away, my daughter graduated from college, and I helped my parents find a continuing care community that’s a great fit. Given my newfound freedom and the fact that there was an open position at Sensible, a company I have long admired, I realized that it was a great time to make the switch.”
Ellen looks forward to using her unique combination of skills to help Sensible clients achieve their goals.
Brandon Garneau, Associate Financial Advisor
Brandon Garneau joins Sensible as an Associate Financial Advisor after several finance internships at banking and financial firms and in a full-time sales position at an asset management firm. He registered as a broker and investment advisor representative there after passing his series 7 and 66 exams. Then, he decided to look for a position at an individual financial planning company. As he researched firms in the Boston area, he came across the Sensible Financial website. “I read some of their articles and about the Sensible team. They had a great deal of knowledge and experience, and I knew I’d learn a lot from them.” Brandon also likes Sensible’s client-first, fiduciary philosophy.
At Quinnipiac University, Brandon earned a bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in psychology, graduating magna cum laude. He works with Laura Williams’ team and enjoys learning from her and the rest of the team. To continue with his professional growth, Brandon looks forward to earning his CFP® certification. He is eager to learn Sensible’s methods and work with clients to help them reach their goals.
Brandon lives in Massachusetts near his family. When he isn’t working, he spends most of his time hiking, fishing, and traveling.
Photo by Daniel Dan on Unsplash