We firmly believe in delivering the kind of traditional, ultra-responsive, white-glove service that our clients need and deserve.
Our Philosophy
A boutique firm with a genuine willingness to help others.
Our firm is small and nimble, and we’re deliberately committed to staying that way. We strive to make our firm better instead of bigger, so we can always do what’s right for our clients.
This unique approach allows us to pursue more meaningful solutions for our clients and avoid the headaches and distractions that can come from answering to a corporate parent that is more concerned with expansion.

Maureen Richardson, CFP®
Founder and Financial Advisor
Maureen Richardson is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner who has guided clients through four significant market downturns, recessions, world crises as well as times of confidence and prosperity. Financial planning and providing advice was never a second career. Maureen knew at a young age that she wanted to be a financial advisor. Maureen and her grandfather read the Wall Street Journal together. At a young age, Maureen would create stock portfolios and follow financial news because she was absolutely fascinated with money and finance.
Maureen obtained a finance degree from Kent State University. During college, she took time off to work as a broker's assistant at the former Merrill Lynch brokerage house. Maureen felt she was learning real-life money management while earning money to pay for college. After a few years of working at E.F. Hutton in New York City and Schwab in San Francisco, Maureen was given the opportunity to become a financial advisor with American Express Financial Advisors. Talk about being a fish in water! It was a start, but Maureen felt limited in what she could do for her clients. She left American Express and became an independent Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network® in 2003.
Maureen is an avid golfer, skier, and accomplished ice skater. She has passed two gold medal tests (for freestyle and ice dancing) through U.S. Figure Skating. This desire for excellence and constant, never-ending improvement influences everything she does, especially the unique process she has developed for her clients. Maureen and her husband, Jim, enjoy playing golf, skiing, and traveling.
Maureen's family also includes two rescue terriers and a chocolate labrador. Maureen has been part owner of a few racehorses and has been instrumental in finding them loving, forever homes. This is another testament to Maureen's tenacity in doing the right thing and wanting success for those around her, whether personally or professionally.
Talking is the best way to start, so give Maureen a call at 925.355.1588 and get the ball rolling.
values-based planning
The Drive to Pursue Your Goals.
We believe that orienting your life around goals is unfulfilling and uninspiring. However, orienting your life around your values can help you live more fully right here and now.
Skillful Planning for All.
With a strong commitment to helping everyone pursue their financial dreams, Richardson Elite Financial Strategies is a welcoming and inclusive financial planning firm. .
- We work with nontraditional families, blended families, same-sex couples, pre-retirees and retirees, and successful young professionals just starting out on their journey.
- We seek to give all our clients the financial confidence they need, knowing that they are doing the right thing with their money.