Passionate and results-oriented, Kathie Okun is president of The Okun Financial Group, a financial and investment* services firm in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Kathie excels at providing families, individuals and business owners with personalized financial decision-making, and then assists in implementing their financial goals. With 26 years' experience, Kathie has a wonderful track record of building rapport and becoming a valued partner in retirement, estate, insurance, and employee benefit planning. Multi-generational planning has become a norm with The Okun Financial Group and Kathie's practice. Kathie loves to teach her clients "how money works" and takes pride in working with parents as well as adult children in families that she helps.

Kathie is also active in community and industry activities as a volunteer, committee, and board member. Kathie donates monetarily and with her time but she also loves being hands-on. She visits the Ronald McDonald House, collects pajamas for critically ill children, and participates in fundraising projects of all kinds including biking 140 miles to raise money for Moveable Feast. "My dream is to have enough money so I can give to those in need. I plan to continue giving—not for recognition but because it helps me live happily."

Kathie often appears on business radio and gives workshops at business forums. She is an inspiring speaker with a talent for sharing experiences in ways that resonate with audiences and listeners. "I like helping people realize their goals are attainable. My background is such that people are amazed when they find I came from limited means, with parents that both died young. Helping others realize that they too can be successful and that they just need to take the necessary steps is extremely rewarding to me." In addition to finding tools for success in life, it is Kathie's passion to help others find answers to their issues with money, put their plan together, and coach them along the way to financial success.

Kathie is writing a motivational book that will encourage readers to get past self-imposed roadblocks to realize their passions and dreams. She also enjoys sports and the outdoors—especially hiking and biking, and cheering for her hometown Baltimore Ravens and Orioles.

For business, Kathie is invariably dressed in a streamlined suit with a nice scarf. At one time she lived in Montana and her favorite off-hours outfit is still a shirt, pair of jeans, and cowboy boots. Her interests are eclectic, however, for she is just as comfortable in New York City art galleries as she is in the mountains or sitting on the beach.

Kathie is happily married to her husband, Harvey, who is an attorney in private practice and a certified mediator. They are Mom and Dad to a teenage daughter, as well as to three grown children and four grandchildren from Harvey's previous marriage. They live in Pikesville, MD and enjoy all the amenities and excitement that Baltimore and surrounding areas offer.