If you've found your way here, welcome. I'm truly glad you're here.
I'm Chamie Townsend, CFP®, AAMS™, CRPC™, Founder & CEO of Elevated Wealth Advisory Group, Wealth & Lifestyle Strategist, author of PRETTY Mind: Mindsets and Habits for Next Level Living, traveler, dog mom, daughter, lifelong learner, and someone who genuinely believes life is meant to be lived, enjoyed, and shared.
Like many journeys, mine hasn't been a straight line.
I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, as a self-proclaimed nerdy tomboy who loved math, science, technology, and solving problems. I was fascinated by how things worked and drawn to challenges that required both logic and creativity. That curiosity led me to The Ohio State University, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering.
Along the way, I interned with IBM for three summers, Microsoft, and FirstEnergy. Those experiences introduced me to world-class organizations, brilliant people, and the possibilities that come from combining technology, business, and innovation.
One of my favorite academic experiences was pursuing graduate studies in Financial Engineering at Kent State University. It combined everything I loved about mathematics, technology, economics, and finance while deepening my fascination with financial markets and the impact money can have on people's lives.
My career began at FirstEnergy before taking me to KeyBank and eventually American Electric Power (AEP), which brought me to Columbus, Ohio. While I enjoyed the intellectual challenges of my corporate career, I found myself wanting something more. I wanted a career that kept me connected to financial concepts and the markets while also allowing me to work directly with people and make a meaningful difference in their lives.
Then in 2012, I was laid off.
At the time, it felt uncertain. Looking back, it became one of the greatest blessings I never saw coming.
That experience led me to Edward Jones, where I earned my Series 7, Series 66, and Life and Health licenses and officially began my journey as a financial advisor. I became fully licensed in Ohio in April 2013 and spent the next eleven years helping individuals, families, retirees, and business owners navigate important financial decisions.
What I learned during those years is that people rarely come seeking only investment advice.
They're navigating career changes, retirement decisions, aging parents, marriage, divorce, caregiving responsibilities, business ownership, inheritance questions, travel dreams, and major life transitions. Financial planning is never just about money.
It's about people.
It's about choices.
It's about creating a life that reflects what matters most.
That realization became the foundation for Elevated Wealth Advisory Group, LLC.
When I founded the firm, I wanted to build something different. I wanted to combine the personalized attention of a boutique practice with the resources and expertise typically associated with much larger firms.
Phtographer: Soaring Phoenix Photography
Too often, people are told they need a certain account size before they deserve dedicated advice. Women, people of color, first-generation investors, young professionals, entrepreneurs, and families just beginning their wealth-building journey are frequently overlooked.
I wanted to change that.
At Elevated Wealth Advisory Group, I believe people deserve guidance before they accumulate wealth, not only after they've already achieved it.
At the same time, I never wanted accessibility to come at the expense of sophistication.
Through my affiliation with Cambridge Investment Research and my partnership with Financial Integrators, I have access to an extensive network of specialists, planning resources, investment professionals, and subject matter experts. That means whether a client is opening their very first investment account, preparing for retirement, managing a seven-figure portfolio, navigating a business succession, addressing complex estate planning concerns, or coordinating multiple professionals, they have access to the resources needed to support their goals.
Simply put, we may be intentionally small in office footprint, but we are large in relationships, expertise, and professional resources.
My goal is to meet people wherever they are and walk alongside them as they grow.
Some clients are building their foundation.
Others are preserving what they've spent decades creating.
Some need investment management.
Others need retirement planning, cash flow guidance, risk management, accountability, or simply a trusted sounding board.
Regardless of where someone starts, my mission remains the same: to help elevate their opportunities, their confidence, their decision-making, and ultimately their life.
That's why I officially changed my title to Wealth & Lifestyle Strategist.
Because while wealth matters, life matters more.
I don't just want to help people build assets. I want to help them create the lifestyle they've worked so hard to achieve.
Outside of work, you'll often find me planning my next adventure. My love for international travel has grown stronger with each passing year. Travel reminds me that there is always more to learn, more to experience, and more perspectives to appreciate. It has shaped how I see the world and inspired initiatives like The Elevated Lifestyle Retreat™, where women gather to focus on time, wellness, wealth, and wisdom while creating meaningful connections and unforgettable experiences.
Home is equally important to me. A few years ago, I moved my parents to Columbus, and together we built a multigenerational home. It has been one of the most rewarding and meaningful decisions of my life. Sharing our home is Brutus, our giant pandemic puppy, who keeps us entertained and confidently believes he runs the household.
Through this blog, I'll share insights from financial planning, entrepreneurship, leadership, caregiving, travel, personal growth, and the lessons life continues to teach me along the way.
Some posts will be educational.
Some will be reflective.
Some may challenge your thinking.
And hopefully, a few will make you smile.
Most importantly, they'll be authentic.
My mission, both personally and professionally, is simple:
Help others. Spread joy. Create meaningful relationships. Travel often. Never stop learning. Live intentionally.
Thank you for being here and allowing me to share a piece of my story.
This is just the beginning, and I'm excited to see where the journey takes us next.