Dennis Stearns
CFP®, ChFC, MS
Wealth Advisor, Managing Director
Dennis is nationally recognized for his work in complex investment and financial planning and for helping clients understand how powerful “Super Trends” shape their investments, businesses, careers, and the broader economy. He has deep expertise in analyzing the convergence of globalization, technology accelerators (including AI and robotics), demographic shifts such as the global age wave, and other long-term forces that will meaningfully impact financial decision‑making and life outcomes. The Financial Planning Association has described Dennis as “one of the leading financial scenario experts and futurists.”
Dennis has written multiple books, including CEO Road Rules – Right Focus, Right People, Right Execution; Fourth Quarter Champions; Fourth Quarter Fumbles; Ninja Entrepreneur; and Caught in the Middle, which focuses on the unique challenges facing women of the sandwich generation. His insights are frequently featured in major national and industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Kiplinger Finance, TheStreet.com, Financial Planning Magazine, the Journal of Financial Planning, AAII Journal, AICPA Journal, Journal of Retirement Planning, and the Triad Business Journal.
Dennis is a sought‑after speaker at regional and national conferences, economic forums, and industry events, and he regularly leads and participates in think tanks focused on investment strategy, financial planning, and economic trends. He is also often invited to conduct “best practices” workshops for financial advisors and planners. In addition, Dennis has written and taught extensively on behavioral finance, helping clients and professionals identify and avoid the “villains of decision‑making” that can undermine success in personal finance, careers, business leadership, and life.
He brings advanced training across investment planning, financial planning, business planning, and estate planning. Dennis earned a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University of South Florida and a Master of Science in Financial Services from The American College. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and a member of the invitation‑only Family Wealth Advisors Council, a national study group of prominent fee‑only wealth management firms. He has also served on the Journal of Financial Planning Editorial Advisory Board and was a former member of the AAII National 401(k) Advisory Panel.
Dennis is deeply committed to values‑based leadership, lifelong learning, and putting family and client needs first. A highly-accomplished chess player, he credits the game with teaching him the importance of balancing short‑term tactics with long‑term strategy—an approach he applies to investing, financial independence, and life. He was a member of one of the winningest Pan‑American chess teams in U.S. history. Outside of work, he enjoys tennis, skiing, and chess.
Giving back to the community is a central part of Dennis’s life. He currently serves as Chair of the YMCAs of Greensboro Foundation and Investment Committee and has held leadership and board roles with numerous civic, educational, and philanthropic organizations, including the Bikes for Kids Foundation and the North Carolina A&T State University Endowment Board. His past service includes board and executive committee roles with the Greensboro Partnership, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Gateway University Research Park, Greensboro Symphony, YMCAs of Greensboro, and the Leadership Greensboro Advisory Board. Through these efforts, and through hands‑on involvement in character building and financial literacy programs at the K‑12 and university levels, Dennis continues to make a lasting impact in the communities he serves.
