Building a financial future is personal.
A plan that can withstand the fluctuations of the market can help you adapt to the fluctuations in life.
Everyone deserves to shape the course of their own life. We make that happen.
Since our inception, our goal has been to build wealth for every type of client. We are especially attuned to the unique needs of investors whose perspectives have been overlooked by traditional investing models. We pride ourselves on removing the financial industry’s institutional barriers, matching you with an advisor who speaks your language and collaborates with you to understand your individual needs. For us, success is not only guiding you toward financial growth, but empowering you to reach your financial goals.
With over two decades of experience, we personalize our financial strategies to fit your circumstances and needs, aligning your finances to your life goals, not the other way around.
Sara Glakas
Founder
Sara founded Black Barn Financial to create a financial advisory firm that not only offers personalized services but focuses on serving clients with a growth mindset. She partners best with investors who understand that higher returns can be expected when taking certain mindful risks in a long-term investing strategy. As a financial advisor, it’s not enough that she understands fundamental investing concepts and strategies, she wants you to understand them, too.
As part of her mission to educate those who feel removed from the investing world, Sara started the Austin Women’s Investing Group, an organization aimed at helping its 2,700+ members expand their financial understanding, proficiency and opportunities. She has taught courses on finance and investing for several programs affiliated with University of Texas at Austin and has served on the Advisory Board for the Initiative to Educate Afghan Women, a non-profit providing financial support and leadership training for Afghan women attending university in the U.S. In 2014, Sara won Austin Woman Magazine’s Small Business Grant Award. She currently co-hosts the podcast Women on the Verge of a Financial Breakthrough.
Sara earned an MBA from St. Edward’s University and a BA from Washington University in St. Louis, where she played on the women’s basketball team and won four national championships.
Kacie Swartz,
CFP®, CIMA®
Managing Partner
Kacie has been in the financial services industry since 2001 and a CFP® practitioner since 2012. She is also a Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), a certification integrating the technicalities of investment portfolio construction with the nuances of behavioral finance. For over 20 years, Kacie has been committed to simplifying financial concepts and making financial literacy accessible to everyone.
Having a trusted expert to lean on can be extremely comforting for people experiencing divorce, the death of a significant other, or receiving an inheritance. Kacie’s background in investment education makes her a good fit to guide clients as they move through these transition periods and to support them as their personal financial planning needs evolve.
Kacie is a spokesperson for the CFP® board’s Women’s Initiative to attract women to the financial planning profession. She is also a member of the Financial Planning Association, the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), the Investments & Wealth Institute, and the Ellevate Network. She has been published in national media outlets such as The New York Times, Real Simple, Money Magazine, Kiplinger, and more.
Originally from Kansas, Kacie graduated from Wichita State University Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Finance. She is an active supporter of the Austin Diaper Bank, American Gateways, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians and the Central Texas Food Bank. Kacie happily lives in South Austin where she and her husband enjoy exploring playgrounds with their two small children.
Amy Calistri
Senior Portfolio Manager
Amy is a Senior Portfolio Manager at Black Barn Financial. She enjoys drawing on her broad knowledge to create customized portfolios for clients. Amy pairs clients with investments that not only perform well, but complement their preferences and goals.
While at the University of Texas at Austin, Amy published research with the world-renowned economist James Galbraith. Before joining Black Barn Financial, she performed sophisticated economic and financial analysis for multimillion dollar corporate lawsuits and helped IBM implement state-of-the art technologies. Amy even wrote a critically acclaimed book about the life and career of a professional poker player.
Amy holds a BS in Engineering from Columbia University and a Masters of Public Affairs from the LBJ School at University of Texas at Austin.
Elisa Hanson
Chief Compliance Officer
Elisa is Black Barn Financial’s diligent Chief Compliance Officer.
With over a decade of experience in insurance and risk management, she is a seasoned leader with extensive experience gathering, analyzing and evaluating data. Elisa is responsible for the core operations of the firm and oversees all regulatory requirements and compliance affairs.
Elisa holds a BA in Risk Management from Illinois Wesleyan University.
Gwen Leonares
Client Coordinator
As Black Barn Financial's Client Coordinator, Gwen helps the team with business operations and planning.
With enthusiasm and unparalleled professionalism, Gwen also facilitates new client onboarding to ensure a first-class client experience.
Gwen holds a BSW from the University of Texas at Austin and is fluent in both Arabic and Tagalog.