Ben C. Forte, CFP®
Senior financial advisor
Ben has always been drawn to work where trust matters. Before entering financial planning, he studied pastoral ministry, a background that still shapes the way he listens, asks questions, and walks with people through important decisions. Over time, he became interested in business as a practical way to help families build stability, opportunity, and generosity.
After transferring to Roberts Wesleyan University to study business and organizational management, Ben began working at ESL Federal Credit Union. There, he saw how personal financial decisions affect nearly every part of a family’s life—and how valuable clear guidance can be when people are trying to make wise choices. That experience led him to pursue deeper expertise early in his career, earning the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation and later serving on the board of the Rochester chapter of the Estate Planning Council.
Ben later joined TIAA Wealth Management, where he worked closely with physicians, professors, administrators, and other healthcare professionals. The experience deepened his appreciation for clients whose financial lives often involve complex benefits, retirement plans, tax decisions, and significant responsibility. It also clarified the advisory model he wanted to be part of: one where clients are known personally, served consistently, and guided with care over many years.
Outside of work, Ben enjoys time with his wife, Kseniia, hiking in the Adirondacks, exploring Rochester’s live music scene, and serving at his church, where he is part of the leadership team.
