Our Team

Daniel Smith - CFP®
Lead Advisor
(He/Him)
Daniel works directly with clients to help them build clarity and confidence around their finances. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) who transitioned to the advisory side of the business after a successful career in marketing and financial education. His expertise focuses on promoting financial literacy and easing the stress often associated with complex financial decision-making. After years of developing educational content for a wealth management firm, Daniel discovered a passion for making a more direct impact on people's lives. Now a Lead Advisor at Francis Financial, he remains committed to expanding his expertise while helping clients navigate their financial journeys with ease.
Professionally
Daniel’s path into the wealth management industry has been a bit non-traditional. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Advertising Management from Michigan State University, he began his career leading the marketing team for a wealth management firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Through years of developing financial education content, Daniel discovered that his passion for financial literacy extended far beyond content creation and marketing.
Motivated to make a more direct impact, he transitioned to the advisory side of the business. He has since earned his Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation and in 2026, joining Francis Financial as a Lead Advisor. Daniel remains committed to expanding his own financial expertise while helping clients build clarity and confidence around their finances. His work focuses on promoting financial literacy and easing the burden and stress that often accompanies financial decisions.
Personally
Daniel lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife, Emma. Outside of meeting with clients, he enjoys hitting the slopes, playing copious amounts of golf (often poorly), making music, and planning his next DIY renovation on his late 19th-century home (spoiler alert: there are many).
With a background in theater, Daniel is excited to have more reason to travel to New York and is always looking forward to catching a Broadway show whenever the opportunity arises. His all-time favorite musical is Hamilton!
Purpose
My passion for financial planning is deeply personal. As a teenager, I witnessed my younger sister’s battle with a rare and terminal form of brain cancer. During that time, I watched my parents endure the emotional and financial strain that comes with countless hours in hospitals, years of medical uncertainty, and ultimately, the grief of losing a child.
While I was too young then to help my family navigate the financial complexities of such a difficult experience, the impact stayed with me. Today, I am committed to supporting my clients through life’s most challenging moments.
Life is filled with both incredible joys and unexpected hardships. My goal is to help you celebrate the highs, weather the lows, and thoughtfully plan for everything in between.