Meet The TeamWe believe that People Are Assets, and without people to navigate this beautiful thing called life with, what good is it?

I was introduced to Steve through a trusted friend and fellow Guardian General Agent in New York back in 1995. Steve was scheduled to present to a group associated with Pepsi-Cola in my area, and my intention was to attend for just an hour. However, his insights captivated me so thoroughly that I ended up staying for the entire day.

Since that serendipitous encounter, I've immersed myself in Steve's methods and teachings, considering him not only a mentor but also a personal coach for many years. His guidance has been instrumental in navigating both the challenges of my business endeavors and the complexities of my family life.

What sets Steve apart is his holistic approach to personal development, instilling in his students a sense of confidence and tranquility that permeates every aspect of life. Through his teachings, I've discovered that true growth and lasting happiness stem from embracing a mindset centered on peace and love, regardless of life's inevitable ups and downs.

A cornerstone of Steve's philosophy, which has profoundly impacted my daily routine, is the practice of starting each day with a meditative power hour. This ritual acts as a stabilizing force, ensuring my internal equilibrium remains steadfast amidst the chaos of daily life.

As I reflect on my journey, I am inspired to pay forward the wisdom I've gained under Steve's tutelage. My aspiration is to mentor and teach others, both in business and personal spheres, rooted in principles of truth and love.

Steve's influence extends beyond my own life; it has touched every member of my family. He has empowered me to strive for excellence in my roles as a father, grandfather, husband, and mentor to all those I encounter.

Looking back, I recognize that the decision to attend that Pepsi-Cola meeting in 1995 was a pivotal moment in my life—a fateful encounter that set me on a transformative path guided by Steve's profound wisdom and insight.

David B. Allen, ChFC®, CLU®

Advanced Sales Director

“I have been working Steve D’Annunzio and to say it has been life changing is an understatement. I met Steve when I transitioned to my new firm last year and the CEO suggested that we work together. In the 12 months since I had my best year professionally, with my highest production to date for both insurance and investment revenues being the highest in my career, and more importantly, have strengthened my relationship with family by being more present and involved at home. Steve truly helped me shift into an abundance mindset and I cannot thank him enough for it.”

James B. Brown III

Wealth Management Advisor

It has been almost 20 years since we met, and I began to send several of my Team members to you and your Team for coaching. 

In 2022 I decided to go in a different direction from the Coaching I was getting, and we started working together. As an entrepreneur and leader for over 40 years, there were not many coaches capable or qualified that I can relate to on issues and challenges that I face. Your experience and coaching have proven to help me to identify blind spots, provide insights for growth and develop processes to help me as a leader. The insights on communication and personal development help me and others be better versions of ourselves. I always feel we are aligned in philosophies and purpose. My purpose of helping others is to be the best possible version of themselves as they can be as Advisors or Team Leaders. The reality is everyone benefits when we live in a world of abundance and growth vs scarcity! A theme you have championed since we met!  

Anyone with a Growth mindset should spend time with you!

Frank J. Congilose, CFP®, CLU, ChFC

CEO/Managing Partner

I met Steve at an industry conference where he was a featured speaker. I sat in on his workshop later in the day. I was intrigued by the name of his program, “Mission Driven Advisor”. Steve has helped me reflect on my mission, which is quite noble; but I had not given it much thought. He has helped me explore and find my purpose driven life; which is to help and bring value to others. I have been in business for many years and have had several business coaches along the way. Learning to be better at creating value for clients, building trust, and demonstrating that you care are some of the things that Steve has helped me with. Steve has continued to lovingly push me to be more consistent and intentional with my referral prospecting. He has a proven system for helping people to get introductions to their ideal prospects. I have a healthy portion of procrastination in my life for certain things. Of all the many concepts that his program teaches; “Hard/Easy might be the most impactful for me. Doing the easy thing first makes the rest of the day hard. Do the hard thing first makes the rest of the day easy. Sounds simple, right?  Steve has helped me explore and address some of my personal challenges which has led me to reach more of my potential; have better relationships, and ultimately a happier life. If you are open-minded and coachable, I think Steve can bring you tremendous value.

Hough Johnson CLU, ChFC, AEP, CEPA

Financial Advisor

“The work of the Mission Driven Advisor team, both the coaching and their symposiums, is truly transformational for those who are open to it. As someone who is passionate for the right change to happen in the life insurance and financial services industry, I believe that THIS work embodies the necessary shift to the coaching and training agendas of anyone committed to the future. Specifically, this means letting technology do its highest and best job with everything steeped in logic, and enabling Human 2.0 to do the important work of empathy, connection, and trust. It’s time to adjust our focus from building better technicians to managing the human condition.”

Maria Ferrante-Schepis

Industry Thought Leader and co-author of Flirting With The Uninterested; Innovating in a 'Sold Not Bought Category’

My business has grown several times over in the decade since I first started working with Steve.  I think I may have found a way to get to a similar level of income on my own, but working with Steve I not only grew my income faster, but I grew happier as I did so.  I know many business owners who have grown large businesses; and they are burned out, divorced, estranged from their children, and in poor health.  I appreciate that Steve has helped me find the path to grow my business in harmony with an amazingly satisfying life where I get to bring incredible value to clients I enjoy working with while spending more and more time with friends and family.

Cory Shepherd CFP®, ChFC®

President, Sound Financial Group

Steve and I were first introduced by the CEO of the financial services firm I partner with. Given my career trajectory and the challenges of taking on more leadership responsibilities, Steve was recommended to help me master both my thinking and understanding of this challenge and help me raise those around me to higher levels.

In our work together, Steve has helped me become clear on what goes into serving clients and advisors in the pursuit of becoming a mission and love-driven leader. He has been instrumental in helping me enhance my identity by becoming a better communicator and asking better questions. We have worked to algin both my personal and business goals in accordance with several laws and principles to allow me to live a more fulfilled and balanced life. As a direct result of our working together I feel like I am working towards higher levels of professional growth faster and with more appreciation for the life I am living.

Christopher Foder, CExP®

Partner at Meridian Financial Associates

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Steve for over 20 years. During our time together, Steve handles every conversation with wisdom and amazing expertise. His ability to flip the narrative and help ensure a better understanding of context is truly remarkable. Whether we’re discussing business or personal information, I always look forward to our meetings and consider our time together invaluable. Steve truly supports me in every capacity, and I think incredibly highly of him as a friend and individual."

Glen Golish, LUTCF®, CFBS®, BSP

President - GWealth Strategies, LLC

"I have Known Steve for about 30 years as I met him through his former partner Jeffrey Locker who had coached myself and many of my Guardian colleagues while I was a Guardian General Agent. To quantify the amount of wisdom and knowledge Steve has provided to me over the years would be impossible, but I will try.

1. Money follows Value -- This has been a very helpful mindset for me as I focus on providing value to all I serve as best I can.
2. Meditation and being mindful has had a profound impact on my sense of calm and peace.
3. Empathy – I have learned how strong my empathy for others is – and how low my empathy is for myself, so I have begun to be kinder to myself.

If you are looking to grow both personally and professionally Steve and his team can be a huge game changer. I hope to see you at one of their events."

Michael Fliegelman

CLU, ChFC, AEP, CLTC, RFC

“Encountering Steve D’Annunzio six years ago marked the beginning of my soul purpose journey. His mentorship has been a beacon, guiding me through both professional landscapes and personal milestones. Steve’s wisdom has been a catalyst for growth, teaching me the art of presence, awareness, and purposeful action through powerful intention.

The key progress from our time together includes:

• Clarity in Business: Steve’s strategic insights have been instrumental in keeping my business aspirations in sharp focus, empowering me to navigate obstacles with resilience.
• Enrichment of Life: Steve’s teachings transcend the professional realm, instilling a practice of intentionality and mindfulness that has enriched my life immeasurably.
• Sharing Wisdom: Under Steve’s influence, I’ve learned the profound impact of sharing knowledge selflessly. It’s about elevating others, fostering their growth, and witnessing their transformation—a reward in itself.

For those seeking to align their ambitions with action, Steve is a guiding light. His approach harmonizes professional pursuits with personal evolution, leading to a life of fulfillment.”

Jim Schepis, CLU

Financial Services, Leadership

I met Steve over 25 years ago in a workshop he was conducting and immediately realized that he was a coach and friend that I would have in my life forever.  I have had the benefits of Steve's Coaching and Workshops over the past 25 years and for the past 5 years, I have worked with Steve one on one to be a better leader, communicator and person!  Steve has brought value to me and ultimately all the people in my life both personally and professionally by helping me with the tools to become the best version of myself and lead from a place of care and generosity.  My biggest decisions these past 5 years have all been made in consultation with Steve to help me be the best person I can be and to be in a place of bringing value to all I encounter.  Working with MDA has given me the tools and coaching to grow my business with tools that I can use every day in my personal and business life! 
I would recommend Steve and Mission Driven Advisor to anyone serious about being a better leader, partner or friend.  
 

Lyle Domenitz

General Agent/Partner

My professional relationship from a coaching perspective goes back 12 years. I have known Steve for over 20 years as he has worked for and with our firm since 1994. Our relationship has been incredibly powerful. Personally, Steve has created peace, calm, patience, and laughter in my life. Professionally, words cannot express the difference he has made for me and our firm. From MDA workshops to personal coaching, business planning and everything in between....he is my guru. I am a better person and leader as a result of having Steve in my life. From the relationships at home-relationships with our Elite Advisors, his fundamental teaching and perspective have added substance and depth to every single one.

Josh Becker

General Agent

I've been working with Steve for about a decade, and I have found that there's an entire inner being in part of who I am that I can tap into, to make a far more powerful difference in the world than I thought was there. I have applied his concepts throughout my life. From a business standpoint, Steve has enabled me and empowered me to take on far more than I thought I could handle through his programs that can take your leadership and impact that you have with people to a higher level. When I met with Steve for the first time, he took me from a very high level of production which in my world was called leader's club, to doubling of my business and making presidents council. I have found that I have a far more peaceful stance in life that has benefitted not only my business relationships, but my family life, and frankly, I have become a better person, husband, and father through his coaching. He has not only helped me better understand the value of what I'm up to in the world, but a way to communicate it that is bringing forth action on the part of clients like it never had before, and I was pretty good when I met Steve.

Mark Connely, CFP®

When it comes to the financial services world, there many ways that value can be created from a group like Steve’s. The disconnect I have found when speaking with other groups has been everything was really boxed into either how to create more opportunities (introductions, advocacy, etc…) or how to get more people to essentially say yes. Most of these have felt like sales systems that didn’t speak to me in regard to what I was trying to build as a company. The difference I have experienced with Steve over the past few years has been that our focus has been on how to make me feel more empowered in the value I am creating and focused on where I want to create it. My practice typically has a heavy volume and many moving parts that can sometimes be overwhelming. Steve helps to serve as my sounding board to tune out all the moving parts and really focus in on what’s the most important to me and what makes me feel most powerful. Many times, I come to our calls not even knowing what I want to accomplish but always leave feeling I have gotten exactly what I need to be focused moving forward. The result of our relationship can be seen in the results in my business. My Practice has more than doubled in the 4 years we have worked together, and I feel like I am more keyed into where I am going, why, and most importantly I am clear that both are what I want! Steve has become an essential piece of my team and I am thankful to have him in my corner!

Adam Morgan, CFP®

When your inner world and outer world are in conflict it can create stagnation, paralysis, depression, malaise, and lack of energy.  This manifests itself in so many ways both personally and professionally. 

Working with a great coach will help one identify the issues and create a plan of action to erode the barriers to create greater success both in one’s internal life and external life. 

This is where Steve D’Annunzio and the Mission Driven Advisor comes in.   Steve and his team have a unique gift and process to identify your strengths and unblock them so you work in alignment with who you really are, not who you think you should be.   The result is energizing on the one hand and calming on the other. 

Steve, his process, and team have helped me become a better advisor, husband, father, community member and so on and I am grateful for the wisdom they have imparted to me. 

As Steve says, “what you do for others you do for yourself” and the corollary is that “what you do for yourself you do for others”.  I encourage you to do for yourself by working with The Mission Driven Advisor and the strategic byproduct will be that you do great things for others and be happier and wealthier for it. 

Jonathan Blinken

Financial Advisor

I’m in a constant state of gratitude since I’ve been working with Steve D’Annunzio over the last few years. I’m always able to get centered and be present in challenging situations by channeling the things Steve has shown me. I can’t wait for our calls because I need his guidance. He is my ‘Board of Directors’ in business conversations, my ‘life coach’ in family matters, and my accountability partner to make sure I’m moving forward. I’m constantly sharing with others that Steve is my coach and how much value he has helped me bring to my life. 

Jim Lake, Chief Distribution Officer, Lifetime Financial Growth, CAS & RICP

Steve and I met at LAMP a few years ago after he spoke on the main stage.  I remember that day feeling like he was speaking to me among the crowd of 2,000 plus people.  I decided I wanted to meet him, and bumped into him later in the hotel lobby.  We began a conversation about working together and have been doing so now for 6 years.

Steve’s coaching has been instrumental in me focusing on becoming a transformational leader.  His coaching focuses on a different realm, a more spiritual realm.  I have grown as a leader, husband, father and in my faith as a result of our work together.  A 3 years ago we partnered with Steve and his team to work directly with those of our advisors desiring a coaching relationship.  Steve and his team are now transforming the lives of our advisors and teammates.

I highly recommend Steve and his team.

Tim Flanagan, Jr. CLU® ChFC® CFP® ChSNC™

President, The Pelora Group

I have had the good fortune of working with Steve for over 10 years.  During that time, he has helped me discover an entirely new perspective on business and life which has helped me to become not only a better person…but a better husband, father, friend and advisor to my clients.  I am truly grateful for his wisdom, guidance and friendship. 

Peter von Halle, von Halle Brokerage Group

"I have been blessed to work with Steve D'Annunzio and The Mission Driven Advisor team for several years now and my experience has been amazing. They have created tremendous value in all aspects of my life. Their work has improved my spiritual life, family life, my health and my business. Their mentoring has allowed me to identify my Soul Purpose in life which has resulted in unbelievable productivity and profitability. I have never had more prosperity in life and believe my work with Steve and his team has been the catalyst. Steve is a world renowned teacher and author and his Soul Purpose is to help you identify yours!"

David Suckey

"Steve’s coaching has shaped every aspect of how we communicate about our business, from our verbal communication to our website. We would offer that this group of academics, who do math for a living, were likely Steve’s greatest challenge. It has taken years of coaching and practice.  We have improved substantially.  Coaching, like most things, is about getting out of it what you put into it.  You must embrace change.  You must become comfortable with being uncomfortable.  This is what it means to be truly coachable.  If you are, and you are willing to put in the work, and if you are willing to be bad and uncomfortable to get better, I encourage any sales professional to allow Steve and his team help show you the path toward your Soul Purpose."

Mike Paciotti and Joe Perfilio

ICM Integrated Capital Management Founders

Steve, about 25 or so years ago I took a course from you in your house in Rochester.  I think it was only one day or maybe two, but you taught us how to write a mission statement and to say it 3 times a day.   You helped me to word mine so perfectly and I have been saying it since.  I recently found the workbook you gave us called “Awaken”.  It is a yellow bound paperback and I intend to complete the readings and exercises.  I was telling my husband about you and the course and how you played I think the Shruti and sang.  You had one daughter then.  I just want to tell you that I have taken many workshops but yours was definitely number one!  I remember your kind nature and loving guidance.  My statement goals have all come true.  I am 71 now and have been so fortunate to meet my desires of travel, massage, freedom, love, health – everything! It looks like you are extremely successful now, which I would certainly expect from you.  You definitely made a change in my life and I live with unbounding joy.  Thank you for your input into my life.  I couldn’t have found a better mentor and guide right when I needed it. I know you are blessed and are bringing blessings to many others.  You are a gift to the world.

Kay Holley

"Steve, as an entrepreneur who used to be a control freak, this is a lesson on how to be in 'control' in the healthiest way of the word and this, my friend, is changing my life. Your lessons on the natural laws of the universe have contributed to my self-awareness and compassion. This is a special gift that prior to our work, I had no idea was possible. This awareness has given me the unique opportunity to choose my thoughts on consistent occasions.

For example, with my employees, I am often frustrated with performance levels and in the past, would react with a temper. Now, I am learning to be inquisitive and provide clear and decisive direction and clear and decisive consequence. The approach is the difference between reacting (the old way) to a circumstance and creating (the new way) with clarity and solutions. The old me used to play roles, like an actor, depending upon where I was and whom I was with. In my personal life, I was intuitive, emotional and loving. In business, I was guarded and ruthless. The self-aware, higher version, the new me, is effortlessly one man in all circumstance. This has simplified my life and strengthened my self-identity, confidence and relationships. I have learned to love myself everywhere I go in a way that feels pure and timeless. I love and cherish our work together Steve. You have shown me the way home. I love you so much my brother."

Matthew Schwam

CEO, Holiday Image

"I am so fortunate to have met you and indebted to Richard Pope for introducing us. 2013 has been my best business year ever. Your advice and coaching has been a big part of this progress. Your 1% better philosophy, focus on tier 1 clients and constantly striving to be in the spiritual realm are game changers. I practice the prosperity power hour, plan each day and read my intention statement as a habit now. My revenue increased by 40% in 2013 and my life insurance premiums doubled. I have qualified for President's Council with Guardian and made it in the PAS VIP top 100. I am also on track to qualify for PC in 2014 with all the business already submitted. Personally, my close friends and family have complemented me on the more relaxed version of myself and I tend to "envision the greatest, wisest and most magnificent version of who I am and work to actualize it". I would highly recommend all MDRT level producers to sign up for your program, if they want to take their business and personal lives to the next level. Look forward to a prosperous and enjoyable 2014."

Garrett Gunderson

Best-Selling Author of Killing Sacred Cows: Overcoming the Financial Myths that are Destroying Your Prosperity & Founder of Freedom FastTrack

"My personal life has improved dramatically because I am more at peace with myself and those around me. My business, although already successful in its own right, has prospered in ways never imagined. So many doors that were never seen before are opening to reveal wonderful opportunities for my practice. Employing your teachings of positive energy flow and increased awareness of everything and everyone has created an uplifting experience and the clarity that the future for my practice looks brighter than ever. Yes, there are still the daily problems but they seem less consequential than before knowing that I can create an internal serenity to deal with them and bring that back to my staff and clients. These are not words, they are realities.

Your help with providing insights into broader thought processes have allowed me to refine a systematic business planning process. The addition of a CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) and the expansion of the practice to a national presence were a long term desire but for some unknown reason beyond my grasp. That desire has fast become reality and my staff is more in harmony even though we are busier than ever before.

This would not have been as possible without the insights I have learned from you. This is a very enlightening feeling. So my friend, I write this testimonial for you not to "sell you" to anyone but to say a heartfelt Thank You."

Richard Pope

President, Applied Financial Group, New York, NY

“I would just like to comment on my experience with using the coaching program at Mission Driven Advisor. When I was first approached with the idea of working with you I must say that I was skeptical. What I did recognize was that I was at a point in my career going into my twenty second year that I couldn't afford not to try this as I knew there was something missing regarding the way I went about advising clients. What Steve & Raeanne have taught me has been mind boggling to say the least. I have fine-tuned my operation in the areas of Time Management, Relationship Building, Prospecting, & Proven Principled Approaches that all lead to a more fulfilling profitable practice. I have also worked harder on myself than ever before spending the necessary time each day to Meditate & fill my mind with Good Mental thoughts that really make a difference. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who feels they are not where they want to be in their careers or for anyone looking to get to the next level as I know this will be a life changing experience for you as it has been for me.”

Michael Bernabeo

“The Enlightened Entrepreneur Course is outstanding. My life has become more enjoyable and I am contributing more to the people I work with in our business. Steve D'Annunzio has not only put together a great course, but his coaching and involvement is priceless. I recommend this course to anyone who wants to increase the quality of their life, as well as their business!”

Walt Cardinet

Chairman of the Board, Pacific Advisors

"Steve, I have gained so much from the time that you and I have shared I could write a novel describing the importance our relationship and this time of study and meditation mean to me. Family, friends and associates comment on the changes they witness and this is a witness and testimony to me that I AM moving closer to the light, sharing and experiencing it's love in my life. I am so grateful! God Bless you my brother for living your soul purpose and sharing it so graciously with me."

Lisa Brown

"Finding my Soul Purpose under Steve's loving and patient guidance felt like coming home. I spent a lot of years wandering in a wilderness of mediocrity, going down misleading paths and pursuing misguided goals, and I was often confused, frustrated, and fearful. After discovering my Soul Purpose I found peace, joy, confidence, and fulfillment. Everything just feels right, like all of the puzzle pieces of my life are now in place, working together. Steve has a natural gift, a piercing intuition for reading between the lines of my life and identifying exactly what steps I should take at any given moment. He is a true mentor in every sense of the word. I wish everyone could have the experience with him that I have been blessed with."

Stephen Palmer

Partner, Consultant, & Writer with KGaps Consulting

"I just wanted to thank you for living your soul purpose in helping people like myself. As you're well aware; I've been in the insurance and financial services industry for the past 16 years, and this is the first time in my career that I truly understand my purpose in this world. Needless to say, my life and practice has changed so dramatically that words cannot possibly do justice. Blessings and opportunities are all around me. It's difficult to comprehend why all of these things are finally appearing, but I'm grateful nonetheless."

Bryan P. Maun

LUTCF, FSS

"I recently attended a two day symposium of The Mission Driven Advisor led by Steve D'Annunzio. I have been exploring the arena of personal growth for more than 20 years and attended Steve's meeting without expecting to learn very much. Well, it was exactly the opposite.

Steve has put together a brilliant roadmap to uncovering and releasing the "power" that lies within us all. His approach is simple and allows each attendee to "discover" truths about how we all operate in the world. I discovered an access to truly choosing the path that I take in life; a path of my choosing, not my past, not my ego, not my history and not the same old, same old. Steve leads this program perfectly and connects with the entire audience. I had him do his training at my agency in 2009 and it was equally great. I have found peace, presence and profitability by doing this work."

Ronald Rosbruch

CEO, Strategies for Wealth, New York, NY

“I have been working with Steve for a little over a year and my experience with him has been truly transformational. We have explored to great depths my personal life, business life, and all the domains those two areas encompass. I have awakened to who I really am and am aware of how I move in the universe. Every aspect of my life has been enriched by my work with Steve and our journey continues to ignite my soul. My relationships with friends and family are more engaging; interactions with my company's staff are more productive; and the results of client conversations have been more profitable. In fact, my revenue has doubled since living with Steve's guidance. It is certainly not a coincidence. It would be time and energy well directed to form a relationship with Steve. My life is one of abundance with him in it.”

Joe Pombriant

Alacrity Financial, New York, NY

"Your contribution to me has manifested in my life in numerous ways. I have a true sense of Self and, most importantly, compassion for myself. Our focus on nonattachment keeps me centered and focused on creating value and making a difference in another's life. As a result of not being driven by and attached to arbitrary production goals and dollars, I've also had a significant increase in gross income.

When we started working together, I was a lone advisor with one administrative assistant producing at Leaders Club level. Today, I lead a team of advisors, am partnered with a President's Council producer, have two full time support staff, am producing at President's Council level, and have a business that is well positioned for expansion. Your coaching and the Enlightened Entrepreneur program continues to be one of the most profitable business and life decisions I have made. Thank you for being such a HUGE contribution to my life. It is an honor to be your student."

Chau Lai

CFP, ChFC

“In a 35 year financial services career, I’ve seen and experienced a number of coaching programs but none has blended the personal and business in the way you have. I am happier, calmer and more productive than I’ve ever been I attribute all of that to the work we’ve done. In a period of recession and great financial stress I’ve had the two best years of my career…”

Andy Rosenbaum

Financial Coach & Author of The Wealth Swing Coach

"I was headed down a path of pride that would have stripped some of the greatest joy I have in life if I didn't meet Steve. The mentoring I received prepared me to be a father, and unlocked happiness, wealth, and purpose that was so elusive before. Before my mentoring sessions I was on a roller coaster, some days ready to take on the world, other days didn't want to get out of bed.

This all changed when I began meditating under Steve's direction. I was able to uncover my Soul Purpose and take bold moves in my business. Even though I was making a comfortable mid-6 figure income, I wasn't fully happy. Since, my company made the INC 500 list and I am a New York Times bestseller. I wouldn't have been able to handle the road to get there without the inner strength and connectivity to my creator that was opened up in my coaching with Steve.

Bottom line, better marriage, increased happiness, joy and peace. Was it worth it? You bet. I would have paid 10 times or really much more."

Garrett Gunderson

Best-Selling Author of Killing Sacred Cows: Overcoming the Financial Myths that are Destroying Your Prosperity & Founder of Freedom FastTrack