Meet the First Anchor Crew

Education and Experience

Bonnie has been a Financial Advisor for over 26 years. She is a graduate of Westfield State College in Westfield, MA with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. In 2008, she completed her requirements for her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification at the College for Financial Planning and obtained her Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® designation from the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts in 2012. She is passionate about promoting financial literacy in the community and appreciates the opportunity to do so through each client relationship. Bonnie previously enjoyed teaching Adult Enrichment courses through the Exeter School District.

Over two decades of working with clients has affirmed Bonnie’s love for connecting with people, learning of their life experiences and goals and attributing her knowledge and understanding to each client’s desired horizon. She considers the trust of her clients a unique honor and finds great satisfaction in partnering with them to chart a course that makes sense for their specific hopes and needs.

Community Involvement

Bonnie was a 10 year Board Member and two term President for the Richie McFarland Children’s Center, an organization that provides early intervention therapy for children with developmental delays and disabilities. Dog mom to many small paws over the years, she is a New Hampshire liaison and ambassador for Poodle Rescue of New England. 

Bonnie firmly believes in investing in the communities where her clients live and work and combines client events with an opportunity to raise funds for a local nonprofit. Past funds raised have supported Kids Five & Over, the Richie McFarland Children’s Center, and Chris’ Hero Pets, while food and toy donations have supported End 68 Hours of Hunger and Seacoast Fire Fighter’s toy bank respectively. Further, the original “Life Jacket” collection gathered much-needed essential items to support the homeless through Operation Blessing.

Personal

Bonnie has been happily married for over 25 years, many of which were spent at their home on Mendums Lake entertaining family and friends (with her brilliant sense of humor and a side of her famous “boat juice”). She and her first mate recently adjusted their sails and moved to Portsmouth where they are thoroughly enjoying the many opportunities life in a city affords. Her main hobbies include pickleball, in-line skating, pickleball, ruling the roads on her electric scooter, pickleball and walking her dogs, Benjamin and Teddie.

The Back Story (a.k.a. The Good Stuff)

Johanna, a New Hampshire native, joined the First Anchor Wealth Management team in 2018. Her four years in the banking industry and love of international travel inspired a sincere appreciation for unique cultures and communities, which seamlessly translates to her level of care for our diverse client base.

Johanna’s ability to engage with each client and meticulous attention to detail led to her well-deserved promotion into the role of Director of Operations in early 2019. She further expanded her skill set with the addition of her Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional^SM certification in 2020 and her Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional^SM certification in 2022. She now also serves as co-captain in the preparation of our clients’ personalized financial plans and is currently working towards earning her master’s degree in personal financial planning.

When Johanna is not in the office, she’s making the most of her love for all things outdoors spanning the New England seasons with rowing, hiking, swimming, paddle boarding, and snowshoeing. When docked indoors, you can find her enjoying a strong cup of coffee with her first-mate, Possum the cat by her side, cooking for family and friends, volunteering throughout the Seacoast area, and planning her next adventure – check out her map of countries visited the next time you’re in the office!

Joelle was introduced to Bonnie and First Anchor by her parents, who are clients of the practice.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in advertising and integrated communications from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. Joelle was hand-picked to serve as the editor-in-chief of the university’s literary journal for two years, was a member of the Lambda Pi Eta National Communications Honors Society, and was selected by the faculty as the recipient of the strategic communications award for outstanding leadership in her major. She graduated summa cum laude, the highest honors, in 2021.

Joelle launched her career by working two years in the banking industry. As a teller, and later a universal banker, she served the Dover, NH community by executing essential transactions and building meaningful relationships focused on customer care and digital platform education.

Joelle’s education, experience (and family connection!) led to her recruitment as a shipmate on our First Anchor Wealth Management team. Working from the main deck, she is tasked with navigating our social media headway, messaging, and adjusting our marketing sails to best serve our clients.

Outside of the office, Joelle loves to dance and enjoys trying new creative hobbies. She is newly married, a pickle enthusiast (not pickleball, just actual pickles), and insists she is very cool and fun.

Weighing in at 10lbs and best known for talking to his "twin" in the mirror, Benjamin keeps an eye out and ear perked on all office activities, dutifully serving as body guard for Captain Bonnie. His ability to shred paper (whether asked to or not) is second to none and he's always willing to accompany Bonnie outside for a walk and security-sniff of the perimeter. When docked indoors, Benjamin logs hundreds of steps a day dodging play time "requests" from little brother Teddie. He provides much needed love and comic relief helping us to stay afloat during the day