Our Mission
The Mission of our Team creates life long relationships, allowing clients to live in the present while we manage their future…
Empowering clients to live by their “why”.
"We believe in partnering with our clients, empowering them to take charge of their lives, and achieving success together."
- Joe Leary
Partner, Wealth Management and Financial Planning
Our Story
Opus Financial Partners was founded with one goal in mind – to partner with you through some of life’s most difficult decisions. To be your sounding board and accountability partner, ensuring your financial life is organized and in good order while you focus on living your best life.
At Opus Financial Partners, we believe that financial management oversight is a critical foundation for long-term success. Our team of experienced financial planners and support staff are committed to providing exceptional service and expertise, and we are dedicated to helping you make informed decisions and take control of your financial future.
The Company We Keep:
Our Core Values
Any organization, including our own, is defined by the sum of its parts and the values it holds. At Opus Financial Partners we pride ourselves on working alongside clients who share these traits.
Flexibility
Our goal is to help you achieve your financial goals, and that requires us to be flexible and creative in our approach. Whether it's adjusting investment strategies based on market conditions, recommending different financial products based on your risk tolerance, or adapting to new regulations, flexibility is key to success.
Purpose
Our purpose is to help you achieve financial security and independence. Having a clear sense of purpose can help guide our business decisions and inspire our employees to do their best work.
Growth
Growth is about continually improving and expanding your financial planning options. As a financial planning firm, growth might mean expanding our services to new markets, developing new investment strategies, or hiring additional staff to better serve you. By prioritizing growth, we can stay competitive in a rapidly changing industry and continue to provide value to you over the long term.
Sustainability
We want to create long-term value for you and our employees. This means adopting sustainable business practices. By prioritizing sustainability, we can build a reputation for responsible and ethical business practices that benefit both you and the wider world.
Our Team
ROBERT CAWLEY
CFBS, LUTCF, CLTC
Partner, Head of Risk Management and Estate Planning
Robert Cawley
CFBS, LUTCF, CLTC
General Background:
Bob oversees the Risk Management division of Opus Financial Partners and has spent his career working with families and generational business owners helping them avoid obstacles before they transpire.
Bob is a native of Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, served four years of active duty and four years of inactive reserve as an 0311 Infantryman in the US Marine Corps and was honorably discharged as an E-5 Sergeant in 2000.
Bob’s wife, Alissa is a Special Education teacher at Northwestern Lehigh Middle School. Together, they live in New Tripoli, PA with their son Quinn, daughter Addison “Addi” and their dog Rorke.
Bob is an active outdoor enthusiast and is passionate about archery hunting, saltwater fly fishing and sport fishing. If not in the office, he can easily be found working on a track loader on the family property, coaching or cheering on youth sports or in the Florida Everglades fly fishing for Tarpon. Bob is an active member of many associations supporting the great outdoors, conservation, constitutional rights and our freedom to enjoy them.
Education:
DeSales University
- Bachelor of Science – Finance
- Bachelor of Science – Accounting
Designations:
- Certified Family Business Specialist
- Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow
- Certification in Long-Term Care
What is your WHY?
In Bob’s words –
“As a founding member of Opus Financial Partners, I take tremendous pride in the lifelong relationships that we build with our clients. Our entire team is committed to helping our clients manage the moments that matter the most. Our clients are an extension of us and of our families. The confidence that we can bring to their kitchen table is what inspires me to get up and do what I do every day. Our clients will attest that we are not just Financial Advisors, we are a sounding board for some of life’s most difficult decisions, we are their confidante and we are their advocate. Our clients are our family, they are the fabric of Opus and our team is built to serve them.”
Supervisory Office: 3701 Corporate Parkway, Suite 320, Center Valley, PA 18034. (610)798-2500.
JOSEPH LEARY
CFA, CFP®, CPA, MBA
Partner, Head of Wealth Management and Financial Planning
Joseph Leary
CFA, CFP®, CPA*, MBA
General Background:
We are all put on this earth for a reason.
We all have the ability to make a difference.
We all strive to live our lives with a sense of purpose.
However, focusing on your why can be difficult if you have not solidified your financial well-being. Life can be chaotic, traumatic and overwhelming at times. While Joe cannot control all that happens in your life, he can alleviate some of the burden by managing your financial life.
Joe’s goal is to become your “life coach” and to manage these financial burdens so that you can focus on the rest of your life. Joe’s method encompasses purpose-driven, holistic financial planning that enables him to understand the core of not only your finances, but also the core of YOU. For once you achieve confidence with your finances, you can truly move beyond the numbers and focus on what is most important to you.
So simply put, “Joe’s vision is to help people realize and live by their Why!” Joe’s process is simple and can be summarized in three words… LISTEN, EDUCATE and COLLABORATE. He is not looking to “sell” you something, rather he is striving to “solve” your financial puzzle with the most optimal solution for you. Since Joe pursues life-long relationships with his clients, he is held accountable and stands by his recommendations on an ongoing basis. Guided by his moral compass, this inevitably ensures Joe empowers you to make informed financial decisions to align to YOUR values and goals.
Joe is a lifetime resident of the Lehigh Valley. He currently resides in Bethlehem with his wife Melissa. Joe thoroughly enjoys spending quality time with his 4 children (James, Daniel, Andrew, and Katherine) and 2 grandchildren (Jaxson and baby girl Leary).
Joe spends a significant amount of time rooting for Penn State. He frequently visits Penn State to support his daughter who is on Penn State’s gymnastics team.
Joe also enjoys coaching youth sports, mentoring college students and young professionals. Joe also participates in a men’s softball league and is an avid-runner training for marathons.
Joe is a die-hard Philadelphia Sports fan. He has been a season ticket holder for the Philadelphia Eagles since the mid-90’s and enjoys sharing this passion with his family who joins him at every game. He also loves the Phillies and made it to their World Series appearances in 2008 and 2022.
Education:
DeSales University
- Bachelor of Science – Accounting
- Summa Cum Laude
NYU, Stern School of Business
- MBA – Finance and Marketing
Designations and Certifications:
- Chartered Financial Analyst
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM Professional
- Certified Public Accountant*
Community Involvement/Service:
DeSales University
- President’s Council
- Business Advisory Council
Proud Member of:
- Chartered Financial Analyst Institute
- New York Society of Securities Analysts
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants
What is your WHY?
Growing up the son of a Catholic School teacher and a Bethlehem Steel worker, Joe developed early on in his upbringing a strong work ethic, a profound sense of purpose for helping others and a conviction for always doing the right thing. Joe’s passion and desire to educate and counsel others is why he believes being a financial coach is his true calling.
Joe’s seventeen years spent working on Wall Street as both a CFO and an auditor provided him with invaluable experience and a unique perspective when consulting with clients; whether they be business owners or corporate executives. Additionally, the ten years he spent coaching his son’s sports teams also provided some important life lessons. The skills required to be a great coach are the same skills to necessary to be an exceptional financial advisor; character, discipline and integrity.
*Not practicing on behalf of MML Investors Services, LLC or its affiliated companies. Authorized for accountancy services in the following states: Pennsylvania
Supervisory Office: 2 Bala Plaza, Suite 901, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. Tel: (610) 766-0300.
JAKE RITTER
CFP®
Director of Operations
Jake Ritter, CFP®
Jake is the Director of Operations for Opus Financial Partners and is responsible for the execution of Opus’ mission and vision. Jake oversees all of the operations inside of Opus including New Business, Financial Management Oversight and Marketing. Jake prides himself in being able to provide white glove service to all of Opus’ clients
Jake was born and raised in Abington Pennsylvania. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Penn State University and a minor in Sociology. Prior to Opus Financial Partners, Jake worked at Vanguard in their Retail Brokerage Division and then at Peerless Business Advisors as their Firm Manager of New Business.
Jake resides in New York, NY and enjoys traveling around the world to visit new places.
Education:
Penn State University
- Major – Political Science
- Minor – Sociology
International Studies Institute, Florence Italy
Designations and Certifications:
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM Professional
Community Involvement/Service:
Board Member, Beta Sigma Beta Alumni Association
What is your WHY?
Jake loves to continually learn and experiment with new things. As the son of a school teacher and a home builder, Jake loves to build processes and systems to make everyday life easier and also likes to educate people and show them how to use the processes and systems so they can do it themselves.
Supervisory Office: 2 Bala Plaza, Suite 901, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. Tel: (610) 766-0300.
PHILLIP DANGELLO
Paraplanner
Phillip Dangello
Phil is the Paraplanner for Opus Financial Partners and is responsible for what goes on behind the scenes in our Financial Management Oversight engagements. Phil covers everything for our financial planning engagements, investment servicing, and investment applications. Phil prides himself in being able to provide timely service and communications to all of Opus’ clients.
Phil was born and raised in New Tripoli, Pennsylvania. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a minor in Mathematics from Penn State University, and he has been working with Opus Financial Partners ever since.
Phil enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, fishing, and golfing with family and friends.
Education
Penn State University
- Major – Economics
- Minor – Mathematics
Community Involvement/Service:
Volunteer work: local church, food distribution for impoverished families
What is your WHY?
Phil loves to help bring people peace of mind through responsiveness, attention to detail, and clear communication. He finds fulfillment in using his abilities and training to help educate others and ease the stress they feel when thinking about their finances.
LISA BRUNNABEND
New Business Team Lead
Lisa Brunnabend
Lisa is the New Business Team Lead for Opus Financial Partners. Lisa oversees risk management applications and client service.
Lisa resides in the Lehigh Valley with her husband and three daughters. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Shippensburg University and a master’s degree in Sports Administration from McDaniel College. Over her 30-year career, she has served as a middle school math teacher, computer programming instructor, coach, athletic director, event coordinator, dormitory supervisor, household manager, emotional support staff member, and most importantly, primary care giver for her three children.
Education
Shippensburg University
- Major – Secondary Mathematics Education
- Minor – Computer Programming & Athletic Coaching
McDaniel College
- Masters in Sports Administration
Community Involvement/Service:
Lisa has a strong commitment to the local field hockey community. She spends her free time coaching youth field hockey and serves on the South Parkland Youth Association Board. She is also the lead for the Lehigh Valley Youth Field Hockey Association and serves as the President of the Parkland Field Hockey Booster Club Board. One of her greatest pleasures is sharing her love of field hockey with others.
What is your WHY?
Lisa loves to be part of a team. She believes the best teams have a culture of belonging, and she strives to create that culture on every “team” she belongs to. Lisa believes that positive energy and a strong team culture can make anything possible.
Learn more about how we can help you simplify your financial life.
o·pus
/ˈōpəs/
“Large Scale Creative Work”
Translation from Latin: “A Work, Composition”
Musical Reference: Set of compositions by a particular composer
The name “Opus” was chosen because it represents the idea of a grand work, something that is created with dedication and care, and reflects the attention to detail and personalized approach that the firm brings to each client’s unique financial situation.
