Founder's Story
“Stella Maris,” a Latin phrase meaning Star of the Sea, is a title long associated with the Blessed Mother, Mary, mother of Jesus. For centuries, sailors looked to her as a guiding star—trusting her to calm life’s storms and lead them safely home. Inspired by this tradition, Stella Maris Wealth was founded on the belief that financial planning should provide clarity, peace, and steady guidance through every season of life.
A few of years ago, Katrina experienced a renewal of her Catholic faith that transformed both her life and her work. Today, she views her role as a financial advisor as a vocation—serving God by helping others steward their financial resources with wisdom, intention, and purpose. Faith and family remain the foundation of her life and the inspiration behind her mission.
With more than 15 years of experience in corporate finance and financial services, including seven years as a financial advisor, Katrina brings both technical expertise and a deeply personal approach to her work. She began her career in Silicon Valley corporate finance before discovering her true calling: guiding individuals and families to make financial decisions with confidence, clarity, and peace.
Katrina serves clients nationwide, including business owners, retirees, widows, and families who want their financial resources to support what matters most. She is especially passionate about helping both spouses—particularly women—feel informed, involved, and confident in their financial future. She believes money is a gift entrusted to us to steward responsibly, give generously, and align with the unique mission God has for each person’s life.
As an independent fiduciary advisor, Katrina is committed to always placing her clients’ interests first. She helps clients build comprehensive financial plans that replace uncertainty with clarity and fear with peace. Her philosophy centers on the conviction that wealth is ultimately about legacy—not merely what we accumulate, but how we love, serve, and positively impact others.
Katrina holds the ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant) and AAMS® (Accredited Asset Management Specialist) professional designations. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Economics from University of Tennessee at Martin, where she attended on a full-ride tennis scholarship, and afterwards received her MBA in Finance from California State University, Fullerton.
Katrina and her husband, JJ, have been married for 17 years and are blessed with two sons, Trey and Rhys, who are the greatest joys of her life. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, cooking, cheering on her boys at sporting events, and volunteering at Christ on Main in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. Her family are parishioners of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Taylors, SC.
I used to believe that prayers changes things.
But now I know that prayer changes us, and we change things.