Our Team

Hi, I’m Lee. I am the founder and President of Claris Financial Advisors.

I’m married to my high school sweetheart, Veronica. We are the proud parents of two beautiful girls.

When my wife and I were in college and before we were married, we sadly lost Veronica's father and only remaining parent.

We suddenly found ourselves as a young couple being plunged into a world of huge financial decisions that needed to be made for her younger siblings. I had already started my financial planning career and was working at an employee benefits firm while earning my Industrial Engineering degree at Georgia Tech.

After a discovering a critical error was made by an HR employee responsible for releasing death benefits, I found myself in a battle to make things right.

This series of events inspired me to create a financial planning firm for everyday people to access so that they can be empowered and confident to navigate any financial situation.

My Dad was a beloved minister serving small churches and congregations in rural areas. 

Growing up, he was my hero.

All the people we grew up around were regular people. It is this strong sense of community and commitment to helping other people that drives me to make a positive difference in other people's lives.

The people I grew up around didn't have access to financial experts. So I decided to bring Wall Street to Main Street and make sure that no matter where you are or where you come from that you can secure your financial future with confidence.

Stats

• Georgia Institute of Technology – Bachelor of Industrial Engineering
• Certified Financial Planner™
• CNBC - Financial Advisor Council 2019-Present
• Investopedia - 100 Most Influential Financial Advisors 2020-2021
• Clark Atlanta University - Chair of the Financial Planning Program Advisory Board 2014-Present
• Georgia Tech Alumni Association - Board of Trustees 2016-2019
• Georgia Tech Black Alumni Organization - Board of Directors 2013-2015
• Financial Planning Association Georgia - Board of Directors (President 2008) 2005-2009
• Financial Planning Association National - Board of Directors 2008 - 2010
• Antioch Baptist Church North – Trustee Chair 2010 - 2021
• Atlanta Magazine - Top Wealth Manager 2014-2023
• Atlanta Business League - Men of Distinction 2016
• Financial Planning Association Georgia - Honors Award 2016
• AARP Georgia - President 2016-2022

Hi, I’m Bill. I am a Non-Executive Chair of Claris Financial Advisors.

Mr. Clement was the former President & CEO of Atlanta Life Insurance Company, a company founded in 1905 by Alonzo Franklin Herndon, an ex-slave. 

Mr. Clement is the co-founder and former Chairman & CEO of DOBBS, RAM & Company, a FinTech company, for 27 years. Among its many customers, the Company was engaged as a subcontractor by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to develop and maintain the IRS "E-Filing" system, the national system used to electronically receive federal/state income tax returns. 

Bill is the former Vice President and Senior Credit Officer of Citizens Trust Bank where he briefly served as the bank’s Chief Operating Officer. He began his banking career as a credit analyst for NCNB Corporation (predecessor to Bank of America) and was a Presidential appointee to the Board of Directors of the National Cooperative Bank, Washington, D.C. 

 Mr. Clement is a former member of the Board of Directors of Radiant Systems, Inc. [NASDAQ: RADS]; TRX, Inc. [NASDAQ: TRXI]. He serves on the Board of Directors of BP Asset Group, Inc. and Certified True, Inc. Bill is the former Non-Executive Chairman of 3 multi-line insurance agencies, including The Clement Insurance Group, Inc. Under NASDAQ listing guidelines, Bill has been designated as an “Audit Committee Financial Expert.”

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Bill received his BA from Morehouse College and his MBA from the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania. He studied Computer science at the University of Michigan. As a member of the Society of International Business Fellows, he studied at the London School of Economics. Mr. Clement earned the CLU [Chartered Life Underwriter] designation.

Hi, I’m Nakisha. I am the Office Manager at Claris Financial Advisors.

Coming from a career background in real estate, I have worked as an Executive Assistant in wealth management since 2008, supporting the President and owner. 

I started as a part time assistant and never looked back.

The experiences that I have had in life give me an empathetic understanding of our new and current clients' life situations and financial concerns. 

I love the interaction with people and I enjoy helping them navigate the journey of financial planning.

I look forward to helping others bring their financial dreams to reality.

I love cooking, interior design and decor, traveling, and trying new restaurants. I am married to an Arson Investigator and we have three daughters.