ABOUT
Our mission is to empower families to plan for their loved ones with disabilities by creating and preserving choices.
We are proud to be committed to:
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Innovation and forward-thinking solutions.
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Diversity and inclusion of individuals, regardless of race, ability, orientation, gender, or socioeconomic status.
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Ethical decision making above all is at the center of who we are and what we do. Objectivity and fairness are daily principles we apply in our practice.
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Accountability in both good and bad situations. We expect a level of self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth from members of our team.
Innovation
Inclusion
Ethics
Accountability
WHO WE ARE
We are professionals, parents, siblings, and advocates for those with disabilities. When you call our office, you are speaking to someone on the other end of the phone who ‘gets it.’
WHY WE ARE DIFFERENT
With headquarters in downtown Rochester, NY we have proudly assisted over 450 families across New York State, in developing sustainable life care plans for their loved ones.
We are one of the only organizations in New York State that bridge the private sector and nonprofit worlds to create long-term solutions for individuals with disabilities.
Our specialty is in working with families who have loved ones in New York State that need comprehensive planning solutions. We take our clients through a thoughtful, personalized process to create and preserve options for the future.
TEAM
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James Traylor
Co-Founder & Senior Consultant
James is a dedicated professional, advocate, and sibling who has made it his life's work to create the premier organization for families planning for a loved one with a disability.
As a nationally recognized speaker, he regularly provides continuing education for legal, financial, and tax professionals on disability planning. He has held prominent leadership positions such as Immediate Past Chair for the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, the former secretary of the board of directors for the ARC of Monroe County, and a board member of the Estate Planning Council of Rochester, James has also been recognized for his accomplishments, receiving awards such as Rochester Business Journal's 40 Under 40 and Investment News magazine's Top Investment Advisors Under 40. He has been featured in Forbes (online), InvestmentNews and in the 2023 documentary, 'The Path Forward: Remembering Willowbrook.' James holds professional designations including Chartered Special Needs Consultant, Chartered Life Underwriter, and Chartered Financial Consultant.
In his free time, James enjoys playing squash, traveling, cooking, and spending time with his wife and sons.
Nicole VanGorder
Chief Operating Officer & VP of Client Relations
As Chief Operating Officer & VP of Client Relations, Nicole oversees all day-to-day operations and new client engagements for Rivent Partners. A native of Buffalo, Nicole came to Rochester, NY to attend St. John Fisher University. Nicole has been in the financial industry for over a decade and has a background in sales, recruitment, and management.
Outside of work commitments, Nicole is involved in her community. She has served on numerous boards and currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for WXXI Public Media & the Little Theatre, the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Greater Rochester and is a member of the Museum Special Collections Committee for the Rochester Museum & Science Center. Additionally, she oversees a social meet-up group she created to connect young adults with disabilities in the community called The Social Exchange. In her spare time, Nicole is a trained doula and birth coach. When she is not at a birth or board meeting, she can typically be found running after her two young children!
Nicole has been featured in the Money section of US News & World Reports, Financial Advisor Magazine (online), PBS documentary 'A Good LIfe' (2022), the Rochester Business Journal, and the Democrat & Chronicle. She is a 2014 Rochester Business Journal 40 Under 40 recipient and the recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Volunteer Service Award for her work with the Mental Health Association. In 2020, Nicole was honored by the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce as the 2020 IGNITE Future Leaders Award winner.
Erika Sollie
Director of Consulting Services
Erika comes to Rivent with over 25 years of administrative experience having served as the Executive Assistant to the President at both non-profit and for-profit organizations. Erika has personal experience with navigating the various systems and services that are available to many of Rivent’s disability planning clients as she, herself, is a mom to a daughter with developmental delays and has had to navigate the system herself. As Director of Consulting Services, she strives to provide exceptional and timely client service as the primary consulting relationship manager.
Erika lives in Spencerport with her oldest daughter. Her youngest daughter graduated from college and was recently married. Erika is happy to welcome her new son-in-law into the family!
Andrea Emerson
Benefits Specialist
Shlynn Hodkinson
Benefits Specialist