wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season
As the year winds down, I just want to say how grateful I am to our clients for their continued confidence in us. It means a great deal to our entire team, and we take that responsibility seriously every single day.
This has been a meaningful year for us at Raffa, both in the work we do and in the lives of the people who support that work. The year began with Ryan getting married and now ends with the arrival of his daughter, Chandler. Matt O’Lone recently got engaged. Joe Guest somehow managed a double move, settling his parents into a home that better suits their needs while also moving his young family into a community he is excited about. These moments remind us how fortunate we are to work alongside people who care deeply about their families, their clients, and their work.
We also welcomed a new colleague, Lauren, who joined us recently as our Senior Marketing Manager. She is helping us share who we are and the work we do in a way that reflects our commitment to excellence, education, and the well-being of the people we serve. We are excited to have her on the team and grateful for the energy and thoughtfulness she brings.
Most importantly, it has been a good year because it has been a good year for our clients. Seeing our clients make progress toward their goals and missions is what gives our work its purpose, and we are proud to support every client however we can.
I hope the close of the year brings you a sense of peace and that your reflections on 2025 are positive and encouraging. We look forward to working with you in the new year.
Warmly,
Dennis Gogarty, CFP®, AIF® | President
raffa team's 2025 highlights and plans for 2026
Dennis Gogarty
As much as I love my family, and I do love them dearly, my 2025 highlight may have been spending time this fall solo-hiking in the NH White Mountains! Personally in 2026 I’m looking forward to my oldest daughter’s graduation from Northeastern University. I can’t believe how quickly the last 4 years have passed, and I’m beyond excited to see what her next chapter has in store. Professionally in 2026, I’m looking forward to the continued development, both professionally and personally, of our outstanding staff. One of our core values is the wellbeing of our staff, and it’s a privilege to support them as they pursue their best lives!
Mark Murphy
A highlight from the past year was going with my family to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Las Vegas over Spring Break. Lots of great experiences outdoors and indoors! In 2026 I’m looking forward to going skiing at Whistler in British Columbia. It’s been a bucket list mountain to ski so I’m excited to be able to take the whole family.
Ryan Frydenlund
My year ended with a big highlight as my wife and I welcomed our first baby girl into the world. Chandler Jane Frydenlund was born on November 6th, 2025 weighing in at 8 pounds, 2.5 oz. We’ve been lucky to have both sets of grandparents visit already and have been cherishing our time together (although our golden retriever, Dewey, is upset about no longer being the #1 child). We have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season! I have a full camera roll of baby photos, so please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Joe Guest
2025 brought so many wonderful moments for the Guest family. We kicked things off with a magical trip to Disney World. Allie shined at her first gymnastics competition, placing 4th, and Joey made us proud by earning the Defensive MVP award for his football team. Our biggest milestone of all was purchasing a new home and settling into an amazing, welcoming neighborhood. As we head into 2026, we’re excited to begin this next chapter and grateful for all the blessings this year has brought.
Matt O'Lone
My highlight for 2025 is of course getting engaged to my fiancé while we were vacationing in Hawaii! In 2026, I’m looking forward to a golf trip to Ireland with my dad and brother, and while I am looking forward to getting married, I am not looking forward to figuring out how to plan a wedding!
Samantha Pnazek
I’ve had a relatively low-key year, but one I’m truly grateful for. I’ve focused on being intentional with family life and finding a good rhythm at home. We recently enjoyed a short trip to Chattanooga, TN, which was a fun family getaway. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue building family traditions, growing in my faith, and maintaining a balanced life.
Michelle Heery
2025 was full of great memories with family, friends, and my dog. I took a few fun trips, but my highlight was winning Eagles playoff tickets and getting to bring my brother along. Looking ahead to the new year, I’m excited for our annual family vacation, a few more trips with friends, and taking my licensing exam!
Lauren Kidwell
My 2025 highlights include spending our first full year in our new home with my husband and dog, a family beach trip to Surf City, NC, fun fall activities with visiting family, and, of course, joining the Raffa team! Looking into 2026, I'm excited to plan a trip somewhere new, knock out a few home renovation projects, and fully dive into Raffa's marketing efforts!