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Ridgeback Comprehensive Approach to Financial Planning

Worried about making it to your financial destination without falling off a cliff?

When you work with Ridgeback Capital Management, you can expect us to focus on more than just the numbers. As comprehensive financial planners, we take an integrated approach to your finances and examine all areas of your financial life and how they work together.


Organization

Accountability
Objectivity

Proactivity
Education

Partnership



Get Started on Your Journey To Peak Performance

Ridgeback Capital Management offers you a free consultation, where we will hear about your life goals, and explore a supportive partnership. These conversations can help ease the worry about potentially outliving your money. In addition, you will likely experience a sense of relief – and accomplishment --when you can view a simplified snapshot of your personal wealth scenario summarized on one page.


SCHEDULE A Free Consultation

Ridgeback Team


Michael C. Kuznicki  Photo
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Michael C. Kuznicki

Founder & President

Yvonne Chen

Michael C. Kuznicki

Founder & President

mkuznicki@ridgebackcm.com


Michael C. Kuznicki has been providing solutions to financial challenges as both a corporate manager and an entrepreneur for over 30 years. His years spent in corporate accounting, tax, and corporate finance, allowing him to advise from a broad base of knowledge in the areas of:

  • Debt & Equity Project Finance
  • Investment Portfolio Management
  • Strategic Tax Reduction & Planning
  • Family Wealth Planning
  • Retirement Preparation
  • Risk Management & Employee Benefit Plan Evaluation

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Indiana University

Certifications: Certified Public Accountant in Texas.

Professional Associations:

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, Houston Chapter.

The AICPA awarded him the credential of Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) which is the financial planning specialty accreditation held exclusively by CPAs who are members of the AICPA.

Family: Michael and his wife, Kathleen, enjoy gardening, photography, traveling/camping, and community volunteer work. They have three adult daughters, Jennifer, Lee, and Lauren, and several grandchildren.

Community: In support of the mentoring mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston, Michael is a former big brother and former two-term member of its Board. He is a Session member at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church where he chairs the Financial Committee, and also serves on the Board of The Retirement Community.

Best advice ever received: Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends and pursue your passion and the money will follow.

Rachel Steward Photo
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Rachel Steward

Wealth Management Associate

Lois M. Dzik

Rachel Steward

wealth management Associate 

rsteward@ridgebackcm.com


With eight years of dedicated experience, Rachel Steward has cultivated a profound expertise in client services. A native Southeast Texan, she has a deep-rooted connection to our community and a sincere passion for delivering exceptional care and professionalism to her clients.

Family: Beyond her professional life, Rachel embraces a range of hobbies that showcase her creativity and sense of adventure. She is an avid crocheter, Cajun cook, and cat mom. She also enjoys immersing herself in the vibrant cityscape and exploring the great outdoors, constantly seeking new adventures and experiences.


Best advice I’ve ever received? Perception is reality.
Yvonne Chen Photo
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Yvonne Chen

Financial Planning Analyst

Yvonne Chen

Yvonne Chen

Financial Planning Analyst

YChen@ridgebackcm.com


Ridgeback is fortunate to have the expertise of CPA Yvonne Chen on our team. Her financial planning analysis services are an added bonus to our clients. Her areas of expertise are:

  • Tax Return Preparation
  • Financial Data Analysis

She loves formulas and Excel spreadsheets and is committed to continuously learning and staying abreast of developments in her field. 

Education: Yvonne has a master’s degree in Information Technology from the University of North Texas and completed accounting and business core courses at the University of Houston before her career in public accounting.

Certifications: Certified Public Accountant in Texas.

Personal: Her husband Sean Hou loves to play tennis. Her parents and one sister live in Canada and her other sister, a tax accountant, lives here in Houston.

Community Involvement: She provides accounting services to Houston Children’s Charity, (add mission)

Best advice ever recieved: Haste makes waste.
Marisa Ponti Photo
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Marisa Ponti

Wealth Management Associate


Marisa Ponti

Wealth Management Associate

mponti@ridgebackcm.com


Marisa brings more than 20 years of leadership experience working as an executive and in marketing and business operations. She joined the firm in 2022.

Education: Marisa holds a master's degree from the University of Houston and a bachelor's degree from the University of St. Thomas. In 2009, the Hispanic Women in Leadership-Houston women's advocacy organization recognized Marisa as one of Houston's 100 Outstanding Hispanic Community Leaders.

Certifications: Currently completing the Series 65 certification.

Personal: Born and raised in Mexico City, Marisa is bilingual. She has a sibling in Austin and her parents live here in Houston. She is married to a Steelers fan with a great sense of humor and a love of all sports. From an Italian heritage, she enjoys traveling to Mexico and Italy to visit family.

Community Involvement: Member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish and has been involved with several local social service non-profits throughout her career.

Best advice ever received: Patience, patience, patience.


Lexie Ridgeback Photo
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Lexie Ridgeback

Chief Morale Officer

Lexie Ridgeback

Lexie Ridgeback

Chief Morale Officer


Meet Lexie, one of Ridgeback’s most fetching staff members who works (ca)nine-to-five behind the scenes being paws-itively energetic and supportive in any way. As one of the inspirations behind the firm’s name, she enjoys being part of our trademark and knows that pursuing peak financial performance is something to wag about.