Platinum Wealth Management of Buckhead

Platinum Wealth Management of Buckhead is far more than a typical financial advisory firm. As a valued family advisor, it guides clients through life’s pivotal financial milestones with a compassionate approach to help them pursue their goals.

For owners Gena A. Barbato and Beth Woodward, it is more than about managing finances; it’s about ensuring the financial and emotional well-being of every individual they serve.

Platinum Wealth Management is one of the few women-owned firms in the industry, with the founders each bringing over 30 years of experience. Frustrated by the industry’s focus on only high-net-worth clients, Barbato and Woodward created a practice that offers personalized attention to all clients, regardless of their financial standing. Their goal is to provide everyone with the opportunity to build wealth and secure their financial future.

“Wealth management should not be exclusive; it should be personal, supportive and accessible,” says Barbato, Managing Director.

Whether creating generational wealth, planning for retirement or navigating the complexities of estate planning, the firm has earned a stellar reputation for providing personalized strategies. Unlike firms offering one-size-fits-all solutions, they carefully tailor strategies to each client’s distinctive circumstances, values and aspirations. This approach ensures that financial strategies evolve as clients' needs change. A commitment to building long-term, meaningful relationships with clients with a goal of cultivating trust, loyalty and bonds that have spanned generations.

The firm’s emphasis on building relationships aligns naturally with its women-owned leadership. Women, by nature, tend to be more focused on relationships and details—two key elements critical for successful investing. Barbato and Woodward have built a firm that places these attributes at the forefront of their services, understanding that clients value these qualities in financial decision-making.

Crafting Personalized Financial Blueprints

Platinum Wealth Management’s personalized care includes demystifying financial concepts by using plain language, ensuring clients fully understand their investment options.

“We empower our clients by simplifying complex financial ideas,” says Woodward, Senior Director.

Even when clients place their full trust in the firm, the team insists on explaining the reasoning behind every decision. This ensures that clients remain engaged and confident in their financial journey.

Platinum’s approach is highly tailored to each client’s distinctive needs and preferences. Some prefer quarterly reviews, others opt for monthly check-ins, and a few connect daily. Regardless of the frequency, it fosters open communication, encouraging clients to reach out whenever life changes occur—key moments that often require financial adjustments. This flexibility ensures that clients' evolving needs are at the center of every decision.

Retirement planning is one of Platinum’s greatest strengths. While many clients are financially prepared to retire, few have considered how they will spend their time. Whether they dream of a quiet life in the countryside, traveling the world, or spending more time with family, Platinum helps align these aspirations with financial realities.

The team asks meaningful questions about how clients envision their ideal day, month, or year in retirement—from hobbies to healthcare needs. This holistic approach transforms retirement planning into a deeply personal experience, giving clients confidence that their retirement years will align with their values and desires.

Platinum was once approached by a client who dreamed of purchasing a second home in Mexico for his retirement but thought it was out of reach. Through careful planning, guidance and support, the team turned his dream into a reality, proving that its approach is more than just managing money—it’s about empowering clients to live their best lives.

The team also understands that financial planning isn’t just about optimizing returns; it’s also about helping clients find confidence in their retirement.

In one instance, a client reached out, stressed and losing sleep over whether to withdraw from his retirement account to pay off his mortgage. While this wasn’t the most financially optimal move, it wouldn’t significantly impact his portfolio either. Balancing what is financially sound with what brings psychological comfort, Platinum helped this client make a decision that supported both.

Working Toward Securing Legacies, Protecting Futures

Just as Platinum takes a holistic approach to retirement planning, it also offers comprehensive support in estate planning, ensuring that every detail of a client’s legacy aligns with their wishes. While not a legal advisory firm, it helps clients navigate the complexities of estate planning, guiding them in shaping their goals and work toward preserving their legacies with clarity and confidence.

The team works closely with clients to help articulate their intentions, enabling them to later review and discuss these details with their attorneys. In one instance, a client requested a review of his newly formed trust. After a thorough evaluation, the team realized that the trust’s terms did not fully align with the client’s wishes. The team referred him to another attorney for a second opinion, which led the client to abandon the original trust and create a new one that better suited his needs.

“We take great pride in providing our clients with the best network of professionals to help with all aspects of their financial security, not just stocks and bonds,” says Barbato.

Another noteworthy case involved an elderly client who expressed concerns about leaving her assets to her two adult children, particularly given the controlling nature of one child’s spouse. The client feared that, upon her passing, the spouse might take control of the inheritance.

To avoid showing favoritism while protecting her child, the team suggested that she write a letter to be delivered upon her death, explaining her decision to place one child’s inheritance in a trust. The letter reassured the child that the move was not a reflection of mistrust but a safeguard to ensure their financial autonomy. After the client passed, both children expressed their deep gratitude for the suggestion, which brought them peace and understanding during a challenging time. They requested that Platinum continue as their advisors and have since referred many extended family members to the practice.

Comprehensive Financial Solutions for Short- and Long-Term Goals

Platinum’s client-first approach isn’t limited to long-term planning; it extends into creative, short-term solutions that aim to protect clients’ broader financial goals. A prime example is using your securities for a security backed line of credit. In cases where clients need quick access to funds—often for real estate transactions—they can use their investment accounts as collateral for a variable or fixed line of credit. These risks include the potential impact of a market downturn, the potential tax implications for liquidating pledged securities, and the potential impact of an increase in interest rates. This strategy allows clients to meet short-term funding needs without realizing capital gains or dismantling well-constructed portfolios.

Platinum Wealth Management also guides clients through charitable endeavors. It has helped numerous clients explore opportunities to donate appreciated securities to established charities or charitable remainder trusts, offering tax-efficient ways to support causes they care about. The team also educates clients on gifting from IRAs, which can satisfy the required minimum distributions while reducing taxable income.

“Our role is not just to work toward growing portfolios, it’s about ensuring that financial decisions support clients’ values, their families, and the causes that matter most to them,” says Woodward.

Building a Dynamic Team and Expanding Horizons

As Platinum Wealth Management continues to serve clients across generations, its strength lies not only in the range of services it offers but also in the expertise of its dynamic team. Barbato and Woodward, who have worked together for more than two decades, lead a team that embodies the firm’s values of stability, empathy and consistency. Their leadership has only grown stronger over time, setting the tone for the entire team.

Platinum takes pride in investing in the growth and development of its employees. Every summer, the firm hires college interns as part of its commitment to fostering new talent. This tradition has been in place for so long that, recently, the firm hired the stepson of an intern from 25 years ago—a reflection of lasting impact.

Key team members, like Daniel Kundla, CFP^®, Senior Vice President of Investments, and Ellie Camp, Director of Marketing and Media, started their careers as interns and have since risen through the ranks. Kundla’s expertise in Financial Goal Analysis and advanced trading brings added value to the clients, while Camp’s innovative marketing strategies keep the firm’s presence strong in the community.

A commitment to community engagement is another core pillar of Platinum’s success. The firm actively supports causes like Daughters Against Alzheimer’s, a charity of personal significance for the founders. This dedication to giving back mirrors the firm’s work with clients, many of whom have sought guidance in developing charitable giving strategies that honor their loved ones.

Looking to the future, Platinum Wealth Management is poised for growth. It plans to open a second office to expand its regional presence, and is exploring strategic partnerships with CPAs and attorneys to provide even more holistic support to its clients.

Aligning financial decisions with personal values, Platinum Wealth Management continues to bring confidence and fulfillment to every client it serves. With its focus on long-term relationships, empathy and thoughtful financial solutions, it remains a valued partner for generations.

These are hypothetical situations based on real life examples. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investments or strategies may be appropriate for you, consult your advisor prior to investing.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.