Charleston Investment Advisors, LLC is a registered investment advisor offering a unique approach to investing for high net worth individuals, their families and businesses.
The firm has a proud history of providing personalized, independent financial advice and guidance to its clients.
Stephanie W. Mackara, JD
Stephanie has two decades of experience in financial services and investment management.
After beginning her career at Merrill Lynch in the Philadelphia area, Stephanie joined Lockwood Advisors, an independent registered investment advisory firm focused on delivering institutional quality asset management solutions to high net worth clients. Stephanie spent over 14 years with Lockwood as an associate partner and member of the executive committee. In 2011 Stephanie and 3 of her colleagues started their own investment management firm, Palladiem LLC, providing risk managed portfolios and investment expertise to independent advisors and broker dealers across the country.
Stephanie has a professional background in financial services and an academic background in both Psychology and Law. Stephanie holds a degree in Psychology from West Chester University, in Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctorate from Widener Law School, in Wilmington DE.
Stephanie lives with her husband Bernie and son Jacob on Daniel Island, SC where she is actively involved with the community. Stephanie is chair of the School Improvement Council, a member of Women’s Island Network and volunteers with the March of Dimes, Low Country chapter. She enjoys traveling, running, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Erica R. Smith, CFP®
Erica works with the Charleston Investment Advisors, LLC team to create financial plans, including budgets, college funding, retirement, savings, comprehensive financial plans that fit within clients specific goals, timelines, and financial restrictions. She also manages the day-to-day needs of the office.
In addition, Erica assists with the College Transition Connection (CTC), a non-profit organization founded to assist young adults with intellectual disabilities to go college and collaborated on “LIFE Learning Is For Everyone,” a book which highlights how and why CTC was established
Erica has a B.S. in Business Administration (with an emphasis on Marketing and Management) from the University of South Carolina and graduated phi beta kappa. She lives in Mt. Pleasant, SC, and in her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, antiquing and interior design/DIY.