Educated Wealth Strategies' mission is to deliver high quality, holistic financial advice to educators and their families.
We have worked with thousands of teachers and administrators from those beginning their careers to those in retirement.
We have tremendous experience working with people just like you.

"High quality financial advice for education professionals and their families. It's what we do and what makes us different."
Eric Nichols Founder & President
We know about the pension issues. We know about your benefits. We know about 403(b) and 457(b) and their unique aspects. We know about pay freezes, working without a contract, downsizing, and how busy you are.
We hold certifications and designations like CHFC®, CFP®, CLU®, RICP®, and CRPC®.
We have financial planning software that clearly shows where you are and where you need to be.--In real time, even on your mobile device!
We also have lots of experience helping the spouses and other family members of teachers with their financial needs, so no matter what your spouse does for a living, we've got it covered.
Thanks to technology, we can work with educators and their families in many states. We can meet virtually, and over the phone.
We believe that every relationship should start with a discussion about what you want to accomplish. What are your goals and dreams? What are the strengths and weaknesses in your plan? Not "How much per paycheck do you want to put into this 403(b)?"
About Us

Eric Nichols, CFP® , CHFC®, CLU®, RICP®, CRPC®
PresidentEric Nichols started his career in financial services after being recruited from Villanova University by Equitable Advisors in 2003. From the beginning, Eric focused his practice on the needs of educators and their families. Over the years Eric has advised well over a thousand teachers and administrators. Due to his holistic approach to financial advice, Eric works with the spouses and other family members of many of his clients as well. As a result he has also developed tremendous experience working with for those outside of the education arena such as corporate executives, business owners, attorneys, and physicians.
Eric has won numerous industry awards as a financial professional, and also in his previous position as Divisional Vice President of Equitable. Eric is recognized as one of the top financial advisors in the country.
He has spoken or presented at industry functions, and has presented countless times for school employees and administrators on various financial planning, investment and insurance related topics.
A lifelong student of his craft, Eric holds FINRA Series 7, 66, and 24 licenses and Life, Accident, and Health Insurance licenses. He is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional (CFP®), CHFC®, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®), and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®).
In 2012 Eric founded Educated Wealth Strategies. The firm was created with a clear mission--to provide high end, comprehensive financial services to teachers and administrators and their families across the country.
In an effort to provide an educational resource for teachers nationwide, Eric wrote and published the book “Financial Planning for Teachers” in 2016. The book was created to give all teachers a high level overview of how to create a financial plan and how to prepare for the financial issues that they may face throughout their lives.
Eric lives in the greater Philadelphia area with his wife and three sons. He enjoys outdoor sports and spending time with family and friends.
CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Dylan Stroup, CFP®, ChFC®
Financial ConsultantDylan has practiced financial planning since 2010 when he was recruited to AXA, now Equitable Advisors, to work with educators. In 2015, he joined Educated Wealth Strategies, a specialized group within Equitable, where he set out on a mission, to raise the standard of financial advice to public school employees, and their families. As Dylan’s practice grew, he found himself referred to professionals, and business owners in other occupations, as well as families looking for financial guidance. Today, Dylan continues his mission by helping his clients use holistic financial strategies to grow, preserve, and transfer wealth for retirement, business, family, and charity.
He prides himself on having a high degree of empathy. He uses this skill to create a transparent planning process, and to tailor financial strategies for his clients. Along with the proper analysis, and diligence, Dylan will help you sort through financial considerations pertinent to your situation and make a plan. His promise is to work alongside you with integrity, reliability and a high degree of expertise. As a CFP® certificant Dylan has an obligation to work in your best interest, he's confident you'll understand his passion is to help you live life as you intend.
Dylan has completed a number rigorous educational programs earning him the following professional designations and licenses. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional (CFP®), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®).
Retirement Planning Specialist – A Retirement Certificate awarded by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Retirement Benefits Specialist of Tax-Sheltered Plans, Series 7, 66, Life Accident and Health, Dylan continues his education adding to his certifications regularly.
Originally from Connecticut Dylan resides in the Lehigh Valley with his wife. In his free time Dylan enjoys the outdoors, practicing drums, self-improvement, and helping others. He serves on the board of Kenyan Health Care Initiatives Inc. - A 501(c)3 devoted to developing primary health care infrastructure and educational programs for over 8,000 people in central Kenya, Africa, and is a graduate of Moravian University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Financial Economics.
CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Ashley Siedt
Financial ConsultantAshley Siedt started her career in the financial services industry in 2011 as a field development specialist while working on a M. Ed at DeSales' University. She cut her studies short when she decided to follow in her father's and grandfather's footsteps and began developing her career as a financial professional.
Ashley is building her practice with the intent of helping educators, public servants, and their families. She firmly believes that those who dedicate their lives to bettering society deserve access to qualified, competent financial professionals.
Ashley holds Series 7 and Series 66 licenses alongside Life, Accident and Health insurance licenses. She is also currently pursuing her ChFC® designation.
She lives in the Lehigh Valley with her husband, Justin, and their daughter Madeline.

Michael E. Sawyer, ChFC®, CLU®
Financial ConsultantMike Sawyer graduated from the Central Pennsylvania Business College, started working in the financial industry in 1983 and has been in the business for over 30 years. Mike holds the designations ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant) and CLU® (Chartered Life Underwriter).
Over the years, Mike has advised thousands, including high net-worth individuals and small businesses, to accumulate and distribute wealth. His formula includes coordinating comprehensive financial planning with other professionals, such as attorneys and accountants.
Mike splits his time between our Bethlehem, PA and Ft Myers, FL offices. He enjoys travelling and golf. Mike and his wife Karen have two children and one grandchild.

Michael Mazzeo
Financial ConsultantMike is passionate about helping educators align their financial affairs, and personal goals. Using a consultative approach, he works closely with educators to understand the relationship between their pension plan and supplemental retirement benefits such as the 403(b) plan.
As part of Educated Wealth Strategies, he is part of a mission to raise the standard of financial advice to education professionals, and their families. Adopting the firm’s comprehensive approach, and ethical standards, Mike works intently with educators and their families to understand their needs, and desired to take advantage of relevant financial strategies that complement their pension and 403(b) plans.
Mike is a graduate of University of Delaware, and resides in Somerville, NJ. In his free time he enjoys a good steak, and all things sports.

Pam Boyer
Director Of Client ServicesPam Boyer, a graduate of Shippensburg University, previously worked at a local bank as Vice President of marketing for 12 years. After leaving to start a family she enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom to her twin boys. As they started school, Pam began working for Equitable Advisors as an administrative assistant in 2006. She joined the Educated Wealth Strategies team as Director of Client Services in September of 2012. Pam lives in Bethlehem, PA with her husband Brian and sons Adam and Sean.

Stephanie Romig Wahl
Administrative AssistantStephanie began her career as a legal secretary for Margolis, Duckworth & Funt in 1984 after earning an Associate's Degree in Legal Secretarial from Allentown Business School. She has since spent 11 years as a field office administrator for Novellus Systems where she was responsible for a wide variety of office duties, field support and marketing.
In 1998 Stephanie joined Equitable Advisors where she is currently employed as administrative assistant to Michael E. Sawyer. Stephanie lives in Bethlehem, PA with her husband Sam, and has two children Breanna and Matthew.

Shannon Arroyo
Client Operations and CommunicationShannon helps in the implementation process of your financial recommendations by providing a concierge level of service in the areas of account opening, account updates, and scheduling both existing and prospective client appointments. She closely coordinates the underwriting process of life insurance, the transfers of assets, and funding of accounts. She helps instill confidence in our clientele through her reassuring demeanor, integrity, and attention to detail.
Shannon is a graduate of Lehigh University, enjoys travel, creative projects with her son, and resides in Bethlehem, PA with her family.
Jim Frank, J.D., LL.M
Advanced PlanningFor over 20 years, Jim has helped individuals accumulate, manage and plan for the distribution of wealth. Jim has worked with clients and their legal and tax advisors to implement individual and business financial plans. He also has experience in the design and operation of qualified and non-qualified retirement plans. Jim received his B.S. from the Pennsylvania State University and his J.D. and LL.M from Temple University School of Law. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Philadelphia Estate Planning Council and The Financial Planning Association.
David D. Brain, MBA, CLU®, ChFC®
Advanced PlanningDavid has worked in the financial services field for over 20 years. His main focus is consulting on advanced cases. He has extensive experience working with business owners and helping families plan for the distribution of their estates. He also conducts numerous seminars for clients and associates. Previously, David worked in the Equitable Advisors’ Miami office and with Connecticut National Bank. He is a member, and volunteers on several committees for the Society of Financial Service Professionals.