Our Team

Laurie Schoen

Laurie Schoen
Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 Registered
New York State Insurance License: Life, Accident & Health

Laurie is one of the co-founders of Paradigm Consulting Inc., and in this role, she sets the vision of the company and implements the processes that are in place for both individual investment clients as well as company retirement plans.

At the very beginning of her career, she immediately secured a job in finance, her area of study in college, working for a very successful boutique investment advisory firm that specialized in Taft-Hartley Defined Benefit Retirement Plans. This is where the culture of Paradigm started, learning that the key to having a successful investment business is to have a well-defined client/company analysis, implement comprehensive strategies around the needs of the client/company, and following-up on a regular basis with an easy to understand communication process that is documented. These are the basic principles that have cultivated the long lasting client relationships found at Paradigm Consulting Inc.

After 30 years in this business, she still loves going to work each day and always looks forward to client interactions and the continuation of building a first-class team to help achieve successful outcomes for both individuals as well as the corporate retirement plans that she serves.

Laurie is very involved in the community in which she lives serving on finance committees and fund raising boards for non for profit entities. In addition to her career, Laurie enjoys golfing, boating, skiing, and travel.

The Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® (AIF^®) designation has been the mark of commitment to a standard of investment fiduciary excellence. Those who earn the AIF^® mark successfully complete a specialized program on investment fiduciary standards of care and subsequently passed a comprehensive examination. Holders of the AIF^® designation must complete a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education each year.

Amy Mielnicki

Series6, 7, 63, and 65 Registered
New York State Insurance License: Life, Accident & Health

Amy is one of the co-founders of Paradigm Consulting, Inc. Her main focus is on investment management for individuals and organizations, and retirement plans for large and small businesses.

She credits her success to the solid foundation she received from her first employer, an investment advisor for retirement plans, who included her in every aspect of the business. This was the stepping stone to the investment process that she follows for her clients today.

She feels very fortunate to be able to say that she truly enjoys her job. The passion she has for her work and clients, helps create positive long-term relationships that span more than 20 years – with some clients spanning three generations. She works tirelessly to learn about her client’s goals, priorities, and concerns, and works with them to build a financial plan based on their needs.

In addition to her active work life, she is very involved in the community. She serves on many fundraising boards and was twice named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Utica Rotary.

Amy enjoys traveling, golf, and attending sporting and cultural events.

The Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® (AIF^®) designation has been the mark of commitment to a standard of investment fiduciary excellence. Those who earn the AIF^® mark successfully complete a specialized program on investment fiduciary standards of care and subsequently passed a comprehensive examination. Holders of the AIF^® designation must complete a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education each year.

Sarah Militano

Series 7 and 66
New York State Insurance License: Life, Accident & Health

Sarah joined Paradigm Consulting, Inc. in 2012. She is a dedicated professional within the qualified retirement industry for any size businesses. Sarah also provided investment management for individuals and organizations.

Fiduciary care is an integral part of her practice. Sarah holistically reviews a client’s goal, priorities and concerns to develop a customized plan to meet with their needs while putting the client’s interest first. Sarah uploads her fiduciary responsibilities through her Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF^®) designation.

Community involvement has always been part of Sarah’s life. She serves on fundraising committees as well as a member of the Hamilton College Alumni Association and United Way’s Emerging Leaders Connect Committee.

Sarah enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking as well as health and fitness.

The Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® (AIF^®) designation has been the mark of commitment to a standard of investment fiduciary excellence. Those who earn the AIF^® mark successfully complete a specialized program on investment fiduciary standards of care and subsequently passed a comprehensive examination. Holders of the AIF^® designation must complete a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education each year.

Rhianna Arcuri

Series: 7 and 66
New York State Insurance License: Life, Accident & Health

Rhianna entered the financial industry and joined Paradigm Consulting, Inc. in 2014. Her primary responsibilities include facilitating the daily operations of employer-sponsored retirement plans in addition to attending to the needs of plan sponsors and participants. Rhianna earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, with a minor in Risk Management and Insurance, from Utica College of Syracuse University.

As a designee of the Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® (AIF^®), Rhianna acts in accordance with a higher standard of care to implement policies and procedures in not only her practices, but also applies best practices for corporate retirement plans. The designation is a symbol of specialized knowledge of fiduciary responsibility within the financial services.

In addition to her role at Paradigm Consulting, Rhianna is a part-time dance teacher at Mary Lourdes Academy of Dance. She was also a member of the Utica Comets dance team for three years. She enjoys traveling, especially to the beach and ocean, and she loves to read.

The Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® (AIF^®) designation has been the mark of commitment to a standard of investment fiduciary excellence. Those who earn the AIF® mark successfully complete a specialized program on investment fiduciary standards of care and subsequently passed a comprehensive examination. Holders of the AIF^® designation must complete a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education each year.

Patricia Anderson

Series 6 & 63; Notary Public

Patti has over 25 years of experience in the financial industry. She is responsible for dealing with the daily activity of client accounts. Some of her responsibilities include, but are not limited to, opening accounts, trading mutual funds and handling client requests. She currently serves as the secretary of the board for Hope House in Utica where she also volunteers to cook and serve meals.

Patti enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Aliyah Thompson

Aliyah is a new addition to the team as of November 2020 but has background in the financial industry. She majored in Accounting and Finance and is still continuing her studies, as well as her Series 6 and 7. Her primary responsibility is the daily activity of client accounts. Some of her other responsibilities include, but are not limited to, opening accounts, attending to the needs of retirement plan participants, and handling client requests.

In Aliyah’s free time she enjoys reading, traveling, and painting.

Timothy Schoen

Tim joined the Paradigm Team in 2011. He is responsible for the basic accounting functions of the firm including but not limited to accounts payable, accounts receivable, banking, and payroll. He also helps with back office support.

Tim enjoys working with the rest of the Paradigm team and the family like atmosphere created in the office.

He is active in the community volunteering for the past 12 years as a youth lacrosse coach in the Tri-City Lacrosse league. He enjoys golfing, fishing, music and spending time with family and friends. He also co-owns the cabin colony Fish Creek Cabin Resort with his father.