Andrea B. Darden, AAMS

President and CEO

Andrea has been doing financial management for most of her life. She started in the field by providing investment reports for her family at the age of 12. In college, she sold oil and gas contracts. After graduating from college, she was the securities coordinator nationally for Capital Resource Group out of Orlando Florida. Andrea came back to Michigan for a position with Charles Schwab as a Vice President and Financial Consultant. At the age of 28, she left Charles Schwab to become an independent advisor. She was ready to change the industry. She did not like what she saw in the big companies and believed her clients deserved better. By the age of 32, she was a partner with Chisholm & Dames Investment Advisors, later Chisholm & Darden Investment Advisors and now C&D Wealth Advisors. At the age of 39, Andrea founded Darden Wealth Group.

Currently, Andrea oversees all firm activities and strategies and is responsible for all the wealth and financial plans for the firm’s clients.

Previously in her spare time, Andrea was a lecturer of Financial Planning at Olivet College teaching many of the CFP® or Certified Financial Planning courses. Andrea holds the AAMS (Accredited Asset Management Certification). She went to Stetson University on a basketball scholarship, later winning two National Championships as a semi-pro basketball player. She has a passion for helping businesses and families reach their financial goals.

Andrea enjoys giving financial workshops and lectures at the University of Michigan as part of her dedication to financial education for all.

Her investment philosophy in a few words: The key to financial success is more than just an investment allocation. It is about planning and controlling risk.

Her market beliefs: Markets can be irrational longer than we have money. For some people, preserving capital is the best investment plan.

Her favorite market book: Irrational Exuberance by Robert Shiller

Her favorite book: Lexus and the Olive Tree by Thomas Freedman

Her personal mantra: Live with passion.

Andrea is married to Prof. Marcus Darden who teaches Computer Science at the University of Michigan. They have two children, Catherine, and Marcus, Jr. In Prof. Darden’s spare time you can find him playing saxophone with the band, Global Village, who has opened for such big names as Smokey Robinson, Journey, SmashMouth, and more.