We're passionate about one thing... Your success
Meet the Team
Pursuing your goals and managing your financial affairs doesn’t have to be complicated, not when you can count on a caring and experienced team to look out for you and your financial well-being. We believe our clients learn more about their investments in their first meeting with us than they ever knew – even after years of meeting with traditional financial advisors. Our team looks forward to building a loyal, longstanding relationship with you and applying our straightforward approach to shaping the future you envision.
WILL STONE, CFP®, Financial Advisor
In 2001, Will had been working for several years at Delta Air Lines, was married, and had a 1-year-old daughter. Having already begun saving and investing, Will realized that he needed to protect his growing family from financial risks such as death or disability. Unfortunately the investment and insurance professionals he talked to each had different perspectives on what to do.
At the same time, Will was taking “Introduction to Financial Planning” as an elective in his MBA program and realized that a financial planner, someone who could develop strategies to address the whole picture, was who he needed. Will felt called to be such a person for others and, in a life-defining move, he changed his career path.
In 2003, Will was fortunate to meet Phil McMullin, a financial advisor with Raymond James who wanted to assist clients in a similar manner. For 18 years they worked together and built a strong team designed to help clients who were in or near retirement plan and live out a meaningful life. Following Phil’s retirement in 2021, Will assumed leadership of On Purpose Financial Management, where the current team continues this work.
Will obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, one of the most respected industry credentials and the recognized standard of excellence in personal financial planning. CFP® professionals complete a rigorous and comprehensive program which covers financial planning, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management, and insurance planning.
Will’s goal is to help clients who are approaching retirement reach the point where going to work every day becomes optional, then help them make the emotional and financial transition into retirement by developing a personalized retirement income strategy. He has a natural ability to put people at ease and make them comfortable, taking the time to explain financial terms and concepts in a straightforward manner.
Will earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from Georgia State University, where he was named the 2003 Outstanding Personal Financial Planning Graduate Student, majoring in Personal Financial Planning with a concentration in Finance.
Will is originally from Martinsville, Virginia, and today lives in Fayetteville with his wife Rebecca. They have four daughters, ranging from high school to early career. Will and his family enjoy travelling to scenic and interesting places both within and outside the United States.
Will currently serves as Chair of the Board of Calvin Center and Southwest Christian Care. Will also previously served as Chair and board member for the Georgia Tech Christian Campus Fellowship as well as an elder at Fayette Presbyterian Church. In addition, he coached youth soccer for age 8-12 year old girls teams for many years in Fayette County, most recently with Peachtree City Lazers Soccer Club. Will and his family currently attend Southside Church.
Raymond James is not affiliated with the above organizations and/or charitable causes.
CHRISTAL WHITE-STEVENS, Financial Advisor
Christal grew up on a missionary book ship, traveling around the world and experiencing other cultures firsthand. As a result, she loves new adventures, meeting people from diverse backgrounds, and making meaningful connections.
Before joining our team in 2013, Christal had been a college financial aid counselor, lived in Japan for three years as an English teacher, managed commercial property in Atlanta, and run her own business. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Georgia State University.
Christal knew she wanted to work in a field where she could establish long-lasting relationships and help people pursue significant goals. She listens carefully and is attentive to the concerns people have when saving for retirement or college, paying down debt, and juggling life’s surprises. She genuinely cares about our clients and their families and takes great pride in delivering personalized service with warmth and efficiency.
Christal lives in Fayetteville with her family, who can most often be found around a table talking and laughing as they fill the air with hand gestures and questions. She is also an avid hiker who will eagerly throw on a backpack at dawn to set out in search of the next waterfall or challenging trail.
ALEX GARDENER, Associate Financial Planner
Alex started his career as a financial services representative for SunTrust in 2003. After working in retail banking for several years, he became a corporate trainer for a banking software company until the Great Recession eliminated his position. Thrust into financial uncertainty and without an income, he had to scramble to learn how to navigate his personal finances and eventually was able to able to pivot into a successful career as an independent contractor. His experience taught him the importance of having a strong financial plan and being financially prepared for the unexpected.
Since then, Alex has become a vocal advocate for financial planning and financial literacy. He authored a book on personal finance for young adults and regularly speaks to groups about gaining control of their financial future. He delights in setting clients up on a path to success so they can live their ideal life and do the things that they are passionate about- without worrying about their finances. He also enjoys building long-term relationships with his clients and being a trusted advisor they can rely on.
Alex graduated from the University of Georgia and earned his financial planning certificate from the Terry College of Business. As an Associate Financial Planner, Alex works with the advisory team throughout the financial planning process to help clients meet their personal and financial goals. He also offers ongoing operational support for the firm. Prior to joining On Purpose Financial, Alex worked as an investment advisor at Edelman Financial Engines, helping clients manage their 401(k) accounts and assisting them with their retirement planning and financial goals.
Born in Suffolk, Virginia, Alex grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee and initially attended college at the University of the South at Sewanee. He completed his education at the University of Georgia and moved to Atlanta, where he lives with his wife and his very energetic son. In his free time, Alex enjoys being outdoors, biking, and creative writing.
MELISSA HARVEY, Senior Client Service Associate
Melissa joined On Purpose Financial Management in 2016 and brings with her 8 years of financial and banking experience to the team. She is most likely the first person you will speak with when calling the office. She handles client administrative requests and making sure the office runs smoothly.
In her time before joining On Purpose Financial Management she found a passion for raising much needed funds for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and bringing awareness for Congenital Heart Defects. In 2011, she worked alongside state law makers and testified with her own experience, to propose legislation to study whether Georgia hospitals should be required to implement pulse oximetry testing that would detect congenital heart defects in newborns before leaving the hospital. Over the next 2 years, she continued to work with the GA Department of Public Health for newborn screenings and the Congenital Heart Public Health Consortium. With hard work and persistence, Georgia now implements newborn CCHD screening policies in every hospital.
Melissa is a native Georgian and lives in Newnan. She enjoys spending time with her family cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Falcons. She also continues her passion for raising awareness and advocating for those affected with Congenital Heart Defects.