Who We Are
Who We Are
Meet the Team
Ken and Scott specialize in piecing together retirement and wealth management solutions tailored to your unique needs, with a specialization in working with families with special needs. Both Ken and Scott hold both the Certified Financial Planner™ professional and Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®) designations.
Ken Prodger
CFP®, ChFC®, ChSNC® AIF®
Ken understands that parents of children with special needs often feel overwhelmed with therapy, IEPs, and countless other issues, leaving little time or energy to address financial concerns. That’s why Ken specializes in helping families plan for the future, including special needs trusts, life care planning, letters of intent, and how to obtain and preserve government benefits.
Ken knows that “typical” financial planning rules may not apply when it comes to special needs planning, which is why he provides guidance and support to help families navigate the financial puzzle. With Ken’s help, parents receive a written long-term comprehensive financial plan that provides a path to follow, ensuring that their child’s needs—and the money to pay for them—will continue for the child’s lifetime.
In addition to his professional expertise, Ken has personal experience with special needs planning—he has a son with special needs and is a past board chair of Parents Helping Parents (PHP), a non-profit organization that supports families and parents of children with special needs.
Scott Gill
Scott began his career in financial services in 2008 with MassMutual, where he developed a foundation in comprehensive planning and protection strategies. In 2010, he transitioned to Charles Schwab, where he worked closely with individuals and families to manage investments and build retirement strategies. In 2019, he joined Special Needs Planning Group, bringing his experience into a firm focused on helping families navigate complex planning decisions — particularly those involving retirement, multigenerational wealth, and lifelong support for individuals with disabilities.
Over the years, Scott has helped guide individuals and families through some of life’s most critical financial events. His approach is relationship-based, focused on simplifying complexity and providing personalized, values-driven advice. He also collaborates with attorneys, CPAs, and third-party investment managers to deliver coordinated, long-term solutions that evolve with each client’s goals.
Education
Scott is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, having completed a rigorous certification process that includes an accredited education program, comprehensive examination, and ongoing continuing education. He adheres to a strict Code of Ethics and remains current on financial planning strategies and industry standards.
He also holds the Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®) designation — a credential that reflects advanced knowledge in the areas of special needs trusts, government benefits, and planning strategies for individuals with disabilities. This designation enables him to provide informed, compassionate guidance to families navigating the complexities of lifelong care and financial security for their loved ones.
Scott continues to expand his expertise through ongoing coursework and professional development within the financial planning and special needs communities. He is also an active member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners, the Financial Planning Association of Northern California, and the Financial Services Institute — organizations that support excellence in financial planning, fiduciary standards, and advocacy for advisor independence.
Personal Background
Scott lives in the Bay Area with his wife and enjoys a slower pace outside of work — especially on the golf course or at local community events. He finds the most meaningful part of his work to be the trust families place in him during times of transition. He regularly speaks on topics such as special needs planning, retirement readiness, and financial caregiving — helping to equip families with clarity and confidence for the road ahead.
Sheida Shokrzadeh
Client Experience Coordinator
Sheida supports the client experience by managing scheduling, communication, and day-today coordination. She helps ensure each meeting is thoughtfully planned and that clients always know what to expect throughout the process.
Whether you’re reaching out to schedule time, have a quick question, or aren’t sure who to speak with, Sheida is here to help. She answers general questions, triages requests to the appropriate team member, and works behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly.
Designations
Our Team’s Credentials
Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
The Certified Financial Planner™ designation is conferred by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university, three years of full-time personal financial planning experience and complete a course of study in financial planning topics. Candidates may be exempt from the course of study requirements if he or she holds one of the following: CPA, ChFC®, CLU®, CFA, Ph.D. in business or economics, Doctor of Business Administration, or attorney’s license. All candidates must successfully complete the CFP Certification Examination. CFP® professionals are subject to the CFP Board’s ethical standards.
Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®)
The Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation certifies that the recipient has specialized knowledge of fiduciary standards of care and their application to the investment management process. To receive the AIF® designation, the individual must: (1) meet prerequisite criteria based on a combination of education, relevant industry experience, and/or ongoing professional development, (2) complete a training program, (3) successfully pass a comprehensive, closed-book final examination under the supervision of an approved proctor, and (4) agree to abide by the AIF® Designee Code of Ethics. In order to maintain the AIF® designation, the individual must annually attest to following the AIF® Designee Code of Ethics, and accrue and report a minimum of six hours of continuing education. The AIF® designation is administered by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, the standards-setting body of fi360.
Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®)
The Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation is offered by The American College. A candidate must successfully complete all courses in the program, meet experience requirements and ethics standards, and agree to comply with The American College Code of Ethics and Procedures. Three years of full-time business experience is required and must be within the five years preceding the date of the award. The applicant is required to successfully pass nine courses, seven required courses, and two electives.
Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®)
The Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®) designation, sponsored by The American College, teaches experienced financial professionals the technical and collaborative skills necessary to help clients make plans for the future of a loved one who has special needs. ChSNC® candidates must complete two self-study courses and one live webinar capstone. Use of the ChSNC® credential requires an extensive financial planning background. All designees using the mark with the public must have also completed either the CLU®, ChFC®, CFP® professional, or PFS credential, or have a master’s degree in either financial planning or an equivalent area of study. Designees must adhere to The American College’s Code of Ethics and complete 15 hours of continuing education every two years through The American College’s PACE recertification program.
Check the background of investment professionals on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.