Our People

Michelle Bender has a gift for connecting with people, and it’s certainly one that sets her apart as a financial advisor. While she loves all the details of financial planning, her greatest joy is serving as a guide for some of the most important decisions in people’s lives. For her, the thrill is in watching a couple realize their dreams in retirement.

Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Michelle had an “aha!” moment in college as an intern at an independent financial planning firm. She was hooked on helping people discover financial freedom from the get-go and has been working as a financial planner ever since. She graduated from Seton Hill College (now University) with dual majors in Accounting and Human Resource Management.

Michelle achieved the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ^® professional designation through the College of Financial Planning. She is actively involved in the financial services industry, is a Top of the Table member of the Million Dollar Round Table and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation. She is also a member of the Financial Planning Association and was recognized in 2025 by AdvisorHub as one of the Top 100 Female Advisors. Additionally, she is a member of the Gaithersburg-Germantown and Poolesville Chambers of Commerce. Michelle is a Registered Representative of Kestra Advisory Services. 

Outside of work, Michelle values time with her twins and can often be found cheering them on at their sporting events. She also maintains her own active lifestyle through regular workouts.   

A passionate go-getter, Grace handles many of the minute details for all client accounts including transferring accounts, distributions, contributions, and assisting with any questions you might have. She has an eye for details, and does an excellent job serving the clients at Potomac Financial Consultants. Grace is an unregistered associated person of Kestra Investment Services, LLC.

Grace is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (This is your opportunity to get a native’s take on the incredible food and culture of Baton Rouge!) She holds a BA in Marketing from Southeastern Louisiana University and has more than ten years of experience in the financial industry.

Exploring the world with her son is what makes Grace smile. They are an adventurous family that enjoys hiking, biking, and spending time on the water.

Our very own “jill of all trades” is our Executive Sales Assistant, Candace. She is always willing to assist the other members of the team to better serve our clients. Candace schedules client meetings and is an expert researcher when it comes to life insurance or other policy information a client may need. Candace is an unregistered associated person of Kestra Investment Services, LLC.

A graduate of West Virginia University, Candace values the intimacy in client relationships that is a natural byproduct of a small office environment. She will remember your name, and makes every client feel like a VIP.

When not at her desk, you can likely find Candace on horseback. She rides and competes with her horses, spends time at home on the farm, and is an avid lover of all animals. 

With a passion for financial planning, Cassidy joined our team as a Financial Planning Associate. Cassidy is a graduate of West Virginia University with a major in Finance and an emphasis in Wealth Management, as well as a minor in Marketing. With her education and experience, Cassidy brings a solid foundation of financial planning concepts to Potomac Financial Consultants.

Cassidy is an unregistered associated person of Kestra Investment Services, LLC. She is currently working on her FINRA licensing exams to become a registered representative of Kestra Advisory Services.

In her free time, Cassidy loves taking long walks with her dog, diving into a good book, and practicing yoga. She is also a big fan of traveling and enjoys spending time with her family.

With more than ten years of experience in the financial industry and a dedication to success, Stefnie assists with all aspects of maintaining client accounts. She has an eye for detail and is happy to help the clients at Potomac Financial Consultants. Stefnie is an unregistered associated person of Kestra Investment Services, LLC.

Stefnie was born in the Midwest, spent a decade in West Virginia, and now resides in Florida.  She holds a BA in Business Leadership and Administration from West Liberty University, West Virginia.

Outside of work, she enjoys embarking on family escapades, paddleboarding and is an avid Peloton Pedaler. Stefnie also has a passion for animals and considers many of them as part of her extended family.