“Being True” isn’t new
Compass Planning exists to offer financial planning that is true to who you are.
This flows from a commitment to being true to who we are, which began with our founder, Jennifer Lane, who recognized a need for a client-centered approach to investing and life planning (and, well, because she couldn’t find anyone trustworthy enough to do her mom’s financial plan). Jennifer founded Compass Planning Associates in 1996 to help people better understand, simplify, and manage their own finances without getting lost in the big-brokerage maze and without having to pay exorbitant fees.
Jennifer created a fee-only financial consulting firm whose mission places clients' interests at the forefront and avoids conflicts of interest that can be part of traditional broker- and sales-based advisor relationships.
Over the years, she has expanded the Compass Planning team to include dedicated professionals who share her vision to be true, through deliberate listening and practical kindness.
Our Kind of Advisors
Jennifer Lane, CFP®
Founder, Financial Advisor
As a former pilot and flight-training executive, Jennifer brings a diverse experience base to the financial planning process. She is the author of the acclaimed The Everything Get Rich Book: Surefire Techniques to Increase Your Wealth (Adams Media, 2002), The Everything Guide to Personal Finance in Your 40s and 50s Book (Adams Media, 2008), and The Complete Idiots Guide to Protecting your 401(k) and IRA (Alpha Books, 2009).
For many years, Jennifer was the featured personal finance expert on the weekly New England Cable News (NECN) "Ask Jennifer" segment on Business Day. She was a regular guest on the network's "Wired" program and was a co-host of the weekly finance radio program "Financially Speaking" on the nationwide Money Matters Radio Network for four years. She has appeared on Boston's Fox 25 News, WGBH TV's "Greater Boston with Emily Rooney," and CNBC's "On the Money" with Carmen Wong Ulrich as an expert on personal finance. In addition, Jennifer frequently contributes to financial planning articles in both online and print media.
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Jennifer served from 2002-2004 as president of New England Women Business Owners, a business-networking group created to promote women's business. The Worcester Business Journal and Junior Achievement of Central Massachusetts named her to their "Forty Under 40" list of successful young executives. The Worcester Business Journal and Junior Achievement of Central Massachusetts named her to their "Forty Under 40" list of successful young executives. Jennifer served from 2002-2004 as president of New England Women Business Owners, a business-networking group created to promote women's business.
Jennifer lives in Greenfield, MA and is an avid supporter of organizations that support food security in Massachusetts and Vermont.
Sarah Stamp, CFP®
Financial Advisor
Sarah Stamp re-joined the Compass Planning team in June 2014. She first worked at the firm as an intern while she completed her undergraduate and graduate studies in Boston. Sarah is now a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), passionate about financial literacy and the power of financial independence.
Sarah helps develop planning and investment recommendations and is available to help clients gather financial planning and investment information and implement their investment changes and financial planning tasks. From opening new accounts, moving assets, making sure that estate planning tasks are completed, or answering questions, she focuses on helping clients implement their plans.
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Sarah pursued a career in fee-only financial planning after working on the brokerage side of financial planning. “Being free of commissions lets us keep our clients' best interests at heart, “ Sarah says. "My goal is to help clients move forward and accomplish their goals by looking at all aspects of their financial situation."
Sarah completed the Certified Financial Planner education program at the College for Financial Planning in Denver after earning her M.B.A. from the Simmons School of Management. She graduated from Simmons College with a double major in finance and economics. While at Simmons, Sarah received the Simmons School of Management Faculty Book Award for her leadership skills and management potential. She was president of the investment club and also a member and captain of the varsity swim team.
Joshua Weiss, CFP®
Financial Advisor
After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 2018, Josh began his professional career in the financial services industry at Fidelity Investments where he worked with the 401k investment planning group. During his time there, he gained a solid understanding of investment strategies and core financial planning principles.
He soon realized his passion lay in building personal connections and providing tailored financial guidance to individuals and families. Seeking a more hands-on approach and a deeper level of client engagement, he joined the Compass Planning team in January of 2020.
Continuing his education in financial planning, he passed the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) exam in 2023. This rigorous exam process sets a foundation to help financial planners understand a client's unique financial aspirations, concerns, and priorities, while crafting customized strategies to help each client successfully reach the goals that secure a financial future.
Josh believes in Compass Planning's mission to prioritize and develop relationships that focus on client needs and goals. "My approach to financial planning centers on cultivating long-term relationships built on trust, transparency, and mutual respect," Josh says. "I am focused on empowering individuals and families to make informed decisions, navigate life transitions, and plan effectively for retirement."
Outside of work, Josh is a passionate Yankees fan, enjoys snowboarding during the winter and fishing in the spring and summer.
The Operations Team
The seamless integration of your financial life with our expertise can only happen with the help of our seasoned office team.
Heather Dmochowski
Registered Paraplanner
Since she joined Compass Planning Associates in 1999, Heather Dmochowski has provided research, data-gathering, and other essential support services to Jennifer Lane and our clients. Heather's role at Compass Planning has grown along with the practice, and she's your go-to person who'll relieve you of the burden of many financial planning and account maintenance tasks.
Whether you need to check your balance, research a mutual fund, roll over a 401(K), move money between accounts, open a new account, or make a change to an existing account, Heather is the financial professional who will make your day a little easier.
"I'm happy to offer full-service support to Compass Planning's clients," Heather says. If you have any questions about your financial plan, using the Internet to do your own research, or anything regarding your interactions with Compass Planning Associates-just ask Heather. She'll get an answer for you.
Heather earned the Registered Paraplanner (RP) professional designation from the College for Financial Planning in 2003 and her Bachelor of Science from Worcester State College in 1994. Heather has a first-hand understanding of what it takes to run a business and manage a budget. Before she came on board with Compass Planning, Heather was a self-employed entrepreneur, running two successful service-oriented businesses. She excels at supporting the diverse needs of Compass Planning's clients including families, individuals, and business customers.
Beth Bond
Operations Manager
Beth Bond joined the Compass Planning team in 2009 as Operations Manager. Prior to coming on board with us full-time, Beth provided executive assistant support to multiple businesses at two suburban office suite locations-where she met and worked with our founder, Jennifer Lane and Compass Planning. Beth is a terrific asset to the Compass Planning team - multi-tasking is her stock in trade.
Beth is responsible for the full range of daily activities that keep a busy financial planning practice running smoothly. She is usually the first person you will speak to when you call. She answers phones, schedules appointments, assists the planners in preparing for client meetings, handles client billing, and is always available for client questions. If Beth doesn't have the answer or information you seek, she will track it down for you.
"If a client calls with a question, that's my number-one priority," she says. "At the end of the day, if I've provided Jennifer and our clients with everything they need, made sure the phones and computers are all working properly, organized everyone's schedules, checked that the mail has come in and gone out, and handled the vendors-then I've done my job well."
Beth graduated cum laude from Suffolk University with a bachelor of science in business management and finance. In addition to her experience as an executive assistant and customer service coordinator for area businesses, she also worked at the Boston Herald as an advertising account representative.
Randie Mayer
Administrative Assistant
Randie fulfills the firm’s administrative needs, including communications with clients, calendar management, file organization, database updates, and occasional technical support. She bases her work on the following: “If I were seeking help, what level of care should I expect?” And then uses that as her motivation when she tackles each unique task with patience and understanding.
“Compass Planning has been one of the best jobs I’ve ever had,” Randie says. “I am especially fond of the level of teamwork I experience every day.” Her colleagues have shown her innovative ideas and methods that have broadened her abilities to help people. Randie has become an important piece of providing Compass Planning clients a high level of service. “An aspect of my job that I’ve loved has been helping clients as they experience important milestones in their lives. Whatever those milestones may be, it’s a joy to work with them.”
For Randie, working as an administrative assistant is a job she truly enjoys. She started at the early age of 13. While it may not have been easy, she has found that she now has an appreciation for people coming from all walks of life. Her family has a strong military background that enabled her to participate in the USAF for two years. The mottos “No man left behind” and “Integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do” have instilled a strong passion that allows her to serve others to the best of her abilities. The words client and customer are professional terms that Randie respects and values. Because of that, each person she works with receives her fullest attention and care.
