Steve Dunne CFP®, MBA, Ph.D
Ph.D in Economics
MBA in Finance
Steve has been a financial advisor and planner since 1999. He has had a half century of professional experience in economics and financial analysis.
Steve began his career as an econometrician at the US Census Bureau. After 3 years, he became an associate economist at the Investment Company Institute, a financial think-tank (in NYC, later DC). In the midst of the ‘70’s OPEC-inspired oil crisis, he responded to the Administration’s request for financial expertise to co-author The National Energy Plan. Steve was a senior-level economist at the Federal Energy Administration, the Department of Energy (in Washington DC) and at the Bonneville Power Administration (Portland: 1981-2003). He was a part-time (evening) adjunct professor of economics at Portland State University.
Steve was awarded a BSFS (Economics) from Georgetown University’s prestigious School of Foreign Service, an MBA in finance from the George Washington University, and a Ph.D in economics (Monetary Theory & Policy and International Economics) from the Catholic University of America. He has held the CFP® designation since 2005.
Steve is proud to be married to Sharon Dunne since 1977 (do the math!). They have 3 adult-age, very-successful children, and 5 (so far) grandchildren. His “fun-time” includes the greater-family interludes, theatre, symphony, politics, and spiritual/theological critical thinking.
Steve’s clients have enjoyed his depth, education skills, and especially his genuine Irish wit. (He has dual US and Irish citizenship).
Steve Silver CFP®, CDFA, CLU
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
Chartered Life Underwriter
Life and Health Insurance Licenses
Steve has almost 40 years of experience in the financial industry. Starting as a tax auditor for the state of Tennessee in 1982 and later as a Tax Analyst for First Tennessee Bank, he built a strong foundation for his entry into the financial planning field. Within the field, he worked as an Investment Officer for First Tennessee Brokerage as well as large financial services firms. As a result of that diverse experience, he realized that many of his clients would benefit from a more personalized, highly focused, independent approach to financial planning –something not possible in a proprietary environment. In response to that need, in 2001 he co-founded Wealth Strategies Group, a boutique, independent financial services firm in Memphis, and as Vice President, helped to grow that firm into one of the top independent financial planning firms in the city.
In 2010, out of family necessity, Steve left Wealth Strategies Group and Memphis to make a new home in Portland Oregon. Working initially with large broker/dealer firms, he formed Lifetime Wealth Strategies in early 2012. At the same time, he continued searching for a financial firm that would allow him to bring his practice back to that more personal level of service. Finally, in 2020, he joined Renaissance Financial, a local independent firm with the resources, independence and personalized approach to financial planning that he believes will ultimately serve his clients best.
In addition to broad and extensive knowledge of general financial planning issues, Steve has education and experience in the unique financial planning issues surrounding divorce. He has worked in both collaborative and mediation divorce processes, and has also appeared as a neutral third-party witness in contested court proceedings.
Steve is a 1981 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville School of Business and proudly wears bright orange whenever he can. He has been married to Tracy Love-Silver since 1984 and they have three adult children, not to mention a menagerie of pets.
Olu Dada FPQP®
Qualified Professional
Advisor Associate
Olu’s appreciation of Asset Management and Financial Planning stems from over a decade of experience in the financial services industry. His proficiency in working directly with asset custodians, providing research and operational support for chief executives, mastery of client relationship and serving as an advocate for clients affords him a unique perspective in helping implement specialized solutions.
Olu’s courteous and friendly personality with our clients positively impacts the approach, strategies, and decisions that clients take towards achieving their desired goals. We truly believe his efforts make a substantial impact on our valued clients’ overall experience with Financial Planning. Olu has been Stephen Dunne apprentice for several years, and like his mentor Olu’s plans include acquiring his CFP® certification from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.
Olu moved to Oregon from Maryland in 2007, he currently reside in Hillsboro with his wife, son and daughter. He has a passion for photography and enjoys family travels. They are all active volunteers in community services and church activities.
Steve Beard CFP®, MS
Steve has worked in the financial service industry since 2017. He assists his mentor, Steve Dunne, to provide holistic financial planning. For more than 20 years, Steve has applied his economic and analytical skills with his love for teaching as an educator in public, private and charter schools. He works to help others gain a clear understanding of their world and goals.
Steve was naturally drawn to becoming a CFP® professional because it integrates his passion for education, research, and connecting with clients. Steve enjoys getting to know clients, creating unique financial plans, and guiding them as they navigate the often-challenging financial waters of life.
He earned his bachelor's degree from Pitzer College in Claremont, California where he studied economics, the environment, and Latin American studies. Steve is conversationally fluent in Spanish. He completed a master’s program at Portland State University in Leadership for Sustainability Education giving him unique insight into socially responsible and sustainable investing.
Being born and raised in the Northwest gave him a high regard for our planet’s amazing natural resources and the importance of stewardship. Steve, his wife and two boys enjoy spending time outside hiking, biking and preparing for their next adventure. You can often find Steve involved in his church, local nonprofits and cheering for the Timbers.