About Us

Take Control of Your
Financial Future

We understand your needs because our interests are the same. Damefender specializes in serving professional women (and the men who love them) who are balancing multiple concerns — across work, family and outside interests.

 

Acting as a fiduciary in advisory account relationships, we always put your best interests first. To us, it is non-negotiable. It is how we operate in delivering strategies that aim to provide you with the financial future you want.

Meet the Team

What’s in a name? Damefender is a product of both what we do and the special group we serve. We see ourselves as the defenders of our clients’ futures, both men and women. 

Zahya Beall, AAMS®, CIMA®

Financial Planner

Zahya is the Founder & Owner of Damefender Financial. As a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) and Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®), her focus in partnering with you is on education. A large part of this is breaking down the confusing concepts that are pervasive in the investment and wealth management industry, and turning them into digestible takeaways that you can act on.

 

With over 20 years’ experience, she got her start in financial services in 2004 working in a financial advisor’s office to pay for college. Upon graduating University of Pennsylvania, she spent four years working inside the life insurance operation at Lincoln Financial before being recruited to work at one of the largest investment firms in the world, Legg Mason Global Asset Management (now Franklin Templeton). During almost a decade there, she served in many roles, most relevant of which as an Investment Spokesperson; conducting over 300 investment workshops for financial advisors in three years.

 

In 2018 she transitioned from coaching other financial advisors on helping their clients, to building a practice of her own. Many of the clients are female bosses both outside and inside the home, as well as the men who love them.

 

Outside of work, Zahya lives in Stamford, CT with her husband, Joel, and their little rescue dog, Bruiser.

Jacklyn Hart

Client Relationship Manager

Jacklyn joins Damefender Financial Partners as Client Relationship Manager, where she is dedicated to delivering personalized service and ensuring clients’ needs are met with unwavering support. She draws from her background in the financial services industry, working formerly for Nia Impact Capital and J O Hambro Capital Management. Jacklyn’s diverse background—which encompasses client services, operations, and compliance—makes her a versatile member of our team.

 

With nearly a decade of financial services experience, Jacklyn’s previous roles afforded the opportunity to collaborate closely with investment teams and exposed her to a myriad of market perspectives and strategies. In recent years she has focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, seeing it as a natural progression from her previous emphasis on international and global markets. Throughout her career, Jacklyn has closely collaborated with financial professionals, seeking ways to enhance client outcomes.

 

Jacklyn earned her B.S. from Marist College, majoring in Business Administration, Finance with a minor in Economics. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys crafting, relaxing, and giving back through volunteer work. Since 2023, she has been volunteering with Bank.Green to encourage banks to become more sustainable.

Hayley Lauritsen

Office Administrator

Hayley joins Damefender Financial Partners as Office Administrator, where she collaborates with our advisors to provide exceptional support on administrative tasks and client management functions, ensuring clients’ needs are met with unwavering dedication.


Drawing from her 24 years in the financial services industry, Hayley has previously worked for Franklin Templeton, Legg Mason, and Credit Suisse, as well as serving in the U.S. Department of Defense for 16 years in various administrative roles. Her diverse background makes her a versatile and invaluable member of our team.


Hayley’s responsibilities include preparing and processing account paperwork, overseeing reporting, maintenance, transfers, and cash management functions such as Client RMDs, contributions, and distributions. She also assists with setting up and addressing questions surrounding “Account View,” our Online Access client accounts.


Hayley earned her B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in Finance from Walden University. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and giving back through volunteer work focused on military veterans.


Passionate about veterans’ issues, Hayley has served in the U.S. Air Force both as an active duty servicemember and as a civilian employee within the Department of Defense. She also chaired the Veterans Employee Resource Group at Franklin Templeton for nine years. Since 2015, Hayley has been volunteering with Wreaths Across America, encouraging people to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation about the value of freedom.


After living in various areas of the U.S. and U.K., Hayley has recently moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, fulfilling her dream of living near the ocean. When she’s not working, you can usually find her enjoying the beach.

Izzy Hatcher

Wealth Management Intern

Izzy joins Damefender Financial Partner as a Wealth Management Intern, where she supports the firm’s day-to-day operations and ensures clients receive thoughtful, timely service. She brings a sharp eye for detail and a deep commitment to organization, helping the team stay focused on what matters most: serving clients with care and clarity.

 

Izzy earned her B.S. in Environmental Science from UCLA, where her academic focus included research on ecological systems, sustainability, and the intersection of human behavior and environmental impact. This background taught her to think analytically, communicate complex ideas with clarity, and stay curious—skills she draws on daily in her work at Damefender.

 

Currently, Izzy is studying for her securities licensing exams with the goal of advancing her career in Private Wealth Management. Inspired by her father, a financial advisor of 24 years, she’s proud to follow in his footsteps and continue the tradition of helping others build secure financial futures.

 

Originally from Texas, Izzy now calls New York City home. Outside of the office, you’ll often find her exploring hiking trails, cooking up something creative, or planning her next adventure outdoors. She’s summited several 14,000-foot peaks—a testament to her persistence, problem-solving, and love of a challenge.

Joel Beall

Social Media & Marketing Manager

With over 15 years experience working as a writer and social media contributor for major publications including FOX Sports, the Cincinnati Enquirer and WhatIfSports.com, Joel helps to manage marketing messages for Damefender. In his role, he drives the strategy for getting important financial planning and investment topics out to clients and the public, ensuring more people benefit from this key information.

 

He is also a senior writer at Golf Digest, where he covers professional golf with a focus on longform storytelling, columns, news, investigations and in-tournament coverage.

 

Joel was born in Ohio but calls Connecticut home, where he lives with his wife Zahya and their dog Bruiser.

Client Testimonials

I've worked with several financial advisors in my life. All of whom were knowledgeable and pleasant; none of whom took the time, care and devotion that you and your team have. I met you at the worst possible time in my life. My husband had just passed away. My world was in pieces. You came to our home, understood what I needed and had a gentle heart about it. You have been there when I needed to be reassured that financially all will be ok and walked me through the details of showing it to me in real time, with real numbers and real circumstances, personal to me. There is nothing hypothetical about you or your team. Women, in any stage of their life, would be lucky to have you as part of their orbit.

This statement is a testimonial by a client of the financial professional as of 10/31/2024. The client has not been paid or received any other compensation for making these statements. As a result, the client does not receive any material incentives or benefits for providing the testimonial. These views may not be representative of the views of other clients and are not indicative of future performance or success.
Doreen F.

Zahya continually reaches out with ideas that she thinks could help grow my portfolio, and she listens to my opinions. We work as a team, and I know she is always looking out for my best interests. There isn’t anyone I would trust more with my retirement portfolio. I would highly recommend Zahya to anyone looking for a financial professional who is always there for them and looking out for their best interests.

This statement is a testimonial by a client of the financial professional as of 11/19/2024. The client has not been paid or received any other compensation for making these statements. As a result, the client does not receive any material incentives or benefits for providing the testimonial. These views may not be representative of the views of other clients and are not indicative of future performance or success.
Hayley L.

Working with the highest quality professional makes all the difference. Zahya at Damefender has created a future for me that I would have never known. We began partnering when I was faced with many changes in both my personal and professional life. With her expertise and guidance, I have the peace of mind I was seeking. Zahya understands people, their needs and nurtures her relationships for the long term. I am just so grateful and wholeheartedly recommend Zahya and her firm for the most professional financial guidance available. An amazing partnership!

This statement is a testimonial by a client of the financial professional as of 3/19/2025. The client has not been paid or received any other compensation for making these statements. As a result, the client does not receive any material incentives or benefits for providing the testimonial. These views may not be representative of the views of other clients and are not indicative of future performance or success.
Michelle S.