Meet Neven
Neven Zelich, APMA®
Managing Partner
Serving clients since 1985.
Neven is a Financial Advisor who helps people use their financial resources in a way that’s meaningful to them. He specializes in helping people who are in or preparing for retirement, creating detailed, strategic plans that work to protect the client’s future and help put their wealth to its best and highest use. He does this by listening intently and creating a comfortable environment where clients feel open to sharing their dreams, goals, and fears. By engaging people in a genuine way, he learns what matters most to each person so he can design a plan that reflects their priorities and helps them increase their comfort level about their financial decisions. To him, it’s about more than creating an income distribution plan or charitable giving strategy (though those are important)—it’s about empowering clients to live their absolute best lives.
Approach
Neven could also be described as a “psychologist of money”; much of his work is about helping clients manage their emotions and expectations around wealth. He is their confidant and sounding board, often reviewing their plan with them to give them guidance or assurance they’re on track for their goals. By forging strong relationships built on open conversations, he gives clients the freedom to let go of worry and trust that they’ve done the hard work, their plan is secure, and they’re going to be okay.
Professional Experience
Neven started his financial career in 1985 at a planning and life insurance company. After a few years, he decided he wanted the ability to cater more directly to client’s unique needs rather than focusing on selling a specific product. He joined Merrill Lynch, where he became an advisor and wealth manager. Over the next 20 years, he grew his practice steadily, learning and adapting to better meet his clients’ needs. In 2010, pursuing his mission to serve his clients’ best interests, he became an independent advisor, joining forces with Jack Elgin to form Longbridge Wealth Advisors, now known as Longbridge Wealth at Steward Partners.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Science & Bachelor of Arts – Youngstown State University
- Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor? (APMA®)
Philanthropy
Neven is passionate about serving those in need and giving back to his community. When the Ronald McDonald House in Akron was building a new addition, he and Jack committed to donating resources to fund the project, and Neven completed a “Ride to Provide,” a nearly-500-mile bike ride to raise money for Akron Children’s Hospital.
Personal life
Despite his serious profession, Neven is a young soul who enjoys sprinkling silliness throughout his day. He is the much-loved Djedo (aka Grandpa) to two young granddaughters, and he enjoys entertaining them with spontaneous puppet shows and dance parties. He is also the proud father of four adult children, Stefan, Milan, Natalie, and Neven Junior.
Neven lives in the small town of Richfield, Ohio, with his wife Lisa, a seasoned flight attendant whom he lovingly describes as “the nicest person” he has ever known. The two definitely have the travel bug; they’ve recently taken up boating in the Caribbean and are in the process of getting their captain’s licenses so they can pilot their own mini voyages in the future.