At Mason, we talk a lot about the advice we give. This series is about the people who give it.
Beyond the Advice is our series where we hand our advisors ten questions and get out of the way. No talking points, no scripts, just their own words on the things that shaped them, the people they admire, and what makes them tick outside the office. Because good financial advice doesn’t come from a formula. It comes from someone who understands people, and that understanding starts with knowing who they are.
Next up: Lee Kapnisi, CFA, CFP®, CPWA®.
What first drew you to this work?
Seeing how important the planning my father had done was, after he passed away. Watching how much that preparation eased an incredibly difficult time for our family showed me firsthand what good planning does for people when it matters most. I wrote more about that story here.
Who’s had the biggest influence on how you show up for clients?
My early clients. Family and friends who put their faith in me when I had little experience to point to. I knew what it meant for them to trust me with something that important, and I was determined to earn it. That responsibility has never really left me. It’s still how I think about every new client relationship today.
What’s a piece of advice that’s stuck with you over the years?
Do the thing you said you would do, when you said you would do it. It sounds simple, but it’s become something close to a personal rule, in client work and everywhere else.
What does an ideal Saturday look like for you?
Spending time with my wife and kids, usually on the sidelines watching them at their sports and activities. It’s not glamorous, but it’s exactly where I want to be.
What’s something most colleagues or clients would be surprised to learn about you?
I have a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. The analytical part of engineering, how things work and why, figuring out the puzzle, is a big part of financial planning and investment management.
What are you reading, watching, or listening to lately?
The Mission Generation by Arun Gupta and Thomas Fewer. Understanding how the career landscape is changing, and what people’s priorities look like today, matters for understanding client goals and how to help them get there. Money is part of that, but it’s not the whole picture. I’m also reading The Great Heist by David Shedd. Global politics and international relations have always interested me, and in our work, understanding the dynamics between the world’s biggest economies is genuinely valuable.
Is there a hobby, sport, or pastime you could talk about for hours?
My kids and their sports, wine, food, cooking, and travel.
What’s a moment, personal or professional, you’re genuinely proud of?
Watching the children of my very first clients, the ones we funded college accounts for, head off to school with their parents able to pay for it without a second thought. It’s the kind of full-circle moment that reminds me why this work matters.
If you weren’t in this field, what would you be doing instead?
Practically speaking, portfolio management or investment research. In my dreams, a traveling food critic or a Formula 1 engineer. Given the Mechanical Engineering degree, that last one might not be as much of a stretch as it sounds.
What’s a quality you admire most in the people you work with?
Integrity and empathy. The two, in my experience, tend to go hand in hand.
Who’s someone you’d love to have dinner with?
Leonardo da Vinci. The combination of science and art has always intrigued me, and there’s probably no one in history who embodied that pairing better.
What’s a small thing that always puts you in a good mood?
Hearing or seeing my kids get excited to see me. Simple, and exactly the kind of thing that doesn’t get old.
If Lee’s story resonated with you, or if you’re simply ready to talk through your own financial picture, we’d love to introduce you. Schedule a call with Lee or click here to learn more about Lee’s background, credentials, and areas of focus.
Lee Kapnisi, CFA, CFP®, CPWA®, is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Mason, which he joined in August 2022. He was awarded the CFA charter in 2019 and earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2015. Prior to Mason, Lee served as a Senior Wealth Management Advisor at TIAA in Fairfax, Virginia. He holds a Master of Mechanical Engineering from Exeter University in the UK.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice. Mason is a fee-based advisory firm. Please consult with a qualified attorney, tax professional, or financial advisor regarding your specific situation.
