Michael is the Founder and Portfolio Manager at Harding Financial Group. Michael’s primary responsibility is the development and implementation of tailored investment strategies across our client base. Prior to founding Harding Financial Group in 2005, Michael was an Executive Club member and Private Wealth Advisor at Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch where he developed comprehensive wealth management solutions for affluent individuals and families. Michael is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Financial Management and completed his Certified Financial Planner Designation (CFP) in 2005.

Making an Impact
Michael recently completed a two-year term as Chair of the Apprisen Board of Directors and now serves as the Chair of the Investment Committee. Apprisen is a non-profit committed to financial well-being. Apprisen has helped over 1 million people improve their financial health by empowering them to effectively manage their finances. Michael also actively supports the Catch a Dream Foundation, a national, charitable foundation that provides once-in-a-lifetime dream hunting and fishing trips to children across the United States and Canada, who suffer from life-threatening illnesses. Through these adventures and exposure to outdoors-minded people who care, the program instills in these children a message of encouragement at a time when they need to know that hope does exist.

A Secret about Michael
As an avid outdoorsman, Michael enjoys skiing and hunting out west and in Alaska. On one occasion Michael was flown to the top of the Alaska Range with one other person where he backpacked 56 miles, hunting and exploring the mountains. During the 11 days, 10 had heavy rain or snow. When not in the mountains a secret unknown to anyone is that after spending the day studying the market and once his children go to bed, Michael turns off his mind by watching the reality show Below Deck with his wife. He has watched all 10 seasons and the spinoffs.

Michael is our Associate Financial Advisor. His primary role within Harding Financial Group is the development of wealth plans for clients. He led in revitalizing the firm’s “Four Seasons Formula” financial planning process and is committed to ensuring superior client experience. His career in financial services began in 2017 at Nationwide Financial where he assisted financial advisors in developing retirement income solutions for their clients. While there, he obtained several professional certifications and realized his calling to become a fiduciary advisor.

Michael is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Psychology, where he met his wife, Kathleen. Married since 2018, they live in Marysville with their three children, Theo, Sophia, and Niko. In his spare time, he likes to spend time with his family, travel abroad, golf, and boat on the lake when the weather permits.

Making an Impact
Michael is the company ambassador for the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce and is involved with other professionals and business owners in the local community. He is an active volunteer for Star House, a shelter for homeless youth, where he helps organize and deliver food and festivities for the shelter’s annual Christmas Party. Michael is a repeat volunteer for Rise Against Hunger where he helps prepare thousands of meals alongside his fellow parishioners at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in downtown Columbus.

A Secret about Michael
He’s been to six different countries – Mexico, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy, and Greece. On his first visit to Greece, his credit card was sucked up by the ATM just moments before departing for the next island. He and his wife had not eaten breakfast and had no cash to pay for anything. While delving through her purse, they were only able to find Mexican pesos from their trip the summer before. It was a long day.

Bennett joined Harding Financial Group in July 2025, shortly after passing his CFP® exam in March of the same year, following a year of rigorous coursework through the College for Financial Planning. As an Associate Financial Advisor, Bennett brings valuable expertise to our team, becoming one of several CFP® professionals at the firm.

Bennett began his career at a local Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm, where he supported financial planners by developing comprehensive strategies across estate planning, investments, and tax planning. During this time, he earned both his CFP® and FPQP® certifications, further solidifying his expertise.

A graduate of Miami University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Bennett returned to his hometown of Columbus, Ohio after graduation. There, he met his girlfriend, Morgan, and has since developed a passion for recreational sports such as kickball and golf. Outside of work, Bennett stays active through sports and exercise, and he enjoys traveling whenever possible. Notably, he explored Manchester, England, in December 2022 to attend a soccer match and tour the city, followed by a return trip to London in October 2025.

Making an Impact
Bennett is deeply committed to community involvement. He has volunteered extensively with Live Like Lou, an organization dedicated to supporting families affected by ALS. His contributions include organizing a home run derby between Greek organizations during his senior year and assisting families impacted by ALS with yard work and gardening.

A Fun Fact About Bennet
Growing up, Bennett was heavily involved in combat sports and martial arts, including boxing and Tae Kwon Do. He began Tae Kwon Do at age seven and earned his black belt in August 2015. After achieving this milestone, he shifted his focus to boxing, which he actively pursued until he left for college, after which he
stepped away from the sport.

Kara’s brings over a decade of comprehensive financial service industry experience to Harding Financial Group where she serves as the Director of Compliance and Operations. Her background includes leadership within a Fortune 100 financial services organization, employment with one of the “Big 4” accounting firms as well as one of the top 10 largest banks in the United States.

Kara holds her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ certification, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH and a Bachelor of Science (Accounting) from Miami University in Oxford, OH. She has previously held her FINRA Series 7, 66 and 26 licenses as well as her Resident Insurance Producer license from the Ohio Department of Insurance.

Married since 2019, she and husband Ryan, a first-grade teacher, live in Pickerington with their beautiful daughter Kinsley and three dogs Scarlet, Chaplin and Roo.

Making an Impact
Kara is active in her Columbus community through a personal effort called Mosaic River. She passes food and clothing into the community to individuals and organizations in need. To date, over 2000 pounds of clothing have been donated, over 100 families supported and over 30 individual organizations impacted. These efforts also touch lives globally such as when 75 pairs of shoes were hand delivered by a counterpart to the poorest areas of Kenya.

A Secret about Kara

Climbing parts of the Great Wall of China is one of the most unique memories Kara holds from her travels.

Mia, recently appointed as a Client Services Associate at Harding Financial Group, leverages her extensive experience and education from The Ohio State University’s Fisher School of Business. With a background in Business Finance and Information Systems Management, Mia’s roles at HFG align with her expertise in financial analysis, client relationship management, and her passion for financial literacy advocacy.

In her free time, she enjoys exploring new hiking trails of Ohio and taking yoga classes. She also loves to spend time with family and friends, and enjoys being the “master chef” for these gatherings to practice her passion for cooking.

Making an Impact

Outside of her professional endeavors, Mia is passionate about fostering financial literacy and personal development. As a member of Fisher Personal Finance, she advocates for financial independence and delivers education on personal finance to empower individuals. Additionally, Mia is dedicated to serving her community through volunteer work. She has volunteered with Arc Altoona and Family Services Inc., where she fostered relationships with mentally disabled youth and provided support to families in need. Mia’s commitment to service extends beyond her professional role, reflecting her values of compassion and empathy.

A Secret about Mia
While Mia’s professional life revolves around finance and client relations, she harbors a secret passion for artistic expression. In her downtime, she indulges in drawing intricate sketches and honing her skills in crochet. She has crotched over 100 clothing and décor items for herself, friends, and family and especially enjoys crocheting blankets for newborns.