Our People

Jarrod Florence is more than a financial services executive, he’s a builder of businesses, cultures, and futures. As President of Magellan Financial and Foundations Investment Advisors, Jarrod has transformed what was once a boutique firm into nationally recognized powerhouses, home to hundreds of top advisors and billions in production. His leadership is defined by bold vision, disciplined execution, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence.

Jarrod’s career has been fueled by a simple but powerful belief: More. Better. Different. These three words aren’t a slogan, they’re a standard. Under his direction, organizations grow not only in size, but in impact, guided by clear strategy, powerful systems, and a culture that values grit, loyalty, and results. Whether shaping national recruiting efforts, refining advisor tools, or elevating brand presence, Jarrod leads with intensity, clarity, and purpose.

Entering his 50s, Jarrod remains as driven as ever working like he’s just getting started. He travels constantly, stays deeply connected to the advisors and teams he leads, and builds with the same hunger that fueled his early success. What sets him apart is not just his strategic mind, but his heart. Fiercely protective of his people, he believes leadership means showing up, standing up, and bringing others with you on the path to success.

Jarrod’s philosophy extends beyond the office, he’s a passionate philanthropist, and supports causes close to his heart, from the Travis Mills Foundation and Make-A-Wish to local programs like Wooly Farms, the Scotty D. Memorial Foundation, and youth mentorship initiatives. A former youth coach and lifelong advocate for community, he sees giving back not as an obligation, but as a privilege of leadership.

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

With over 30 years of experience in financial markets, Darren Leavitt brings a deep blend of institutional expertise, ethical leadership, and advisor-centered service to his role as Chief Investment Officer at Foundations Investment Advisors. Darren oversees the firm’s in-house investment strategies and serves as a direct resource to advisors, supporting everything from portfolio construction to real-time market commentary and custom model development. He leads daily investment roundtables and is a frequent presenter at advisor conferences and client appreciation events across the country.

Darren’s career began on the floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange and evolved through high-level roles in institutional trading, hedge fund strategy, and portfolio analysis. He holds a Chartered Financial Analyst, (CFA) designation, a B.S. in Finance from DePaul University, and a Master’s in Financial Markets and Trading from the Illinois Institute of Technology, one of the top-ranked programs of its kind.

Known for his accessibility and hands-on leadership, Darren often supports advisors during critical client conversations and helps craft customized UMA strategies tailored to each advisor’s approach. His direct involvement in product development, model innovation, and education underscores a deep commitment to client outcomes and advisor success.

Outside the office, Darren is an avid thoroughbred racing enthusiast and art collector. He finds strong parallels between handicapping races and managing portfolios, both require rigorous analysis, pattern recognition, and instinct. A lifelong student of the markets, Darren credits his early exposure to the Art Institute of Chicago for sparking a lasting appreciation for creativity, detail, and discipline, qualities he brings to his role every day. Darren is also a devoted father of two sons, he remains committed to family and values that continue to shape his approach to leadership and life.

Matthew Tucker’s path into financial services is one of transformation and purpose. Originally trained as an audio engineer with dreams of a career in the music industry, Matthew discovered that his strengths in math and finance were leading him toward a different calling. That insight prompted him to return to school and pursue a profession where he could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

His career foundation was built through years of diverse experience at Vanguard, where he worked across multiple areas including brokerage, education savings, inheritance services, and complex estate planning. During his time there, Matthew earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and served as a trusted advisor, deepening his understanding of holistic financial planning.

Today, Matthew wears many hats at Foundations. As the lead in-house advisor and head of the financial planning team, he works directly with clients while also coaching and developing advisors with the tools, training, and insights they need to succeed. He provides support in refining their sales strategies, understanding complex portfolios, and helping advisors grow and scale their practices with greater operational efficiency and planning expertise. His ongoing client work enables him to offer practical, real-world insights that elevate the impact of advisor development.

Matthew is a CFP® professional and brings a strong sense of purpose to his work. His dedication to excellence is guided by a core belief: “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” For Matthew, delivering exceptional service and expert guidance is not just a professional standard, but a personal commitment to every client’s future.

Outside of work, Matthew lives by the motto “You work to have fun.” A devoted husband and father, he treasures time spent traveling with his family, golfing with his son, and proudly supporting his daughter’s love of dance. His family is his greatest motivation and the “why” inspiration behind his dedication.

Matthew brings heart, discipline, and perspective to everything he does. His mission is simple: to help advisors thrive, clients feel secure, and to empower futures built on clarity and trust.

Stephanie Jones is the heartbeat of advisor support at Foundations. As Head of Practice Management, she brings over 15 years of hands-on experience in RIA operations, business growth, and advisor enablement; transforming challenges into opportunity and relationships into results. With a career that began by calling leads at a small annuity firm, Stephanie quickly proved herself indispensable, eventually helping scale a startup RIA from just three clients to over 1,200 and $100 million in AUM in under two years.

Early on, Stephanie balanced dual roles running operations for two separate RIAs, learning firsthand how to support both scrappy, fast-growing firms and mature, planning-focused practices. This unique foundation gave her a comprehensive view of what it takes to grow, manage, and scale advisor businesses, knowledge she now uses daily to empower advisors across the Foundations network.

Stephanie is widely regarded as a trusted connector and problem solver. Whether it’s a custodian challenge, a third-party integration issue, or a time-sensitive client matter, she’s the “Rolodex of experts” that advisors turn to first. Her strength lies in relationships—knowing who to call, what to say, and how to get things done. Her early days processing over 50 applications a week taught her speed, accuracy, and how to scale solutions by building teams around her own high standards.

Her professional philosophy is guided by two powerful beliefs: “You’re either building or eroding trust,” and “You must lead with a servant’s heart.” These principles drive every interaction, whether she’s supporting advisors, mentoring team members, or finding new ways to streamline operations and improve the client experience.

Stephanie approaches each day with the mindset that “success is where preparedness meets opportunity.” Her deep operational knowledge, unmatched relational insight, and unwavering commitment to serving others make her a driving force behind Foundations’ advisor-focused culture.

Outside the office, Stephanie is known for her grounded, no-nonsense approach and her ability to remain calm in even the most complex situations. She loves spending time with her family and cruising the aisles of Homegoods.

Stephanie is known for her grounded, no-nonsense approach—and her ability to remain calm even the most complex situations. She brings care, clarity, and connection to everything she does, making her not just a leader, but a true partner to every advisor she supports.