Ross Marino

Your life and your wealth are connected. That simple truth is the foundation of Ross Marino’s work as a financial planner, educator, and author. As the founder of Dovetail Financial and the creator of Human-First Financial Guidance™, Ross has spent over 30 years helping people align their financial decisions with what truly matters most. 

Ross specializes in guiding individuals through life transitions, especially the complex and emotional decision to retire. His approach begins with understanding a client’s story, values, and goals before analyzing their finances. His mission is to help people worry less about what could go wrong so they have the freedom to live their best life. 

Throughout his career, Ross has seen how life disruptions—retirement, caregiving, illness, career changes—can shake a person’s confidence and force difficult financial decisions. He understands that significant life events don’t just affect someone’s wealth; they shape their identity, priorities, and emotional outlook. He believes that guidance must match the moment and the person. 

Ross co-authored Shaping Change: How to Respond When Life Disrupts Your Retirement Plan and is passionate about integrating emotional intelligence into financial planning. He taught Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits as part of the CFP® curriculum at UNC Wilmington and is a frequent speaker at national financial conferences and on leading industry podcasts. 

Ross has been recognized by Investment News and WealthManagement.com for his leadership in advisor communication and client experience. In 2024, he was named the ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES Award Winner for Thought Leader of the Year – RIA. 

Outside of work, Ross enjoys staying active with his family. You'll often find them playing pickleball, walking the loop at Wrightsville Beach, working out, or strolling with Lexi—their overly protective and incredibly spoiled Blue Merle Pomeranian. Ross is also an avid science fiction reader, a student of artificial intelligence, and a fan of Moonshots with Peter Diamandis. 

Whether someone is wondering, “When can I retire?” or asking, “How do I know if it’s the right time to retire?”, Ross brings empathy, experience, and clarity to help them make confident decisions—and build a plan that fits their life.