Lisa Marcelli, CFP®, CDFA®
Managing Director
Professional Profile
Lisa Marcelli brings over 38 years of experience and a deep dedication to improving clients’ lives through personalized financial planning and investment management. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, known for helping individuals, families, and organizations navigate major life events with strategic guidance.
Lisa leads with integrity, building multigenerational relationships and creating customized strategies designed to help clients pursue long-term financial well-being. She is passionate about getting to know clients and empowering them with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions at every stage of life.
Wealth Management Services
Lisa offers knowledge and specialization in a variety of wealth management services including but not limited to:
- Asset Management
- Family Support Planning
- Tax-Efficient Investing
- Income Planning
- Retirement Planning
- Risk Management
- Charitable Foundation Management
With a well-rounded professional network, Lisa is able to connect her clients seeking further guidance with other professionals that specialize in:
- Estate Planning
- Trust Management
- Real Estate Investment
- Social Security Claiming Strategies
- Tax Planning
- Medicare Planning
- Banking and Credit Management
Women’s Advocacy
Lisa is an active advocate for women’s financial literacy. Through her leadership and mentoring, she empowers women to take control of their finances, promoting education and confidence in all stages of life.
Credentials
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™1
- Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® 1
1.Designations listed are expected to be active and in good standing at the time of this publication and it is expected to cease use if the designation status becomes inactive.
Matthew Houston
Managing Partner | Founder
matthew.houston@skywardfin.com
With over 23 years of experience in financial services, Matthew Houston is dedicated to helping individuals and families pursue financial independence and long-term well-being. Known for his calm, disciplined approach, Matthew confidently guides clients through market volatility, ensuring they remain focused on their goals.
Matthew earned his finance degree from the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business and quickly established himself as a valued advisor committed to providing personalized and independent financial guidance. His product-agnostic philosophy enables him to deliver personalized advice tailored specifically to each client's needs, free from the constraints of proprietary products.
Matthew takes pride in being a life-long Houstonian and has enjoyed making a life for his wife, Kristina and himself in the Houston area. The two recently welcomed their first child and look forward to raising their family. Matthew is an avid college sports fan, especially his alma mater, Houston Cougars. He also serves as President of the Houston Cougar Foundation, where he’s had been a board member for over 15 years. When not spending time with his family, Matthew enjoys researching growth stocks in search of the next big growth story.
Matthew specializes in the following services:
- Asset Management
- Family Support Planning
- Tax-Efficient Investing
- Income Planning
- Retirement Planning
- Risk Management
- Charitable Foundation Management
Matthew also coordinates with other professionals to provide the following services:
- Estate Planning
- Trust Management
- Real Estate Investment
- Social Security Claiming Strategies
- Tax Planning
- Medicare Planning
- Banking and Credit Management
- Finance Degree – University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business
Mike Hamilton
Managing Director
Michael.Hamilton@skywardfin.com
Mike Hamilton is a seasoned professional in the financial services industry, bringing 40 years of experience to his role as Managing Director. Mike helps his clients pursue their specific financial needs through the combination of his substantial experience and Skyward Financial's extensive capabilities. Through his decades of experience, Mike has honed his skills, acting in the sole interests of his clients and their families
Throughout his career, Mike made it his mission to enhance the financial well-being of a wide range of clients such as individuals, families, energy professionals and foundations. As a longtime resident of Houston, Mike has been serving his community for over 40 years and has honed his skills at previous firms such as B. Riley Financial, Morgan Keegan & Company, Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch. His journey led him to join Skyward Financial as Managing Director, where he has cultivated a culture that empowers his team to address clients’ needs with all the tools and talents necessary to work toward creating a brighter financial future for each client he serves.
Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Texas, Austin. In his free time, Mike spends his time camping with the Boy Scout Troop 599, hunting, fishing, walking and being an active member of his church. Most of all, Mike loves to spend time with his wife and two children.
Ross Stripling
Managing Partner | Founder
After earning his Finance degree from Texas A&M University, Ross Stripling was drafted to play professional baseball. The experience taught him discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. When an arm injury early in his career required Tommy John surgery, Ross began reflecting on life beyond the game. During his recovery, his grandfather, a longtime Skyward client, encouraged him to shadow advisors Lynn Houston and Matthew Houston. That opportunity sparked a passion for financial markets and a deep appreciation for how thoughtful advice can make a lasting difference in people’s lives.
Today, Ross applies the same focus and determination that defined his baseball career to his work as a Financial Advisor at Skyward Financial. Working alongside his original mentors, he helps families, professionals, and athletes make confident long-term financial decisions. Having lived the life of a professional athlete, Ross understands the challenges many players face when managing wealth, evaluating investments, and planning for life after sports. In clubhouses and locker rooms, he has become a collaborative voice for teammates seeking perspective on financial opportunities and responsible planning.
As Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Skyward Financial, Ross has been a driving force behind the firm’s rapid rise. Since launching in 2021, his leadership and strategic insight have propelled the financial consultants of Skyward Financial to collectively oversee over half a billion dollars in assets under advisement, as of October 2026, through LPL Financial.
Ross believes deeply in financial literacy and encourages early education in budgeting, credit, and investing. His philosophy centers on patience and discipline, emphasizing that time in the market is more powerful than timing the market and that long-term investing builds lasting security.
Outside the office, Ross is a devoted husband and father of three boys. His family, faith, and mentors continue to guide his values and remind him of the importance of legacy, adaptability, and helping others navigate their financial journeys with confidence.
- 2012–2019 Los Angeles Dodgers
- 2018 National League All-Star
- 2020–2022 Toronto Blue Jays
- 2023 San Francisco Giants
- 2024 Oakland A’s
- Texas A&M University — Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance
Steven Phan
Vice President of Operations
Steven Phan serves as the Vice President of Operations at Skyward Financial, where he manages the firm’s operational systems, technology integrations, and internal processes. He works closely with the executive partners to streamline workflows across compliance, reporting, and client service, ensuring Skyward’s operations remain efficient, secure, and client-focused.
At Skyward, Steven focuses on bridging finance and technology through automation, data modeling, and operational strategy. His initiatives include developing analytics tools, enhancing system efficiency, and advancing the firm’s digital infrastructure. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring emerging technologies, traveling.
- Bachelor of Business Administration – University of Houston, Bauer College of Business
Majors: Finance & Management Information Systems
Credentials
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
Valencia Linton
Office Manager
Valencia.Linton@skywardfin.com
Valencia J. Linton embarked on her financial services career within the banking industry, navigating various roles in International Operations, Global Markets-Foreign Exchange, Funds Management, Institutional Retirement Services, and Asset Management & Trust. Her responsibilities encompassed assisting Foreign Exchange Traders and Portfolio Advisers, promoting bank liability products and short-term money market instruments, and overseeing the daily trust administration of Corporate and ERISA relationships, alongside special projects related to custodial and investment management accounts.
Valencia earned her Series 7 license in 2004 and Series 66 license in 2005 while at Compass Bank, which later merged with BBVA USA in 2012. Before the acquisition of BBVA USA by PNC Bank in 2021, Valencia transitioned to Compliance, collaborating with team members to establish standards and procedures for Asset Management & Trust, as well as BBVA Wealth Solutions. Post-merger, she assumed the role of Institutional Trust Officer in the Charities and Endowment group of Wealth Management at PNC Bank.
In September 2023, Valencia joined Skyward Financial as Office Manager, contributing her diverse financial services and investment industry background to support the Managing Partners and Director in investment, marketing, and administrative endeavors, with the aim of enhancing the firm's success.
Valencia, a Houston native, shares her life with her husband, Kenneth Linton, and their two children, Patrick and Kamryn, who are college graduates and former student athletes. Valencia is deeply family-oriented and dedicates her free time to family history research. She is also a charter member of La Creole, the Louisiana Creole Research Association, committed to advancing family research, providing education, and celebrating Creole history and culture.
Credentials:
- Series 7, 66
- University of Houston-Downtown – Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting
- ABA Graduate School of Bank Investments & Financial Program I
Luz Martinez
Wealth Management Associate
Luz Martinez serves as a Wealth Management Sales Assistant at Skyward Financial, bringing more than five years of experience in financial services with a background spanning firm operations and client support. She supports advisors and clients across a range of wealth management functions, including client onboarding, insurance and annuity processes, account administration, and coordination with financial institutions, carriers, and industry platforms.
At Skyward Financial, she builds on this experience to support the firm’s wealth management and financial planning activities, with an emphasis on providing an efficient, responsive, and thoughtful client experience.
Luz earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a minor in Finance from the University of Houston, along with a Certificate in Quantitative Economics. Her education and professional experience provide a strong foundation in economics, finance, and financial services as she continues to develop her career in wealth management. She remains committed to continued professional development and expanding her knowledge of the wealth management industry.