Kenneth M Bernard CFA

President
248-556-2900

  | ken@bernard-wealth.com
  | 248-556-2900 ext. 1
  | 248-921-1406

Ken Bernard is the president and founder of Bernard Wealth Management. With nearly 20 years of experience as an investment advisor and portfolio manager, his primary responsibility is investment strategy, portfolio management, and research. He earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2003.

Ken received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Michigan in 1984 and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business in 1992.

He is involved in many community organizations, including Yad Ezra, a local food pantry, where he served as President from 2009-2010. He also enjoys visiting people in need with his trusty therapy dog, Hogan.

Andy Niedermeier

Partner and Chief Investment Officer
614-746-9996

  | andy@bernard-wealth.com
  | 248-556-2900 ext. 2 
  | 614-746-9996

Andy Niedermeier is a Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Bernard Wealth Management.  Andy joined BWM in August of 2019 as a Wealth Advisor and serves as an advisor to clients and leads the investment research and portfolio management team. With more than 20 years in financial services, his primary role is coordinating activities relating to investment decisions and the investment process. This includes the research, due diligence, analysis, strategic and tactical decision making, and monitoring of those investment decisions.

Andy holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from The Ohio State University and a Masters in Business Administration from Otterbein University.

An Ohio native, Andy has lived in Colorado since 2011 with his wife Stacy and their two children, Wiley and Lia. Andy is an avid sports fan, enjoys coaching youth sports, and the whole family looks forward to skiing every winter.

Deanna Harless CFP®

Director of Financial Planning and Wealth Advisor
248-556-2900

  | deanna@bernard-wealth.com
  | 248-556-2900 ext. 3 
  |

Deanna Harless is Director of Financial Planning and Wealth Advisor at Bernard Wealth Management. Deanna has more than 17 years of experience in the financial services industry, including expertise in firm productivity improvement, procedure development, and investment research. She enjoys working with clients to help them reach their financial objectives while getting to know them. Deanna graduated from Oakland University with her Bachelor of Science degree. She obtained her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in December 2019, meeting the rigorous education and testing requirements into the complexities of financial planning, as well as meeting the experience requirements and ethical standards. She has also passed her FINRA Series 7, Series 63, and Series 65 exams and holds the Michigan Life and Health license. She currently lives in Rochester Hills with her husband John and two young sons, Jeremiah and Nathaniel.

Scott Palazzolo

Client Service Manager
248-556-2900 ext. 4

  | scott@bernard-wealth.com
  | 248-556-2900 ext. 4 
  |

Scott Palazzolo joined Bernard Wealth Management in August of 2023 and serves as the Client Service Manager. Scott has over 19 years of experience in the wealth management industry.  A majority of Scott’s professional experience is in trust administration for an ultra-high net worth clientele. Scott is skilled in assessing client needs, maintaining client relationships, developing innovative solutions, and delivering exceptional service.  

Scott graduated from Oakland University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He has a major in art history (with a focus on Italian Renaissance Art) and a minor in journalism.    

Outside of work, Scott enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid sports fan. He also enjoys travelling (most notably to New York for his beloved Yankees), reading, and living an active lifestyle.

Kevin Leahy

Compliance Analyst & Client Advisor
248.556.2900 ext. 5

  | kevin@bernard-wealth.com
  | 248-556-2900 ext. 5 
   | 248-607-5656

Kevin Leahy joined Bernard Wealth Management in September of 2024 as a Compliance Analyst & Client Advisor. Kevin has over 10 years of experience in financial services serving a wide range of capacities within the annuity industry, public finance, private wealth management, and institutional trusts. Kevin currently holds an active Series 65 license and is pursing the Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) and Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) designations.  Kevin’s primary responsibilities will include advising and serving clients, while guiding the firm’s compliance program. 

Kevin graduated from Michigan State University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in interdisciplinary studies in social sciences with a double minor in history and psychology. 

Outside of work Kevin enjoys being amongst community. He loves to travel the country for concerts, attend sporting events, and enjoy the great outdoors with friends.