Brian Schafer

Brian works primarily with pre-retirees, retirees, business owners, and families who have accumulated significant wealth and want help making thoughtful decisions about what comes next. He especially enjoys helping clients simplify complex financial decisions and turn the wealth they have built into greater freedom and flexibility in their lives. Based in Spokane, Washington, Brian works with clients locally and throughout the country through virtual meetings.

After serving in the Marine Corps and earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Washington State University, Brian spent six years as a police officer with the Bellevue Police Department. His journey into financial advising began with a large advisory firm, where he gained valuable experience but ultimately wanted the flexibility to offer clients a broader and more personalized approach. That led Brian to Columbia Advisory Partners, where he serves clients as a fiduciary, bringing together investment management and comprehensive financial planning. His planning work extends beyond investments to retirement income and cash flow planning, tax strategies and Roth conversions, estate planning, insurance, and other financial decisions that become increasingly interconnected as clients approach and enter retirement. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with more than a decade of experience, Brian believes financial planning should be tailored to the individual rather than built around a one-size-fits-all approach. For higher-net-worth clients, that flexibility can also include access to investment opportunities across public and private markets, including private equity, real estate, venture capital, and digital assets when appropriate. His goal is not simply to build a portfolio, but to help clients understand how the different pieces of their financial lives work together.

Brian believes in a tailored approach to financial advising, blending careful planning with the flexibility to adapt as goals evolve. His mission is not just to help clients save for retirement but to encourage them to use their wealth in ways that enhance their lives and align with their values. He finds immense satisfaction in watching clients who were once hesitant to spend, finally experience the joy of living their dreams, whether it’s traveling the world, pursuing a passion project, or simply enjoying peace of mind. Brian lives in Nine Mile Falls, WA, with his wife and daughter, and they are excited to welcome another baby girl in August. His commitment to helping clients is grounded in a deep belief that financial freedom is about more than just money—it’s about living life to the fullest. Brian lives in Nine Mile Falls, WA, with his wife and daughter, and they are excited to welcome another baby girl in August. His commitment to helping clients is grounded in a deep belief that financial freedom is about more than just money—it’s about living life to the fullest.