Meet the Experts! Find highly qualified, licensed and certified accountants, CPAs, experts and attorneys at Financial 1 Tax. Our friendly team aspires to provide a “5-Star Experience” to each and every client. Read more about the team below, guided by Founder and President Tatyana Bunich, Financial Advisor & Certified Estate Planner (CEP).
Schedule an appointment online, or call 410-908-9293.
Tatyana Bunich, CEP, RFC — President & Founder
Tatyana Bunich is a highly respected financial advisor with more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is widely known for her strategic, client-first approach and her unwavering commitment to helping families protect what they’ve built and keep their wealth where it belongs — in the family.
Tatyana holds her Series 7, Series 63, and Series 66 securities registrations, along with insurance licenses in multiple states. She is also a Certified Estate Planner (CEP) and a Registered Financial Consultant (RFC). Her credentials reflect decades of hands-on expertise across investments, tax strategy, retirement income planning, long-term care planning, and estate and legacy planning.
She began her career in New York City in 1991, where she built a strong foundation working with major institutions including JP Morgan (formerly known as Chase Wealth Management) and USI. During this time, Tatyana specialized in advising high-net-worth individuals on complex financial matters, developing a reputation for clarity, integrity, and strategic thinking.
In 2001, Tatyana founded Financial 1 with a clear vision: to create a comprehensive financial planning firm built on strategy, not product sales. Her philosophy centers on starting with a Strategic Wealth Blueprint™ — a clear, measurable plan that coordinates tax planning, investment management, retirement income, asset protection, and estate planning before any solutions are implemented.
Tatyana is deeply committed to empowering the families she serves through straightforward, actionable guidance. Her primary goal has always been to help clients make informed decisions and to ensure their wealth supports their lives, their values, and future generations.
Beyond her professional work, Tatyana is a devoted mother to her three children — Sammy, Elana, and Kayla. She cherishes time spent together as a family, often cooking and baking in the kitchen on weekends. She also enjoys music, yoga, Pilates, and relaxing with loved ones at the beach.
Through leadership, education, and advocacy, Tatyana continues to guide Financial 1 Wealth with the same principles that have defined her career from the start: clarity over confusion, strategy over products, and people over transactions. Learn more about Tatyana
Brian M. Spern — Senior Estate, Business & Wealth Planning Attorney
Brian M. Spern, provides in-house legal guidance that supports clients through estate planning, elder law, business formation, and related legal matters as part of a fully coordinated wealth strategy.
Brian earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting before completing his Juris Doctor, giving him a strong foundation in both financial and legal strategy. His early professional years were spent in public accounting at national and regional firms, where he worked with clients in financial services, real estate, and not-for-profit organizations. This background allows him to approach legal planning with a deep understanding of the financial implications behind every decision.
Brian’s legal practice concentrates on estate planning and elder law, addressing the complex legal issues facing senior citizens, families, and business owners. He also assists clients with business formations and provides representation in general civil litigation, allowing for continuity and clarity across multiple stages of planning and life transitions.
His primary areas of focus include:
- Asset protection and preservation planning using sophisticated legal techniques
- Planning for healthcare and long-term care costs for the aging and chronically ill
- Drafting and preparation of wills, trusts, living wills, advance directives, powers of attorney, and special needs trusts
- Probate, estate administration and distribution, guardianships, and estate and inheritance tax matters
- Fiduciary litigation, estate litigation, and general civil litigation
- Business formation and related legal structuring
Brian is admitted to practice law in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the State of New York. He is an active member of the Elder Law and Estates & Trusts Sections of the Maryland State Bar Association, as well as the Bar Associations of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and the District of Columbia.
In addition to his legal work, Brian has lectured extensively throughout the state on Elder Law and Estate Planning. He is also a strong advocate for community outreach and continues to serve the Baltimore community by providing pro bono estate planning services to underprivileged and elderly individuals.
At Financial 1 Wealth, Brian plays a critical role in ensuring that each client’s Strategic Wealth Blueprint™ is legally sound, thoughtfully structured, and aligned with their long-term goals — helping protect their wealth, their family, and their legacy with clarity and confidence.
Prior to entering the field of law, Brian M. Spern worked in the field of public accounting at national and regional accounting firms. His areas of concentration included financial services, real estate and not-for-profit.
Mr. Spern is admitted to the bars of Maryland, District of Columbia, State of New York and State of New Jersey. He is a member of the Elder Law and Estates and Trusts Sections of the Maryland State Bar Association, The Bar Associations of Baltimore City and Baltimore County and the District of Columbia Bar Association.
Mr. Spern has lectured extensively throughout the State on “Elder Law” and “Estate Planning.” He is an advocate of community outreach programs and continues to serve the Baltimore community by providing pro bono estate measures to underprivileged and elderly individuals.
Mr. Spern’s legal practice concentrates on “Estate Planning,” “Elder Law” legal issues facing senior citizens as well as General Civil Litigation. Learn more about Brian
Jeffrey W. Linker, CPA — Director of Tax Services
Jeffrey Linker, bringing more than 45 years of experience in accounting and taxation to the firm. His extensive career provides clients with seasoned guidance through even the most complex tax situations.
Throughout his career, Jeffrey has worked with a variety of local accounting firms, specializing in tax planning and compliance for small businesses and individuals. His experience spans a wide range of industries, with significant emphasis on real estate and healthcare services, where tax complexity and strategic planning are critical.
Jeffrey’s decades of hands-on experience have exposed him to virtually every type of tax challenge—from straightforward individual returns to highly complex, multi-layered business and investment scenarios. This depth allows him to identify issues early, anticipate risks, and design practical, effective solutions that align with each client’s broader financial strategy.
As a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Maryland Association of CPAs, Jeffrey remains committed to the highest professional standards and ongoing education. At Financial 1 Wealth, he works closely with the firm’s advisors, attorneys, and planning team to ensure that tax strategy is fully integrated into each client’s Strategic Wealth Blueprint™.
Jeffrey’s approach is grounded in clarity, accuracy, and long-term thinking—helping clients reduce unnecessary tax exposure, stay compliant, and make informed decisions that support their overall financial goals.
Stacey Henderson — Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Staci Henderson, bringing more than 20 years of professional experience across the accounting and healthcare industries. Her leadership plays a critical role in ensuring that clients receive exceptional service delivered with precision, efficiency, and care.
Staci’s formative professional years were spent working with local public accounting firms and supporting small businesses through bookkeeping, accounting, and operational services. She also brings over 15 years of tax experience, giving her a deep understanding of the accuracy, compliance, and coordination required to support complex financial planning and wealth strategies.
Her academic background reflects both technical expertise and operational leadership. Staci holds an MBA, a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. This multidisciplinary education allows her to bridge financial detail with big-picture execution—ensuring that strategies are implemented smoothly and consistently across the firm.
As COO, Staci oversees firm operations with a strong focus on process integrity, accuracy, and client experience. She is deeply passionate about providing clients with exceptional service while ensuring that every detail is handled correctly and efficiently behind the scenes.
At Financial 1 Wealth, Staci’s leadership ensures that the firm’s Strategic Wealth Blueprint™ is not only thoughtfully designed—but flawlessly supported—so clients experience clarity, confidence, and continuity at every stage of their relationship with the firm.
Sammy Spern — Director of Tax & Client Services
Sammy Spern brings both professional experience and lifelong immersion to his role at Financial 1 Wealth. With over five years of hands-on financial experience — and a childhood spent learning the business under the guidance of his mother, Tatyana Bunich — Sammy has developed a deep, intuitive understanding of financial planning and tax strategy.
From an early age, Sammy was exposed to the importance of strategy before products, and that philosophy continues to guide his work today. He is deeply passionate about educating clients, helping them understand their financial decisions, and supporting them as they work toward long-term confidence and clarity.
Sammy is especially committed to building personal, trusted relationships with each client. He approaches every engagement with the belief that clients should feel more like family — and that their success is something he is personally invested in.
Although his early pursuits centered around athletics, including competing on the Division III soccer field, Sammy’s devotion to finance ultimately led him to Towson University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. That same discipline, focus, and team-oriented mindset now shapes the way he serves clients.
Sammy specializes in working closely with professional athletes and entertainers, helping them navigate the unique financial complexities of their careers with thoughtful tax planning and strategic guidance. He also supports a wide range of other clients at Financial 1 Wealth, contributing across the firm’s planning and tax initiatives.
Outside of work, Sammy remains an avid football and basketball enthusiast, blending his lifelong passion for sports with his professional focus on helping clients protect and grow what they’ve earned.
Elana Spern — Director of Operations & Marketing
Elana Spern leads the firm’s operational strategy, client communications, and marketing initiatives with a strong focus on clarity, connection, and growth.
Elana joined Financial 1 Wealth in 2023, bringing with her a solid foundation in communications, supported by a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland. Her background allows her to effectively bridge strategic messaging with operational execution—ensuring that clients experience consistency, professionalism, and thoughtful engagement at every stage of their relationship with the firm.
Licensed in life and health insurance, Elana supports the firm’s ability to deliver comprehensive financial strategies while maintaining a high standard of coordination across planning, marketing, and client service. She plays a key role in aligning messaging with the firm’s strategy-first philosophy and fiduciary commitment.
In her role, Elana excels at streamlining internal processes, enhancing the overall client experience, and ensuring seamless collaboration between operations, marketing, and advisory teams. Her passion for building meaningful relationships and her ability to develop impactful, client-focused strategies have made her an integral part of Financial 1 Wealth’s continued growth and success.
Elana’s leadership helps ensure that every client interaction reflects the firm’s core promise: clarity, confidence, and a personalized approach built around what matters most.
Malinda Trapp — Director of Client Services
Malinda Trapp, brings over a decade of experience in the financial services industry and a deep commitment to delivering an exceptional client experience.
Malinda is known for her strong technical knowledge, professionalism, and reliability. She plays a vital role in ensuring that every client interaction is seamless, well-coordinated, and handled with the highest level of care and attention to detail. Her ability to anticipate needs and manage complex processes behind the scenes allows clients to feel supported, informed, and confident at every stage of their relationship with the firm.
With a service-first mindset, Malinda is dedicated to building trust and long-term relationships with clients. She takes pride in providing a high-quality, personalized experience, ensuring that each client feels valued and well cared for—never like just a number.