Financial planning and investment advice grown in Austin, Texas
Our Team
Sara Glakas
Founder & Managing Partner
Sara came to this work by way of the hedge fund industry, where she advised institutional clients through the 2008–2009 financial crisis and saw firsthand what happens when people don't understand the risk level of their own investments. She founded Black Barn on a belief that it's not enough for your advisor to understand investing. You should understand it, too. She partners best with clients who view their portfolio as an engine of growth and see the value in taking thoughtful, long-term perspectives.
Sara builds portfolios that are clear, liquid, and simple enough that you understand what you own and why. And she's the one who picks up the phone when markets get scary to make sure the plan you have is one you can stay in.
In 2011, Sara founded Austin Women's Investing Group to reach people who felt shut out of the investing world. AWIG has grown to over 3,000 members. She's taught investing courses through programs at UT Austin, serves on the Finance Committee of the Ann Richards School Foundation, and co-hosts the podcast Women on the Verge of a Financial Breakthrough. In 2014, she won Austin Woman Magazine's Small Business Grant Award. Her work has been featured in The New York Times.
Sara holds an MBA from St. Edward's University and a BA from Washington University in St. Louis, where she won four national championships on the women's basketball team.
Kacie Swartz
CFP® Certificant, CIMA®, Managing Partner
Kacie is a CFP® practitioner and CIMA® with more than twenty years of experience in financial planning, benefits optimization, and wealth management. She works best in the details most people overlook: equity compensation, tax-advantaged accounts, the everyday decisions that quietly shape long-term outcomes.
Having a trusted expert to lean on can be deeply comforting for people experiencing divorce, the death of a significant other, or receiving an inheritance. Kacie’s background in investment education makes her a powerful guide for clients as they move through these defining moments in life and to support them as their personal financial planning needs evolve.
She is a spokesperson for the CFP® Board's Women's Initiative and a member of the Financial Planning Association, NAPFA, the Investments & Wealth Institute, and the Women Presidents Organization. Kacie’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Real Simple, Money Magazine, and Kiplinger. She supports the Austin Diaper Bank, American Gateways, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, and the Central Texas Food Bank.
Kacie graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wichita State University with a degree in Finance.
Lindsay Thorstenson
Assistant Financial Planner
Lindsay brings a heart for service and a deep commitment to helping clients feel confident and cared for in their financial lives. She is especially passionate about making financial planning more accessible and welcoming to communities that have historically been underrepresented in the industry, including women and LGBTQ+ clients.
Before joining Black Barn Financial, Lindsay built a career grounded in service, leadership, and advocacy. She served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps and later as a patrol officer with the Austin Police Department. Her transition into financial services allowed her to continue supporting others in a new way, with experience spanning roles at the IRS, Charles Schwab, and Cary Street Partners.
As part of Black Barn’s financial planning team, Lindsay supports clients and advisors through financial plan development, client service, and ongoing planning analysis. She values building genuine relationships and helping clients feel informed, empowered, and supported throughout every stage of the planning process.
A lifelong learner, Lindsay holds Master’s degrees in International Relations, Criminal Justice, and Accounting.
Elisa Hanson
Chief Compliance Officer
Elisa is Black Barn Financial’s diligent Chief Compliance Officer.
With over a decade of experience in insurance and risk management, she is a seasoned leader with extensive experience gathering, analyzing and evaluating data. Elisa is responsible for the core operations of the firm and oversees all regulatory requirements and compliance affairs.
Elisa holds a BA in Risk Management from Illinois Wesleyan University.
Amy Calistri
Senior Portfolio Manager
Amy is a Senior Portfolio Manager at Black Barn Financial. She enjoys drawing on her broad knowledge to create customized portfolios for clients. Amy pairs clients with investments that not only perform well, but complement their preferences and goals.
While at the University of Texas at Austin, Amy published research with the world-renowned economist James Galbraith. Before joining Black Barn Financial, she performed sophisticated economic and financial analysis for multimillion dollar corporate lawsuits and helped IBM implement state-of-the art technologies. Amy even wrote a critically acclaimed book about the life and career of a professional poker player.
Amy holds a BS in Engineering from Columbia University and a Masters of Public Affairs from the LBJ School at University of Texas at Austin.
Tima Brown
Director of Business Operations & Client Experience
Tima supports the firm’s mission with thoughtful organization, strong leadership, and a people-first approach.
Her background includes teaching high school English, extensive service and leadership within Austin-area nonprofits, and a Master’s degree in Education Administration.
Across every season of her career, Tima has brought clarity and structure, integrity, and a positive energy that makes work both effective and fun to the teams she serves. At Black Barn, she not only keeps operations running efficiently, but also cultivates connection through internal and external events and charitable initiatives aligned with the firm’s values.
Jacob Ritter
Client Service Advisor
Jacob helps keep day-to-day operations running smoothly by handling account setup, paperwork, and ongoing updates. He’s often the first point of contact for new and prospective clients and works to make each interaction clear, efficient, and welcoming. He also supports the team with investment research and client data management.
Jacob graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire with a B.A. in Business Administration and History. During his time there, he authored and published a research paper, reflecting his strong attention to detail and analytical approach.
Marianne Darmstaedter
Executive Assistant
Marianne supports Sara and Kacie with managing communications, calendars, and day-to-day coordination. She works closely with clients on scheduling and is often the person making sure the right conversation happens at the right time.
How We Work
We start with what’s happening in your life.
A plan that's only about numbers won't hold. We start with the real decisions, habits, and feelings you bring into the room. Our first conversation is mostly listening. What's keeping you up at night, what's changed, what you're building toward. That's where the work begins.
Most of our clients come in with a good handle on their money. They just don't know it yet. Part of what we do is to say: you're actually doing a really good job here. Let's build on that.
Planning stays in motion and communication.
Your financial life moves through stages, and so does the plan. We build around what's most urgent, pace it so finishing one thing gives you momentum for the next, and keep adjusting as your life changes. Equity events, retirement, caregiving, divorce, inheritance. Moments that bring change don't follow a script, and neither does the plan. It's an ongoing relationship.
Our interests are tied to yours.
We're fee-only and fiduciary. No commissions, no kickbacks, no product sales. You know what you pay, and our advice isn't shaped by anything other than what's best for you. Clarity and conviction go further than the thing a friend told you about.
Invested in Community, Because Growth is for Life.
Financial education shouldn't require a minimum investment.
Austin Women's Investing Group started in 2011 as a conversation among friends. Today it's one of Austin's largest investing communities, with over 3,000 members.
AWIG meets regularly, hosts quarterly webinars, and creates a space where questions are welcomed and financial jargon is left at the door. It's also where Sara and Kacie first met, and where the idea for their partnership took root.
Beyond AWIG, the Black Barn team has deep roots in community financial education. Kacie provided financial coaching through Dress for Success and tax preparation through Foundation Communities. Sara co-hosts Women on the Verge of a Financial Breakthrough, a podcast focused on making financial conversations accessible to everyone.
The thread through all of it: the people the industry overlooks are often the ones who benefit most from honest, rigorous financial attention.