Carter Ellis, CFP®, Founder

Having grown up in rural Virginia on over thirty acres, I spent many summers mowing grass and winters collecting firewood with my dad and brother. Early on, I learned the value of hard work and pride in a job well done. I developed a fascination with finance during the global economic crisis of 2008 as the real estate market crumbled and our family went through change.

I left the Blue Ridge mountains for the Bull City in 2014 after graduating from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Finance and a concentration in Financial Planning. I spent over seven years as an investment research analyst and financial advisor at a Durham-based investment advisory firm, receiving the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation along the way. For three of those years, I was a partner of the firm. It was there that I learned the art of serving clients to help them achieve their specific goals.

In 2022, I founded Valley Peak Financial, LLC with a vision of creatively delivering a personalized client experience to achieve financial excellence. It is my privilege to share in people’s stories, helping them to walk through the valleys and reach for the peaks.

In our free time, my lovely wife Lindsay and I enjoy getting outside with our three kids, serving at our church, and daydreaming about our next family trip.

Sara Howe, CEBS, CRPS®, FPQP™, CDFA®, Client Service Associate

Sara is a finance professional with over 25 years of experience helping individuals navigate the often tricky world of personal finance and retirement planning. She works closely with Carter to ensure the client onboarding process is seamless and all client needs are met. She lives in the details and has a true passion for helping people.

Sara is currently also employed at Duke University, holding the title of Senior Benefits Administration & Communications Analyst. Previously, Sara held Retirement Benefits Consultant positions, while working at the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer's office, CAPTRUST, and Fidelity Investments. Sara completed a Bachelor's degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Administration & Management from Strayer University, and currently holds a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation, Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS®) designation, Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP™) designation, and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) designation.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, home projects, and going to the gym.