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Meet the Team

Our Team

Mikko J. Passananti, MBA

President & CEO

mpassananti@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1412

 

George Kilborn, CFA®

Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director

gkilborn@pensionmark.com
(401) 453-4041

Windy Fino, AIF

Director of Client Services

wfino@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1408

Susy Peddle

Director of Client Services

speddle@pensionmark.com
(401) 453-4040

Melissa Urban Kindness, CPFA®, NQPC™

Director of Service & Case Design

mkindness@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1410

 

Katherine Haggis, CPFA®, NQPC™

Financial Services Specialist

khaggis@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1405

 

JohnPaul Baughman

Assistant Director of Retirement Services

jpbaughman@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1411

Michelle Noon, MBA

Controller

mnoon@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1413

 

 

Alexis Duffy

Operations and Marketing Coordinator

aduffy@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1403

Martha Tenkarian

Director of Insurance Services

mtenkarian@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1406

Our Story

1NAPA Top DC Advisor Teams: Teams were broadly defined as being in a single physical location and having at least $100 million in DC assets under advisement. It is based on self-reported assets under advisement as of December 31, 2023, unless otherwise noted.

2From Providence Business News 2022, 2023 and 2024 – Financial figures for assets under management are based on accounts that are located in RI and/or Bristol County, MA

Vincent J. Passananti

Chairman Emeritus

Vincent spent his career, spanning six decades, designing, implementing, and administering pensions and executive benefit plans, as well as serving ultra-high-net-worth families with advanced designs of life insurance. Clients served over the years included Fortune 500® organizations, large non-profit organizations, law firms, hospital groups, manufacturers, banking institutions, life insurance companies, and successful enterprises of all size. Vincent always embraced the challenge of finding solutions for each client’s unique needs and instilled a sense of pride, accountability, and proactivity in the firm to ensure that clients’ expectations were met.

In his career Vincent led multiple, leading insurance carriers in annual production. Vincent was inducted into the renowned Pacific Life Insurance Company’s ‘Vanguard’. Vincent was a member of the FINSECA (formerly The Association for Advanced Life Underwriting), the Forum-400® and other life insurance consortiums, where he shared strategies and his vast business experience with his peers. In addition to founding Meridien in 1975, Vincent was a founding partner of New England Trust Company the same year. New England Trust was nationally chartered and grew from dollar-one to have over $1.4B in Assets Under Management when sold in 1994. New England Trust served the investment management needs of high-net-worth families, defined benefit plans and other institutional investors.

In 2024, after nearly fifty years of firm leadership, Vincent has retired, embracing his emeritus role knowing his mentoring has enabled Meridien’s continued success.

Mikko J. Passananti, MBA

President & CEO

mpassananti@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1412

 

Mikko has been helping corporate clients, their executives, employees, and families for over 20 years by creating and managing financial and insurance plans tailored to their needs.

As the CEO & President of PensionmarkMeridien, Mikko leads the company’s operations, focusing on client satisfaction and the professional growth of the team. He plays a key role in the firm’s Executive and Investment Committees and manages important relationships with various clients, including for-profit and non-profit companies and families. Mikko specializes in designing investment and insurance solutions for a wide range of clients, from businesses to individuals. Mikko oversees the firm’s membership/ownership in Lion Street, a national network of independent firms and financial professionals, where members share knowledge and resources.

Mikko earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Rhode Island and an MBA from Clark University. In 2023, he was honored with the title of Rhode Island Commodore by Governor Daniel McKee. He is an active member of Finseca (formerly The Association for Advanced Life Underwriting). He holds FINRA 6, 63 & 65 registrations and Life, Health and Life Settlement licenses.

 

George Kilborn, CFA®

Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director

gkilborn@pensionmark.com
(401) 453-4041

George Kilborn was born and raised in Providence and is a full-time resident of Little Compton. He has three children and two grandchildren, all of whom live close by.

George went to Moses Brown School for ten years and then to Brooks School, graduating in 1959 and Williams College in 1963. He is the past president of Plantations Capital Management, Barclay Capital Management and Compton Capital Management, which he founded in 1991.

Upon graduating from Williams, George enlisted as a reserve in the R.I. Army National Guard and fulfilled his six-year commitment.

He earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 1970 and is a past president of the Providence Society of Financial Analysts.

George is an avid athlete and is active in squash, golf, and paddle tennis and was a two-sport captain at Williams. He is also a former state squash champion. He is an active board member of several local non-profit organizations. He attends St. Andrews by the Sea Church, where he was the senior warden for four years.

Alison L. Segall, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP®, NQPC™

Executive Vice President

asegall@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1402

 

Alison is the firm’s Executive Vice President and helps guide the strategic direction of the company. Having joined the PensionmarkMeridien team in 2014, she has over 35 years of experience working with affluent clients, businesses, and their advisors to creatively design, implement, and administer estate, philanthropic, retirement, and executive benefit plans.

Alison leads PensionmarkMeridien’s executive benefits and life insurance case design and service teams and serves as the lead of client relationship management across key company accounts. She earned her B.A. from The College of William and Mary, holds FINRA Series 6 & 63 registrations, is a registered investment adviser representative, and is life and health insurance licensed.

Alison is a Chartered Financial Consultant®, Chartered Life Underwriter®, Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, and Nonqualified Plan Consultant™ . She is a member of the National Association of Plan Advisors and the Estate Planning Council of Rhode Island.

 

David A. Radoccia, CFP®, ChFC®

Managing Director

dradoccia@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1409

David is a Managing Director at PensionmarkMeridien. With extensive experience in both insurance and investments, David has used his passion to help develop unique processes and methods to assist employers and employees, as well as individual clients and families, finding ways to maximize their retirement dollars and to help achieve financial independence.

David is experienced in Qualified Retirement Planning for Businesses and Non-Qualified Benefit Programs for Executives and Highly Compensated Employees. He also leads Financial Planning for the firm as well as working within the Wealth Advisory practice. David serves on PensionmarkMeridien & 39’s Investment Advisory Committee.

Finally, David serves on the Insurance Advisory for the Town of Walpole, MA, as well as being active in the Walpole community. He also serves in various capacities on Boards and Committees at Walpole Country Club and at The Strand in Naples, Florida.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing/Management from Bentley University in 1985 along with an Associate Degree in Accounting and Management, David began his career in 1985 with SunLife Financial before joining PensionmarkMeridien in 1997.

David obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in 1993 and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) since 2005. He lives in Walpole with his wife, Laura Quenneville, and has 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren.

George Warburg, CFP®, APMA®

Managing Director

gwarburg@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1422

George is a Managing Director at PensionmarkMeridien and serves on the firm’s Investment Committee. George works with families, individuals, and institutional wealth clients, with a focus on solving their comprehensive financial planning needs. These solutions often include investment planning, estate planning, risk management, and tax strategies. George has a B.S. in Economics from the College of Charleston. He holds Series 7, Series 66, and insurance licenses for life, accident, and health. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and an Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor℠ (APMA®).

In his free time, George enjoys traveling, supporting local businesses, listening to live music, spending time with family, and coaching youth basketball leagues.

Philip G. Backholm Jr., CPA

Managing Director

pbackholm@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1404

Philip G. Backholm, Jr. is a Managing Director with over 35 years of experience in the Financial Services Industry. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has responsibility for the specific client case design relating to pre- and post-retirement life insurance, non-qualified deferred compensation, Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, independent review of existing plans, and annual regulatory compliance accounting and reporting. Prior to joining Pensionmark, Mr. Backholm spent 12 years with KPMG. There he worked providing auditing and consulting services to financial institutions and insurance companies. Mr. Backholm is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In addition to his CPA license, Mr. Backholm also maintains Series 6, 26 and 63 securities registrations. Mr. Backholm graduated from Bentley University with honors with a degree in accounting and a minor in mathematics.

Karen Robinson, CPFA®, AIF®

Managing Director

KRobinson@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1416

Karen brings in-depth, focused Retirement Plan experience, working exclusively with 401(k), 403(b), and defined benefit plans for the past seven years. She began her career with a recordkeeper/TPA, setting up and converting retirement plans at a high volume, giving her broad experience in plan design, fiduciary governance, enrollments, and administrative challenges.

Her desire to continue serving clients with a personalized, ongoing relationship motivated her to become an independent advisor. She is a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®), holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designation and a certified teaching assistant, and is currently pursuing the Non-Qualified Plan Advisor (NQPA™) credential. She brings a unique ability to translate complex retirement plan concepts into clear, actionable strategies for plan sponsors and participants alike.

Karen lives in Rhode Island with her son and their Australian Shepherd. Outside of work, she enjoys golfing, hiking, spending time outdoors, and is a lifelong hockey fan.

Windy Fino, AIF

Director of Client Services

wfino@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1408

Windy Fino is the Director of Client Services at PensionmarkMeridien, with over a decade of experience in the financial services industry. She is dedicated to serving the diverse needs of corporate clients and high-net-worth families, leveraging her expertise to deliver tailored solutions.

In her role, Windy is committed to fostering collaborative relationships with both her clients and team, ensuring a seamless, high-touch service experience. She takes pride in exceeding client expectations by providing clarity, confidence, and a consultative approach, all in alignment with the firm’s core values. Windy’s primary responsibilities include assisting plan sponsors with the management of their qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, overseeing client relationships, and supporting PensionmarkMeridien’s wealth advisory services.

A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Windy holds FINRA Series 6, 7, 26, 63, and 65 registrations.

Susy Peddle

Director of Client Services

speddle@pensionmark.com
(401) 453-4040

Susy joined PensionmarkMeridien as a Director of Client Services in 2023 and holds a FINRA Series 65 registration. With 30 years in the financial service industry, she has gained valuable client service and communication experience. Her attention to detail, organizational skills, and motivation to work as a team are put to work in support of clients and their needs.

Susy has worked closely with high-net-worth families, and in addition to working with clients, she also works closely with senior management and our investment portfolio team and provides necessary support and assistance in office and client-related matters.

Susy is married and a mother of two sons and two stepdaughters and lives in Coventry with her husband. In her spare time, she volunteers at the USO.

Melissa Urban Kindness, CPFA®, NQPC™

Director of Service & Case Design

mkindness@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1410

 

Melissa initially joined PensionmarkMeridien in April 2019, coming from the voluntary benefits & health insurance industries where she developed relationships across both public and private sectors. She collaborates with our insurance team to creatively design estate, retirement, and executive benefit plans, from implementation through ongoing service. She maintains her life/health & accident insurance licenses while working towards her FINRA Series 6 & 63 registrations.

Melissa graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training/Biology from Florida Southern College. Prior to starting in the life insurance industry, she managed multi-chain restaurants, both in-store and as part of the Regional Service Team of Southwest FL, the top producing region in the nation.

Melissa’s blended family includes four teenagers active in multiple High School & D1 Collegiate level sports which keeps her passionately involved in her community, including Pop Warner Youth Football Program and the Athletic Boosters. She can be found most evenings volunteering in the HS Snack Shack.

In her spare time, she enjoys New England summers with her friends, family, and the dogs in Newport & Little Compton.

 

Katherine Haggis, CPFA®, NQPC™

Financial Services Specialist

khaggis@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1405

 

Katherine rejoined PensionmarkMeridien in March 2023, returning from a 13-year tenure as a producer in the Voluntary Benefits & Health Insurance industries, where she developed broker relationships across both Public and Private sectors. Her licensed professional career began in 2007 in the financial services industry with a focus on wealth accumulation and preservation for high-net-worth clients.

Katherine graduated cum laude with her bachelor’s degree in finance/legal studies from Bryant University. She maintains her Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) and Nonqualified Plan Advisor (NQPA) designations. She is currently studying to obtain her series 7 and 66 registrations.

In her spare time, Katherine enjoys hiking/snowshoeing in the White Mountains with her Husband, enjoying summers at the beach and playing the flute.

 

JohnPaul Baughman

Assistant Director of Retirement Services

jpbaughman@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1411

As Assistant Director of Retirement Services, JohnPaul supports the advisory and strategic planning of 401(k) and 403(b) plan solutions. His responsibilities include coordinating vendor and third-party administrator (TPA) evaluations, assisting with plan management, and overseeing fund selection processes. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a Workplace Consultant at Fidelity Investments. JohnPaul holds FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 registrations and earned a bachelor’s degree from Thomas More College in New Hampshire. Outside the office, JohnPaul is an avid hockey fan who enjoys backpacking and camping throughout New England.

Michelle Noon, MBA

Controller

mnoon@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1413

 

 

Michelle joined PensionmarkMeridien in 2010 and has been the Corporate Controller since that time. With over twenty-five years of experience in Accounting and Business Management in varied industries ranging from banking to corporate retail to international seafood exporting and wholesaling, she oversees all financial operations for the firm. Michelle has FINRA Financial Operations Principal, Series 28 and Operations Professional, Series 99 registrations.

Michelle is a Cum Laude Graduate of Rhode Island College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a minor in Business Management. She was a member of the Rhode Island College Honors Program and received the Economics and Management Department’s prestigious John Silva Memorial Scholastic Award. After graduating from Rhode Island College, Michelle continued her education at the University of Rhode Island where she graduated with an MBA with a concentration in International Business.

Michelle enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and attending concerts.

 

 

Alexis Duffy

Operations and Marketing Coordinator

aduffy@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1403

Alexis joined the PensionmarkMeridien team in September of 2018. She is responsible for project management and data reconciliation and analytics for the firm’s corporate and high-net worth relationships. Additionally, she provides underwriting and client service support to non-qualified plan clients and the firm’s wealth transfer clients, as well liaising with trust and estate attorneys and accounting teams.

Prior to joining the firm, Alexis was employed at Mercer as an Operations Team Leader and a Resolution Specialist. She spent most of her career assisting plan sponsors with their employees’ wide range of health and life insurance benefits.

Martha Tenkarian

Director of Insurance Services

mtenkarian@pensionmark.com
(401) 228-1406

Martha is the Director of Insurance Services at PensionmarkMeridien. Her experience in the financial services industry spans over thirty years. Her insurance career began with Guardian and MassMutual, working specifically with retirement plans and high net worth individuals.

Serving as the Office Administrator for a sizeable MassMutual agency provided a natural transition to life insurance administration. Martha’s experience serving both clients and insurance producers eventually led her to PensionmarkMeridien. For over a decade, she has led the firm’s client service, underwriting, and licensing needs. While paying strict attention to detail, Martha always puts the client first.