We Specialize In
- Independent Wealth Management
- Wealth Management Specialists
- Financial Advisor Services
- Asset Management Services
- Retirement Accumulation Services
- Estate Planning Services
Hours of Operation
Mon – Thurs: 9am – 5pm
Friday: 9am – 12pm
Customer Contact Hours:
By Appointment Only
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professionals
To earn the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, Keith had to complete an approved educational program, pass a rigorous examination and meet stringent experience requirements. They adhere to a professional Code of Ethics and fulfills annual continuing education requirements to be updated with current planning strategies and financial trends.
Certified Divorce Financial Analysts®
Keith helps his clients avoid the common financial pitfalls of divorce by helping them manage their assets during this trying time. He helps create a post-divorce budget, retirement income plan, and a legacy plan.
Trustworthy Financial Advisor Wealth Management
Austin Wealth Specialists is an independent wealth management firm based in Austin, Texas. Although investments involve risks, choosing a financial advisor shouldn’t. With more than 30 years of experience in asset management, retirement accumulation, and estate planning customized for every client, we are committed in guiding our clients to their journey to success. We work with women in transition, i.e. retiring, divorced, widowed, or changing jobs. Austin Wealth Specialists uses a financial road map to inspire, empower, transpire.
Keith Powell CFP®, CDFA™
Keith graduated from Texas A&M University in 1991 with a BS in economics and a minor in psychology. His current role is a perfect marriage of those two distinct disciplines of education.
After graduation, he began his career as a stockbroker with F.N. Wolf & Co., Investment Bankers. Since then, he has been a branch manager at Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, and United Capital Financial Partners.
Keith was a partner at the independent firm of Stabil Capital Management. After the successful sale of that business, Keith spent a few years at the mutual fund company Waddell & Reed. In 2012, he left there to open the locally owned and operated Austin Divorce Planners. In 2018, he joined Austin Wealth Specialists as a Senior Partner.
In 2020, Keith purchased Austin Wealth Specialists and is now the sole owner and Senior Partner. Also that year, he was joined by Stacey Stoker as his assistant.
Michael Hughes - Financial Advisor
Michael is a 1991 Graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, former Naval Officer, and has been in the financial services industry for since 1997. Michael began his financial services career as a currency trader on the FX Spot market. While there he gained invaluable experience learning to use both technical and fundamental analysis to direct positions in various currencies. In 1998, Michael earned his Series 7 & 63 licenses to become a registered representative at a boutique firm specializing in private placements and small company IPOs. Moving to Charles Schwab in 2001, he worked on “high net worth” client teams and individual portfolio planning and diversification. After leaving Schwab, Michael Worked in branches at Fidelity, Waddell & Reed, and ran an Edward Jones branch for several years before becoming an independent Advisor.
In 2017, Michael founded The Hughes Group Wealth Management Partners LLC, a Registered Investment Advisory firm. His experiences with both large financial firms and smaller boutique offerings allowed him to create a wealth management company uniquely positioned to advise novice and sophisticated investors. Over the course of 2023 and 2024, The Hughes Group merged with Vann Equity Management. The merger leverages the strength of Vann Equity Management’s quantitative process, portfolio management, and streamlined process; and the experience of The Hughes Group’s emphasis on individual planning and added client service.
Michael leads the Vann Equity Management branch office in Austin, Texas.
Kristen Fuhrman - Financial Advisor
Kristen Fuhrman is a financial professional and trusted advisor known for her refined, relationship-centered approach to wealth planning and client care. Based in Austin, Texas, she specializes in helping individuals and families navigate important financial decisions with clarity, confidence, and sophistication.
With a philosophy rooted in empowerment, discretion, and personalized strategy, Kristen believes financial planning should feel both deeply supportive and intentionally tailored to the life each client envisions for themselves. Her approach blends analytical insight with emotional intelligence, creating an experience that is thoughtful, collaborative, and highly individualized.
Kristen is particularly passionate about helping women cultivate financial confidence, independence, and long-term security — transforming conversations around wealth into opportunities for freedom, stability, and personal alignment. She is known for building meaningful, lasting relationships grounded in trust, transparency, and exceptional attention to detail.
Beyond her professional work, Kristen has a strong appreciation for philanthropy, the arts, and opera, passions that reflect her belief in the importance of culture, community, and creating a meaningful legacy. Her style is polished yet approachable, combining modern professionalism with warmth, elegance, and authenticity.
Whether guiding clients through generational planning, major life transitions, or long-term financial strategy, Kristen is committed to creating a calm, elevated experience where clients feel informed, empowered, and genuinely cared for.
Stacey Stoker - Vice President of Operations
Stacey Stoker is the Vice President of Operations at Austin Wealth Specialists, where she leads operations and plays a key role in supporting the firm’s growth and delivering a seamless, high-quality client experience. She brings a long-standing working relationship with the firm’s leadership. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and her two dogs.