Samantha Cafferty

Samantha  is a seasoned Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill, where she began her career in 2012 after earning an Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with a minor in Economics from George Mason University. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional, known for her client-centric approach to defining, prioritizing, and achieving financial goals.

Samantha focuses on wealth planning strategies that include education funding, long-term care, inflation-adjusted retirement income, and multi-generational wealth transfer. Her thoughtful, tailored guidance has earned her national recognition – she was named to the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list in 2026, 2025, and 2024 (published annually Jan - April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year), the Forbes “Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list in 2025, 2024, and 2023 (published annually Aug - Sept. Rankings based on data as of March 31 of current year), and the Forbes “Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list in 2026, 2025, 2024, and 2023 (published annually in February. Rankings based on data as of Sept 30 of prior year.)

Samantha is a Northern Virginia native who enjoys reading, baking, yoga, and spending time with her husband, two young sons, and senior pit bull.

*Forbes \ SHOOK® “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list. Opinions provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due-diligence meetings that measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, compliance records, firm nominations, assets under management and Firm-generated revenue (investment performance is not a criterion). SHOOK’s rankings are available for client evaluation only, are not indicative of future performance and do not represent any one client’s experience and available for investor help in evaluating the right financial advisor. Compensation was not received from anyone for the study. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Details available at the SHOOK Research website. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

*Forbes “America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list. Opinions provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC considered advisors born in 1984 or later with a minimum 4 years as an advisor. Advisors have built their practices, lead their own teams, joined teams, are considered future leaders, or combinations thereof. Ranking is based on in-person and telephone due-diligence meetings that measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, compliance records, firm nominations, assets under management and Firm-generated revenue (investment performance is not a criterion). Shook’s rankings do not reflect all client experiences, endorse any advisor, indicate future performance and are available for client evaluation only. Compensation was not received from anyone for the study. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Details available at the SHOOK Research website. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

*Forbes “Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list. Opinions provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due-diligence meetings that measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, compliance records, firm nominations, assets under management and Firm-generated revenue (investment performance is not a criterion). SHOOK’s rankings are available for client evaluation only, are not indicative of future performance and do not represent any one client’s experience and available for investor help in evaluating the right financial advisor and should not be considered an endorsement of the advisor. Compensation was not received from anyone for the study. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Details available at the SHOOK Research website. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.