Profile
“Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
As founder and CEO of Nvest Financial LLC, Nichole D. Raftopoulos makes sure each of the firm’s valued clients is being serviced in the most exceptional manner. She co-runs the firm with her husband and together they strive to provide each client with the best experience like no other.
Raftopoulos is also co-principal of the firm’s marketing arm, Nvest Group LLC, and president of the non-profit she and her husband founded called Operation Love: from Home. Operation Love is actively involved with military families and the surrounding community, assisting low-income families in a number of ways including pro bono financial planning services.
She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® practitioner and holds a Master of Science degree in financial planning from the College for Financial Planning, with coursework completed at Northeastern University. She also holds the Master Planner in Advanced Studies™ (MPAS℠) designation, is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™ (CDFA™) designee as well as an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designee (AIF®).
At Nvest, education is taken seriously and instilled in each of the firm’s advisors and staff. They believe that, by educating their clients, they are empowering them to make the most informed decisions about their personal financial matters. The education they provide comes with compassion, empathy, and professionalism.
Raftopoulos is often invited as a guest speaker at various industry events and conferences due to her ability to distill complex topics into easily understood concepts and insights.
2 International Dr., Suite 110, Portsmouth, NH 03801
(207) 985 8585
info@nvestfinancial.com
linkedin.com/in/nvest
planwithnvest.com
Nichole D. Raftopoulos
CEO and Founder
Nvest Financial LLC
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“The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
1995–1999
1999–2003
2005
2016–Present
2022–Present
Financial Consultant at Merrill Lynch
1995–
1999
1999–2003: Investment Representative at Edward Jones
2002: Became a Certified Financial Planner™
2003: Founded Nvest Financial LLC (utilized Commonwealth Financial as broker-dealer, State of Maine RIA)
1999–
2003
Completed her Master of Science in Financial Planning degree
2005
Year: Chairman’s honours at b/d (top four percent)
2017: Investment New Tech Award
2017–2024: Five-Star Wealth Advisor, NH
2017–2024: Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, NH, 2024
2017–2025: Forbes Top Women Best-in-State Wealth Advisors (#1 in NH four years running)
2019: Kennebunk Chamber Driven Women Award
2021: Commonwealth Special Services Award (Most Distinguished Award)
2016–
Present
2022: Nvest Financial LLC became a SEC-registered RIA (maintained hybrid status while still utilizing Commonwealth Financial)
2022–Present: Co-Founder and president of Operation Love from Home
2024–Present: Member of the Board of Directors at Kennebunk Savings
2024: Business NH Magazine: Top Women-Led Business, Advisor Hub: Advisors to Watch (Under $1B, #94 of 250)
2025: Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams
2022–
Present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
Kuhn says, “I would say my career has been one of more of chance and opportunities than a set plan. And it’s interesting how one decision has a ripple effect on putting you on a different path than maybe where you thought you would be.”
He highlights his spell at Endurance as his biggest professional achievement to date.
“It took some time, but we took them from really being viewed as a reinsurance company to being viewed as a global insurance company.”
It’s this type of innovative attitude that is powering Westfield Specialty forward so successfully.
Kuhn explains, “Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio.”
Part of this has seen the firm acquire the existing Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 in February 2023. It is also Kuhn’s ingenuity that has allowed Westfield Specialty to outperform expectations in challenging market conditions.
“I would say it’s been the understanding that there is a limited window of time. We're in this unique market, we need to be fast and decisive to take advantage of market opportunities before the market begins to move away,” he comments. “Additionally, I'd like to say we move with a lot of speed, but we do it in a thoughtful and methodical approach, not just to be the first.”
However, it has been an intricate process to ensure his team are onboard with his vision. Kuhn places importance of explaining his targets and the blueprint to achieve them.
He adds, “The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns. This way, everything gets thoroughly discussed and resolved.”
With almost four decades in the industry, Kuhn has developed methods that have consistently delivered. It is why he has been tasked with so many leadership roles and he intends to maintain his focus on creating more success at Westfield Specialty.
“I think I am and have always tried to be methodical. I look at the big picture yet stay focused on executing the different opportunities or plans that I have in front of me. I don’t get emotional or make emotional decisions.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Kuhn joined Westfield Specialty in the firm’s first year (2021) and has established the company’s presence in the specialty market. By the end of 2023, the firm is expected to surpass $1.3 billion in GWP after writing $300 million in 2021.
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Disclosure
2025 Five-Star Financial Planners, created by InvestmentNews, was presented in April 2025 based on data collected during the previous year. Not indicative of the firm’s future performance. Your experience may vary. Click here for more award information: https://tinyurl.com/5x8xxx8y
Nvest Financial LLC, 2 International Drive, Suite 110 Portsmouth, NH. 03801 207-985-8585. Securities offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Nvest Financial LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor, are separate and unrelated to Commonwealth.