Miura Group Austin
The Miura Group takes service very seriously. Together, we are committed to providing an exceptional client experience for all of our clients. We bring over 70 years of combined experience and will use that knowledge to provide you with a well-thought-out approach to financial planning.
I am proud to be associated with the great group of individuals listed below.
Steven Miura AWMA®, RICP®, CLU®, ChFC®
Wealth Management Advisor
FUN FACT: Steve is an avid photographer, and snaps truly stunning pictures of people, places, and wildlife which are on display at the Miura Group’s office. His favorite part of the office is our “Before I die, I want to….” board that our friends and client fill out!
FAVORITE QUOTE: “I have learned people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou
Steve has been working for more than 30 years to bring his clients peace of mind through thoughtful financial planning and collaboration.
Many clients come with “money baggage,” so Steve and the team take the time to understand and cut through all of the potential issues, and partner with them to co-create financial plans that deliver all-important peace of mind. During the process, Steve steers clear of confusing jargon; always puts people first; and uses the same tools that he and his team utilize to create their own plans and security. This approach, by the way, has been his North Star since 1987!
Before starting The Miura Group, Steve earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business from the University of Texas (Austin). Since then, he has continued to expand his expertise and knowledge by earning some of the industry’s top professional designations, including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor® (AWMA®), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), and Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®).
Austin, a city that is near and dear to Steve’s heart, has been home since 1983. He and his wife Ellen, an Austin native, have raised three kids, and have two dogs. As a longtime resident, he understands the excitement and opportunities–as well as the challenges–of living here. Every year, Steve and the team give back to their community through the Miura Challenge Grant, raising funds for organizations right in Austin and places beyond. To date, the grant has raised more than $2 million for local non-profits, and counting.
When Steve is not working on solving his clients’ financial problems, he loves having time with Ellen (and Blake, Camille and Dade!), photography, travel and mountain biking. The key to being able to take great photos of cool places is you have to go and see them!
Lindsey Leaverton AWMA®
Director of Wealth Management
SUPER POWER: X-Ray vision. Lindsey can see beyond the obvious and look deep inside each client’s needs.
FUN FACT: Lindsey had a successful career as a professional touring recording artist!
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” - Warren Buffett
For Lindsey Leaverton, her role in the financial planning process is equal parts career and calling.
By cultivating a culture of trust with her clients, she is able to uncover their roadblocks and blindspots, helping them to find a clear path to achieving true peace of mind. Since 2010, Lindsey has worked as a wealth management strategist with successful professionals and business owners on topics ranging from executive compensation plans, estate planning, and cash flow management to retirement planning and intricate insurance planning. Lindsey eschews the complicated for the comprehensible, designing thoughtful and easy-to-understand plans that are built to foster sustainable success.
A native Texan, Lindsey graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M University. Upon graduation she spent 5 years as the Executive Director of a local non-profit and began her banking career serving clients as a Personal Banker, Business Banker, and eventually a Branch Manager before being given the honor of serving as Austin’s first Private/Wealth Advisor for BB&T and building the Private Bank from the ground up.
Lindsey proudly holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66 financial registrations, as well as insurance licenses. Her meteoric rise in financial services throughout the past two decades has been recognized through the many industry accolades she has received, including the National BB&T Sterling Award, her selection as a McBee Fellow with AARO, being named a Finalist twice for the Austin Under 40 Awards, and winning 2017’s AU40 Award for Excellence in Financial Services.
When she isn’t helping her clients chase their dreams, Lindsey spends most of her time with her wife Bri chasing their 3 kids, 2 rescue mutts, and a blind rescue hedgehog named Hoagie. Outside the hustle and bustle of her family life and busy career, Lindsey enjoys playing and writing music and is passionate about serving the community through her work with the Mayor’s Task Force on Institutional Racism and Systemic Inequity and leadership positions with People’s Community Clinic and Legacy Collective.
Super Power: Mari’s super power is the power of perception, especially when it comes to others. Mari can pick up on the needs and emotions around her, even when no one is saying a word!
Fun Fact: Mari patented two cake designs encrusted with Swarovski crystals and named the designs “Cakes that Sparkle.”
Favorite Quote: “The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.” – Maya Angelou
Maricruz Torres, or “Mari,” is The Miura Group’s Director of Operations. She is responsible for developing the strategic initiatives that support the company’s most import asset: its employees. She is responsible for the firm’s organizational design, implementation of systems and processes, and oversees the job responsibilities and functions of each member of the firm. She makes sure the entire team is rowing in the same direction.
Part of Northwestern Mutual and the Miura Group for more than 25 years, Mari has nearly done it all during her career in financial services. Her impressive background and experience, combined with a can-do attitude, makes Mari a problem-busting machine!
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Mari lived in Queens until moving to Austin in 2004. Her career at Northwestern Mutual started in 1996; she joined The Miura Group in 2017, transitioning from the Austin network office.
Married to her high school sweetheart Willie for more than 35 years, Mari is the proud mother of two daughters, and grandmother of grandson Everest. Eager to give back to her community and her adopted hometown of Austin, she takes part in The Miura Group’s charitable endeavors.
When she is not busy working, Mari loves travel, deep conversations, and spending quality time with her family.
SUPER POWER: Animal telepathy. Natelyn communicates with clients’ pets, hoping that they’ll convince their owners that having proper insurance is super important!
FUN FACT: When Natelyn was in middle school, she was in the show “Clifford the Big Red Dog.”
Favorite Quote: “I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” ― Jorge Luis Borges
Natelyn does all things insurance servicing! She helps our clients change beneficiaries, apply for life insurance, processes policy changes, and handles premium payments. All the while, she keeps a keen eye on ways she can help clients with their policies.
Born in New York City, Natelyn moved to Austin when she was 12. She graduated from Texas State in 2018 and took part in a study abroad program in Costa Rica. Part of her time there was spent with a charitable ¬organization. Natelyn has a son named Everest, and three adorable dogs. Her perfect day is going on a hike with Everest, preferably a spot with a lot of trees and different creeks her dogs can swim in. Afterwards, she loves grabbing a bite, especially at restaurants that serve really good queso!
SUPER POWER: Lightning speed. Kassandra manages to put this to good use when handling client requests.
FUN FACT: Kassandra loves exploring the world. If there’s a chance to visit a place she’s never seen, she is all-in.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” -Eleanor Roosevelt
Kassandra help clients through the insurance application process. She’s a liaison between The Miura Group and the Northwestern Mutual home and network offices, and works hard to support clients and the team.
Originally from New York City, Kassandra moved to Austin in 2004 when she was 10 years old. A graduate from Texas State University, she makes her home in Leander. When she’s not busy supporting clients, Kassandra loves to spend her free time with family and friends. A self-defined homebody, she also loves watching movies, TV shows, cooking, cleaning, and reading.
Fun Fact: Jack is in the top .001% of Bob Dylan listeners on Spotify.
Favorite Quote: “Everything is happening for you, not to you.” - Byron Katie and/or Jim Carrey
Jack brings experience in institutional research analysis and planning to our practice and improving clients’ financial lives guides everything he does at the Miura Group. His top three responsibilities are financial planning, portfolio construction and trading. Depending on the day, Jack might be brainstorming ways a client can retire with more money, assessing an existing or potential investment opportunity, or tax-efficiently rebalancing a client’s portfolio. As crazy as it sounds, these challenges are fun for Jack.
Jack grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC, where most of his family currently lives. After graduating from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a major in finance, Jack landed first job in finance working for an investment research firm in Chicago. Jack has achieved the highly respected CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.
Jack says moving to Austin in 2019 was one of the best decisions he’s ever made – the city has everything he was looking for: a launching pad for his career interests and live music! Outside of the office, Jack can be typically found hanging out with friends, fly fishing the Guadalupe River from his paddle board, seeing live music at the Saxon Pub, reading about history or finance, playing pick-up basketball, or traveling with his girlfriend.
Super Power: Flight. Due to Murphy’s height, it would be nice to have some leg room on flights.
Fun Fact: Murphy was in the very first episode of “Friday Night Lights” as a kid.
Favorite Quote: “Weaknesses are just strengths in the wrong environment.” – Marianne Cantwell
Murphy's role is centered around working with our advisors and clients to develop and monitor the financial plans so essential to meeting their goals. He brings a deep understanding of the process and helps us integrate investment, insurance, and distribution tools to provide effective outcomes.
Originally from Austin, Murphy graduated from Anderson High School. He went on to Thiel College in Pennsylvania, where he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). He managed to complete some of his studies abroad, taking classes in Peru. After college, Murphy spent a year in Denver before moving back to Austin – something he’s very happy about!
Super Power:
Delayed gratification. Allowing the long-term vision of investing to come to fruition through patience, and the ability to sacrifice rewards today for a greater reward tomorrow as compound interest works its wonders.
Fun Fact:
Charles’ dog SPY is named after the ETF that tracks the S&P 500.
Favorite Quote:
“Don’t ever let somebody tell you, you can’t do something, not even me. You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.” - Will Smith as Chris Gardner
Charles researches current and potential investments that best align with clients’ goals and time horizons and executes the trades when necessary. He also helps clients find the appropriate path to get to the desired end goal.
Charles holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in Finance from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pa., and earned his MBA in graduate school. A huge Texas Longhorn fan, he enjoys spending his Saturdays watching the football games with his dog, SPY. When it isn’t football season, he enjoys spending time with his friends and playing golf.
Super Power:
Blake would like to have a photographic memory, so that he would only have to learn something once and master that skill. This would be incredibly helpful regarding preparation for client meetings and studying for financial exams.
Fun Fact:
Blake had appendicitis on his birthday.
Favorite Quote:
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan
What You Do For The Firm:
Blake currently supports our clients by building PX plans, which show them a detailed outline of their assets. These plans not only include details about any goals or needs they may have regarding their retirement and life insurance, but also touch on education plans they may have for their children or grandchildren.
More About You:
Blake was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and graduated with dual degrees in Spanish and Sociology from Southwestern University in May 2022. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and going to UT football and basketball games with his friends.
Super Power: Stefania is 4’11” tall, with a 6’5” confidence level. Because of her quirky sense of humor, she has yet to meet a stranger. (Which comes in handy, especially when dealing with stressful situations).
Fun Fact: Stefania is artsy and designs Fairy Gardens in her spare time, which she donates to schools and dentists’ offices to make children happy.
Favorite Quote: “Nihil sine Deo,” Latin for “Nothing Without God”
What You Do For The Firm:
Stefania assists our clients with onboarding, making sure they have a flawless experience right from the beginning. She also is part of our day to day operations team.
More About You:
Stefania graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Dallas, with a Bachelor of Science in Finance degree. Born in Romania, she grew up in Canada, and eventually moved to the U.S. in 2001. Since 2021, Stefania calls Austin home, where she lives with her husband and two children – her beautiful daughter, and a handsome four-legged child, a Golden Retriever. Known in her neighborhood as the “crazy plant lady,” Stefania also cooks some great crepes and baby back ribs.
Super Power:
Marissa has always wanted to read people’s minds. Professionally, it would help her keep peo-ple at ease by proactively addressing fears or concerns they may have. Personally, it would en-able her to know secrets and understand other viewpoints. Plus, she’d know when someone means what they say – or not!
Fun Fact:
When Marissa was in college, she joined a sorority that values sisterhood, philanthropy and being involved with the campus and community. It was there, along with her nonprofit work, where she learned to love outreach, networking, socializing, and planning events. Joining the sorority taught her to push herself, as well as the power of perseverance. It also taught her how to handle many personalities, conflict resolution, and how to use her communication skills effectively.
Favorite Quote:
“We can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond.” A quote Marissa remembers from a training session at a previous job.
What You Do For The Firm:
Marissa is the first point of contact for clients, and prides herself with providing great customer service. She wants clients to feel reassured and comfortable.
Hailing from San Francisco, Marissa graduated from City College of San Francisco with an Asso-ciate of Science degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences; she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications at San Francisco State University. Most of her family lives in California, but her family’s roots are in El Salvador. Her grandmother taught her Spanish. Marissa loves learn-ing about spirituality, the bigger picture of life, learning about emotional intelligence, DIY pro-jects, cooking, baking, and finding new trails to venture. She also loves finding new places to eat, playing pool, puzzles, paint, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and journals. One day, Marissa hopes to own a dog to join her on adventures – whether it be kayaking, hiking, or just relaxing in the park.
Fun Fact: Growing up, Becca was a gymnast and hated running more than a mile – nowadays, she competes in 50K ultramarathon trail races.
Favorite Quote: “Nobody puts baby in the corner.” – Patrick Swayze, Dirty Dancing
What You Do For The Firm: Becca loves helping clients. Making a connection with them and having a meaningful conversation makes her day.
More About You:
Becca grew up in West Bend, Wis., with her older brother and parents. She’s been married to her husband Jeff for four years; they make their home with their two dogs just four blocks from Becca’s childhood home.
Becca loves being active, including indoor and outdoor volleyball, softball in the summer, boating, traveling, riding her motorcycle, running, kayaking, camping with the family, working out, and cooking and grilling. When not in “active mode,” Becca loves being at home binge watching a TV show, sitting outside in her back yard, reading, snuggling with her dogs, and enjoying a glass of wine. As Becca puts it, “Life is about balance.”