Meet the Team
We’re proud to help co-author the retirement story you’ve always imagined.
We Work For You
The team behind Dear Retirement is made up of qualified financial professionals who are passionate about helping individuals and families achieve their ideal retirements. Our mission is to help our clients protect and grow their assets through insurance products chosen to help them achieve and exceed their retirement goals with minimum risk.
Our first meeting is just a conversation with a beverage and a notepad. No pressure. No sales tactics. We want the opportunity to earn your business by demonstrating a thorough understanding of the strategies that could help guarantee your objectives are met.
Ernest Mitchell
Principal Advisor
Ernest has a strong passion for helping others. He earned his degree in industrial engineering from North Carolina A&T University, which he continues to use to give his clients logical and sound advice — he’s known to let the numbers do the talking.
With 15 years of experience under his belt and three children — two daughters, Lana and Kaya, along with a son Eason — Ernest loves serving the people of Greenville County and beyond. His vibrant personality makes people comfortable; “smiley since childhood” could be considered an understatement, as he continuously builds trust through meaningful relationships. Ernest strives to always go above what is expected to meet his clients’ needs to earn and maintain their trust.
Lauren Mitchell
Principal Advisor
Lauren is a proud UNC Greensboro graduate, earning her degree in economics. She has had the unique opportunity to explore and experience life through extensive travels throughout Asia, Europe and Africa. Her time spent abroad has been incredibly transformative, and she continually draws on the lessons learned during her journey — both personally and professionally.
For the past 15 years, Lauren has devoted her time to helping people plan out their financial futures. Lauren and Ernest have been married for 10 years with three children: Lana, Kaya and Eason. When Lauren isn’t working, she loves spending time with her family, traveling and serving others.
Madison Humphreys
Director of Operations
Maddie, our Director of Operations, served six years in the Army as a Transport Operator, where she honed her leadership and organizational skills. She holds a degree in Healthcare Management and has over 13 years of industry experience, making her a valuable asset to our team.
Outside of work, Maddie enjoys spending time with her daughter, Camryn, and her husband, Daniel. Together, they love exploring the outdoors and relaxing with movies in the evening. Her dedication to both her family and her career embodies the values we uphold as a company.
Mari Dawoud
Director of First Impressions
Mari, our Director of First Impressions, joined our team following her graduation with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from USC Upstate. Originally hailing from Egypt, she brings a global perspective and a passion for adventure to our organization.
In her spare time, Mari enjoys traveling to new destinations, maintaining an active lifestyle through regular gym workouts, and creating engaging content. Her adventurous spirit and eagerness to explore new opportunities align perfectly with our company values. We are confident that Mari with make a positive impact and enhance our client experiences at Dear Retirement.