Justin Sherman

Managing Partner

Justin Sherman is a founding Managing Partner at Paragon. With nearly 20 years of experience, he is committed to providing top-tier financial and business management services to professional athletes, and high-net-worth individuals. His clientele includes number-one draft picks, NBA All-Stars, and Grammy-nominated artists.

Driven by a competitive spirit and genuine care for his client’s unique needs, Justin and his team minimize distractions, establish deep-seated trust, and ensure clients can focus on what truly matters to them. At Paragon, he delivers unparalleled personalized service to each client and their supporting families.

Prior to co-founding Paragon, Justin worked at two of the world’s largest sports management companies, advising numerous elite NBA and NFL athletes. His extensive experience and unwavering dedication instill confidence in his clients, ensuring they receive the best service in the industry.

Beyond his professional achievements, Justin finds fulfillment in spending time with his wife and two children.

Kate Salsman, CFP®

Managing Partner & Wealth Advisor

Kate Salsman is a founding Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor at Paragon with over 25 years of experience in wealth management.

Her passion for people fuels her days as she crafts tailored financial plans for individuals and families. Her sweet spot lies in customizing portfolios for each client to align with their vision and goals while supporting them in making confident and informed decisions every step of the way. Kate offers comprehensive wealth management solutions by coordinating with all the specialists required to manage family wealth, such as CPAs and attorneys.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. Kate has been recognized by Forbes, Working Mother, and SHOOK Research’s Top Wealth Advisor Moms for her exceptional contributions to the field.

She finds joy in participating in the Finance Committee at Christ the King, where she and her family attend, and serving on the Corporate Council for Shriners Children’s Hospital. When she’s not applying her finance expertise in the office or throughout her community, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband and two girls. Whether it be horseback riding or dancing, she loves watching her daughters do what they love.

Katie Lockwood, CFP®, CFA

Chief Investment Officer

Katie is the Chief Investment Officer at Paragon, a role central to the firm’s investment strategies. With a track record of excellence and a passion for her clients’ financial health, Katie creates tailored investment plans and offers client-driven guidance. While staying ahead with consistent market research and strategy analysis, Katie supports clients by providing timely and reliable personal investment strategies.

Before her role at Paragon, Katie was a Financial Advisor at Meridian Wealth Management, and a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley. Katie began her career as a stockbroker at Scottrade, where she quickly joined the branch management team working with teams nationwide providing financial service.

Katie is a University of Kentucky alum, where she earned a degree in economics and finance. She has held a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification for over a decade and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Beyond her professional achievements, Katie finds balance in family life, residing in Lexington with her husband, Ben, and their three daughters.

Lauren Hinkel Lewis

Director of Tax and Accounting

Lauren is the Director of Tax and Accounting at Paragon. With nearly 15 years of experience, she thrives in roles where she can flex her attention to detail and results-orientated mindset developed during her years of accounting, auditing, and consulting.

Before joining Paragon, Lauren worked as the Director of Finance and Compliance at Education Management Corporation. Prior to EMC, Lauren served as a Senior Associate for Accounting Advisory Services at KPMG US; in a highly technical advisory role, she performed expert accounting and consultation while working closely with C-level management on complex transactions. She later became the Managing Director at Beautycounter, where her leadership skills were evident as she fostered a customer-focused, strategic marketing and business roadmap for herself and the team she built.

Lauren earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Richmond. Beyond her professional achievements, Lauren actively participates in her local church and the Seton Catholic School. She finds joy in family life, sharing adventures with her husband, two sports-loving sons, and her golden retrievers.

Emily Richards

Director of Operations and Wealth Advisor

Emily is Paragon’s multifaceted Director of Operations and Wealth Advisor. She plays a vital role in day-to-day operations and provides strategic guidance as a Wealth Advisor. She excels in managing our operational efficiency, supporting client relationships, and executing portfolio changes with attention to detail.

Before joining Paragon, Emily spent nearly five years at Morgan Stanley, where she honed her adeptness in wealth management and client experience. Prior to Morgan Stanley, she gained valuable experience as a finance and accounting intern with the Cincinnati Reds.

Emily earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Kentucky. Outside the office, Emily finds fulfillment in spending time with her friends and family.

Hayden Estes

Wealth Management Associate

“At Paragon, I’m continually impressed and inspired by the warm, trusted relationships between our team and our clients.”

Hayden Estes is a Wealth Management Associate at Paragon. Her responsibilities include ensuring that clients receive timely responses to all correspondence and inquiries. Hayden makes a point of building collaborative working relationships with both internal and external operations, so she can be certain that confidential transactions are executed swiftly and accurately. Deeply committed to client service, Hayden enjoys her interactions with clients and pays keen attention to every detail.

As a 2022 addition to the Paragon team, Hayden brought strong ethics and a positive can-do attitude to the mix.  She is a 2020 graduate of Kentucky’s Morehead State University.

Hayden loves to travel and spend time outdoors with family and friends.