Meet the Team
Our team is comprised of talented advisors with diverse skillsets and deep experience in all areas of wealth management to help our clients build, manage, and protect their wealth. Our clients benefit from our ability to collaborate with one another and bring our collective best thinking to address clients’ challenges and opportunities.
Susan O. Brown, CRPC®
- Private Wealth Financial Advisor
- Managing Director - Investments
Susan O. Brown, CRPC®
- Private Wealth Financial Advisor
- Managing Director - Investments
Susan has dedicated herself to helping individuals, families, and small businesses since 1985. She takes time to examine every element of a client’s financial life. The result is a lasting relationship where both Susan and her clients are focused on careful asset allocation and success over the long term. The strong relationships have helped make her an industry leader. Named as a Five Star Wealth Manager as seen in Charlotte Magazine from 2012 through 2024. She has been named a Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Council from 2010 through 2024. In 2021 she was named to the Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors list. She was also named to the Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State list in 2023 and 2024. The Platinum Council distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors as measured by business production from the previous year and professionalism.
Susan earned her Bachelor degree in Business from the University of Kentucky and holds the designation of Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC). She is also licensed to offer life and long-term care insurance. Susan is currently developing a multi-generational team as a way to pay her gratitude forward, and loves her Charlotte, NC community. When she’s not helping others, Susan has a passion for adventure, traveling, and loves spending time with her family and friends.
2023 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors: Awarded February 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 9/30/21 - 9/30/22 (Source: Forbes.com).The Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
2023 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State: Awarded February 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 9/30/21 - 9/30/22 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
2024 Five Star Wealth Manager (years 2011 to 2024)
The Five Star Wealth Manager award was issued on August 1, 2012 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period January 21, 2012 through May 5, 2023. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. 1,677 Charlotte area wealth managers were considered for the award; 105 (6%) of candidates were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.
Award issued on 08/01/2012 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 01/21/2012 through 06/15/2012. 1083 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 267 (25% of candidates) were named 2012 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/13 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 01/21/2013 through 06/15/2013. 1694 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 280 (17% of candidates) were named 2013 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/14 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 01/21/2014 through 06/15/2014. 6776 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 409 (6% of candidates) were named 2014 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/15 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 01/21/2015 through 06/15/2015. 1822 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 277 (15% of candidates) were named 2015 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 7/1/16 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 01/21/2016 through 06/15/2016. 873 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 227 (26% of candidates) were named 2016 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/17 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 11/23/2016 through 06/7/2017. 949 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 132 (14% of candidates) were named 2017 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/18 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 11/22/2017 through 05/25/2018. 104 (8% of candidates) were named 2018 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/19 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/22/2018 through 05/24/2019. 129 (10% of candidates) were named 2019 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/20 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/28/2019 through 05/8/2020. 103 (7% of candidates) were named 2020 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/21 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/5/2020 through 04/30/2021. 106 (7% of candidates) were named 2021 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/22 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2021 through 04/22/2022. 101 (7% of candidates) were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/23 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/10/22 through 5/05/23.; 105 (6% of candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on August 1, 2023 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period October 10, 2022 through May 5, 2023. 1,677 Charlotte area wealth managers were considered for the award; 105 (6%) of the candidates were named Five Star Wealth Managers. For more information, please see most recent year awarded above and: https://fa.wellsfargoadvisors.com/brown-shane-wealth-management-group/
Susan earned her Bachelor degree in Business from the University of Kentucky and holds the designation of Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC). She is also licensed to offer life and long-term care insurance. Susan is currently developing a multi-generational team as a way to pay her gratitude forward, and loves her Charlotte, NC community. When she’s not helping others, Susan has a passion for adventure, traveling, and loves spending time with her family and friends.
2023 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors: Awarded February 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 9/30/21 - 9/30/22 (Source: Forbes.com).The Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
2023 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State: Awarded February 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 9/30/21 - 9/30/22 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
2024 Five Star Wealth Manager (years 2011 to 2024)
The Five Star Wealth Manager award was issued on August 1, 2012 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period January 21, 2012 through May 5, 2023. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. 1,677 Charlotte area wealth managers were considered for the award; 105 (6%) of candidates were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.
Award issued on 08/01/2012 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 01/21/2012 through 06/15/2012. 1083 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 267 (25% of candidates) were named 2012 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/13 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 01/21/2013 through 06/15/2013. 1694 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 280 (17% of candidates) were named 2013 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/14 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 01/21/2014 through 06/15/2014. 6776 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 409 (6% of candidates) were named 2014 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/15 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 01/21/2015 through 06/15/2015. 1822 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 277 (15% of candidates) were named 2015 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 7/1/16 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 01/21/2016 through 06/15/2016. 873 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 227 (26% of candidates) were named 2016 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/17 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 11/23/2016 through 06/7/2017. 949 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 132 (14% of candidates) were named 2017 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/18 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 11/22/2017 through 05/25/2018. 104 (8% of candidates) were named 2018 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/19 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/22/2018 through 05/24/2019. 129 (10% of candidates) were named 2019 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/20 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/28/2019 through 05/8/2020. 103 (7% of candidates) were named 2020 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/21 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/5/2020 through 04/30/2021. 106 (7% of candidates) were named 2021 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/22 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2021 through 04/22/2022. 101 (7% of candidates) were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award was issued on 8/1/23 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/10/22 through 5/05/23.; 105 (6% of candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on August 1, 2023 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period October 10, 2022 through May 5, 2023. 1,677 Charlotte area wealth managers were considered for the award; 105 (6%) of the candidates were named Five Star Wealth Managers. For more information, please see most recent year awarded above and: https://fa.wellsfargoadvisors.com/brown-shane-wealth-management-group/
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Karen B. Shane, CFP®
- Financial Consultant
Karen B. Shane, CFP®
- Financial Consultant
As a key member of the Brown & Shane Wealth Management Group, Karen provides asset allocation reviews and comprehensive planning to clients. She is a disciplined achiever and her ambitious personality drives her to exceed. She incorporates being someone who is passionate about working with and helping people as well as her absolute love of the financial markets. Karen has worked diligently on her professional development during her career. Her credentials include the Series 7, Series 63, Series 66, Series 9 and Series 10 securities registrations. She has also acquired life, health and long-term care insurance licenses. In 2014, she passed the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ Professional exam and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a concentration in Finance.
Karen and her husband, Rob, have two children, Tessa, and Christopher. In addition to balancing an active family life she also serves on the Leadership Board of The Sandbox, a local organization in Charlotte that helps families with children that have cancer or other life-altering and terminal illnesses.
Karen and her husband, Rob, have two children, Tessa, and Christopher. In addition to balancing an active family life she also serves on the Leadership Board of The Sandbox, a local organization in Charlotte that helps families with children that have cancer or other life-altering and terminal illnesses.
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