The Fractional Framework
The financial industry tends to present trading support as a binary choice:
Option 1: Hire a full-time trader.
Option 2: Outsource to a TAMP.
Both can be great solutions. Both can also be expensive.
What if you only need 5–8 hours of trading per week? That’s where the third option comes in; the fractional framework.
Laura Nowinski, Founder & Trader
Hi, I’m Laura Nowinski—trader, former financial advisor, and founder of Sage Trading Collective. I hold my FINRA Series 65 license and am an Accredited Investment Fiduciary®. I have a strong background in trading and investment management including a certificate in ESG investing from the CFA Institute and have experience with multiple trading platforms including Eclipse, iRebal, Wealthscape, Tamarac, Black Diamond and Folio. ​
I am a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and the founder of The Selene Center, a nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic violence. Giving back has always been part of who I am—whether through volunteering or creating space for others to thrive.​I live in Sylvania, Ohio with my husband John, son Tanner, and our very spoiled dog, Polo.
Through Sage, my mission is simple: to help advisors grow confidently by taking trading and investment management off their plate—so they can focus on building their business and deepening client relationships.
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Jolisa Gonzalez, Trader & Advisor Solutions Partner
Jolisa holds her Series 65 license and has several years of experience supporting financial advisors in the independent wealth management space. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of roles across operations, financial planning, business development, and investment management. Her diverse background gives her a unique perspective in conversations with advisors, helping them think outside the box and identify opportunities for growth.
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What began as a high school career exploration project has grown into a passion for helping individuals and families break generational financial cycles through education and thoughtful financial planning.
Jolisa lives in Cleveland, Ohio, where she is actively involved in her community and is currently preparing to launch her podcast, jowiththeflow. Through the podcast, she plans to share conversations about health, wealth, and everything in between.
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Outside of work, Jolisa enjoys giving back through organizations such as SER Summits for Latinos in Financial Services. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature, practicing yoga, boxing, and making memories with family and friends.
Carrie Spedding, Trading Associate
Carrie brings over five years of experience in the finance industry, having served in trading, client-service, and financial accounting roles. She holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from UNC Chapel Hill, providing her with the economic and financial acumen to help financial advisors and their clients reach their full potential.
Growing up in rural North Carolina, Carrie saw how the lack of resources and financial education in her area directly impacted her community. This experience spurred her passion for financial literacy and empowerment, especially for women and underrepresented groups. She strives to bring clarity and peace to money topics, and to be a key component in reshaping others’ financial realities for the better.
Carrie currently resides in eastern North Carolina, and enjoys staying active and exploring the nearby beaches, mountains, and everywhere in between. She values making an impact in her community, and is an avid supporter of local non-profit organizations such as Rise Up Community Farm in Wilmington, NC. When she’s not diving into stock charts, you may find her knitting, painting, developing film, photographing weddings, or dreaming up business ideas.
Carol McElfresh, Trading Associate
As a Trading Associate at Sage Trading Collective, Carol executes trades on behalf of financial advisory firms with precision and attention to detail.
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Carol brings decades of financial leadership experience to the team, having served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for a large suburban school district in Ohio. In that role, she oversaw daily financial operations, managed investment portfolios, and directed financing for multi-million-dollar capital improvement projects while helping the district maintain an Excellent credit rating from S&P and Moody's. During her tenure, she earned 17 state and national awards recognizing excellence in financial reporting.
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Now semi-retired and living in Central Florida, Carol combines her passion for finance with a lifelong commitment to service. She also fulfills a lifelong dream by working as a monorail pilot at Walt Disney World. A dedicated advocate for music education, Carol previously served for many years as the volunteer Executive Director of BeInstrumental, helping expand access to music programs for students.
John Nowinski, Operations & Technology
John Nowinski supports the operational engine behind Sage Trading Collective, ensuring that our firm's technology, security, and back-office systems run with the same precision as our trades. Drawing on a robust background in engineering and systems development, John has built STC’s proprietary technology stack—from AI-driven efficiency tools to custom tax-optimization scripts.
Recently having passed his Series 65 exam, John pairs his technical acumen with a deep understanding of RIA compliance and workflows. His focus on streamlining operations behind the scenes allows STC to remain a cost-effective, highly efficient partner for our clients, ensuring that our technology serves your growth.