We are proudly named by Forbes on this year’s ranking of Top Financial Security Professionals in Texas. Our goal is to serve clients with unmatched excellence, so this award is a reflection of the real value we deliver to our clients. We strive to continue to prioritize providing reliable solutions and guidance to our clients.
We were chosen as one among a very small group of Top Financial Security Professionals in the state to receive the recognition this year. The list features a ranking of the best insurance professionals whom families rely on for wealth preservation and protection. Financial Security Professionals were selected by an independent research firm based on various qualitative and quantitative data and one simple notion: “Would we recommend these professionals to a family member or friend?”. You can learn more about SHOOK Research’s methodology here.
Neither SHOOK nor Forbes receives any compensation in exchange for placement on its Top Financial Security Professional (FSP) rankings, which are determined independently (see methodology). FSP refers to professionals who are properly licensed to sell life insurance and annuities. FSPs may also hold other credentials and licenses which would allow them to offer investments and securities products through those licenses. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures learned through telephone, virtual and in-person interviews to measure best practices. Also considered: client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management, sales figures and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and audited performance reports are rare. Individuals must carefully choose the right FSP for their own situation and perform their own due diligence. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help individuals choose the right FSP and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.
As a wealth advisor, Christene helps clients fully understand where they are financially, what they want to accomplish, and what steps they need to take to achieve their goals. She works with business owners, families, and professionals, and she specializes in estate planning, business exit strategies, financial planning, retirement planning, and wealth management. Ultimately, Christene’s mission is to leave the world better than she found it, and she’s honored to be able to help people navigate their financial journey with peace of mind.
In 2022, Christene received the Fusion Award from the Council for Inclusion in Financial Services for her implementing inclusive practices with a culture that embraces a collage of thought, race, gender, generations and preferences.
Christene comes from a family of entrepreneurs; her father spent 40 years in the financial services industry as an executive and business owner, and she’s proud to continue his legacy. She graduated Cum Laude from SMU with a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs with a minor in business.
Christene is a Retirement Income Certified Professional®, a member of the Dallas Estate Planning Council and Finseca, and sits on the boards of the Communities Foundation of Texas and Business Transitions Summit Advisory Board.
Christene is married to Chris, a veteran Marine from Georgia. Both she and Chris are proud to come from military families. Chris spent 22 years in Information Technology before joining Island Wealth as the Director of Client Success, where he oversees client onboarding and business development.
In their free time, Christene and Chris enjoy playing golf and taking trips to the beach or lake with their daughters (Bella and Mya) and their dogs (Breacher and Omega). They’re active in their church, and are involved with several charities that promote healthy families, support veterans, and provide resources for kids’ extracurricular activities and leadership development.
"Just like many of my clients, I built my practice from the ground up—but the values, knowledge, and wisdom that fueled my success were passed on to me by my father, Noli Dino. As a second-generation advisor, I’m grateful for the example he set and I strive to uphold his standards of integrity, trust, and loyalty in everything I do.
I chose the name Island Wealth Strategies because it means a lot to me and is a nod to my heritage. I was born on an island village in the Philippines where water was a constant, calming presence. No matter how stressful or uncertain life became, I could always look to the sea and feel a sense of peace, and my goal as an advisor is to provide that same sense of wellbeing to every client I serve."
Christene Dino, RICP®
Founder of Island Wealth Strategies
*Christene Dino is a Financial Advisor offering investment advisory services through Eagle Strategies, LLC, A Registered Investment Adviser and a New York Life company, in the states of CA and TX. As such, these services are strictly intended for individuals residing in the states referenced.
As a financial adviser, Heather is passionate about helping her clients create and understand their financial goals in order to develop a sound financial strategy. She sincerely believes that most people want to do what's right—right for themselves, right for their families, and right for their communities. She loves the opportunity to make it easier for people to do what's right.
Heather graduated from The University of Texas at Tyler with an M.B.A. and a bachelor’s degree in business management. She started her career in the financial industry in 2013.
Heather resides in Troup, Texas, with her husband Trevor, their daughter Charley Rei, and their son Ford. They have two dogs, Hank and Lottie. Family is everything to Heather, and it’s very clear when you spend time with her! She loves spending quality time with her family, furthering her personal growth through study, and traveling with family and friends.
Maintaining a strong sense of community and a solid professional foundation are very important to Heather. She passionately gives back by serving on the Christus Trinity Mother Frances Women's Board and volunteering with Therapet.
As the first point of contact for clients, Jessi creates an environment and rapport that puts the client first, focusing on their needs and desires. She lives to support and serve others to the best of her ability by taking stress off of clients and allowing them to focus on what is most important – their financial comfort. Jessi loves meeting new people and believes that every interaction is an opportunity to make a positive impact on others.
Jessi was awarded the Presidential Fellow Scholarship from the University of Texas at Tyler where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Pre-Law. With her social science background, she brings a fresh perspective to Island Wealth Strategies, actively seeking ways to relieve clients of their stress where she can. Jessi is the mediator between clients and advisors and creates a smooth communication process by efficiently organizing the office activities.
Jessi resides in small town Ben Wheeler, Texas with her husband Connor who is also her high school sweetheart. When not at work, Jessi enjoys cross-stitching, embroidering, and cooking. She likes to meditate and share her reflections with friends and family.
Akira is a seasoned sales professional with a decade of helping customers large and small navigate change while driving impact across their different lines of business. As a ten-year veteran of software sales, he brings a wealth of knowledge on growth-oriented best practices.
In his formative years Akira learned early the value of having a solid strategy and plan for the future from his parents Winston and Dorothy, who immigrated from Jamaica. Understanding the value of hard work and building for the next generation, he is now pivoting to become a financial advisor to help provide customers a solid strategy for growth, asset protection, and wealth building.
When not in the office, Akira spends his time cycling around Los Angeles, cooking, and spending time with his wife Krys, and their dog Tigi.
Kirk prides himself on helping people organize their financial life, and since 1992, he has helped clients with financial, business, and estate planning. He serves business owners, executives, and individuals, and he helps clients with solutions like comprehensive 401(k) plans, employee benefits packages, and health plans for individuals.
Kirk is a Member Agent of The Nautilus Group® which is a service of New York Life Insurance Company, as well as an Investment Advisor Representative with Eagle Strategies, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor, and a Registered Representative with NYLIFE Securities, LLC.
He is a graduate of Northern State University and has continued his studies through the American College, where he obtained his CLU® and ChFC® designations. Kirk also obtained his ARPC designation through the Society of Professional Actuarial Consultants organization. He is a life and qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table, as well as Top of the Table, which is widely recognized as the standard of excellence in life insurance sales performance.
When he is away from the office, Kirk competes in Ironman triathlons and enjoys traveling. He and his wife Sonja reside in Frisco, Texas. They have a blended family of five children.
Steven creates, implements, and monitors strategies that help his clients grow and transfer wealth. He guides them with the same transparency he would his own family, and his mission is to fully understand each client’s situation and goals so he can educate them and give them clear guidance about their options. By offering valuable insight and assistance managing their finances, he lifts a burden from his clients’ shoulders and allows them to focus on what’s important to them. He specializes in wealth accumulation strategies, retirement income distribution, and generational wealth transfer.
Growing up, Steven’s family didn’t have a clear understanding of finances or how to best prepare for their future, and this ultimately led him to choose a career in financial services. He attended the University of California, Riverside, and in 2016, just after graduation, he joined Foresters Financial, a fraternal benefits society headquartered in Canada. There he gained expertise in working with CA state employees to maximize their CalSTRS/PERS, 457, and 403b benefits. His client base grew, and in 2018, he moved to New York Life, allowing him to offer a more comprehensive service for his clients’ evolving needs. In 2020, he earned his Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designation from the American College of Financial Services. He is currently pursuing the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation from the American College of Financial Services. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics and administrative studies. He is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and holds FINRA series 6, 63, 7, and 66 securities licenses.
In his free time, Steven enjoys playing and watching basketball. He is part of two adult leagues (“Back and Body Hurts” and “Net Profit”), and his favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers. He also likes to fish, hike, camp, cook, and travel with his fiancée Joselyn and their friends. He and Joselyn got engaged in February of 2022 and are planning a wedding for April of 2023. Steven’s parents, Bernadette and Gervacio, emigrated from the Philippines, and he and his two sisters were all born and raised in Southern California. He currently lives in Duarte, California, and has a German Shepherd named Kobe.
