MEET OUR TEAM
Achieving a life well lived starts with a plan. A plan that moves and evolves alongside you, your business, and your family as you grow. At Carson Stephens Capital Strategies, we’ve intentionally built a multigenerational team that’s dedicated to serving you and your loved ones now and for generations to come. More than advisors, we’re financial life coaches. We value educating, guiding, and uplifting our clients to experience the truest version of themselves and achieve their dreams.
CARSON STEPHENS
Strategic Planner | Principal
Planning Approach
At Carson Stephens Capital Strategies, our guiding philosophy is: “We are transformed by the renewing of our minds.” We believe that by shifting perspectives, clients can set effective goals and pursue their desired futures. Our mission is to help clients identify their deepest motivations, aligning financial strategies with both personal and business aspirations. Through tailored consultations and strategic planning, we empower clients to turn their visions into reality.
We emphasize personal coaching and education, encouraging clients to think critically about their situations and objectives. Together, we identify opportunities and obstacles, developing strategies to capitalize on the former and overcome the latter.
We maintain a focus on the “big picture,” recognizing that money is merely a tool to achieve broader goals. With our business clients, we leverage our expertise in strategic planning, organizational operations, and SWOT analysis, integrating these insights into a comprehensive plan. Ultimately, we are dedicated to guiding clients toward better futures, doing whatever it takes to make that happen.
Professional Specialty
At CSCS, we specialize in partnering with business owners. Our mission is to help them scale their businesses and achieve greater success through vision-casting and strategic planning. We act as both business consultants and life coaches, guiding entrepreneurs to articulate their “Why,” define their mission, and envision their future. Once we establish this foundational plan, we help set annual objectives to reach their goals. Only then do we implement tailored financial strategies to support their vision. We believe this holistic approach is the key to helping businesses thrive—when our clients succeed, we succeed.
Background & Education
From the beginning of his career, Carson has been driven by a mission to educate and uplift others. He knows firsthand how education can impact the trajectory of one's life and leverages his experiences to provide impactful wisdom and guidance to his clients.
Carson earned his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Texas and began his career as a band director and teacher at a middle school and high school. Though he no longer teaches in public schools, he remains connected to education by giving private trombone lessons to a few students.
After leaving the field of music education, Carson attended seminary and served as the lead pastor at four churches over 24 years. He earned a doctorate from Drew University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in higher education administration at the University of Texas at Austin, focusing on finance and fund development. Shortly thereafter, he became president of the Institute for Christian Studies in Austin, where he successfully led efforts to gain graduate accreditation and renamed it the Austin Graduate School of Theology. Following this, he served as Vice President of Development for a nonprofit affiliated with M.D. Anderson Hospital and the Texas Medical Center in Houston. Finally, he transitioned into the financial services industry.
In every field, his passion has been to help people. Navigating his own retirement planning sparked his interest in financial services. He earned his life insurance license and his Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, eventually opening his own financial planning firm, Carson Stephens Capital Strategies.
In addition to these achievements, Carson has deepened his knowledge and experience in the business world. As President of the ColoVista Property Owners Association in Bastrop, Texas, he spearheaded efforts to reclaim and reopen a community golf course that had been closed by the developer. Over two years, the association successfully acquired the course and raised more than $750,000 for its refurbishment and reopening. For the next seven years, he oversaw its operations, which continue successfully today.
As president of the college, he oversaw daily operations, fundraising, and strategic growth, successfully transforming the Institute into an accredited graduate university. As the founder and owner of his financial planning firm, he has led the business to rank among the top 20% in the nation based on sales volume, client satisfaction, and growth.
Carson is a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). He is also actively involved in community affairs, having served as President of the ColoVista Property Owners Association, Past-President of two Rotary Clubs, and currently as President of the Community Band of Central Texas.
Personal Fulfillment
Carson lives in Salado, Texas, with his high school sweetheart and wife of many years, Jeanette. Salado is a historic town that once served as a watering and rest stop for stagecoaches and cattle drives on the Chisholm Trail. A small section of the trail runs through their front yard, marked by a long, shallow indentation that traces its path across the grass—a testament to the travelers who once passed through. Over time, nature has reclaimed much of its surface, but this persistent groove remains a reminder of the past.
The couple loves their small town for its charm and proximity to Austin, but its greatest advantage is its closeness to their two daughters and six grandchildren. One of Carson’s favorite traditions is teaching his grandchildren how to play chess. They range in age from elementary school to college, and even the youngest loves challenging Grandpa to a match.
Carson remains actively involved in music, singing alongside Jeanette in their church praise team and the Salado Community Chorus. He also plays trombone in the Community Band of Central Texas, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, where he serves as President of the Board. To relax, he occasionally sits down at the piano to play a song or two.
Fun Facts
What is one thing you can’t live without?
“My piano—I play by ear mostly, and when I want to relax, I sit down and play.”
What’s your favorite part of your day?
“Early mornings—we get up around 5:30, drink coffee, and watch the news together.”
What are you reading right now?
“Music in History by Howard McKinney and W.R. Anderson and The Referral Magnet by Kelly Edwards.”
JEANETTE STEPHENS
Marketing and Administrative Assistant
Jeanette joined the CSCS team in 2014, bringing a wealth of experience and enthusiasm. She received her education from San Jacinto College, where she later served as an instructor. An entrepreneur at heart, she has successfully owned several businesses. Outside of work, Jeanette enjoys singing in her church praise team and the Salado Community Chorus. In her free time, she loves gardening, sewing, and hosting family gatherings.
Known for her exceptional people skills, Jeanette has a unique talent for making everyone feel welcome and valued. At CSCS she oversees marketing mailings, including birthday cards, calendars, and educational literature. Additionally, she serves as the welcoming hostess who greets and assists clients visiting the CSCS office.
Jeanette is married to Carson, and together they have two daughters and six grandchildren. Together, she and Carson enjoy walking with their very spoiled wire-haired dachshund, Wilbur, taking weekend road trips, and working in the yard.
ANDREA (ANDEE) MUNDINE
Executive Assistant | LSA
After ten years as a client, Andee joined the CSCS team in early 2024 as an Executive Assistant. Raised in Bastrop, Texas, she still lives there with her family. Andee brings a wealth of talent and skills to her role, having earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Austin. She utilizes her design expertise to manage CSCS websites, create marketing materials, and oversee public relations. Additionally, she has obtained her life insurance license and now serves as a Licensed Service Assistant for CSCS.
Andee is the first voice clients hear when they call CSCS, and her warm, friendly demeanor assures clients that they can expect exceptional customer service from the team. She effectively manages all aspects of customer interactions and back-office production.
Outside of work, Andee spends most of her time with her husband Aaron and their son Malakai. Andee prefers the little things in life such as the ritual of “breaking bread” with her loved ones, having a nutritious meal, making memories, and sharing stories. Andee also admires and has a huge appreciation for Art, Philosophy, Literature, Music, and Cinematography.
Andee’s wide variety of interests is indicative of the well-rounded talent and comprehensive approach that the CSCS team brings to the practice of Financial Planning.
WILBUR
HR (Hairy Right-Paw) | Employee of the Month
Wilbur is the most important team member. He is a dachshund, also known as a wiener dog, sausage dog, badger dog, or doxie but he prefers Wilbur. He proudly sports his wire-haired, short-legged, long-bodied, hound-type look. While he was bred to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals, Wilbur would much rather lounge around and listen to humans discuss their financial priorities with his dad, Carson Stephens.
