Christine Papelian has been an investment adviser representative at Rinkey Investments since December 2025, and is not listed among the firm’s executive officers or direct owners. Christine Papelian holds a Bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master's degree in economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Rinkey Investments is a San Diego, CA firm with $471M under management, 215 clients and 9 advisers across 9 offices, as of its May 2026 filing.
Christine Papelian is Financial Planner of Illumination Wealth Management. She joined the firm in 2025 as a Financial Planner. She brings 13 years of experience in wealth management, working with high-net-worth families, business owners, entrepreneurs and farmers on protecting assets, the financial side of divorce and crop-hedging strategies.
Christine Papelian’s longest registration was 6 years at Schwab Private Client Investment Advisory, Inc. (2014–2021). Before joining Rinkey Investments in 2025, Christine Papelian was registered through Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC and LPL Financial LLC.
- – present · under a yearOrchard Park, NY · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 149576
- Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC– · 1 yearBuffalo, NY · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 282624
- LPL Financial LLC– · under a yearBuffalo, NY · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 6413
- Redw Wealth LLC– · 2 yearsPhoenix, AZ · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 109446
- Smarter Financial Solutions– · under a yearPhoenix, AZ · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 310800
- Schwab Private Client Investment Advisory, Inc.– · 6 yearsPhoenix, AZ · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 159035
- Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.– · under a yearPhoenix, AZ · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 5393
Professional designations
Listed by Rinkey Investments
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)
- Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS®)
Investment adviser representative registrations
Christine Papelian is registered as an investment adviser representative in New York, since December 2025.
- New YorkSince 10 December 2025
Examinations
| Exam | Name | Passed |
|---|---|---|
| Series 66 | Uniform Combined State Law Examination | 14 October 2024 |
| SIE | Securities Industry Essentials Examination | Credited |
| Series 63 | Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination | 6 August 2012 |
| Series 7 | General Securities Representative Examination | 3 August 2012 |
- Name
- Uniform Combined State Law Examination
- Name
- Securities Industry Essentials Examination
- Name
- Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination
- Name
- General Securities Representative Examination
- CRD
- 6068257
- Firm
- Rinkey Investments · CRD 149576
- Office
- Orchard Park, NY
- Registration
- Investment adviser registration
- In the industry since
- March 2013
- Disciplinary history
- Not yet shown here · SEC record
- Firm bio
- illuminationwealth.com
Where does Christine Papelian work?
Christine Papelian is an investment adviser representative registered through Rinkey Investments since December 2025, and is not listed among the firm’s executive officers or direct owners.
Is Christine Papelian a financial advisor?
Yes. Christine Papelian has a current investment-adviser registration in New York, through Rinkey Investments since December 2025.
How many years of experience does Christine Papelian have?
Christine Papelian has 13 years in the financial industry, since March 2013, across 7 adviser firms.
What exams has Christine Papelian passed?
Christine Papelian has passed 3 licensing exams: the Series 7, Series 63 and Series 66. The earliest, the Series 7, was passed in August 2012. FINRA credited Christine Papelian with the SIE, which began in October 2018.
Where did Christine Papelian work before Rinkey Investments?
Before Rinkey Investments, Christine Papelian was registered through Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC, November 2024 to December 2025; LPL Financial LLC, September 2024 to October 2024; Redw Wealth LLC, May 2022 to August 2024; Smarter Financial Solutions, May 2021 to November 2021; Schwab Private Client Investment Advisory, Inc., June 2014 to April 2021; Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., June 2014 to June 2014.
Where is Christine Papelian based?
Christine Papelian’s registered office is in Orchard Park, NY.
Is Christine Papelian registered with FINRA?
No. Christine Papelian has no current broker registration.
Is Christine Papelian a CFP?
Rinkey Investments lists Christine Papelian with the CFP credential (“CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)”) on its website. CFP Board confirms certification status.
Source: Christine Papelian, CFP®, EA, Financial Planner biography, illuminationwealth.com
How can I verify Christine Papelian’s record?
Search CRD 6068257 on the SEC’s adviser search (adviserinfo.sec.gov), which publishes Christine Papelian’s full registration record.
