Meet our team at Solutions First Financial Group.
An independent Scottsdale firm led by Joe Donti, a Series 65 Investment Adviser Representative, delivering Prep Better All-Weather Planning for retirees and pre-retirees across Arizona.
From contractor to retirement planner — built on durability and trust.
Joe began his professional career in the contracting business in the early 1980s, where he learned firsthand what it means to work hard, solve problems, and take care of people. In the late 1990s, he transitioned into the financial services industry and has spent more than two decades helping clients move from "hoping it works out" to having a clear, actionable plan for their future.
At Solutions First Financial Group, Joe and his wife, Patty, work together to deliver a truly client-focused experience. Their "Prep Better All-Weather Planning" approach is designed to help clients navigate growth potential, income, and protection in all kinds of market conditions — with an emphasis on clarity, education, and straight talk instead of jargon.
Joe holds life & health insurance licenses in Arizona and California and has passed the Series 65 exam, serving as an investment adviser representative. Whether he's helping someone close to retirement or already retired, his goal is the same: to help them feel more confident, more prepared, and more in control of the next chapter.
Meet Patty Donti
Patty Donti is one half of the husband-and-wife team behind Solutions First Financial Group. Since 2008, she has worked alongside her husband, Joe, to build the firm from the ground up and shape the personal, relationship-focused experience that defines how clients are served today.
While Joe leads the financial planning side of the practice, Patty oversees the firm's back-office operations. She manages the day-to-day details that keep the office running smoothly, including processing, compliance, recordkeeping, and account servicing, while also coordinating with the office staff and supporting Joe behind the scenes. Her organization, follow-through, and careful attention to detail give clients confidence that nothing falls through the cracks.
For Patty, the heart of the work is the people. She believes that listening well, communicating clearly, and being there when clients need support matter just as much as the financial plan itself. Over the years, the lasting relationships she and Joe have built with clients, many of whom have become like extended family, have been among the most rewarding parts of her career.
Together, Patty and Joe are committed to relationships built on trust, open communication, and genuine personal attention, and they feel fortunate to work with so many wonderful people.
Outside the office, Patty treasures time with her adult children, five grandchildren, and close friends.
Meet Amanda Johnson — your guide to a seamless client experience.
Amanda Johnson serves as Director of Client Relations at Solutions First Financial Group, where she is dedicated to delivering an exceptional client experience and helping individuals and families feel confident, informed, and supported throughout their financial journey.
With a background in client relations and operations support, Amanda focuses on scheduling, paperwork coordination, and day-to-day communication so clients feel welcomed and organized at every step. She does not provide investment, insurance, or financial advice.
Known for her warm, approachable nature and attention to detail, Amanda strives to make every interaction seamless, informative, and focused on each client's unique needs and goals.
Amanda believes that strong relationships are the foundation of financial success. She takes pride in helping clients feel comfortable asking questions, understanding their options, and navigating each stage of their financial journey with confidence.
A proud Arizona native, Amanda has spent many years coaching high school diving, an experience that reflects her passion for mentorship, personal growth, and helping others achieve their goals. Outside of work, Amanda can often be found exploring Arizona's trails with her dog, Cash, working on a pottery or painting project, or getting lost in a great book. She enjoys balancing creativity, adventure, and continuous learning in both her personal and professional life.
Amanda is proud to be part of the Solutions First Financial Group team and is passionate about helping clients build confidence in their financial future.
Meet Jennifer McDougall
Jennifer McDougall serves as Marketing Director for Solutions First Financial Group, where she leads digital marketing, brand strategy, online visibility, content, advertising, lead generation, and growth initiatives. She works closely with Joe Donti, Patty Donti, and the broader team to strengthen the firm's market presence and support ongoing business development.
Her expertise spans SEO, paid media, social media, local search, reputation management, content strategy, analytics, creative direction, marketing technology, and emerging AI-driven search platforms. Jennifer combines strategy with hands-on execution, helping guide campaigns, messaging, visibility, performance analysis, and ongoing marketing efforts across the firm.
Her approach is thoughtful, data-informed, and grounded in customer behavior, brand positioning, and long-term growth.
When she's not working, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and her adorable Shih Tzu, Calvin, being outdoors, exploring new places, photography, and finding inspiration in beautiful environments and everyday life.
Solutions First, to help ensure your future isn't left to chance.
Solutions First Financial Group was built around a simple idea: your most important money decisions deserve more than guesswork. After starting his career in the contracting world in the 1980s, Joe Donti brought that roll-up-your-sleeves mindset into the financial services industry in the late 1990s.
Today, the firm focuses on helping pre-retirees and retirees move from "I hope this works" to having a clear, written plan for income, taxes, and protection — grounded in real conversations, not jargon.
A client-first experience at a pace that feels comfortable.
Joe and Patty are committed to a truly client-first experience: taking the time to listen, educate, and walk you through your options. No pressure, no rush, and no "one-size-fits-all" recommendations.
That means transparent conversations about risk, reasonable expectations about income, and ongoing follow-through as markets, tax laws, and your own life continue to evolve.
Prep Better All-Weather Planning.
"Prep Better All-Weather Planning" is a planning approach designed to help address more than just the perfect scenario. Joe starts with discovery — your income needs, tax picture, healthcare concerns, legacy goals, and what "enough" really looks like for you.
From there, he designs a strategy intended to help support reliable income*, manage downside risk, and look for smart tax efficiencies — so more of what you've saved is working for your family, not just for the IRS.
*"All-Weather Planning" is the name of our planning process and is not a guarantee of any particular outcome. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal, and no financial strategy can ensure a profit or protect against losses in a declining market. Insurance product guarantees are backed solely by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
About Joe & Solutions First
- Mon – Thu9:00a – 5:00p
- Friday9:00a – 2:00p
All times MST · By appointment only
Speak with our team to schedule your private consultation.
A private, comfortable place to plan your next chapter.
Meetings are held in our Scottsdale office by appointment only, or by secure video for clients who prefer to meet remotely. Every conversation is private, unhurried, and focused on your plan.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
United States
- • Free parking is available on site.
- • Enter through the main lobby and take the elevator to the 3rd floor.
- • Follow signage to Suite N330.
- • Please arrive 5 minutes early so we can start your appointment on time.
Advisory services offered through Joe Donti as an Investment Adviser Representative. Insurance products offered separately. No cost, no obligation for an initial strategy session.
Putting solutions first so your future isn't left to chance.
We help retirees and pre-retirees move from "I hope this works" to having a clear, written strategy for the next chapter. Real wealth is feeling prepared, flexible, and confident enough to enjoy the people and moments that matter most.
Start Your Retirement PlanHow Solutions First puts the pieces together.
Where we help
Explore how we work with clients
- Investment Advisory
Risk-aligned, tax-aware portfolio management with ongoing reviews.
- Retirement Income
A written plan that turns savings into a coordinated paycheck.
- Tax-Aware Planning
Withdrawal order, Roth conversions, and IRMAA awareness.
- Estate & Legacy
Beneficiaries, trusts, and coordination with your attorney.