Our Company

About Our Firm

Are your plans keeping up with your dreams?

Here at D. H. Gould Company, Diane and our team takes the time to understand what you want to get out of life and how you feel about your wealth. With over 40 years of experience, we will help guide you along your financial journey.

Working closely with our clients, we follow the "Living-Legacy Process", which encompasses financial planning and estate planning into one fluid plan. Utilizing the newest technologies combined with unparalleled expertise, we provide for outstanding results.

Let's begin with your DREAMS:

  • Where do you want to be?
  • What do you have?
  • What do you need?

Once we have identified your goals and assessed your current situation, let's make a plan:

  • How do I get there?
  • Putting a plan in motion
  • Optimizing plan to achieve your DREAMS!

Allowing you to LIVE YOUR LIFE... and helping to GIVE LIFE to your DREAMS!

Meet the People

Diane Hack Gould, CLU®, ChFC®, CAP®, ChSNC®, MSFS

A professional, a motivator, a partner, a daughter, a mother, and a friend

Diane began her career with New York Life on October 1, 1975. She specialized in employee and executive benefit planning for the first 15 years of her career and then because of her desire to help people, pursued her real passion. She is President of D. H. Gould Company, focusing on introspective estate and financial planning. She is a member of Nautilus and Eagle Strategies, unique subsidiaries of New York Life, which provide services for affluent, and high net-worth individuals and their families. She has been actively involved in working with families with special needs.

Diane graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelors of Science in Education. She has earned her CLU® (Chartered Life Underwriter), ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant), and Masters of Science in Financial Services from The American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. She also earned her CAP® (Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy) from the College and was in the first graduating class in 2004 for that designation. She recently completed her latest designation through The American College –the Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®). She remains active with the College, sits on the Advisory Board for the CAP® program, and is a trustee on the Alumni Board of The American College.

Diane is a life and qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table and has been a consistent qualifier for other industry and Company awards. In her free time, Diane loves to engage in adult coloring and other crafts, cooking for family and friends, and reading.

Jessie Washington

Financial Adviser

 

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Ilisa Gould

Associate

 

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Mindy Duong

Client Services Assistant

 

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Richard Ward

Director of Operations

 

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Michael Simione

Licensed Service Assistant

 

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*Member agent of the Nautilus Group, a service of New York Life Insurance Company
**Financial Adviser offering investment advisory services through Eagle Strategies LLC., A Registered Investment Adviser, Registered Representative offering Securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC. A Licensed Insurance Agency, Member FINRA/SIPC (301) 214-6600. D.H. Gould Company is not owned or operated by NYLIFE Securities LLC. or its affiliates.

In the Community

We've been working hard to develop a new website to serve our clients better. This section is still being edited and refined, but check back soon for updates.

MobileMed is an organization that provides over 14,000 medical visits to low-income, under or uninsured individuals in Montgomery County each year.

Diane is proud to support The Moyer Foundation, whose mission is providing hope, comfort, and healing to families impacted by loss or addiction. One of the ways The Moyer Foundation is making a difference with youth is through a weekend camp program that focuses on combining a traditional camp experience with emotional support and grief education called Camp Erin.

The Efrem Foundation focuses on turning children's trauma, stemming from grief of loss of a loved one, into an opportunity for positive transformation and growth.

Our Resources

The Nautilus Group®

As a Member Agent of The Nautilus Group®, a service of New York Life Insurance Company, Diane works hand-in-hand with Nautilus specialists experienced in taxes, estate law, life insurance, accounting, and charitable giving. This relationship helps ensure you benefit from some of the most sound thinking when it comes to your estate.

Eagle Strategies

Through Eagle Strategies, Diane provides fee-based financial planning, investment advisory services and access to investment management programs. Eagle Strategies LLC is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an "Investment Adviser" and is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company.

New York Life

Diane and her fellow financial professionals are proud to be affiliated with New York Life Insurance Company. New York Life and its wholly-owned subsidiaries provide life insurance, fixed annuities, and long-term care insurance. A mutual insurance company, New York Life is one of the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States and holds the highest possible financial strength ratings currently awarded to any life insurer from all four of the major credit rating agencies: A.M. Best (A++), Fitch (AAA), Moody's Investor Service (Aaa), Standard & Poor's (AA+). (Source: Individual independent rating agency commentary as of 7/27/17.)

Ash Brokerage

Ash Brokerage is an unaffiliated privately-owned family-operated insurance brokerage general agency. Ash provides us with a multitude of products and support for life insurance, long-term care, disability income, and annuities, not available through New York Life or its subsidiaries. Our partnership with Ash complements our mission to provide our clients with objective solutions to suit their individual needs.

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Jessie Lee Washington, MBA, RICP® | Financial Adviser

Jessie has been associated with D. H. Gould Company since 2014 and enjoys collaborating with Diane on retirement, estate and special needs planning cases.

Jessie is a Financial Advisor with Eagle Strategies, a subsidiary of New York Life. Prior to joining New York Life, she spent ten years supporting the Intelligence Community -- specializing in strategic communications and process improvement.

Jessie has enjoyed blending her interest in business and helping people into what she calls her “Financial Ministry”. Like Diane, Jessie is passionate about continual professional development. She is one of a few local advisors to have obtained the RICP® - Retirement Income Certified Professional® designation from The American College of Financial Services.

Prior to relocating to the DC area, Jessie spent 8 years at Princeton University in various technical, management and campus life positions. She also served as the part-time Unitarian Universalist Chaplain.

Jessie grew up in suburban Philadelphia and earned her BA in History of Art from Bryn Mawr College. She later earned a degree in Arts/Non-profit Administration from Drexel University in Philadelphia. Pursuing her passion for business, she completed the MBA program at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. Jessie is most proud to have recently completed her Master’s in Foundational Studies at Wesley Theological Seminary. She started the part-time program soon after moving to DC and finished in 2017 with an emphasis on Pastoral Care.

Since 2017, Jessie has served on the board of Ferry Beach Park Association -- a Unitarian Universalist camp and conference center located in Saco, ME. She previously served on the board of the Capital Pride Alliance in Washington, DC where she was the group’s liaison to the District of Columbia Police and Homeland Security departments during major pride events.

**Financial Adviser offering investment advisory services through Eagle Strategies LLC., A Registered Investment Adviser, Registered Representative offering Securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC. A Licensed Insurance Agency, Member FINRA/SIPC (301) 214-6600.

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Ilisa Gould | Associate

Ilisa is an extremely passionate advisor who attributes her success with her desire to connect and protect.

Ilisa was born and raised in the Washington, DC metro area. After graduating from high school, she started her college experience at the University of Colorado and received her B. A. from The New School University in New York City where she fell in love with Spanish language and culture and received a degree in Spanish and General Studies. After graduating in 2008, Ilisa spent the following 6 years immersing herself in a new culture and language in Guanajuato, Mexico.

After returning back to the states, Ilisa was determined to use her Spanish fluency to help others in their native language. Ilisa started at New York Life in 2013. Currently, Ilisa collaborates with D.H. Gould company as an insurance specialist, representing companies that focus on protecting all personal and business liabilities.

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Richard Ward | Director of Operations

As Operations Manager of D. H. Gould Company, Richard is responsible for ensuring operational efficacy of day to day operations. He maintains a strong focus on servicing our clientele while communicating with both them and office staff.

Richard graduated from Villanova University in 1976 and spent the next four decades in upper management positions.  From directing a large chemical and paper distribution operation to managing a commercial printing operation in Southeastern Massachusetts. In the late 1990’s, Richard returned to the Washington DC area to ride the residential housing boom until 2008 when it came to a halt.  After continuing for a few more years on his own, Diane asked Richard to leverage his management expertise for the benefit of D. H. Gould Company and its clients.

Outside of the office, Richard loves sports. He played football, baseball, hockey, and golf, but sticks to mostly golf these days. Although he still likes to play catch with his boys from time to time--they keep a ball and glove in their cars at all times.

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Mindy Doung | Client Services Assistant

As a Client Services Assistant at D.H. Gould Company, Mindy enjoys being part of a strong team that supports, prioritizes, and cares for our clients and their loved ones.  She manages and organizes administrative and policy services, as well as provides client care that allows for peace of mind.

Before joining D.H. Gould Company and working with Diane, Mindy specialized in client and agent support services.  She studied business at the University of Delaware, where she also became more involved in philanthropic communities such as Habitat for Humanity and Operation Smile.

In her free time, Mindy loves reading, playing tennis, and exploring nature.

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Michael Simione | Licensed Client Services Administrator

As a Client Services Administrator for D. H. Gould Company, Michael leverages his professional interests and skills in leadership, project management, communication, and information operations to benefit both clients and advisors alike.

Michael studied Business with a focus in Public Administration at the University of Tennessee and served in the United States Army for eight years on active duty. In the military, he managed millions of dollars’ worth of assets in vehicles and equipment as a forward observer, and served as a U.S. State Department liaison for Provincial Reconstruction efforts with local businesses.  Michael managed both Human Resources and downstream logistics for Sears Holdings Corporation, and has performed years of customer service work with different companies.

Michael’s hobbies include trivia and he was a regional winner in both Tennessee and Maryland with different teams. He plays softball and was on the Fort Stewart, GA championship team for multiple years. Michael played USASA amateur soccer and currently plays recreationally. In addition, Michael serves as the Maryland Representative to the Washington Area Darts Association (WADA).

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