With six years in the financial industry, Nikki Rathbun brings a distinct blend of corporate experience, family legacy, and genuine passion for helping others to her role as Vice President and Financial Advisor at Paxara Wealth Partners. Her journey into wealth management was inspired by watching her father, Conley Thornhill, build a successful career spanning over four decades—learning from his passion and seeing firsthand how much he loves what he does. Today, Nikki carries forward that legacy while carving her own path, dedicated to helping others pursue the life they've always dreamed of.
Nikki maintains her Series 7, Series 66, and SIE licenses, along with insurance and variable annuities licenses. A native of Winter Haven, Florida, she graduated Cum Laude from Florida State University with a double major in business and marketing. At FSU, she demonstrated exceptional leadership as president of her 250-member sorority and was one of only 200 students inducted into the prestigious Seminole Torchbearers Society for outstanding leadership.
Before joining the family practice, Nikki gained valuable corporate experience that distinctly positions her to serve her clients. She spent nearly five years at LinkedIn as an Account Executive in San Francisco, worked in corporate consulting at the Disney Institute, and gained asset management experience at Lazard in New York City. This diverse background, combined with learning the ins and outs of investing at an early age from her father, gives her a comprehensive perspective on both the technical and human aspects of financial planning.
Nikki works closely with high net worth individuals and families to address a wide spectrum of financial needs through in-depth financial planning. Her methodology begins with understanding each client's current financial picture and learning about their goals and priorities. She then helps identify gaps, opportunities, and risks before creating actionable steps and a plan they feel confident moving forward with. Her go-to financial advice—"It's all about time in the market, not timing the market"—reflects her belief in disciplined, long-term investing.
She serves a diverse clientele including business owners, physicians, women, and young professionals. What Nikki finds most rewarding about her work is helping people feel confident about their financial futures and freeing up their time to focus on their families and careers instead of worrying about their portfolios. She has a particular passion for partnering with women on the path toward success or experiencing life-changing events—such as divorce, becoming a widow, or reentering the workforce—who need dedicated financial guidance. She is passionate about educating individuals on the power of saving and investing to build a fulfilling future, and she truly enjoys developing personal relationships with each client to enable honest conversations and meaningful advice.
The move to LPL Financial represents an exciting opportunity for Nikki and the team, offering more ways to better serve their clients through enhanced flexibility and resources. Beyond her professional life, Nikki is an active member of the Garden Club of Winter Haven and a supporter of Heart for Winter Haven, giving back to the community where she was raised.
Nikki currently resides in Lakeland with her husband, Doug, their daughter, Margot, and their two dogs. When she's not helping clients build their financial futures, you'll find her working on an art project, cooking a new recipe, gardening, traveling, or spending quality time with friends and family—a reminder that true wealth is measured in the moments that matter most.