Our Advisors

Each Daybreak Financial Partners team member has unique abilities and areas of expertise. By working together and leveraging our professional experience and collective expertise, you receive the most current thinking and comprehensive advice.

Barbara A. Appleby, JD, AIF®

Founder/Financial Advisor

Twenty five years ago, Barbara exited the day to day practice of law to become a personal financial advisor.  While the law was intellectually challenging, Barbara has not looked back.  Compassionate and down to earth, Barbara loves helping her clients navigate the changing circumstances of their lives and the financial marketplace with warmth and a listening ear. Often, her clients are facing a major life transition, such as retirement, career change, divorce, or the death of a parent or spouse.  She is known for her genuine support to her clients over the long haul and especially through the rocky patches of life. 

In addition to offering financial planning, estate planning, and investment management to individuals, Barbara provides investment services and serves as a plan fiduciary for corporate retirement plans. She helps businesses and business owners meet their fiduciary obligations and assist their employees in having a successful retirement.

Barbara launched Daybreak Financial Partners with her colleague Kristin Guibord after serving as the principal in charge of BerryDunn Wealth Management for over 20 years.  Prior to BerryDunn, Barbara was president of NorthStar Retirement Strategies. Earlier, she practiced law at Drummond Woodsum and served as law clerk to former Chief Justice Wathen of the Maine Supreme Court.

Barbara is active in the charitable world, serving as chair of the board for FAMA Ministries, the founder and director of Morninglight Ministries, and serves on the leadership team of the Philadelphia Church. She has also previously served on the board of The Root Cellar.  Barbara’s charitable work takes her frequently to some of the poorest places in the world.  In Rwanda, Burundi, and DR Congo, she is known as Mama Barbara. 

Barbara enjoys living in Maine and loves to kayak Penobscot Bay and explore Deer Isle with her husband Jim, son Ben, and adorable dog Toots.  She also loves to travel and speaks French fluently.   

Barbara holds FINRA Series 6, 7, 24, and 66 securities registrations and is a registered securities principal through Commonwealth Financial Network®, member FINRA/SIPC. She is also licensed for life, health, and variable insurance.

"The most rewarding part of my job is developing and sustaining close relationships with my clients and helping them navigate through life's transitions in a manner which aligns with their financial and personal goals for themselves and their families."

Kristin Guibord, MBA, AIF®

Founder/Financial Advisor

Kristin’s approachable and straightforward style puts clients at ease as they work together to build a plan and navigate a lifetime of financial decision making. She provides highly personalized, comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory services for individuals and families, including evaluations of life and long-term care insurance.

Kristin draws on her 28 years of financial service experience when working closely with clients experiencing major life transitions, such as retirement, the death of a spouse, divorce, and career change. She also advises business clients in the ever-changing 401(k) plan landscape.

2022 brings an exciting addition to Kristin’s professional biography having partnered with long-time colleague Barbara Appleby to acquire BerryDunn Wealth Management, the firm where has she worked since 2005. Prior to BerryDunn, Kristin headed the investment research group at Commonwealth Financial Network®, which provided investment recommendations, portfolio design and construction, and marketing support to independent financial professionals throughout the U.S. Before that, she worked as a research analyst for the international equity group at Pioneer Investment Management in Boston.

Kristin resides in North Yarmouth with her husband, two sons, two dogs, one rabbit and 7 chickens. When not cheering on her boys from the sidelines, she enjoys cooking, travel adventures, and doing just about anything outdoors - especially if it is on the water.

Kristin is a Registered Representative and an Investment Adviser Representative and holds FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network, member FINRA/SIPC. She is also licensed for life, health, and variable insurance.

"The most gratifying part of my work comes at the moment a long-standing client realizes that hard work and conscientious financial decisions have brought a long-term goal to fruition."

Donna Buyze, MBA, CIMA®

Director of Investment Operations and Research

As Investment Manager for Daybreak Financial Partners, Donna provides the team with investment research and analysis while leveraging the breadth of research resources through our broker dealer, Commonwealth Financial Network®, and other financial partners. She is responsible for the research and monitoring of our recommended investments, portfolio rebalancing and trading. As a member of Daybreak’s Investment Committee, she is responsible, along with other members of the committee, for fund selection and asset allocation.

Prior to assisting in the launch of Daybreak, Donna served as investment manager, insurance consultant, and team member willing to tackle anything that was needed.  Earlier, Donna worked in mutual fund accounting and shareholder services for both Forum Financial and Citigroup. She was responsible for the operational aspects of transaction processing, recordkeeping, and reporting of information while verifying adherence to funds’ prospectuses and compliance requirements. Before Citigroup, she worked for almost 16 years as buyer and marketing manager at Emery Waterhouse, a hardware and building materials distributor.

Donna lives in Brunswick with her husband Steve and her elderly kitty.  In her spare time, she enjoys running, hiking, and cross-country skiing with Steve in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

Donna received her MBA from the University of Southern Maine. She obtained the CIMA® (Certified Investment Manager Analyst®) designation and is a member of the Investments & Wealth Institute. She also holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network®, member FINRA/SIPC, and is fully licensed for life, long-term care, and disability insurance.