Melissa joined Thrivent more than 30 years ago and specializes in financial planning, charitable planning, investment management, income replacement and protection planning. She feels it’s a joy and privilege to work with families and business owners to help them clarify their goals and create strategies and timelines to achieve them. Melissa also enjoys helping clients protect their assets and businesses from risks that could undermine their success.
Melissa has a bachelor’s degree with honors in psychology and a master’s degree in early childhood special education. She is married to Pastor Bill Knippa, and they have three adult children and nine grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys singing with the Bethany Lutheran Chancel Choir and playing with her grandkids and two dogs. She also serves on the Concordia University Texas Centennial Celebration Committee.
About Melissa Knippa
Melissa joined Thrivent more than 30 years ago and specializes in financial planning, charitable planning, investment management, income replacement and protection planning. She feels it’s a joy and privilege to work with families and business owners to help them clarify their goals and create strategies and timelines to achieve them. Melissa also enjoys helping clients protect their assets and businesses from risks that could undermine their success.
Melissa has a bachelor’s degree with honors in psychology and a master’s degree in early childhood special education. She is married to Pastor Bill Knippa, and they have three adult children and nine grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys singing with the Bethany Lutheran Chancel Choir and playing with her grandkids and two dogs. She also serves on the Concordia University Texas Centennial Celebration Committee.
Cathleen began her career at Thrivent in 2004. In addition to being a financial consultant, she’s also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and Chartered Financial Consultant®. Cathleen specializes in providing comprehensive Dedicated Planning Services to busy professionals seeking to blend work life and family, as well as individuals and couples moving through life transitions, such as promotions, job changes and retirement.
Cathleen received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public policy and administration from Baylor University. Cathleen and her husband, Brent, have four children: Weston, Adella, Gideon and Carson. She is a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and currently serves on the church council. When Cathleen’s not enjoying time with family and friends, you’ll find her reading books and searching for vintage and antique treasures online and in local shops.
About Cathleen Wenger
Cathleen began her career at Thrivent in 2004. In addition to being a financial consultant, she’s also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and Chartered Financial Consultant®. Cathleen specializes in providing comprehensive Dedicated Planning Services to busy professionals seeking to blend work life and family, as well as individuals and couples moving through life transitions, such as promotions, job changes and retirement.
Cathleen received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public policy and administration from Baylor University. Cathleen and her husband, Brent, have four children: Weston, Adella, Gideon and Carson. She is a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and currently serves on the church council. When Cathleen’s not enjoying time with family and friends, you’ll find her reading books and searching for vintage and antique treasures online and in local shops.
About Karla Boehm
Matthew is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional who has been with Thrivent for eight years. He is passionate about helping clients reach their goals by working with them to create comprehensive financial plans. He also specializes in investment management and general client services.
Matthew holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and brings hands-on experience from managing rental properties outside of work. He and his wife, Mara, recently welcomed their daughter, Rowan. In his free time, Matthew enjoys snowboarding and golfing.
About Matthew Gilbertson
Matthew is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional who has been with Thrivent for eight years. He is passionate about helping clients reach their goals by working with them to create comprehensive financial plans. He also specializes in investment management and general client services.
Matthew holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and brings hands-on experience from managing rental properties outside of work. He and his wife, Mara, recently welcomed their daughter, Rowan. In his free time, Matthew enjoys snowboarding and golfing.
Jennifer has been with Thrivent for five years and loves helping clients achieve financial clarity and work toward their goals with confidence.
Jennifer and her husband, Jeff, have one son, Brad. When she’s not at work, Jennifer enjoys scuba diving, skiing, biking, hiking, reading and spending time outdoors with her basset hounds. She also serves as a community partner with Texas Children's Hospital, The Woodlands.
About Jennifer Powers
Jennifer has been with Thrivent for five years and loves helping clients achieve financial clarity and work toward their goals with confidence.
Jennifer and her husband, Jeff, have one son, Brad. When she’s not at work, Jennifer enjoys scuba diving, skiing, biking, hiking, reading and spending time outdoors with her basset hounds. She also serves as a community partner with Texas Children's Hospital, The Woodlands.
After nearly a decade serving in higher education and nonprofit organizations, Lauren felt called into a new industry, a renewed sense of purpose, and a career dedicated to giving back in a different way.
Lauren is now at Thrivent because she believes that she can make a real impact in people's lives through their finances. Knowing firsthand the feeling of intimidation and confusion that the financial industry has placed on many people, especially women, Lauren strives to help big, scary, dreams turn into steps and plans that turn into reality. She is so proud to work with women, families, individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits to sow seeds for their financial futures.
Lauren's goal is to help offer clarity on where clients are today and confidence for where they'll be tomorrow. Whatever stage of life, she is here to nurture the roots you’re planting and help you plan for tomorrow and the years that come.
About Lauren Gwinn
After nearly a decade serving in higher education and nonprofit organizations, Lauren felt called into a new industry, a renewed sense of purpose, and a career dedicated to giving back in a different way.
Lauren is now at Thrivent because she believes that she can make a real impact in people's lives through their finances. Knowing firsthand the feeling of intimidation and confusion that the financial industry has placed on many people, especially women, Lauren strives to help big, scary, dreams turn into steps and plans that turn into reality. She is so proud to work with women, families, individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits to sow seeds for their financial futures.
Lauren's goal is to help offer clarity on where clients are today and confidence for where they'll be tomorrow. Whatever stage of life, she is here to nurture the roots you’re planting and help you plan for tomorrow and the years that come.
Karen has 20 years of experience in financial services and is the newest member of Arbors Group. She enjoys helping clients reach their financial goals and takes pride in working with such a dependable, transparent and genuine team. She provides a variety of client services and helps with implementation and tracking.
Karen was born and raised in Texas and has a bachelor’s degree in finance. She and her husband, Mark, have one daughter, Ainsley. When not at work, Karen enjoys spending time with family, especially her six-year-old daughter. She loves to be outdoors and can often be found hiking, camping and gardening. Karen is also involved in the children’s ministry at Hill Country Bible Church.
About Karen Rhea
Karen has 20 years of experience in financial services and is the newest member of Arbors Group. She enjoys helping clients reach their financial goals and takes pride in working with such a dependable, transparent and genuine team. She provides a variety of client services and helps with implementation and tracking.
Karen was born and raised in Texas and has a bachelor’s degree in finance. She and her husband, Mark, have one daughter, Ainsley. When not at work, Karen enjoys spending time with family, especially her six-year-old daughter. She loves to be outdoors and can often be found hiking, camping and gardening. Karen is also involved in the children’s ministry at Hill Country Bible Church.
Lauren has worked for Thrivent twice, for a total of five years. She loves being part of the Arbors Group team and focuses on client relationship management, marketing and administrative assistance.
Lauren graduated from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!) with a bachelor’s degree in speech communications. She and her husband, Jeff, have a son, Rex, and a daughter, Iris. Her personal interests include spending time with her family, friends and pets, cooking, reading, playing word games and assembling jigsaw puzzles.
About Lauren Ellerbee
Lauren has worked for Thrivent twice, for a total of five years. She loves being part of the Arbors Group team and focuses on client relationship management, marketing and administrative assistance.
Lauren graduated from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!) with a bachelor’s degree in speech communications. She and her husband, Jeff, have a son, Rex, and a daughter, Iris. Her personal interests include spending time with her family, friends and pets, cooking, reading, playing word games and assembling jigsaw puzzles.
Deb is a friendly and familiar face in our Beulah office who has been part of the Thrivent team since 2016. A Beulah native, Deb brings genuine care to every client interaction—whether it's helping with forms, Action Teams, or Choice Dollars®.
She loves connecting with clients in person and over the phone, and outside of work, she enjoys time with her husband, children, and eight grandchildren. Deb also gives back through her church roles and still proudly remembers being North Dakota’s fastest transcriptionist in high school!
About Debra Sayler
Deb is a friendly and familiar face in our Beulah office who has been part of the Thrivent team since 2016. A Beulah native, Deb brings genuine care to every client interaction—whether it's helping with forms, Action Teams, or Choice Dollars®.
She loves connecting with clients in person and over the phone, and outside of work, she enjoys time with her husband, children, and eight grandchildren. Deb also gives back through her church roles and still proudly remembers being North Dakota’s fastest transcriptionist in high school!
Matt joined Arbors Group in early 2025 after a decade in manufacturing supply chain management. Having first been a client of Arbors Group, he recognizes the value of having a financial team and is eager to grow in serving others through life’s financial landscapes.
He and his wife, Amanda, have two kids. As leisure allows, Matt is usually found serving at church, woodworking, hunting, or simply being outside.
About Matt Aulbach
Matt joined Arbors Group in early 2025 after a decade in manufacturing supply chain management. Having first been a client of Arbors Group, he recognizes the value of having a financial team and is eager to grow in serving others through life’s financial landscapes.
He and his wife, Amanda, have two kids. As leisure allows, Matt is usually found serving at church, woodworking, hunting, or simply being outside.
Alexis joined Thrivent a year ago and enjoys being part of the financial services industry, finding meaningful ways to support clients and foster community connections.
Originally from Wilmington, North Carolina, Alexis recently relocated to Texas with her husband, Shaun, and their twins, Margot and Silas. They’re excited about this new chapter and continue to embrace adventure through travel and spending quality time with friends and family.
About Alexis Sorensen
Alexis joined Thrivent a year ago and enjoys being part of the financial services industry, finding meaningful ways to support clients and foster community connections.
Originally from Wilmington, North Carolina, Alexis recently relocated to Texas with her husband, Shaun, and their twins, Margot and Silas. They’re excited about this new chapter and continue to embrace adventure through travel and spending quality time with friends and family.