I currently lead the Compass Group at Thrivent. I joined Thrivent in 2007 and have 29 years of experience in the financial industry, including experience on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the bond trading desk at Performance Trust Capital Partners. I appreciate getting to know my clients on a personal level by drawing out their most important goals and dreams. I'm passionate about helping clients with retirement plans, investing, insurance, business needs, and financial independence. My client reach is pre-retirees/retirees, business owners, families, young professionals, high-net worth, and women. I love a good challenge when planning for my clients, which I attribute to my college basketball playing days. A lot of businesses have a mission. But I have a mission with a business! I enjoy racquetball, travelling, music, finding good restaurants, college/pro basketball, tennis, comedy, documentaries, and movies.

If you are thinking about retirement, in retirement or have questions about retirement; this is why I work for Thrivent. As the oldest of eight kids, money was always constrained, and my parent’s struggled mightily through most of their life. Through their love, support, and farm work ethic, I was able to go to college. Like many of today’s college graduates, I was in debt, spending more than I should and a newlywed with a baby on the way. I was adulting before it became fashionable!

Using my local library, I read everything I could about personal

finance, including budgeting, insurance, investing or planning for retirement. I was a biology teacher, lab assistant and most of my career was spent in medical corporate sales. I've been a member of Thrivent for over 30 years.

Financial planning is more than accumulating dollars in an

account. Because of our emotions around money, planning is more about your goals than what I think you should be doing. How many miserable wealthy people do you know?

What really drives me is people's health in retirement. As a

former altar boy, I have assisted in more funerals than most. I have seen friends die of disease. I watched my own parents go through their own mortality. There is an adage, “If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.” Let's work together on your plan.

Call me or use the link below if you would like a friendly

discussion.

Book a meeting with me

I joined Thrivent in 2023 and have been an advisor since 2015. I especially enjoy working with retirees and pre-retirees, women of all ages, non-profit professionals, the LGBTQ community, and those in the midst of personal or professional transitions.

My goal is to help you live your best financial life. Together we’ll get clarity on your goals, align those goals with your values, see your opportunities, and make great financial decisions.

What makes this career fun is that I am constantly learning new things. Before spending my time learning about all things personal finance, I studied journalism and theology. So I’m good at asking questions and gathering data, and I am also oddly well-versed in things like Catholic devotional practices in 19^th-century France.

In our spare time, my wife and I do a lot of bicycling (spring through fall, anyway) and enjoy theatre and concerts. We also enjoy cooking together, as well as watching cooking shows with our cat, and visiting breweries (want to know where to find the best hefeweizen or porter in the city? I got you). Our own financial plan includes a hearty travel budget that we gleefully spend from regularly. 

PhD

I have been with Thrivent since 2021 and have 22 years of experience in financial industry. I am passionate about providing tailored financial guidance to my clients so they can focus on the most meaningful and enjoyable pursuits in their lives. I specialize in helping successful professionals and business owners implement wealth accumulation, retirement income, and estate planning strategies.

Prior to joining Thrivent, I was a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley and was in quantitative research and firm-wide trading risk team at global hedge fund firms Citadel and Balyasny, developing expertise in investment portfolio construction and risk management.

In my free time, I enjoy playing golf and tennis, listening to my favorite rock musicians, exploring brewery scenes, and watching professional soccer and thriller movies.

I’m especially passionate about working with young professionals, families, and athletes, although my reach goes from young adults all the way to retirees, as well as business owners.

I know that money can often be the source of stress and anxiety for many, however with the right guidance it can be a powerful tool to afford you a life of fulfillment and gratitude. I work to help the people I serve to achieve financial clarity. Prior to my career in financial services, I was in the exercise and health sciences field. Helping people attain wellness and financial fitness has always been my passion.

Outside of work, I lead a very active lifestyle, trying to exercise every day, whether it be at the health club or a simple walk with my dog. I also enjoy basketball, pickleball, and golfing. When I'm not learning about finance, I enjoy reading about history. I can also be found at numerous Serbian community events throughout the Chicagoland area. I love that Thrivent is not-for-profit, giving millions back to the communities. 

Sharron is a senior on our dedicated service professional team. With five years of financial industry experience at Thrivent, she is familiar with and assists in keeping our practice operations running smoothly behind the scene to allow for exceptional client service to be priority. Her interests outside of work include outdoor family adventures, reading, and culinary arts.

I've been working with Thrivent since 2015 and have a background in customer service before that. I'm securities licensed and have a passion for serving customers efficiently and accurately.

Jessica joined Thrivent and our Remote Practice Support team in 2022 as a licensed colleague. She has over 8 years of experience focused on assisting clients with insurance, investment, and banking needs. Jessica enjoys reading, cooking, and *trying* to play sports with her two sons in her free time.

I joined Thrivent and our Remote Practice support team in the spring of 2023. I have worked in customer service for 10 years with varying experiences in different industries. My passion is to help each client with a positive and friendly attitude. In my free time I enjoy traveling, trying new foods, reading, watching movies, and attending professional football or soccer games with my husband.