About Jerry Sunde
I was raised in Japan, attended high school in the US, and served 6 years active-duty in the military. I believe in hard work and consistency. I’ve been married to my beautiful wife, Brooke, for over 10 years, and we are proud parents of two young children who keep us busy. We enjoy watching our kids learn and grow, as well as taking family vacations to new places. We also are avid dog lovers who, more often than not, are hosting a small pack of dogs at our home.
I joined Thrivent in 2019 after working for several Fortune 500 corporations where I held a variety of financial planning and analysis roles, as well as a corporate investor relations position. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis on Finance from the University of St. Thomas.
To be able to serve my clients effectively, I am always proactively seeking new knowledge. That is why I have earned and maintained professional designations such as CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®), Behavioral Financial Advisor™ (BFA™), and Fraternal Insurance Counselor (FIC).
Education & Accomplishments
- Masters of Business Administration (MBA), University of St. Thomas
- Bachelor of Arts, Financial Management, University of St. Thomas
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
- Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®)
- Behavioral Financial Advisor™ (BFA™)
- Fraternal Insurance Counselor (FIC)
- Life & Health Insurance License
- FINRA Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law
- FINRA Series 7 General Securities Representative
Meet My Team
Focus Forward Financial Group
The Focus Forward Financial Group specializes in helping people navigate challenging financial situations, especially those involving career change. But whatever your situation may be, our team of dedicated professionals has the skills and experience to equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to focus on the future. We are committed to supporting our clients and community by providing reliable financial guidance and developing long-standing relationships. Our goal is to contribute positively to our clients’ financial well-being and to make an impact on the community in which we live and work.
- Title
Team Practice
- Location
Golden Valley, MN
- Website
- https://connect.thrivent.com/focus-forward-financial-group
Beth Breyfogle
Beth joined Focus Forward Financial Group in 2024 after working in Thrivent’s Central Ohio area as an Office Professional for over 3 years. She lives in the Columbus, Ohio area with her husband of 23 years David and their 16 year old son Daniel. Beth volunteers in her community helping with event planning, children’s ministry and often times finds herself mentoring young people in budgeting and goal setting.
Beth’s experience in Business Analysis, Technology and Client management drives her in creating and improving processes. She has a heart for service and believes greatly in Thrivent’s promise to help clients to achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. She has a soft spot for helping people understand why retirement planning is so important and that you are never too young to start working that plan with a Financial Advisor. Beth also has a personal story to share about why safe guarding your retirement against scams is so critical in today’s society. Having a dependable financial advisor with a company such as Thrivent is a great first step in putting those safe guards in place.
- Title
Office Professional
- Phone
- 612-235-3425
Theresa Janechek
Theresa has a driving passion to help others by utilizing her talents and gifts in a positive and impactful way. That is why working for Jerry and the Focus Forward Financial Group to help show people why Thrivent is different is a great fit. Owning her own business in the past makes her uniquely qualified to help the team manage their marketing, development and growth. She enjoys helping the team provide exceptional service to clients while working as efficiently as possible.
Theresa has lived in Woodbury with her husband Jeff for over 26 years. She enjoys volunteering, long drives, playing cribbage, traveling to see her favorite musicians, watching football and spending time with family and friends.
- Title
Marketing Coordinator