Image

About The New Hope Group

We are the New Hope Group, and we operate with one, guiding principle: everyone deserves a plan.


Our commitment is to guide you on your Wise With Money journey, empowering you to live a more generous and fulfilling life!


Our financial professionals specialize in a range of areas:


DAN: Fee-based advice for couples in their mid-40's who have college-bound kids

PATTI: Women-owned businesses, pre-retirement preparation, and the LGBTQ+ community

JOE: Estate and investment planning strategies

KELLY: retirement planning, investment management, extended care planning, and charitable giving.

MERRY-ELLEN: Education funding strategies, estate strategies, investments, life insurance, retirement planning


Each of our financial professionals operates under a unique set of principles and values that serve as his or her moral compass. Scroll down for more details!

Image

Our Team Values

Patti Powell

Patti Powell

FIC, BFA™

Patti is a seasoned manager with a history of growing effective teams. With hands-on experiences in sales and community development, Patti has the confidence to create, develop, and inspire a high standard of customer service. Patti's strengths include brainstorming new solutions to initiate change, testing and simulating analogies, multitasking and turning abstract concepts into results.


Patti's passions in values-based financial planning and advice include small business owners, women and members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Patti's values are those of competence, creativity, decisiveness, diversity, and integrity. Patti's StrengthsFinder attributes are Command, Activator, Strategic, Individualization, and Communication.


Patti currently serves as a board member of Twin Cities Quorum and the Thrivent PRIDE Network Employee Resource Group.


For fun in her upper 40’s, Patti and her husband added Riley Amber Powell to the family on Christmas Eve 2019. Patti's youngest son, Roman, attends U of M. Middle son, Houston, is father to Kaya, born May 2020. Bonus-daughter, Megan, is embracing her entrepreneurial spirit.


Patti's main source of entertainment is attending live concerts, spending time with family, and traveling.

Title

Financial Advisor

State(s) Licensed
AZ, FL, IA, MI, MN, ND, WI,
Website
https://connect.thrivent.com/patti-powell
Phone
763-252-4447
Joseph Lang

Joseph Lang

CFP®

Joe is here to customize the strategies and opportunities that will help you reach your ultimate destination with confidence, aligning your financial planning with your goals and core values. He specializes in retirement income planning, life insurance, investments, extended care insurance, and estate strategies.


Joe's values are Happiness, Family, Pleasure, Autonomy/Freedom, and Friendships.


Joe is currently the New Hope Group Top Golf champion. When not at work, you might find Joe golfing, fishing, hunting, playing volleyball, swimming, or just enjoying time with his family. Joe has been on the Board of Directors for CROSS Services since 2015. Joe and his family attend The Grove Church.

Title

Financial Advisor

State(s) Licensed
AZ, DE, FL, IL, IN, MI, MN,
Website
https://connect.thrivent.com/joseph-lang
Phone
612-326-5743
Daniel Larson

Daniel Larson

FIC, BFA™

Dan is proud to have served the community as a Thrivent financial professional since 2014. Dan specializes in tax-efficient investment and retirement planning strategies, helping people forecast for their retirement years, and walking with customers through the financial planning process to create an individualized path to their goals. He spends most of his time on the brokerage/investment side of the New Hope Group.


Dan's values are Family, Happiness, Health, Honesty, and Meaningful Work.


Dan and his wife, Leslie, reside in St. Louis Park with their two children, and find most of their time outside of work is spent engaging in their kids' activities: hockey, volleyball, and downhill skiing! He loves traveling with his family, and when time allows, running, biking, and golfing.

Title

Financial Advisor

State(s) Licensed
AR Insurance Lic. #17358660 , FL, MI, MN, ND, PA, WI,
Website
https://connect.thrivent.com/daniel-larson
Phone
612-326-5742
Kelly Fellows

Kelly Fellows

ChFC®, FIC, RICP®

Kelly has spent his entire financial career with Thrivent Financial. He began his career in 2006 with the desire to come alongside of others and help them to see money as a tool, not the goal. During a very trying and sad time, Kelly's parents' Thrivent Representative was there to reassure them that everything would be fine. In fact, his parents' legacy was realized, due in large part to planning with Thrivent Financial. Kelly works with clients and members to:

  1. Invest Wisely
  2. Plan for future goals
  3. Plan for or begin retirement

Kelly and his family attend Eagle Brook Church in Blaine, MN. The Fellows enjoy college sports, especially the University of Minnesota. Go Gophers!

Title

Wealth Advisor

State(s) Licensed
AZ, FL, IA, MI, MN, ND, NE, TX, WI,
Website
https://connect.thrivent.com/kelly-fellows
Phone
612-643-2393
Merry-Ellen Bryers

Merry-Ellen Bryers

FIC, RICP®, CDFA®, BFA™

Merry-Ellen knows that getting your finances in order isn’t always easy or clear. That’s why she seeks to provide the expertise and support you need. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing for a meaningful retirement, Merry-Ellen believes you deserve personalized financial guidance driven by what’s important to you.


When she's not helping someone assess his or her financial picture, Merry-Ellen can be found enjoying family time with her husband and two kids, taking trips to the cabin, or watching movies. She is a supporter of a variety of charities and causes, including St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Hope 4 Youth, and missionary work in the Dominican Republic.

Title

Financial Advisor

State(s) Licensed
AZ, CA Insurance Lic. #0L59358 , CO, FL, IA, ID, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, PA, TX, WA, WI,
Website
https://connect.thrivent.com/merry-ellen-bryers
Phone
763-355-7508
    Rebecca Wahl

    Rebecca Wahl

    Rebecca joined the New Hope Group in 2014 to assist Jon with scheduling and record-keeping. Since then, her role has expanded to include insurance and brokerage support, marketing tasks, and many office management duties.


    Outside of the Thrivent office, Rebecca enjoys her roles as wife, homeschooling mom, co-op tutor, and active member of Golden Valley Lutheran Church. In her limited spare time, she loves to go for walks, play complex, nerdy board games, and consume copious amounts of decaf coffee.

    Title

    Insurance Support Associate

      Sophia Wahl

      Sophia Wahl

      Sophia is our most recent addition to the New Hope Group, joining us in June of 2023. She comes to us with experience in marketing and customer service, and has joined our team to help boost our social media presence, schedule appointments, and coordinate events.

      Title

      Office Professional

        Lizzy Schrader

        Lizzy Schrader

        Title

        Office Manager