Kurt Mortenson

Gina Rypkema is a CFP® with 25 years of experience in the financial industry. She currently works at Ascentis Independent Advisors, LLC, joining the firm in 2026 after three years at Golden State Equity Partners and 21 years at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. She serves as a board member and treasurer for the Walker Area Pregnancy Support Center. Ascentis Independent Advisors provides asset management, comprehensive portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, trusts, estates, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities. The firm offers tailored investment advice utilizing discretionary management, third-party managers, and a Private Direct Investments program focused on illiquid private funds.

Heather Bjorgaard is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor at Ascentis Independent Advisors, LLC with two years of industry experience. She previously held roles at Golden State Equity Partners, LLC and Arise Wealth Management, and operated Heather Bjorgaard Childcare for nine years. Ascentis Independent Advisors serves individuals, trusts, estates, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities with customized asset management and financial planning services. The firm employs a variety of investment strategies, including discretionary management, third-party managers, and private direct investments, and offers comprehensive portfolio monitoring and rebalancing.

Shelley Lof is a financial advisor at Ascentis Independent Advisors, LLC with 18 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. and Golden State Equity Partners. Outside of advisory work, she is involved with Rypkema Operations, LLC. Ascentis Independent Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities by providing asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a variety of investment strategies, including discretionary management and third-party managers, and offers access to private direct investments under a structured allocation policy.

Derek Ricke is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with Series 66 credentials and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he was involved with the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce for four years and Minnesota Hockey Inc for ten years. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households, pension plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management and offers a range of advisory programs, discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, and affiliated financial products.

Timothy O'Donnell is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 28 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been associated with Morgan Stanley and its related entities since 2007. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a large SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by structured analysis tools and strategic investment modeling.

Kristen Daniels is a financial advisor at Cetera with 39 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 63 designation and has worked with various Cetera entities since 2003. Outside of her advisory role, she assists at the Barking Birch, a dog daycare, a few weekends each year. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services, utilizing a multi-manager platform that includes affiliated and third-party model portfolios.