Laura Bienz

It's my passion to offer complete financial advice to everyone, no matter their age, job, or wealth. I aim to make a difference by promoting a meaningful financial future through fee-only services based on purposeful financial planning. It was back in 2007 when I embarked on the journey of setting up my first 401(k) account. Admittedly, I was quite ignorant about the significance of those characters and how the funds I was allocating would impact my financial future. It was the seasoned advice of my experienced colleagues that nudged me to seize this benefit. As my curiosity grew, I stumbled upon invaluable resources such as the Bogleheads forum , an expansive hub for all things related to personal finance. I eagerly delved into the realm of personal finance, devouring every piece of information I could lay my hands on. I was so enticed by the potential of this idea that I made the decision to leave my position with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. My goal was to pursue a master's degree in Family Financial Planning at the University of Nebraska, and ultimately fulfill all the requirements to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®. This journey not only led me to academic success, but also provided me with a diverse work background. During this time, I gained valuable experience in various areas such as retirement planning, tax services, investment management, and workplace benefits, all of which were acquired from some of the most reputable companies in the financial services industry. When I’m not nose deep in spreadsheets, I enjoy spending time on the lake with my family, hiking, running, and cheering on our beloved Green Bay Packers. I LOVE visiting national parks. If I ever need less of an adventurous getaway, I enjoy visiting wine countries in northern California and the valleys of Northwest Oregon.

William Walsh is a financial advisor with Bridgeport Asset Management, LLC in Madison, WI, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cabot Lodge Securities since 2013 and CL Wealth Management LLC since 2011. Walsh is also a licensed insurance agent, occasionally placing fixed insurance products. Bridgeport Asset Management provides investment management and advisory services to individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm manages model portfolios using a variety of securities and employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to guide investment decisions.

Long before I knew what CFP® meant, I was very interested in money and personal finance. Although I was unsure what my career would ultimately look like, I wanted to be confident and secure in my family's finances and future. In my final year of college, I was fortunate to study under the head of the finance department, who was also a practicing financial planner. From that point forward, the idea of being an independent financial advisor— a trusted partner serving people just like my parents— was my dream job. The first decade-plus of my career was dedicated to building the experience, knowledge, and credentials required to best serve my clients. In 2021, I founded Kardinal Financial to continue this pursuit and to deliver the ideal financial planning experience, unshackled by the status quo and constraints of "this is how it's always been done." Everything at Kardinal Financial—the relationship structure, the investment philosophy, the technology, the fees, everything—is designed to best serve my clients. I have over a decade of experience in financial services. My experience includes serving as the Director of Investment Research at a $2.5 billion wealth management firm and an investment portfolio manager to individuals and families. I have obtained the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations. When I'm not working, you'll likely find me spending time with my wife (Maggie) and kids (Rose & Calvin), playing soccer, watching Manchester United, or on a walk with a good podcast.

James Byrd is the sole advisor at Midwest Asset Management, Inc. in Middleton, WI, holding a Series 63 designation with 38 years of industry experience. He has worked at Midwest Asset Management since 1987. Outside of his advisory work, he has been employed part-time in the stocking department at a hardware store since 2018. Midwest Asset Management serves institutional clients, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, and other financial institutions as a sub-advisor. The firm uses a quantitative, systematic approach across equity and fixed-income strategies and offers both discretionary portfolio management and project-based consulting services.

I am Sue Peck, CFP®, RLP®, CeFT®. I founded Evolution Financial to provide fee-only comprehensive financial planning and investment management for people of all backgrounds who aspire to live their best lives now and into the future. I am also a fiduciary. A fiduciary is, as defined on Investopedia: a person or organization that owes to another the duties of good faith and trust. The highest legal duty of one party to another, it also involves being bound ethically to act in the other’s best interests. Our lives can be filled with transitions, some of them involving the added complication of wealth movement. Life experiences, such as a divorce or the loss of a loved one, are filled with emotions and feelings of loss, grief, and overwhelm, and can leave one feeling unable to move forward. I’m here to listen and help sort out what next steps are needed to help you move through and forward into the life you want to live. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BS in psychology, and was also a proud member of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band (Trombone). Community is important to me. I am a member of the Northside Business Association, and a board member on the Northside Planning Council. My husband Nathan and I live on the north side of Madison, Wisconsin with our Border Collie mix dogs Harley Quinn and Lydia, as well as our chickens. As a landscaper, Nathan has transformed our yard to be welcoming to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Michael Greiber is the principal of Greiber Capital Management, an independent firm based in Wauankee, WI. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has nine years of industry experience. He has led Greiber Capital Management since 2016. Greiber Capital Management provides portfolio management services primarily for individual clients, with a focus on retirement assets, asset distribution, and short-term money management. The firm employs a bottom-up value investing approach combining qualitative and financial analysis, offering customized portfolios that include long and short exposures as well as derivatives and leverage.