Michael Jay Murkins

I've spent nearly 15 years working with women, families, and small business owners who know there's something more they could be doing with their money—they just need help figuring out what that is. ‍ Think of me as your Personal CFO—someone who oversees your entire financial life so you can focus on living it. I’m uniquely qualified as a Certified Divorce Financial Advisor, mediator, businesswomen and mom. I understand complex family dynamics, the impact money can have on relationships. Whether you’re in a phase of life that’s good, bad or ugly, I know the importance of having a trusted confidant when navigating uncharted waters. ‍ Here's what I love: watching clients move from feeling overwhelmed to having a clear path forward. Seeing them ask deeper questions as we work together. Helping them pay less in taxes, efficiently fund their dreams, and leave a legacy that matters. Those outcomes don't happen by accident—they happen when we take the time to understand what really matters to you. ‍ I've played viola most of my life, and music taught me how to listen—really listen—and how every detail matters when you're building something meaningful. I bring that same attention and care to financial planning. Every client is different. Every situation deserves thought and intention. ‍ When I'm not working with clients, I'm performing with Des Moines ensembles, raising three boys with my husband Kyle in Urbandale.

Hello, I am Ben. I started Simplified Planning and Investments out of a deep desire to make a real difference in people’s lives. For nearly a decade, I have had the privilege of guiding individuals and families through some of their most important financial decisions. Over time, I realized my greatest fulfillment comes from building meaningful relationships, truly understanding people’s stories, and helping them find peace of mind in areas that often cause stress and uncertainty. This led me to create a firm centered on people first - where financial planning is about more than money; it’s about impact, purpose, and simplicity. At Simplified Planning, everything begins with a passion for people. This firm was built on the belief that the foundation of finacial planning is built on relationships, trust, and helping others live with greater peace and purpose. Our purpose is to equip you to make confident financial decisions with clarity and ease. Every story is unique, and so is every financial plan. Exceptional financial planning starts with listening and understanding. That’s why we take a holistic, relationship-driven approach - thoughtfully blending overarching strategies with the important details that matter most to you. Because we work on a fee-only basis, our only focus is providing sound advice that puts your best interests first. By viewing your financial life as an integrated system - cash flow, investments, taxes, insurance, retirement, and estate considerations - we ensure each piece works together seamlessly, so your money serves your goals and values. Our aim is to simplify complexity, bring clarity to uncertainty, and provide a roadmap that balances today’s priorities with tomorrow’s vision. Outside of work, my life is centered around my family. We love traveling and discovering new places together. I stay connected to my community through commitments to my church, volunteering, and teaching personal finance. I’m also a high school football official, a passionate sports fan, and yes - one of those lawn guys. I look forward to connecting, understanding your story, and helping you create a financial life that reflects both your goals and your values - bringing clarity, confidence, and meaning every step of the way.

Stoy Hall is a CFP® with 14 years of industry experience and the principal of Black Mammoth LLC, an independent advisory firm based in Ankeny, IA. His prior experience includes roles at Centric Advisors, Majors and Mondragon, MWA Financial Services, and Modern Woodmen of America. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as president of the board for the Starts Right Here Movement and owns consulting firms LNC Financial and Legacy Fiduciary Services. Black Mammoth LLC offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, family office and wealth planning, retirement plan consulting, and business advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm manages accounts primarily on a discretionary basis using model portfolios and may engage third-party sub-advisers, while also sponsoring affiliated private funds and providing cash sweep programs.

Alexandre Ducharme is a CFA® charterholder and the sole advisor at Woodlands Capital Management, LLC, where he has worked since 2014. He has 10 years of industry experience. Woodlands Capital Management is an independent registered investment adviser serving a small client base, including high-net-worth individuals, with approximately $5.8 million in discretionary assets under management. The firm offers long-only and long/short equity strategies based on fundamental analysis, emphasizing risk control and client objectives, and employs a performance-based fee structure for its long/short strategy with qualified clients.

Joseph Hart is a CFP® and Series 65-licensed financial advisor with eight years of industry experience. He founded Hart Wealth Management in 2025 after seven years with West Financial Advisors, L.L.C. and nine years at RSM US LLP. Hart Wealth Management provides discretionary investment management, comprehensive financial planning, and investment-related tax planning to individuals, families, and businesses. The firm uses a long-term, multi-asset class approach with written investment policy statements and integrates tax-sensitive strategies such as tax-loss harvesting into its portfolio management.

Christina Lueders Ochanpaugh is a financial advisor at Kingdom Wealth Development, LLC with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked with Cambridge Investment Research and Trinity Financial Group, where she also serves as an independent insurance agent. Kingdom Wealth Development provides financial planning and portfolio management services to individual and high-net-worth clients, focusing on written financial plans and ongoing portfolio oversight. The firm employs an asset-allocation framework primarily using mutual funds and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary management with regular portfolio reviews.