Arch Spencer is the sole advisor at Spencer Financial Advisors in Plymouth, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with seven years of industry experience. He has been with Spencer Financial Advisors since 1999. Spencer Financial Advisors offers portfolio management and investment advice primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs fundamental analysis and a combination of long-term and short-term trading strategies, focusing on equities, mutual funds, fixed income, ETFs—including precious-metal sector ETFs—and may incorporate options and margin transactions within client portfolios.

Jon Brusven is a CFA® charterholder and the sole advisor at Longship Advisers, LLC, with 12 years of industry experience. He has led Longship Advisers since 2002. In addition to his advisory role, Brusven serves on the boards of several non-investment-related organizations, including a waste-to-energy company and early-stage medical device firms, and acts as financial advisor to the board of USA Energy Group LLC. Longship Advisers, LLC provides third-party investment manager selection and retirement plan consulting to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm operates primarily in a non-discretionary, consultative capacity, focusing on manager selection and monitoring rather than direct portfolio management, and does not take custody or voting proxies for clients.

Mark Austin is a financial advisor at Liniam Capital, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with seven years of industry experience. He previously worked at North Sky Capital for eight years before joining Liniam Capital in 2018. Liniam Capital provides investment management and financial consulting to individual and institutional clients, including trusts, retirement plans, public funds, and Taft-Hartley accounts. The firm combines portfolio management with tax, estate, and insurance advice, often using ETFs, individual securities, and option strategies to generate income and manage risk, and integrates accounting services through an affiliated CPA.

Aimee Hatlestad is a CFP® with 12 years of industry experience and is the principal advisor at The Hatlestad Group. She previously worked at Bond & Devick Wealth Partners and Bgm Trunorth Wealth Partners, Llc. She serves as Treasurer for the Ripley Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization. The Hatlestad Group provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as institutional and fiduciary entities. The firm employs a variety of analytical methods to tailor portfolios to client objectives and risk tolerance, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services.

Donovan Carson is the sole advisor at Carson Capital, an independent registered investment adviser based in St. Louis Park, MN. He holds a Series 65 credential and has four years of industry experience. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as a Senior Product Owner at UnitedHealthGroup and owns a property management business. Carson Capital provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth households, trusts, nonprofits, and businesses. The firm employs a planning-based, risk-tranche approach to portfolio construction, combining fundamental research with technical and quantitative methods, and offers complementary services such as held-away account oversight and educational seminars.

Thomas Ottman is a financial advisor with Aquinas Capital Advisors LLC, holding Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and bringing 44 years of industry experience. He has managed his own practice and worked with firms including Advanced Advisory Group, LLC and EFS Advisors. Aquinas Capital Advisors provides non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and limited-scope ERISA 3(21) retirement-plan advisory services primarily to individuals and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes tailored portfolios based on client goals and risk tolerance, incorporates both fundamental and technical analysis, and offers public educational seminars as part of its service model.

I’m a financial planner who helps business professionals in their 30s, 40s, and 50s—especially those with equity compensation—take control of their finances and design a life that feels truly authentic. Life isn’t just about numbers or following a traditional path. It’s about figuring out what you really want and building a plan to get there. That’s why I started Authentic Life Financial Planning—to help people align their finances with their goals, whether that means retiring early, launching a new career, or simply feeling more confident about their future. I offer personalized, one-time financial plans and ongoing planning services, helping clients navigate the complexities of equity compensation, tax strategies, cash flow, and more—all with the goal of creating a life they love. When I’m not working with clients, you’ll probably find me sailing, checking out live music, or planning my next travel adventure with my wife Annie. If you’re ready to explore what’s possible with your finances, I’d love to chat!

Joseph De Ziel is a financial advisor at TrustMerit Capital with 16 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Ameriprise Financial Services and Edward Jones. TrustMerit Capital provides discretionary portfolio management and investment advice to individual and high-net-worth clients, tailoring Investment Policy Statements to each client’s goals and risk tolerance. The firm manages approximately $23.4 million across about 26 accounts, using a combination of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis with a long-term trading approach.

Nathan Millerbernd is the sole advisor at MWM Wealth Advisory, LLC in Plymouth, MN, holding Series 63 and 66 designations with 26 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Harbour Investments, Rivercrest Financial Group, and VOYA Financial Advisors. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in managing farmland through Greenfield Harvest, LLC, and oversees vacation property operations with N8 Vacation Properties, LLC. MWM Wealth Advisory provides fee-based investment management and retirement-plan advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, small businesses, and qualified retirement plans. The firm operates primarily on a non-discretionary basis, managing approximately $130 million in non-discretionary assets and offering services such as investment policy development, monitoring, and participant education.

John Bernstein is the sole advisor at Bernstein Financial Advisory in Minneapolis, MN, holding a Series 65 designation with six years of industry experience. He previously worked at Sit Investment Associates for 21 years before a three-year break from the industry. Bernstein Financial Advisory provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, entrepreneurs, small business owners, charitable organizations, and other business entities. The firm’s approach includes fundamental analysis, long-term purchase strategies, and option writing tailored to each client’s goals, with both discretionary and non-discretionary management options, as well as public educational seminars and workshops.

Curtis La Chappelle is a CFA® charterholder based in Edina, MN, affiliated with Vera Lake Capital, LLC. He holds a Series 63 license and has experience as the sole advisor at his independent firm. Vera Lake Capital, LLC provides discretionary and non-discretionary asset management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and businesses. The firm employs a broad range of investment strategies, including technical analysis, Modern Portfolio Theory, and access to alternative investments, allowing customized portfolios based on client goals and risk tolerances.

Judd Axelson is the principal of Paratus Wealth Management, LLC, an independent registered investment adviser based in Long Lake, MN. He holds a Series 65 designation and has 18 years of industry experience. Axelson also owns Axelson & Associates LLC, a consulting and recruiting business unrelated to investment management. Paratus Wealth Management serves individuals and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $72 million across 44 accounts. The firm emphasizes tailored investment plans based on asset allocation and Modern Portfolio Theory, offering discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and periodic reviews.

James Mehrman is a financial advisor at Valor Wealth Management LLC with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at The Investment Councel LLC and Trailhead Cycling. Outside of advising, he was involved with Valor IT Deployment Solutions LLC for nine years. Valor Wealth Management is an independent registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporations, charities, and pension or profit-sharing plans. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and financial planning, focusing on customized portfolios primarily composed of exchange-traded funds, stocks, and bonds tailored to clients’ objectives and risk tolerances.

I spent over 10 years helping corporations, hedge funds and institutional investors squeeze every last dollar out of their investments before I finally asked myself: what is most important in life, and what's keeping me from getting there? So, what's important to me: spending time with my family, pursuing a career I'm passionate about and running a business that allows me to partner with like-minded individuals. My dad passed away at age 58 and I constantly remind myself that life is short, and I better not regret how I live it. I am now lucky enough to say I work in a field that brings me happiness and fosters my personal values. A perfectionist by nature and self-proclaimed finance/tax nerd, I genuinely love helping individuals simplify their financial lives so they too can focus on what's most important to them.

Brian Durand is a financial advisor at Strategic Financial Planning, Inc. in Minnetonka, MN, holding a Series 65 designation with seven years of industry experience. He has been with Strategic Financial Planning, Inc. since 2002. Strategic Financial Planning, Inc. provides financial planning and portfolio management services to individuals and families, focusing on retirement, investment, tax, estate, and education planning, as well as small-business owner benefits and life-event guidance. The firm tailors investment strategies to each client’s risk profile using a modern-portfolio-theory framework, primarily employing exchange-traded funds and no-load mutual funds.

Jed Otteson is a financial advisor at Bridgehaven Capital Management LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at Bridgehaven since 2019, following a period of self-employment and 15 years at Whitebox Advisors. Bridgehaven Capital Management provides discretionary asset management and financial planning services primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm develops customized investment programs aligned with clients’ goals and risk tolerance, combining fundamental research with technical analysis, and offers ongoing portfolio management alongside tailored planning in areas such as retirement, tax, estate, education, and business exit strategies.

Hello! I’m Laura Seymour, the founder of TorchLight Financial. I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and truly enjoy working with clients transitioning into retirement or already retired. I’ve been working in the financial planning industry since 2007 and founded TorchLight in 2011. I have worked with hundreds of clients over the last 15 years to navigate the path to retirement as well as general financial considerations. It is my goal to use clear language versus “financial terms” to help people understand concepts and considerations related to financial choices. By offering comprehensive advice as well as ongoing investment management, I can truly know you and become a trusted partner in your decisions and journey. I grew up on a dairy farm in rural Minnesota (near Willmar) with loving parents who may not have had a lot of money but really stressed personal responsibility and integrity. I value authentic, genuine relationships with people and am grateful for clients who have trusted me to help them with their financial decisions. Travel and cycling are my non-work passions. Shannon, my life partner, and I traveled to Ireland (he’s 100% Irish!) in March 2023. We have experienced Maui, Puerto Vallarta, and Turks & Caicos. Up next: Europe in the fall (2024) and a Tour de France trip in 2025. Leading a weekly women’s cycling group and logging as many miles on my Bianchi Infinito as possible is one of my favorite summertime activities in Minnesota.

John Tenley is a financial advisor at Summit Advisor Group with 19 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at SNS Financial Group, LLC for eight years. Summit Advisor Group provides discretionary investment management and ongoing financial planning to individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals. The firm employs a primarily passive investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, using low-cost index funds and ETFs, while incorporating fundamental analysis for specific exposures.

Brandon Small is a CFP® and CFA® credentialed advisor with 20 years of industry experience. He is the sole advisor at Invested Interests, LLC in Minneapolis, MN, where he has worked since 2013. Prior to this, he has held roles at Crane Capital Management, LLC and PrideCo Capital Management, LLC. Outside of advisory work, he provides accounting consulting as a licensed CPA. Invested Interests, LLC offers combined investment advisory, financial planning, and portfolio management services to individual, corporate, and nonprofit clients. The firm typically manages discretionary accounts using fundamental and technical analysis, emphasizes balanced long-term portfolios, and incorporates socially responsible investment options aligned with clients’ ESG preferences.

Carter Michaelson is a CFP® and Series 66-registered financial advisor with five years of industry experience. He is the sole advisor at illumiFI Wealth, an independent firm based in Blaine, MN. His prior experience includes roles at Thrivent Investment Management, Thrivent Advisor Network, and Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments. illumiFI Wealth serves individual and high-net-worth clients, offering discretionary investment management and comprehensive financial planning services such as tax, business, retirement, student loan, and estate planning. The firm's investment approach integrates Modern Portfolio Theory with a blend of passive and active strategies, focusing on tax efficiency and regular portfolio reviews.