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.

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.

Michael Banasiak is a CFP® professional with 20 years of experience in financial advising. He is the sole advisor at Omni Wealth Management, where he has worked since 2020. Prior to that, he was with Iron Horse Wealth Management for three years and Legacy Financial Group, LLC for eleven years. Omni Wealth Management is an independent firm that provides fee-only financial planning and personalized investment management to individuals and institutional clients, including retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm manages discretionary, tailored portfolios through a mix of in-house advisers and outside portfolio managers, and it operates a wrap fee program designed to absorb transaction costs.

Michael Moller is the principal of DSM Financial L.L.C. in Urbandale, IA, with 38 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and has worked in various capacities within the financial services industry since 1984. In addition to his advisory role, Moller maintains a life insurance practice focusing on term and whole life insurance. DSM Financial L.L.C. serves approximately 200 client relationships, including high-net-worth individuals, plan sponsors, and business entities. The firm offers financial planning, educational seminars, retirement-plan consulting, and refers clients to registered third-party investment managers, acting as a liaison and providing non-discretionary ERISA services for retirement plans.

Brian Weckman is a financial advisor at Actis Wealth Management with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at LPL Financial, LLC as well as other financial and business ventures. Outside of advising, he owns and operates Central Iowa Resellers, a business focused on purchasing and reselling estate sale items. Actis Wealth Management provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm uses model frameworks with client customization and employs strategies including option writing and active trading, offering services such as ERISA 3(38) investment-manager oversight and managing approximately $70 million for about 64 clients.

Steven Reed is the principal of Reed Financial, LLC, an independent registered investment adviser based in Urbandale, IA. He holds the ChFC® designation and has 36 years of industry experience. Prior to founding Reed Financial, he held various roles at Northwestern Mutual and has operated his own sole proprietorship since 1987. He is also the managing member of Reed Commercial Lending LLC, which facilitates financial transactions between small business owners and lenders. Reed Financial provides discretionary asset management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and business entities, including qualified retirement plans. The firm employs tailored investment strategies and offers pension consulting services, including limited-scope ERISA 3(21) fiduciary roles and preparation of related disclosures.

Jayme Bresnahan is a financial advisor with Successful Resource Management, Ltd. in Johnston, Iowa, holding a Series 66 credential and 17 years of industry experience. She has worked with Successful Resource Management and Investacorp Inc. and is also involved in managing a family limited partnership and serving as an officer of a holding company. Successful Resource Management provides personalized financial planning and investment management to individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, and business entities, offering discretionary portfolio management, qualified-plan account management, financial planning, estate-planning services, and occasional CFO engagements. The firm uses documented investment objectives and technical analysis tools to guide asset allocation and security selection.

Michael Marusiak is a financial advisor at Acumen Associates LLC in Clive, Iowa, holding Series 65 and Series 63 designations with eight years of industry experience. He has worked with Eagle Strategies, NYLIFE Securities LLC, and New York Life Insurance Co since 2020 and has been with Acumen Associates since 2015. Acumen Associates LLC provides discretionary investment management to individuals and institutions, focusing on equity and volatility portfolios. The firm utilizes exchange-traded funds, individual equities, option-writing, and volatility strategies, including proprietary models for trading volatility futures, distinguishing its approach through the prominent use of derivatives.

Redspire Wealth Management, LLC is a financial planning and investment management firm in West Des Moines, Iowa. I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional who enjoys working with clients at any age and stage of life. I believe that it's never too early or too late to set yourself up for financial success. My favorite part of my job is meeting new people and working on their financial plans. Financial planning is a highly collaborative process. Working with people to discover what they want to accomplish, their dreams, and how to get where they want to go is the highlight of my job. The people and families I work with have more confidence and clarity about their financial situation - they get a strong sense of comfort knowing they have a plan in place and know how to implement it! Although I am located in the heart of central Iowa, I work with clients located outside of the area and can meet virtually. I know that between kids, work schedules, vacations, and other commitments that schedules can get hectic. I try to accommodate clients' schedules and needs because every situation is unique. Redspire Wealth Management, LLC offers flat-fee and ingoing financial planning service, as well as investment management so you can determine what is the right service for your situation.

Guthrie Gaylord is a financial advisor at 3G Capital LLC with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential and previously worked at Wells Fargo. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as President and Managing Member of Double Eagle Capital Partners Management, LLC, where he acts as a fiduciary for partners' invested capital. 3G Capital LLC provides financial planning, investment advisory, and portfolio management services to individual investors, high-net-worth clients, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm employs an active, value-oriented equity selection approach combined with diversified allocations to low-cost ETFs, emphasizing strategic asset allocation and periodic rebalancing.

Kirk Bond is the principal of Apexedge LLC, an independent financial advisory firm based in Grimes, IA. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 16 years of industry experience. Prior to founding Apexedge in 2025, he worked with RIA Advisory Group, LLC for 15 years and has operated as a sole proprietor since 1999. Outside of his advisory work, Bond is a part-owner of Brokerstreet Insurance Services and is active as a life insurance marketer. Apexedge LLC provides financial planning, consultation, and discretionary asset management primarily to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm utilizes a third-party manager network through Envestnet/ARIA to implement investment strategies based on client suitability questionnaires.

David Cunningham is a CFP® professional with 27 years of experience in financial advising. He founded Cunningham Wealth Management, L.L.C., doing business as LW Advisors, L.L.C., where he has worked since 2015. He also operates as a sole proprietor and holds a Series 63 designation. In addition to his advisory work, he is licensed as an insurance agent. LW Advisors, L.L.C. provides discretionary and non-discretionary asset management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $35.9 million across about 76 client relationships. The firm develops investment programs tailored to each client’s objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance, employing both fundamental and technical analysis, and offers educational seminars and workshops open to the public.

Fredrick Bell is a CFP® and CFA® with 24 years of industry experience. He is the founder and president of Bellwether Financial Advisors in West Des Moines, IA, where he has worked since 2003. Prior to founding Bellwether, he operated Fredrick A. Bell CFA, L.C. starting in 2001 and has been associated with Cambridge Investment Research since 2007. Bell also serves as treasurer and board member of the Iowa Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. Bellwether Financial Advisors provides financial planning, investment advice, and portfolio-related consulting to individuals, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations. The firm emphasizes fundamental analysis and diversified, longer-term portfolios with selective tactical adjustments and maintains non-discretionary client relationships that typically include quarterly reviews.

Shawn Terrell is a financial advisor with Dentist Exit Planning in Windsor Heights, IA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 15 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Park Avenue Securities for 10 years and has been associated with Guardian Life Insurance Company for 15 years. Terrell is also the author of the book "The Professional Practice Trap." Dentist Exit Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to dental-practice clients and high-net-worth individuals, focusing on exit planning. The firm offers portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and ongoing consulting, utilizing mutual funds and ETFs while incorporating tax considerations and reviewing accounts quarterly.

Mark Gremler is a financial advisor with Integrity Alliance, LLC, holding a Series 63 designation and over 30 years of industry experience. He has worked at firms including VOYA Financial Advisors and Btl Network, and has operated Gremler Financial Group since 2004. Outside of advising, he is involved in farming and produce sales through Gremler Farms. Integrity Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans through a network of 164 independent advisers. The firm provides continuous asset management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party manager programs using a variety of portfolio management approaches.

Samuel O'Brien is a financial advisor with Capital View Wealth Management, LLC in Des Moines, IA. He holds a Series 63 designation and has 27 years of industry experience. O'Brien has been with Capital View Wealth Management since its founding in 2003. Capital View Wealth Management is an independent registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm provides personalized portfolio management and advisory consulting, focusing on exchange-traded equities and other investments clients bring to the relationship, using fundamental analysis, long-term purchase strategies, and selective option-writing.

Matthew Ford is a CFP® and CFA® with four years of industry experience. He is the principal advisor at BlackOak Advisors LLC in Des Moines, IA, where he has worked since 2021. Prior to this, he held a role at Freemark Partners Management LP for four years. Outside of his advisory work, he is the founder and co-chief investment officer of Klima Capital Advisors LP, an investment firm specializing in regulated carbon markets. BlackOak Advisors LLC serves individuals, families, trusts, estates, businesses, and institutional clients, offering investment management, wealth management, financial planning, and investment consulting. The firm’s investment approach centers on strategic asset allocation with diversified ETFs, mutual funds, fixed-income instruments, and rules-based factor strategies, and it also offers alternative engagement formats such as project-based or hourly consulting.