Thomas Thompson is the principal of Thompson Financial Transitions Inc. in White Bear Lake, MN, with 29 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation and securities licenses Series 63 and Series 65. Thompson has a background that includes roles at SagePoint Financial and Kristi Seifert, LLC, and he also works as an independent insurance agent selling life insurance, long-term care, and annuities. Additionally, he assists with tax preparation and serves as power of attorney managing investments and financial affairs for a family member. Thompson Financial Transitions Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and consulting for individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory approach, utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, and third-party managers, with discretionary trading authority and direct management of insurance contract assets alongside platform-based solutions.

Kevin Boyd is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 15 years of industry experience. He has worked at UBS Financial Services, Inc. for 10 years before founding KMB Wealth Management, LLC in 2020. The firm provides investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth individuals, and small businesses through a wrap fee investment program that combines financial planning, portfolio management, and brokerage transactional services. KMB Wealth Management employs a Core + Satellite investment approach, blending indexed funds with actively managed positions, and integrates comprehensive financial planning tailored to client objectives.

John Bernstein is the sole advisor at Bernstein Financial Advisory in Minneapolis, MN, holding a Series 65 credential with seven years of industry experience. He founded and has operated the firm since 2019, with a prior three-year period away from the industry. Bernstein Financial Advisory provides portfolio management and financial planning services tailored to individuals, high-net-worth clients, entrepreneurs, small business owners, charitable organizations, and other business entities. The firm employs fundamental analysis, long-term purchase strategies, and option writing, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary account management, as well as free public educational seminars and workshops.

Dalton Pierce is the sole advisor at Bluenose Wealth LLC in South Minneapolis, MN. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has two years of industry experience. Prior to founding Bluenose Wealth, Pierce worked with Northwestern Mutual in various capacities from 2024 to 2026. He also served six years in the U.S. Navy and has been associated with the University of Minnesota since 2023. Bluenose Wealth serves individual and high-net-worth clients with portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning, primarily using a passive investment approach with index mutual funds and ETFs. The firm provides tailored financial plans covering retirement, tax, estate, business, and insurance matters.

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.

Curtis Purington is a financial advisor at Fiduciary Wealth in Bloomington, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations with 42 years of industry experience. He has worked at Safe Harbor Capital Management LLC since 2012. Fiduciary Wealth provides discretionary investment management and advisory services to individual clients seeking long-term growth with moderate to aggressive risk tolerance. The firm constructs concentrated, non-diversified portfolios primarily invested in exchange-traded equity securities, employing technical, quantitative, and cyclical analysis, with strategies that may include trading and option transactions.

Hi! I'm Laura Seymour, CFP® and founder of TorchLight Financial. I founded TorchLight in 2011 and have over 17 years of experience helping retirees and pre-retirees navigate one of life's most important financial transitions. My clients are typically asking: Can I afford to retire, and when? Will my money last? Is my plan optimized? It is my goal to use clear language to help educate you about financial concepts to enable you to make the best decisions for YOUR life. I provide comprehensive advice tailored to your personal situation and goals - no cookie cutter plans or advice allowed! I want to be a trusted partner for your financial life journey. Clients can work with me in two ways: Wealth Management: ongoing holistic comprehensive planning advice partnered with professional investment management services Consulting Planning Services: comprehensive financial planning advice on a consulting basis (planning recommendations provided but you execute the trades and don't have to move your assets) I grew up on a dairy farm in western Minnesota (near Willmar) as the eldest daughter. I put myself through college, have been a lifelong learner and I value authentic, genuine relationships. I am grateful for clients who have trusted me to help them with their financial decisions. Travel and cycling are my non-work passions. I have been lucky enough to travel widely and love how it broadens my perspective. Shannon (my life partner) and I want to go on a Tour de France bicycle trip and climb Mont Ventoux (even though he will always beat me up the hills!). Enjoying Minnesota summers on my Bianchi Infinito and heading to a local brewery with friends are my favorite summer activities. Please reach out and share more about yourself! I'd love the opportunity to learn more about you.

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® with 21 years of industry experience. He is the principal of Invested Interests, LLC, an independent advisory firm based in Minneapolis, MN. Prior to founding Invested Interests in 2013, he worked with Crane Capital Management and PrideCo Capital Management, where he continues to have affiliations. He also operates an accounting consulting practice as a licensed CPA. Invested Interests provides combined investment advisory, financial planning, and portfolio management services to individuals, corporations, and nonprofit clients. The firm emphasizes tailored investment strategies through fundamental and technical analysis, balanced long-term holdings, and options strategies, with capabilities for socially responsible investment screening.

Joseph Brill is a financial advisor with Knox Avenue Financial Corp. in St. Paul, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 18 years of industry experience. He previously worked for Principal Life Insurance Company and Princor Financial Services Corporation for 10 years each before joining Knox Avenue Financial Corp. Brill holds leadership roles with the Kappa Sigma Building Association, a college fraternity housing organization. Knox Avenue Financial Corp. provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and pension clients, managing approximately $145 million in assets. The firm specializes in tailored portfolio construction using asset allocation, dollar-cost averaging, and a mix of long- and short-term holdings, and it operates a wrap fee program with a high client-to-advisor ratio.

The Work Stuff– My name is Ben Smith, and I am the Founder of Cove Financial Planning, a Certified B Corporation focused on comprehensive financial planning and Socially Responsible Investing. I believe that everyone, regardless of age, occupation, net worth, and investment experience, deserves a customized financial plan and the peace of mind that comes with it. Before starting Cove, I worked for several investment companies, and saw just how boring, complex and off-putting investing can be for many people. Traditional advisors also have a reputation for specifically catering to high-net-worth individuals with a singular focus on account size. My mission is to provide access to high-quality advice to a broader range of people who want to take control of their financial lives (and maybe have some fun in the process!) I also passionately believe in helping people blend Socially Responsible Investing into their long-term financial plans. I’m here to prove that you can Do Well While Doing Good! The Fun Stuff– I’m originally from Minneapolis and have since lived in Chicago and Milwaukee. My wife Kotryna works in investment banking, and while we aren’t at the office, you can find us hanging with our newborn daughter Frances (Francie) or debating nerdy investment topics over a home-cooked meal and a glass of wine. We are big believers in learning new things and staying active. Currently, she’s teaching me how to salsa dance (not going well) and speak Lithuanian (where she’s from), while we both sharpen our tennis skills. We’re proud owners of Apple Watches for the sole purpose of beating each other’s daily fitness activity (feel free to join the competition!) We also travel as often as we can, and we’re always looking for suggestions on places to check out in Europe when visiting her family. Above all else, we both believe that life is about balance. I hope that I can help you find your balance with money, and maybe make the world a little better place in the process. Visit www.coveplanning.com to learn more and get in touch!

Lindy Venustus is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Create, LLC. She has worked at several firms including Origin Financial and Wells Fargo Advisors and is also involved in community activities such as volunteering on the Death and Dying Committee of the Minneapolis Quaker Friends and participating in Toastmasters. In her free time, she is an artist and author and a member of the Minnesota Watercolor Society. Create, LLC provides fee-only comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management for younger, well-compensated individuals and families, often focusing on clients with employer stock or those planning career transitions. The firm utilizes a long-term, passive investment approach with low-cost ETFs via the Betterment platform, and offers services including group education workshops and family governance planning.

Kevin Kruger is the sole advisor at Kruger Wealth Management, Inc. in Bloomington, MN, with 37 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at his current firm since 2017, having previously been with SII Investments, Inc. from 2013 to 2017. In addition to his advisory work, he is licensed as an independent insurance agent specializing in fixed insurance products. Kruger Wealth Management serves individuals and small business owners by identifying investment objectives and referring clients to independent third-party advisory firms for asset management. The firm provides written financial plans and hosts no-fee public educational workshops, focusing on long-term investment strategies through a solicitor/referral model.

Christopher Saxton is a financial advisor at Aberdour Investments with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has previously worked at Ecolab and currently serves as a marketing manager at Smart Care Equipment Solutions. He is also an advisor to a business focused on communication experiences for women in faith and leadership. Aberdour Investments offers individualized investment management and financial planning services to private individuals as well as a diverse range of institutional and corporate clients. The firm uses a primarily passive investment approach complemented by fundamental and technical analysis and emphasizes client education through seminars, speaking engagements, and newsletters.

Kari Polasek is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 16 years of industry experience. She is the principal of Adaptive Financial Design LLC, an independent firm she has led since 2023. Prior to founding her firm, she worked at Advisornet Financial and Wealth Enhancement Group. Adaptive Financial Design LLC provides discretionary investment management and financial planning services to individual clients, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth households. The firm employs a primarily passive, index-based investment approach grounded in modern portfolio theory and combines ongoing subscription planning with fixed-fee project engagements.

Lauri Salverda is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Castle Rock Financial Planning, Inc. She has worked at Clerestory Advisors, Inc. since 2008. Castle Rock Financial Planning provides personalized financial planning and investment management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates, offering comprehensive written financial plans and ongoing portfolio management without imposing minimum account balances or accepting commissions. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and third-party research to guide investment decisions across a variety of asset types.

At Heartworth Financial, I’m not just a financial planner—I’m here to help First-Generation Wealth Builders and underserved communities break through the barriers that have kept them from the financial resources they deserve. I’m the daughter of Hmong refugees from Laos. My parents came to the U.S. with nothing but hope for a better life. They worked tirelessly to provide for our family, but lacked the financial knowledge and tools others take for granted. That’s why I founded Heartworth Financial: to help people facing the same challenges my family did—turning first-gen success into generational wealth. I know how intimidating financial advice can feel, especially when you’re not sure where to start or if you’ll be judged. That’s why I meet clients where they are—no judgment, just understanding. I listen, I learn, and I create a plan that’s built around their culture, goals, and values. With over a decade of experience as a financial advisor, I’ve worked with clients across industries, but my focus now is clear: offering personalized financial planning and investment management to those who need it most. My mission is simple: make financial planning accessible to everyone. Empower people to make informed decisions, build wealth, and create lasting change for the generations that follow.

Luke Johnson is a CFP® with 17 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Boreal Advisors LLC since 2019. His prior experience includes roles at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. and Ballast Advisors, LLC. He also maintains an affiliated insurance practice as a licensed insurance agent. Boreal Advisors LLC provides investment management and financial planning primarily for individual clients, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management alongside financial plans and consolidated household reporting. The firm employs a combination of fundamental analysis and modern portfolio theory, with regular account reviews, rebalancing, and tax-loss harvesting, and it manages both on-custody and held-away assets.

James Wilkinson is the principal of Wilkinson Capital Management, LLC in St. Paul, MN, with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has operated his independent advisory firm since 2016. Wilkinson also maintains an affiliation with LPL Financial. Wilkinson Capital Management provides discretionary investment management and financial planning services to individuals, high net worth clients, trusts, and estates. The firm manages approximately $97 million for around 98 clients, employing a customized, primarily long-term investment approach using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs.