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.

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.

Kyle Thompson is a financial advisor at Leetown Advisors with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Prior to founding Leetown Advisors in 2017, he worked at Waddell And Reed and Guardian Life. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with KT Constrictors, a non-investment business. Leetown Advisors provides investment management, financial planning, business consulting, and retirement plan services to individuals, employer plan sponsors, and institutional clients. The firm employs a primarily passive, asset-class allocation strategy supplemented by fundamental and technical analysis and offers services such as derivatives management and ERISA 3(38) investment management.

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.

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.

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.

Cory Dawkins is a financial advisor with Elite Wealth Partners, LLC in Johnston, Iowa. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 14 years of industry experience, including prior work at Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation. Outside of advising, Dawkins is involved in consulting on alternative investments, assists clients with debt reduction strategies through United Financial Freedom, and supports estate planning services with Estate Docs Pro. Elite Wealth Partners provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm manages client assets primarily through model portfolios with third-party sub-advisors and structures client engagements around a comprehensive financial health checklist covering various planning areas.

Jay Polson is the principal advisor at Polson Wealth Management in Des Moines, IA, with 14 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Raymond James & Associates for ten years and held positions at Balefire, LLC and Securian Financial Services, Inc. Jay holds Series 63 and Series 66 registrations. Polson Wealth Management serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, family offices, trusts, estates, private foundations, qualified retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and financial planning, employing a primarily fundamental, long-term investment approach and managing a proprietary wrap fee program.

John Flynn is the sole advisor at Prospective Value Partners LLC in Des Moines, IA, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses with 11 years of industry experience. He has led the firm since its founding in 2015. Prospective Value Partners provides discretionary asset management and portfolio supervision to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and some institutional clients. The firm employs a fundamental, value-oriented investment approach focused on long-only positions in publicly traded companies, with occasional shorter-term special situations, managing approximately $76 million across 36 accounts.

Kevin Klein is a financial advisor at LIS Inc in Urbandale, IA, with 18 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Lifestyles Investment Strategies since 2017, following three years at RIA Advisory Group. Klein is also a licensed life insurance agent, dedicating a small portion of his time to this activity. LIS Inc is an independent registered investment adviser that provides portfolio management and financial and estate planning advice to a diverse client base, including individuals, businesses, trusts, and nonprofits. The firm employs a rules-based, globally diversified investment approach, primarily using low-cost ETFs alongside selected stocks and bonds, with most accounts managed on a discretionary basis.

Joel Fortney is a CFA® charterholder with one year of experience as an advisor at Koios Private Family Offices, LLC. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Stategy Capital, LP and is a co-owner of Ultra Skin Science, LLC, a company involved in the distribution of beauty products. He is also co-owner and Chief Financial Officer of Koios Management Group, LLC, a management consulting firm providing outsourced CFO services to private businesses. Koios Private Family Offices is an independent registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm offers discretionary asset management and financial planning, utilizing a mix of fundamental and quantitative analysis with long- and short-term holdings to manage risk.