I'm the founder of SCM Investment Services in Lake Elmo, MN — a fee-only, fiduciary advisory firm built on one belief: everyone deserves honest financial advice from someone legally required to put their interests first. My path here started on the trading floor at the Chicago Board of Trade, where I transacted over $1 billion in US Treasury Notes daily and later served as VP and Director of Discretionary Trading Operations. With degrees in Computer Science and Chemistry, I've always approached investing as a hard science — not a sales pitch. I earned my MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the epicenter of evidence-based investing. No commissions. No exceptions. I've been quoted as a financial expert in CNN Money, Fortune, the Chicago Tribune, US News, and Investment News.

After spending more than 13 years in traditional wealth management, I saw first hand how traditional firms, regardless of their fee model - are designed to maintain the status quo. I created Luminous Money as an expression and reflection of my personal pursuit of the American Dream: from being a first-generation immigrant working minimum wage jobs, to slowly scrimping, saving and investing into achieving some of my biggest dreams. If you're a dreamer, you're one of us. At Luminous, we don't care about not being invited to the table.....we're building our own damn table. Luminous is designed to work with people across all income and wealth levels, because I know first hand that money in the hands of the right people changes everything. I am so excited to meet you!

Sam Schuette is a seasoned wealth advisor with over two decades of experience helping individuals and families plan for financial security and life milestones. As Vice President and Wealth Advisor at GreenUp Wealth Management, Sam works with clients to develop financial strategies tailored to their goals — including retirement planning, investment guidance, and overall wealth management.  Before joining GreenUp, Sam spent more than a decade at Scottrade, Inc., where he built strong client relationships and led teams of investment professionals. He also served in financial advisory and wealth planning roles at several other firms, bringing a depth of practical experience across markets, financial planning disciplines, and client service.  Sam holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture & Food Business Management with a focus in Finance from the University of Minnesota. Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, outdoor activities, and community engagement.

Chad Rusten is Chief Financial Planner at Element Squared Private Wealth in Minneapolis, MN, holding the ChFC®, CLU®, CASL®, and CLTC designations along with Series 66 licenses. He has 23 years of industry experience, with prior roles at Park Avenue Securities, Guardian Life Insurance, Eagle Strategies (NY Life), and Nylife Securities. He also operates as a sole proprietor in insurance sales and services, dedicating approximately 5% of his time to this activity. Element Squared Private Wealth provides discretionary asset management and integrated financial planning to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and charting analysis to construct diversified portfolios tailored to client objectives, offering financial planning as part of its advisory services.

As the CEO and CIO of Allodium Investment Consultants, I lead our team in providing comprehensive wealth management to our clients. I hold the CFP®, CFA®, and AIF® designations and have been with Allodium since 2015. We are an employee-owned firm that was created to simplify and improve the financial lives of our clients. As a fee-only firm, we provide objective investment advice that is not biased by the sale of commission-based products. Our client relationships are defined by a fiduciary standard of care which demands that we always act in the best interests of our clients.

Peter O'Brien is a financial advisor with MPM Financial Corporation in Maplewood, MN. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 37 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and Voya Financial Advisors. Outside of his advisory work, he is also a licensed insurance agent involved in the sale of fixed insurance products. MPM Financial Corporation provides discretionary asset management primarily for individual investors and qualified retirement plans, including limited-scope ERISA 3(21) fiduciary support. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, charting, and cyclical analysis to tailor portfolios to client objectives and employs third-party model managers and UMA platforms as part of its investment approach.

Justin Munger is a financial advisor at VIP Financial Associates with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Sawtooth Asset Management and Sawtooth Solutions before joining Premier Capital Management, LLC dba VIP Financial Associates in 2016. Outside of advising, he owns Premier Pet Services, LLC, a pet sitting and cleanup service, and has been involved as an independent life and health insurance agent since 2002. VIP Financial Associates provides financial planning and discretionary portfolio management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates. The firm emphasizes individualized asset allocation using fundamental and technical analysis and relies on third-party model managers and due diligence services for portfolio construction and monitoring.

Mark Austin is a financial advisor at Liniam Capital, LLC with eight years of industry experience. He previously worked at North Sky Capital for eight years before joining Liniam Capital in 2018. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 registrations. Liniam Capital provides investment management and financial consulting services to individuals and institutional clients, including trusts, retirement plans, public funds, and Taft-Hartley accounts. The firm combines portfolio management with tax and estate planning, business sale structures, and insurance analysis, using ETFs, individual securities, and option strategies within written investment policy frameworks.

Cody Wald is a financial advisor at First Class Financial with five years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and Series 66 designations. His prior experience includes five years at Ameriprise and two years at Deloitte and Touche. First Class Financial is an independent firm offering discretionary and non-discretionary asset management as well as financial planning and consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and business entities. The firm combines various analytical approaches in its investment process and uses the Altruist platform for managing client portfolios, with options for model portfolios and sub-advisor management.

Paula Lilly is a financial advisor at Ramsey Hill Asset Management LLC with 12 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Ramsey Hill since 2011. Outside of her advisory role, she is a non-voting member of Mojave Color, LLC, a technology and software development company. Ramsey Hill Asset Management provides discretionary investment supervisory and portfolio management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs both fundamental and technical analysis and uses long- and short-term trading strategies to build individualized portfolios aligned with clients’ objectives.

Thomas Ottman is a financial advisor with Aquinas Capital Advisors LLC in Andover, MN, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 45 years of industry experience. He has managed his advisory practice since 1990, including founding Aquinas Capital Advisors in 2016. 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 client education through public seminars and workshops, tailoring portfolios to clients' goals, time horizons, and risk tolerance using both fundamental and technical analysis.

I’m a financial planner who helps tech professionals 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 life, whether that means retiring early, launching a new career, or simply feeling more confident about your future. I offer personalized, one-time financial plans and ongoing planning services, helping people navigate the complexities of equity compensation, tax strategies, cash flow, and more, all with the goal of creating a life you love. When I’m not working with clients, you’ll find me sailing, checking out live music, or planning my next travel adventure with my wife Annie and our son. We live in Minneapolis, MN and serve clients virtually across the U.S. If you’re ready to explore what’s possible with your finances, I’d love to chat!

Britt Clanton is the principal of Clanton Financial Partners, LLC in Saint Paul, MN, with 21 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at MML Investors Services, LLC and Transamerica-affiliated firms. Outside of his advisory role, Clanton serves as Chief Financial Officer for Visibility Innovations, providing financial consulting services. Clanton Financial Partners is a state-registered investment adviser offering customized investment management and retirement-plan advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and ERISA retirement plans. The firm utilizes fundamental analysis with a primarily long-term investment strategy while allowing tactical adjustments and sponsors a wrap-fee program that consolidates custodial, trading, and administrative costs.

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.

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.

James Mehrman is the sole advisor at Valor Wealth Management LLC in Fridley, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials with 15 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Merrill, Sawtooth Asset Management, The Investment Councel LLC, and founding Valor IT Deployment Solutions LLC. He also worked at Trailhead Cycling from 2017 to 2021. Valor Wealth Management serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, charities, and retirement plans through customized financial planning and discretionary portfolio management. The firm’s investment process combines fundamental analysis with computer models for asset allocation and risk management, managing approximately $14.9 million across 40 accounts with a focus on tailored portfolios featuring stocks, bonds, ETFs, and selected other securities.

Brandon Small is the principal of Invested Interests, LLC, an independent registered investment adviser based in Minneapolis, MN. He holds the CFP® and CFA® credentials and has 21 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Crane Capital Management, PrideCo Capital Management, and Lyon and Small Investors. Outside of advising, he operates an accounting consulting practice as a CPA. Invested Interests, LLC provides investment advisory, financial planning, and discretionary portfolio management to individuals, corporate, and nonprofit clients, including charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $7.9 million using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis, incorporates socially responsible investing screens, and tailors each client relationship with a written Investment Policy Statement.

I’m Carter Michaelson, CFP®, CSLP®, and the founder of illumiFI Wealth. I started this firm to help people cut through financial complexity and make confident, tax-smart decisions about their money. With a focus on financial planning, investments, and tax strategies, I work alongside clients to create a clear path toward financial freedom. At illumiFI Wealth, I believe financial advice should be independent, transparent, and values-driven. That’s why the firm is fee-only — no commissions, no hidden agendas. Our approach is also rooted in behavioral finance: helping clients overcome the biases and emotions that can get in the way of good decisions. My favorite moments are when a concept clicks — those “lightbulb” moments where clients feel clarity and confidence about their next steps. I launched illumiFI Wealth because I’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming money can feel — from student loans to charitable giving to retirement planning. My mission is to provide clarity, confidence, and purpose so clients can focus on what truly matters: living generously and pursuing the life they’re called to live.

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!