Authors

Mark Albers

CPA, MST, CFP® | Senior Financial Advisor

Mark Albers, CPA, MST, CFP®, is a Senior Financial Advisor for Wipfli Financial Advisors in Green Bay and Appleton, WI. Mark specializes in estate, retirement, tax and charitable giving planning for individuals and families.

Jeff Bramschreiber

CPA | Healthcare Partner, Wipfli LLP

Jeff Bramschreiber, CPA, is a Healthcare Partner with Wipfli LLP, based in Green Bay, WI. For three decades, Jeff has specialized in medical practices of all sizes and specializations — from sole practitioners to large medical groups — improve revenue, reduce costs and enhance profitability to sustain future growth.

Pamela R. Branshaw

CPA, CEBS | Partner, Employee Benefits Services Leader at Wipfli LLP

Pamela R. Branshaw, CPA, CEBS, is a partner and the Employee Benefits Services Leader for Wipfli LLP, in which she is responsible for the development and operations of the firm’s entire employee benefits practice. Pam also leads Wipfli’s Health Care Reform Advisory Group and is a member of the leadership team for the firm’s small business services group.

Pat Brault

CPA, CTFA | Principal, Regional Director

Patrick Brault, CPA, CTFA, is a Principal and Regional Director for Wipfli Financial Advisors in Minneapolis, MN. Patrick focuses on comprehensive financial planning and investment management for business owners, retirement plans and foundations, as well as advanced planning for seniors and family caregivers.

Greg Butler

CPA | Partner, Wipfli LLP

Greg Butler, CPA, is a partner leading Wipfli LLP’s tax practice in Milwaukee, WI. He has more than 25 years of experience in providing tax compliance and consulting services, primarily to closely held companies.

Katie Calagui

Director of Talent Management

Katie Calagui is the Director of Talent Management for Wipfli Financial Advisors. Katie is an experienced manager and mentor — helping build healthy, collaborative teams to reach their greatest potential. She works closely with Wipfli Financial’s management and executive leadership team to ensure that the firm strategy and initiatives are closely aligned with its core values and long-term mission.

Bob Cedergren

CPA, CGMA, CITP, CISA | Partner-in-Charge, Wipfli LLP

Bob Cedergren, CPA, CGMA, CITP, CISA, is the partner-in-charge of Wipfli LLP's risk advisory and forensic services practice, based in Duluth, MN. Bob has worked in the risk management and sustainability sectors for more than 20 years, and is also an acclaimed speaker and author within the field, focusing on the topics of sustainability, business continuity planning and information security.

Zac Charnecki, CPA

Tax Manager, Wipfli LLP

Zac Charnecki, CPA, is a Tax Manager at Wipfli LLP. A member of the firm's Private Client Services team, he is experienced in helping clients with tax planning and compliance; estate, trust and gift tax planning and compliance; and personal wealth and philanthropic planning.

Linda Coffey

Senior Retirement Plan Advisor

Linda Coffey is a Senior Retirement Plan Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors, based in the Chicagoland area. Linda specializes in providing investment advice, education and service to employer-sponsored retirement plans. She is passionate and committed to giving proactive, tailored guidance to help plan sponsors offer competitive, compliant retirement plans to their participants.

Earl H. Cohen

Attorney | Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC

Earl H. Cohen is a partner with the law firm of Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC in Edina, MN. He practices in the areas of estate and wealth transfer planning, business transition, asset protection and estate and trust settlement.

Janice Deringer

Consultant

Janice L. Deringer is a member of Wipfli Financial's Investment Committee and a consultant who focuses on serving individual and corporate clients. She brings over 20 years of institutional investment management experience to her strong interest in educating women and individuals regarding financial decisions, realities and possibilities.

Nathan Digmann

Associate Advisor

Nathan Digmann is an Associate Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors, based in Milwaukee, WI.

Dimensional Fund Advisors

DFA is an Austin-based asset manager whose philosophy and mutual funds are a cornerstone of our investment approach. With three Nobel laureates on its board, a scientific priority runs deep through Dimensional, with a high regard for research, process and time-tested data. Dimensional’s process explores every aspect of dynamic real-world markets, including portfolio architecture, trading methodology and tax management. Wipfli Financial and Dimensional are not affiliated entities.

Ed Drake

MSFP, AEP®, CFP®

Ed Drake, MSFP, AEP®, CFP®, is a financial advisor that specializes in serving high-net-worth individuals, families and businesses.

Blake Faust

CFP®, AIF®, CRPS® | Financial Advisor

Blake Faust, CFP®, AIF®, CRPS®, is a Financial Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors in Minneapolis, MN. Blake specializes in comprehensive financial planning for individuals and families, and also helps advise retirement plan sponsors and participants.

Bruce Ferry

Partner | DZH Phillips LLP

Bruce Ferry is a Partner at DZH Phillips LLP, based in San Francisco, CA. With a broad background of serving business owners and real estate investors, Bruce specializes in closely held business taxation and strategy; high net-worth income and estate planning; and international tax.

Seth Fine

CPF, MS | Senior Manager, Nonprofit & Government and Healthcare Practices, Wipfli LLP

Seth Fine, CPF, MS, is the Senior Manager of Wipfli's Nonprofit & Government and Healthcare practices in Minneapolis, MN. Seth focuses on helping key executives and stakeholders within the nonprofit, public and healthcare sectors develop strategic plans that can enhance the vision and culture of their organizations, and help them work toward future growth and success.

Stephanie Forrester

Associate Advisor

Stephanie Forrester is an Associate Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors, based in Appleton, WI. In her role, Stephanie assists our Appleton advisory team with personal financial planning and investment management for individuals, families, small businesses and retirement plans.

Pam Foti

Senior Care Consultant, Vesta Senior Network

Pam Foti is a pharmaceutical industry veteran with 17 years of experience working with psychiatrists and neurologists in Southeastern Wisconsin. For ten of those years, Pam had the opportunity to work in the long-term care arena with geriatricians, pharmacists, nurses and caregivers in both skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.

McKenna Girtz

Associate Advisor

McKenna Girtz is an Associate Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors, LLC, based in the Twin Cities.

Cole Gustke

Associate Advisor

Cole Gustke is an Associate Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors, based in Wausau, WI. He works collaboratively with a team of financial advisors to provide comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory solutions to individuals, families, small businesses and retirement plans.

Gretchen Halpin

Chief Strategy Officer

Gretchen Halpin is the Chief Strategy Officer for Wipfli Financial Advisors, based in Chicago, IL. Gretchen specializes in business strategy, professional coaching, marketing and entrepreneurship, with experience as the driving force behind several successful business ventures.

Rafia Hasan

CFA, CFP® | Chief Investment Officer

Rafia Hasan, CFA, CFP®, is the Chief Investment Officer for Wipfli Financial Advisors, based in Chicago, IL. Rafia leads Wipfli Financial's Investment Committee and has a deep knowledge of the financial markets, specifically in the areas of alternative investments and private equity. She also specializes in personal financial planning and estate planning for women investors.

Benjamin Hayes

CFP®, MBA | Senior Financial Advisor

Benjamin Hayes, CFP®, MBA, is a Principal and Senior Financial Advisor for Wipfli Financial Advisors in Green Bay and Appleton, WI. Benjamin specializes in comprehensive financial planning for major life transitions, focusing on retirement, tax and risk-management considerations.

Paul Johnson

Partner

Paul Johnson is a partner with Wipfli LLP's risk advisory services practice, based in St. Paul, MN. Paul is well-versed in data security and risk management, working closely with clients to assess, improve and test the security of their information systems and comply with regulatory standards.

Steven A. Jordan

Senior Manager, Wipfli LLP

Steve Jordan is a senior manager in Wipfli LLP’s manufacturing and distribution, nonprofit and government, construction and real estate, and employee benefit practices. His more than 10 years of diverse audit and tax experience allow him to see each entity as a whole and enable him to offer suggestions for improvement in many different areas of an entity or company.

Julie Kiley

CPA, MST

Julie Kiley, CPA, MST, is a tax, estate and wealth planning professional based in Green Bay, WI. Julie oversees compliance and planning for high-net-worth individuals, including individual, fiduciary, nonprofit, estate and gift tax matters.

Eric Kirste

CFP®, CIMA®, AIF® | Financial Advisor

Eric Kirste, CFP®, CIMA®, AIF®, is a financial advisor at Wipfli Financial Advisors in the Chicagoland region.

Barry S. Krostich

CPA | Director, Fuoco Group

Barry S. Krostich, CPA, is a director at Fuoco Group, based in Hauppauge, NY. Barry consults on auditing, accounting, compliance and tax issues for individuals and businesses across a range of industries, from healthcare to real estate to construction.

TJ Larson

Retirement Plan Services Associate

TJ Larson is an associate with the Retirement Plan Services team at Wipfli Financial Advisors in Madison, WI. TJ served in the United States Marine Corps for five years and currently specializes in retirement plan assessment for start-up companies, nonprofit organizations and small-to-medium-sized businesses.

Ryan P. Laughlin

CPA, MST, JD | Partner, Wipfli LLP

With more than 15 years of professional experience with regional, national and global public accounting firms, Ryan Laughlin, CPA, MST, JD, currently serves as a partner in Wipfli LLP’s tax practice, based in Green Bay, WI. He utilizes a unique blend of accounting, tax and legal expertise to provide tax and transactional planning to business owners, individuals and families.

Larry Lester

Partner, Nursing Home Consulting, Wipfli LLP

Larry Lester is a partner in Wipfli's Nursing Home Consulting Group, based in Eau Claire, WI. Larry has extensive experience in financial management for long-term care facilities and in-depth knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Tom Li

CPA | Director, DZH Phillips LLP

Tom Li, CPA, is a Director at DZH Phillips LLP, based in San Francisco, CA. Tom primarily focuses on business owners' accounting needs, specializing in financial reporting, risk management and bank relationships.

Amy Libertoski

CPA, PFS | Principal, Senior Financial Advisor

Amy Libertoski, CPA, PFS, is a Principal and Senior Financial Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors in Wausau, WI. Bringing 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Amy specializes in financial, estate and retirement planning for families, as well as tax planning and preparation for high-net-worth investors.

Jordan Lochner Mills

CFP® | Senior Financial Advisor

Jordan Lochner Mills, CFP®, is a Senior Financial Advisor for Wipfli Financial Advisors in Minneapolis, MN. Jordan focuses on personal financial planning and investment management for individuals and families, and also specializes in planning matters related to women investors and retirees.

Marshall Lund

CFP® | Financial Advisor

Marshall Lund, CFP®, is a Financial Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors in Chicago, IL. Marshall focuses on personal financial planning and investment advisory for high-net-worth investors and families.

Noah Marell

CFP® | Senior Financial Advisor

Noah Marell, CFP®, is a Senior Financial Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors in Minneapolis, MN. Noah specializes in investment advisory, financial and charitable giving planning for individuals, families and foundations.

Ryan McGuire

CFP®, ChSNC® | Financial Advisor

Ryan McGuire, CFP®, ChSNC®, is a Financial Advisor for Wipfli Financial Advisors in Madison, WI. Ryan specializes in retirement distribution planning, Social Security planning and financial planning for families with special needs.

Cassandra (Latsios) McNulty

MSTFP, CFP® | Financial Advisor

Cassandra (Latsios) McNulty, MSTFP, CFP®, is a Financial Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors in Media, PA. Cassandra specializes in financial, tax and retirement planning for high-net-worth investors, and also advises retirement plan sponsors and participants.

Derec Mieden

CFP® | Financial Advisor

Derec Mieden, CFP®, is a Financial Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors in Madison, WI. Derec specializes in comprehensive financial planning for individuals and families, and also focuses on helping younger generations start and stay proactive in saving for retirement.

Jeff Milkie

CPA | Managing Director, Wipfli Corporate Finance Advisors

Jeff Milkie, CPA, is the Managing Director of Wipfli Corporate Finance Advisors (WCF), based in Minneapolis, MN. With more than a decade of experience in corporate finance and investment banking, Jeff specializes in mergers and acquisitions, private placement, advisory and valuation engagements across a range of business sectors, from manufacturing to construction to healthcare.

Audra Moncur

Senior Manager

Audra Moncur, CPA, ABV, is a senior manager on the valuation, litigation and transaction support team at our affiliate, Wipfli LLP. She works closely with her clients and their respective attorneys to provide business appraisal services for the purposes of litigation support, buying or selling businesses, divorce and estate planning or gifting.

Brad Mueller

CLU, ChFC | Principal, Chief Practice Officer

Brad Mueller, CLU, ChFC, is a Principal and the Chief Practice Officer of Wipfli Financial Advisors, based in Madison, WI. Brad specializes in insurance and risk-management consulting for business owners and family offices.

Jason Muhlstein

Wipfli Technology Consulting Partner

Jason Muhlstein currently serves as the Twin Cities Market Leader for Wipfli LLP, a national accounting and consulting firm. With over 20 years of consulting experience, his expertise lies in working with business leaders to assess, improve and scale business performance using technology and data strategy solutions.

Lora Murphy

CPA, CFP®, CDFA™ | Principal, Senior Financial Advisor

Lora Murphy, CPA, CFP®, CDFA™, is a Principal and Senior Financial Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors in Milwaukee and Chicago. Lora specializes in estate planning, tax planning and complex financial planning for major life transitions, including divorce and the sale of a business.

Julie Nichols

CPA, PFS | Principal, Chief Financial Officer

Julie Nichols, CPA, PFS, is a Principal and the Chief Financial Officer for Wipfli Financial Advisors, based in Milwaukee, WI. In her advisory work, Julie specializes in financial planning, tax compliance and tax planning for individuals, families and business owners.

Jeff Olejnik

Director

Jeff Olejnik is director of Wipfli LLP's risk advisory services practice, based in Minneapolis, MN. With more than 20 years of experience in technology and risk management, Jeff is a knowledgeable IT security services professional and helps clients manage risk through effective information security, business continuity planning and program management.

Megan Olson

CFP® | Financial Advisor

Megan Olson, CFP®, is a financial advisor serving clients in the Twin Cities.

OneBite Editorial Staff

OneBite® is a Top 50 Financial Advisor Blog powered by Wipfli Financial Advisors. Founded in 2011, the digital magazine is dedicated to providing intelligent, in-depth coverage and analysis of the top financial and economic issues facing investors today.

Paul Ouweneel

CFA, CPA, CFP® | Vice President of Valuation, Litigation and Transaction Services, Wipfli LLP

Paul Ouweneel, CFA, CPA, CFP®, is the Vice President of the Valuation, Litigation and Transaction (VLT) Services group at Wipfli LLP, based in Milwaukee, WI. Paul specializes in the valuation of businesses and intangible assets, as well as sale and purchase transaction support for companies in a variety of industries.

Jim Parker

Vice President | Dimensional Fund Advisors

As head of Dimensional's communications and marketing team in Australia, Jim Parker helps create strategies to communicate the firm's philosophy and process in ways that engage current and prospective clients, regulators and the media. He holds a bachelor of arts in social and economic history from Deakin University and a journalism certificate from Auckland Technical Institute.

Anthony Perillo

CFP® | Financial Advisor

Anthony Perillo, CFP®, is a Financial Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors in Milwaukee, WI. Anthony focuses on comprehensive financial planning for high-net-worth investors and families, and also specializes in tax-efficient investing strategies.

Girish Ramachandra

Senior Manager, Wipfli LLP

Girish Ramachandra is one of the leaders within Wipfli's Technology Consulting division, focused on helping companies transform their businesses through technology innovation.

Paola Ramos

CFP® | Financial Advisor

Paola Ramos is a Financial Advisor based in the Bay Area. Paola focuses on personal financial planning, retirement planning and Social Security planning strategies for women, same-sex couples and small business owners. She also has a background in environmental advocacy and specializes in planning issues and strategies for nonprofits.

Scot Roche

J.D., CPA, PFS | Principal, Regional Director

Scot Roche, J.D., CPA, PFS, is a Principal and Regional Director for Wipfli Financial Advisors in Rockford, IL. Scot specializes in financial, tax and estate planning for individuals, families, business owners and healthcare professionals.

Irene Salum

CPA | Director, Fuoco Group

Irene S. Salum, CPA, is a Director at Fuoco Group in Miami, FL. Irene provides assurance services and also specializes in accounting, tax preparation and planning, business valuation and forensic and litigation matters.

Leah Schmid

CPA | Associate Advisor

Leah Schmid, CPA, is an Associate Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors in Madison, WI. Leah primarily focuses on personal financial planning, tax planning and charitable giving strategies for families and individuals nearing retirement.

John Shevlin

CFP® | Financial Advisor

John Shevlin, CFP®, is a Financial Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors in Minneapolis, MN. John focuses on comprehensive financial planning for individual clients and families, and also specializes in serving business owners seeking strategic advice and transition planning.

Nicholas Smith

Director | Wipfli LLP

With over a decade of proven leadership experience with Wipfli LLP’s national Health Care Consulting practice, Nicholas leads consulting engagements with a broad array of health care organizations, including health systems, county and district hospitals, critical access hospitals, physician specialty groups and more.

Dean Stange

J.D., CFP® | Principal, Senior Financial Advisor

Dean Stange, J.D., CFP®, is a Principal and Senior Financial Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors in Madison, WI. As an attorney, Dean has provided estate and succession planning advice to business owners for more than 20 years. He primarily focuses on the ways in which business ownership, tax and estate issues can impact long-term financial planning.

Sara Strohmaier

CFP® | Financial Advisor

Sara Strohmaier, CFP®, is a financial advisor serving clients in Chicago.

Jeff Stubbe

CPA | Partner-in-Charge, Wipfli LLP

Jeff Stubbe, CPA, is a partner-in-charge at Wipfli LLP, as well as the Executive Vice President of Wipfli Financial Advisors, based in Wausau, WI. Jeff focuses on complex tax planning for individuals, families and businesses.

Nima Tolooi

Founder, Former Editor in Chief

Nima Tolooi is the founder, web developer and former editor-in-chief of OneBite. He was formerly the Interactive Marketing Manager for Wipfli Financial Advisors, based in Chicago, IL.

Ryan Usalis, CPA

Manager | Wipfli LLP

Ryan Usalis, CPA, is a tax manager with our affiliate, Wipfli, based in Deerfield, Illinois.

Elizabeth Vuozzo

CPA | Director, The Fuoco Group

Elizabeth A. Vuozzo, CPA, is a director at The Fuoco Group (TFG), a full-service accounting and consulting firm serving clients on the East Coast and in South Florida. Elizabeth supervises TFG’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS), New York state income and sales tax examinations for individuals and corporations. She also heads up the firm’s small business division, assisting closely held business owners with their income tax planning and preparation, cash flow analysis and budgeting programs, among other tax needs.

Jenny Wagner

Senior Care Consultant, Vesta Senior Network

Jenny Wagner is an experienced sales and marketing professional, and is well-versed in the long-term care system. Prior to joining Vesta, Jenny spent three years with Reilly PPA, a small PR firm in Chicago, catering to specialized distribution firms. Before her tenure at Reilly, Jenny was in industrial and food packaging adhesives sales for 12 years.

Sarah Wagner

Associate Advisor

Sarah Wagner is an Associate Advisor with Wipfli Financial Advisors, based in Green Bay, WI. She works collaboratively with a team of financial advisors to provide comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory solutions to individuals, families, small businesses and retirement plans.

Ben Watson

Technology Manager

Ben Watson is the Technology Manager with Hewins Financial | Wipfli Hewins, based in San Francisco, California.

Weston Wellington

Vice President | Dimensional Fund Advisors

Weston Wellington is a Vice President for Dimensional Fund Advisors, based in Austin, TX. With more than three decades of experience in the investment industry, Weston works closely with financial advisors in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and Latin America to explain the principles of a science-based, empirical investment philosophy, and how it can help investors both accumulate and preserve wealth.

Nate Wenner

CPA, PFS, CFP®, CIMA® | Principal, Regional Director

Nate Wenner, CPA, PFS, CFP®, CIMA®, is a Principal and Regional Director with Wipfli Financial Advisors in Minneapolis, MN. Nate specializes in financial planning for high-net-worth individuals and small businesses, focusing on retirement distribution planning, estate planning and business succession planning.

Angie Whiteside

Senior Manager, Employee Benefits, Wipfli LLP

Angie Whiteside, CPA, is the Senior Manager of Employee Benefits at Wipfli LLP, based in Eau Claire, WI. Angie specializes in the administration and consultation of 401(k) plans, profit-sharing plans, money-purchase pension plans, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), 403(b) plans and cafeteria plans for businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Wipfli LLP

Wipfli LLP is the accounting firm affiliate of Wipfli Financial Advisors. With more than 2,000 associates, 48 offices in the United States and two offices in India, Wipfli ranks among the top accounting and business consulting firms in the nation.

Wipfli Financial Advisors Investment Committee

About Wipfli Financial's Investment Committee: https://www.wipflifinancial.com/investment-advisory/our-philosophy/investment-committee

Erika Young

CRPS®, CPFA, AIF® | Partner in Charge of Human Capital Management Services, Wipfli LLP

Erika Young, CRPS®, CPFA, AIF®, is the Partner in Charge of the Human Capital Management services group at Wipfli LLP. Erika specializes in retirement plan design and assessment for start-up companies, nonprofit organizations and small-to-medium-sized businesses. She also provides expertise on ERISA compliance, reporting and regulatory standards.