I graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in Consumer Affairs and an emphasis in family financial management. After college, I moved to Colorado and spent six years at M.J. Smith and Associates, starting in a paraprofessional role and later promoted to senior financial consultant. During that time, I earned my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation.

Several years ago, I was paired with Melissa Joy through the Women's Leadership Alliance mentorship program. She helped me grow as a financial advisor and deepen my focus on supporting women through life's transitions. We stayed in touch, and when my family and I decided to move to Michigan to be closer to family, she was one of my first calls. I've now been working with Melissa and the team at Pearl Planning for nearly six years.

Outside of work, my husband Matt and I stay busy wrangling our kids, Patrick (7), Johannes (3), and Kay (1), along with our Belgian Malinois, Oliver, and our cat, Panda. We love playing and watching hockey, camping, traveling, and attending concerts whenever we get the chance.

Many people mistake financial planning for investing, but it is much more than that. Over the years, I've seen how critical it is to address all areas of financial planning to truly set yourself up for success. Something as simple as improperly titling your assets can cost your beneficiaries both time and money. Not understanding current tax laws can result in paying more than necessary. When you add in retirement, education, and insurance planning, it can quickly become overwhelming.

A well-thought-out financial plan provides a clear roadmap, showing where you are today, where you want to go, and how to get there.