Jessica Knutson

Hi there! My passion and strengths lie in helping people achieve holistic financial well-being and live more meaningfully through personalized, expert financial planning and investment management. In addition to being a CFP® professional, I'm proud to have completed my Master of Science degree in Personal Financial Planning. I am also an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ professional, which is a specialized credential in the unique needs of high-net-worth clients, and hold my Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional™ certificate, which is a specialized credential in the the psychology of investor behaviors. Why did I open Lindenwood Financial? I observed a unique set of challenges in the financial services industry: overly complicated investment products, confusing financial terminology, outdated philosophies, and unclear fees. I saw how these obstacles can not only hinder people's financial progress, but cause stress and frustration. So, I envisioned offering a modern, transparent, and simplified but full-service experience to put people at ease and help them reach financial goals they didn't know were possible. Thus, Lindenwood Financial was born. Lindenwood Financial stands out as an independent, fee-only fiduciary financial services firm exclusively dedicated to serving your best interests. We have no affiliations or ties (translation: no loyalty and no bias) to any financial companies, products, or third parties. We also don’t receive sales commissions, ensuring there are no hidden incentives to influence our recommendations. We are not paid by anyone but our clients. Our custom-tailored financial guidance, strategies, and investment recommendations are based on merit and your best interests — period. Interested in learning more? I'd love to hear from you. We offer a complimentary consultation & process to answer all of your questions and show you what we do. With no cost or obligation, it's an easy way to educate yourself, evaluate us, and decide if you'd like to work with us.

Having spent the first decade of my career with a large wealth management firm in Seattle, I launched Kindness Financial Planning in 2021 to work with fewer clients and focus on widows, widowers, caregivers, and families affected by major health events. Their stories resonate with me because my dad was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer on July 18, 2016. He has had brain radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. We have navigated oncologists, surgeons, palliative care doctors, neurologists, endocrinologists, pain clinics, psychiatrists, social workers, pain clinics, nutritionists, and more. Since then, I’ve been drawn to people going through similar situations. I enjoy our conversations, hearing what is important, and helping them navigate the uncertainty life throws at them. Through these conversations, I have learned that when faced with loss and grief, brain fog usually takes over. What was once easy becomes challenging. Sometimes, only one person was involved in the financial decisions and the survivor needs another layer of support. I meet people where they are, listen, and organize what needs to be done to build financial security. I help people make sense of what is urgent and what can wait. Together, we’ll do tax planning, review estate plans, build customized investment portfolios to create the income they need, and more. Then, I am with them every step of the way. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Seattle University. I hold the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, Chartered Life Underwriter® designation, and I am a Registered Life Planner®. Outside of work, you can find me playing tennis, running with my wife, biking, hiking, attempting to play the guitar, or cooking.

As a Small Business Owner himself (and with his wife Allison being a nurse), Matt specializes in working with Small Business Owners, those in Healthcare, along with those who fall under the State of Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Benefit Plan. Matt's firm is fee-only, and has no investment minimum. He works virtually with clients all across the country for their financial planning needs. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Personal Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and frequently appears at his Alma Mater as a guest lecturer in his spare time. Voted as one of Investopedia.com's Top 100 Most Influential Advisors in 2020, Matt has been quoted in serveral large publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CNBC. Matt prefers to work with fewer clients, and provide in-depth, comprehensive advice on Cash Flow Analysis, Business Planning, Investment Analysis and Management, Risk Management and Insurance, Tax Planning, and Estate Planning. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). In his spare time, he enjoys getting out on Lake Mendota and Monona, hiking the local State Parks, and enjoying a craft beer at one of Madison's many breweries. He is also a member at Door Creek Church near his home.

Andrew Charles is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. He has nine years of experience working with individuals, families, non-profits, and business owners to develop customized wealth management strategies tailored to their unique financial needs. His areas of expertise include college education planning, employee financial health, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, and tax minimization. Andrew holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Wisconsin Madison. Outside of his professional work, Andrew pursues a wide range of hobbies including biking, fishing, golfing, photography, drawing, painting, hiking, ice skating, skiing, and woodworking. He is also active in the community through organizations such as the Middleton Chamber of Commerce, Middleton Friendship Initiative, Morgan's Caring Connection, and The Madison Club.

Ed Draney is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2024. He has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, having held roles such as Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments and Senior Financial Consultant at TD Ameritrade-Schwab. His professional focus is on financial planning for individuals and families, emphasizing a goal-centric approach to help clients navigate life events that impact their financial well-being. Throughout his career, Ed has dedicated himself to understanding clients' goals and priorities to provide tailored financial planning and investment strategies. His experience spans various capacities within the financial sector, contributing to his comprehensive understanding of client needs and market dynamics. Outside of his professional work, Ed enjoys camping, gardening, kayaking, spending time with his pets, and practicing yoga.

Todd Fortune is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in Madison, Wisconsin. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC®) designation as well as the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation. In his role, Todd employs a planning-based approach to assist clients in developing retirement and transition strategies tailored to their risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, overall investment goals, and associated costs. With a career in financial services dating back to 1996 and tenure at Merrill since 1999, Todd brings extensive experience across various client focus areas, including corporate executive services, divorce transition planning, education and employee benefits planning, family wealth management, socially responsible investing, sports and entertainment, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Ripon College and a Master's Degree in Finance, Investment and Banking from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Todd and his wife, Trish, reside in McFarland with their two adult daughters and a son. They are actively involved in the community, supporting organizations such as the YMCA of Dane County, 100 Men of Dane County, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – Western Wisconsin Chapter, Leadership Greater Madison, and McFarland High School Athletics.