Anne Ward

I spent over 10 years helping corporations, hedge funds and institutional investors squeeze every last dollar out of their investments before I finally asked myself: what is most important in life, and what's keeping me from getting there? So, what's important to me: spending time with my family, pursuing a career I'm passionate about and running a business that allows me to partner with like-minded individuals. My dad passed away at age 58 and I constantly remind myself that life is short, and I better not regret how I live it. I am now lucky enough to say I work in a field that brings me happiness and fosters my personal values. A perfectionist by nature and self-proclaimed finance/tax nerd, I genuinely love helping individuals simplify their financial lives so they too can focus on what's most important to them.

My mission is simple. To help my clients make smart financial decisions so they can be in the position to live the life they want. Every client is different and everyone has different dreams. Your unique combination of family, education, health, life experiences, and interests help shape you and what you want out of life. 7th Street Financial will help you on your unique path with custom advice and plans. As an advisor, I have several primary roles I need to perform for my clients. 1. Listen. My first objective is to truly listen to clients and hear what is important to them so we can work towards the correct objectives. 2. Be knowledgable. This is what you pay me for. To know the things you don't that will improve your financial position. 3. Be flexible. Throughout the course of our relationship, life will inevitably throw you a few curve balls. We have to be flexible and adapt to your new life circumstances and new goals. 4. Be accountable. One of the main things people want out of an advisor is someone to keep them on task forgetting the things done they need to do. The firm's tagline is Financial Planning for the 99%. I say this because I believe financial planning is not just for those that have over $5 million in assets. Many financial advisors require you to build up $500,000 before they will talk to you. I believe people need help to get to that mark and beyond. We all want to be able to do the things that bring joy to our lives. That is my ultimate goal for you. To help you make the financial moves that will put you in the position to do the things that bring

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!

I specialize in helping women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and the people who love them manage the financial side of living a more fulfilling life. I stumbled into the financial services industry more than 25 years ago and I fell in love with transforming lives instead of equations. I’ve been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional since 2006, a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) since 2008, an Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor (ADPA®) since 2011, and a National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA)-Registered Financial Advisor since 2014.

With a strong background in finance and wealth management, Ryan has guided and helped hundreds of clients throughout his industry tenure. Ryan studied financial management at the University of Saint Thomas and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification backed by extensive training, experience, and rigorous ethical standards. After working for various organizations, Ryan started his own company – R.M. Shannon Wealth Management – because he wanted to work more intimately with a smaller number of clients and provide them with the attention and focus that their relationship merits. Ryan places significant value on family, relationships, and community. These three priorities inspired Ryan to become a CFP® professional; he wanted to help and partner with individuals and families and guide them through their financial journey.

I’m a financial planner who helps business professionals in their 30s, 40s, and 50s—especially those 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 goals, whether that means retiring early, launching a new career, or simply feeling more confident about their future. I offer personalized, one-time financial plans and ongoing planning services, helping clients navigate the complexities of equity compensation, tax strategies, cash flow, and more—all with the goal of creating a life they love. When I’m not working with clients, you’ll probably find me sailing, checking out live music, or planning my next travel adventure with my wife Annie. If you’re ready to explore what’s possible with your finances, I’d love to chat!