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At his fi rm Family Wealth Group, Financial Advisor, Donald E. Bentley guides clients through the most critical fi nancial planning services for making their dreams come true — including income planning, tax planning, investment planning, social security planning and estate planning.

For Family Wealth Group’s clients, these services are central to the fi nancial future. For Bentley, they’re a chance to combine his greatest passions.

“I’m a people person and I love to help and serve people,” Bentley explained. “Also, my mother was a teacher and my father worked in the banking industry for over 35 years, so I got the best of both of my parents to be in this industry for over 25 years myself, teaching and serving people.”

For those who fi nd themselves at the point of one of the most critical fi nancial transitions — preparing for retirement — Bentley and his team offer a wealth of experience in helping clients achieve that “work option” goal. And for anyone considering the help of a fi nancial advisor, it’s worth considering Bentley’s advice.

“Be patient in your search for an advisor and make sure that they are as well,” he said.

donald e. bentley

Family Wealth Group

859.309.0349 | thefamilywealthgroup.com

“At the Family Wealth Group, we believe everyone should be able to live the retirement they’ve always wanted,” explained Jeff Sheppard, a Financial Advisor with the fi rm. “Our team of fi nancial service professionals can help you create a wellthought-out strategy, using a variety of investments and insurance products designed to help you address your fi nancial needs and concerns.”

Sheppard has been doing just that for countless local clients over nearly a decade, ever since he got a phone call from Family Wealth founder Kevin Meltzer. He became a client of the fi rm, then learned more about how its services could help the people of Kentucky. That ignited a passion in him to help others with the fi nancial services that had helped him.

“Many hard-working families in Kentucky have spent 20, 30, even 40 years or more at the same job, doing the same skill and they are ready to transition into a new season of their life,” Sheppard said. “Our team at Family Wealth

Group gets to surround that family and help them understand what that transition looks like. We get to celebrate great milestones and we get to mourn diffi cult news that life throws at us.

Through it all, we get to help families go through these seasons of their lives.”

jeff sheppard

Family Wealth Group

859.309.0349 | thefamilywealthgroup.com

family financial partners is a

full-service financial planning firm, focused on multigenerational families, that works to develop a financial plan tailored to each client’s specific needs and dreams. As a fiduciary, the firm ensures complete transparency and holds the responsibility to always act in the client’s best interest. Their dedicated team of industry professionals will ask questions, listen to the client’s concerns, and work behind the scenes to find solutions. With the client’s permission, they will also reach out to other professionals, such as accountants or attorneys, to provide an integrated approach and attempt to ensure maximum benefit.

The Family Financial Partners team has been serving Lexington for 16 years and seeks to help organize your financial life through personalized retirement planning, investment planning, estate planning and wealth transfer goals, as well as insurance and tax planning. Senior Partner David Smyth loves witnessing people realize their financial goals and the peace of mind that comes with it. The FFP team shares the belief that “professional management of your finances is the driving force behind longterm financial stability. Your hard-earned assets exist to provide a safety net and income for the rest of your life, and if you wish, an income stream for generations to come.”

It’s easy to be overwhelmed and not know where to start. McKellar Ciurlizza, MBA, Director of Client Services suggests working “with someone who can help you prioritize, coordinate, and organize those goals. Most importantly, choose a professional that will hold you accountable and keep you on a consistent path towards success.”

What can you do in 2022? Paraplanner Ryan

Petrunyak recommends that “the best day to sit down and start a plan for retirement is today, no matter where you are in life. The sooner you can start planning for where you want to go, the easier it will be to get there in the long run.”

family financial partners

859.219.1006 | familyfinancialpartners.com

Left to Right:

Ryan Petrunyak

Paraplanner

Alexander Roig

Senior Partner

David Smyth

Senior Partner

McKellar Ciurlizza

Director of Client Services

Kyrk Davis

Wealth Advisor

Securities offered through The O.N. Equity Sales Company, Member FINRA/SIPC, One Financial Way, Cincinnati, OH 45242. 513.794.6794 Investment Advisory Services offered through O.N. Investment Management Company. Estate Planning Services provided in conjunction with your licensed legal advisor.

as a boutique wealth planning fi rm, Acuity Wealth Management prides itself on its ability to focus on the unique needs of individual clients while offering comprehensive fi nancial planning that includes estate and legacy planning, portfolio management, tax planning, retirement planning, risk management, 401ks, endowment and foundations, and charitable giving.

“The mantra that we live by at Acuity, while admittedly corny, is the foundation of everything we do: ‘Clients don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,’” said Wealth Advisor, Siegfreid Lauren. “It is rewarding to help clients achieve fi nancial security in whatever form that comes. I am humbled and grateful that they put that trust in me.”

With both parents working in healthcare, Siegfreid thought he’d go into the medical fi eld. But he enjoyed creating relationships so much that he found wealth management to be a better way to pursue his passion for meeting new people and becoming like family.

“The best part of my job is learning your dog’s name,” he said. “Retirement planning and putting your fi nancial life in order should be fun! Working with the right team is critical in achieving that. I will be eternally grateful to my clients for allowing me to be a part of that process.”

Siegfreid Lauren

Acuity Wealth Management Advisors

“while attending the University of Kentucky, I took an introductory course on fi nance and it was like a light bulb had turned on,” explained Nathan Slyh, the owner, CEO and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Acuity. “I couldn’t understand why I was never taught the general principles of fi nancial planning in school as a child. Helping others make wise choices with their money quickly became my life’s work.”

Today, Nathan helps instill those lessons into clients through holistic wealth management, seeking to understand their fi nancial goals, then customizing plans that help them succeed. Clients have come away telling him that the fi rm’s advice helped them survive life’s unpredictable surprises and he takes pride in making a positive impact on the people of his community.

“Money is simply a tool for you to live life on your terms,” Nathan advised. “Don’t overcomplicate it or compare yourself to others. Control what you can control, don’t get emotional when making fi nancial decisions, seek wise counsel and don’t be too proud to ask for help.”

Nathan Slyh

Acuity Wealth Management Advisors

founded in the early 1900s in Pikeville, Community Trust Bank has grown exponentially — now offering loans, a range of personal and business banking services and investment guidance — but maintains its focus on serving its hometown region.

When asked about the most rewarding part of his work, Andy Jarvis, a Community Trust senior vice president and senior lender for the Central Kentucky region, summed up this focus perfectly.

“Being a part of making someone’s dreams become a reality is the most rewarding part of what I do,” he said.

This focus on customer success was also apparent as Jarvis provided his go-to advice for this year.

“Picture your perfect 2022,” he said, “set reasonable fi nancial goals, and then be persistent in achieving those goals.”

With 79 banking locations that stretch from Kentucky to West Virginia and Tennessee, Community Trust Bank has seen its dedication to clients pay off over the last 118 years. And with team members like

Jarvis at the helm, there’s no signs of that changing any time soon.

Andy Jarvis

Community Trust Bank

“i started my banking career in college and it quickly became my focus and passion,” explained Cathy Taylor, a vice president and market senior loan offi cer for Community Trust Bank, one of Central Kentucky’s oldest fi nancial institutions. “I enjoy the ever-changing banking environment and all of the opportunities that it has brought during my career.”

Taylor has experience in every facet of banking, but has particularly invaluable expertise in retail banking, operations and security functions. This comes in handy at Community Trust Bank, which offers a myriad of services to customers, including mobile banking, numerous deposit products and retail and commercial lending services.

But at the end of the day, as long as relationships are being formed and her neighbors are getting the best possible service, Taylor is more than happy in doing whatever is asked of her.

“Relationships have been the most rewarding thing throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of working for and with so many great people over the years,” she said. “Lexington is my home and my customers are my friends and neighbors.”

cathy taylor

Community Trust Bank

bob Watson serves as a senior vice president and commercial loan offi cer at Community Trust Bank, one of Central Kentucky’s longest-tenured providers of business and commercial loans, with assets totaling more than $5.4 billion, 79 banking locations in Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia and a ranking as the number one small business lender in the state.

“The more I looked into the banking community, the more I became intrigued with the opportunities to help others,” Watson said of his entrance into the fi eld. “My background was in government and business, banking looked like a good fi t.”

Watson’s clients would agree about the fi t, as he’s come to help countless customer dreams come true in his role with Community Trust. But ultimately, his fi nancial advice comes down to some tried and true basics.

‘’The fi nancial world never sits still, it’s constantly changing,” he said. “But you should continue to do the things that have been successful in the past. Cash is king, don’t over leverage your business or personal lifestyle. This is a journey - get rich quick is not a reality, get wealthy eventually is.”

bob watson

Community Trust Bank

Cetera Investors is a marketing name of Cetera Investment Services. Securities and Insurance Products are o ered through Cetera Investment Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services are o ered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. matthew Roth, a fi nancial advisor with Cetera Investors, was instilled with a passion for helping others secure their fi nancial futures at a remarkably young age.

“I saw my grandfather pay close attention to the stock market, and while he wasn’t formally educated, he was very street smart and showed me the benefi ts of investing,” Roth recalled. “He even helped me set up a mutual fund when I was in fi fth grade. I knew that if he could do it, then I could do it, and if I could do it, I could help others do it as well.”

Cetera Investors is part of the second-largest family of independent broker-dealers in the country, allowing it to maintain special attention to individual clients while drawing upon a wealth of resources as it does so. As part of the fi rm, Roth helps clients plan for and manage the major milestone of retirement as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor. He develops fi nancial plans that match their stages of life and specifi c goals.

“The biggest reward is helping clients who are either scared or just overwhelmed come to a greater understanding of their fi nances and help them see a clear path forward to their fi nancial futures,” Roth concluded.

matthew roth

Cetera Investors

when someone mentions a credit union, what is the fi rst thought that comes to your mind? It’s likely fi nancial products such as checking accounts, auto loans and credit cards. But what about wealth management, retirement planning and investment services? Often when people think of credit unions, they don’t associate them with wealth management. But they should.

At UK Federal Credit Union, we have CFS* Financial Advisors who work diligently to help our members make sound fi nancial decisions to help them meet their long-term goals. “I enjoy walking alongside my clients and seeing them reach their goals,” says Roy Wagner, CFP® with CUSO Financial Services, L.P. “I get to hear about their lives and help make sure they are on track to help them along the way.” As a credit union, our philosophy is ‘people helping people,’ and that’s the mentality you’ll be greeted with when meeting our CFS* Financial Advisors.

Our dedicated team of professionals will meet with you to ask questions, discuss your goals, and develop a better understanding of your fi nancial picture. The initial meeting is complimentary! Our CFS* Financial Advisors can also help you start a retirement account or help you manage an existing 401K/403B with your employer. Whether you are already enjoying your retirement or just beginning your career, our Wealth Management team, available through CFS*, can help you at any stage of life.

Offering one piece of advice for 2022, Justin Perkins, Financial Advisor with CUSO Financial Services, L.P. says, “Don’t put off fi nancial planning. It may seem like retirement, or future expenses are a long way off and can be put on the backburner. But the long-term benefi ts of compounded interest and putting an investment plan together earlier than later can’t be understated.” Contact us today and let us help you plan for the future.

UK Federal Credit Union

859.264.4200 | ukfcu.org

Left to Right:

Hannah Flannery

CFS* Financial Advisor

Roy Wagner

CFS* CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

Nathan Bay

CFS* Financial Advisor

Justin Perkins

CFS* Financial Advisor

*Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (“CFS”), a registered broker-dealer (Member FINRA/SIPC) and SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Products offered through CFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the credit union, and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are registered through CFS. UKFCU has contracted with CFS to make non-deposit investment products and services to credit union members.

“the fi nancial fi eld is exciting every day,” Ben Fryman affi rms. “Every day I’m interacting with clients and employees—analyzing different strategies, structures, architecture, markets, business plans, local cultures and history. Solid communication, building strong relationships with individuals and having the ability to problem solve can be the greatest skills to help you reach success, and they make fi nance fun.”

Fryman excels in his position as vice president of commercial lending at Bank of the Bluegrass & Trust Co. “Because of my experience with the small business lending and the commercial real estate market in multiple counties and regions throughout Kentucky, I’ve had the opportunity to develop the right loan structures to support my clients in reaching different goals for their investments.”

Bank of the Bluegrass, a locally owned and independent community bank, works with clients on SBA, real estate and construction loans, working capital lines of credit and letters of credit. For almost 50 years, they’ve provided Lexingtonians with commercial lending services— committed to providing fi nancial strength, best-in-class technology and dedicated service to their clients and local community. Fryman explains, “The fi eld of fi nance allows us to engage with people in our communities every day and make an impact through knowledge, teamwork, strategy or just by appreciating their individual stories, and I love it for that reason. The key is to stay educated, have short- and long-term plans to achieve your goals and keep trusted fi nancial partners at hand.”

Ben Fryman

Bank of the Bluegrass & Trust Co.

859.233.4500 | bankofthebluegrass.com NMLO #630652 | NMLS #421548

hailing from a multigenerational family of bankers, Lee R. Topley is continuing that fi nancial tradition as the vice president of business development for Community Trust and Investment Company, one of the largest independent trust companies in Kentucky that has been helping clients for over a century.

“We listen to our clients to learn what is important and identify their goals,” Topley said of the company’s approach. “Our plan services are based on three core values: a holistic, knowledgeable, fi duciary approach; a commitment to service standards by a dedicated team; and meeting our clients’ specifi c, unique needs.”

Topley and the team at Community Trust and Investment Company work with a wide variety of clients, helping them reach countless goals. But when it comes to one of the largest fi nancial decisions for most of us, Topley offered some key advice.

“People don’t understand that the largest purchase most of them will make in their lives is the purchase of retirement,” he said. “For most everyone, the cost of retirement will be two to four times larger than the cost of their home. Get good advice on retirement savings, set a goal and stick with it until you retire.”

Lee R. Topley

Community Trust and Investment Company

forcht Bank provides an astounding range of deposit, loan and treasury management services — everything from business money market accounts and sweep accounts to business lines of credit and investment real estate. So it’s understandable why Larry Forester, Senior Vice President with Forcht, wants to clarify that he and his colleagues are much more active than many might think.

“The biggest misconception about the fi nance fi eld is that bankers just sit at their desks all day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,” he joked. “We are a relationship-driven industry, which calls for building relationships outside of the bank.”

Forester is most proud of the way that his job can make dreams come true, while allowing him to give back to the community where he lives. And when it comes to offering go-to advice for those looking to gain better control of their fi nances this year, his philosophy is clear.

“Don’t sacrifi ce savings for short-term happiness!” he urged.

Larry Forester

Forcht Bank

celebrating 100 years

of serving clients at a local and personal level, Edward Jones has become one of the most renowned and trusted fullservice brokerage companies in Central Kentucky and beyond. And while that means many within the organization have a clear description for their job titles, Casey A. Bright looks at it a different way.

“If I tell people I am a fi nancial advisor, I’m not sure that would really answer their questions about what I do,” Bright explained. “What I say instead is that I try to provide a fi nancial picture for clients similar to the front of a puzzle box. It’s custom and everyone needs different pieces to create their fi nancial future, so we work one piece at a time.”

Bright starts with the “corner pieces”: retirement planning, estate and legacy, protection for the unexpected and emergency cash. Then he works to build something lasting and fl exible from there.

“Working in fi nance has taught me that it’s about so much more than money,” he said. “It’s a wedding for a daughter, a funeral for a parent. We work on sending kids to college and buying that fi rst home. Feeling like a sort of extended family member will never be taken for granted.”

casey a. bright

Edward Jones

Advisory services offered through Meridian Wealth Management LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor.

meridian is a continuous leader in the fi eld of fi nancial advising and wealth management. “Leadership is who we are,” Vice President and advisor, Suzanne Powell, said. “It is intrinsic to all the advisors and staff at Meridian Wealth Management.”

In the 12 years since Greg Couch founded Meridian Wealth Management, the company has built a team of 21 licensed advisors to serve clients all over the U.S. With approximately $1.85 billion in assets under management (as of 11/11/2021), the Meridian advisors provide comprehensive fi duciary advice and objective guidance for clients that range from professional athletes and retirees to business owners and institutions.

Industry leaders at Meridian focus on the changing needs of individuals and create services to fi ll those voids. Seeing a demand in the market for aging baby boomers to receive transparent, unbiased advice, Suzanne stepped up to lead Meridian’s offi ce in The Villages in Florida—which caters to clients 55 and up, who need the peace of mind that comes from working with a skilled fi duciary advisor. Suzanne is enthusiastic about empowering women with the knowledge they need to make informed fi nancial moves, and recently published her book The Ultimate Money Moves for Women over 50 (available at Suzannepowell.com/book).

As fi nancial advisors, the Meridian team strives to serve not only their clients, but the communities where they live and work. They believe a dedication to service through mentorships, coaching and fundraising are just as important as the advising they do in a business setting. In the end, the top priority is always the client. Powell adds, “We love that our clients have the opportunity to live their best lives because of the planning and guidance that we bring to every advisory client relationship.”

Suzanne and Chris attribute their exceptional ability to work together to their shared goal of helping people and making a difference in the world, which gave them confi dence to join forces in business. This couple utilizes Suzanne’s experience as a fi nancial advisor, paired with Chris’s knowledge of the insurance industry to serve their clients at Meridian Wealth Management.

With assistants Connie Quinn and Katie

Corder at their sides, and Paraplanner,

Jim Webb, the team works diligently to help their clients reach their fi nancial goals.

meridian wealth management

cj Cunningham, a mortgage banker with HomeVantage Mortgage, took an unlikely route to arrive at his career, especially considering that he’s now spent over 30 years as a remarkably successful mortgage professional.

“I wanted to be a physical therapist!” he recalled. “I got a bank job in Orlando when I was 22 and my manager there really took an interest in helping me and taught me how to do Veterans Affairs loans. I was hooked, I was good at it and I loved helping people!”

Now back home in Kentucky, where he is “deeply involved” in the bourbon community and part of a horse ownership group, Cunningham still loves the chance to help people through his unique skill set at HomeVantage.

“So many people come to me not knowing if they can buy a home,” he said. “If they can’t, I show them how and lead them on that journey. I have created lifelong friendships that all started with a single phone call, looking for a mortgage loan.”

cj cunningham

HomeVantage Mortgage

A division of Austin Capital Bank SSB, NMLS# 810021

859.800.4774 | thebourbonLO.com NMLS# 841804

with a unique approach to fi nancial services — known as Modern Craft Banking — Field & Main Bank is driven by the needs of its customers, motivated by their success and committed to working alongside the members of the Lexington community to craft their experiences, lives and futures.

With nearly 20 years in the fi nancial fi eld, beginning her career as a part-time teller, Field & Main President Jennifer L. Taylor carries out this mission daily. Through her focus on commercial lending and small business banking, as well as the Field & Main’s wealth management and insurance services, Taylor fi nds that this concierge style of banking allows her to focus on the most fulfi lling aspects of her work.

“The most rewarding part of my job is the opportunity to build relationships with my clients,” Taylor said.

“Banking affords me the opportunity to help people and make an impact. I get to play a small part in their lives and always look forward to sharing life’s experiences with them.”

Jennifer L. Taylor

Field & Main Bank

“1 love working with my clients and developing relationships with them,” said David Kidd, a Senior Vice President in Corporate and Institutional Banking with PNC Bank. “I fi nd it incredibly rewarding to work with each client, assist them to uncover their goals and fi nd the fi nancial tools and resources to help them succeed.”

After 19 years in the industry, Kidd is diligent about remaining up to date with new banking products and service information, and quick to share this information with clients to help them achieve their personal and business goals. He’s also born and raised in Kentucky, moving to Lexington after graduating from Eastern Kentucky University in the early ’90s. His homegrown outlook and years of experience in the fi eld have given him a perspective about fi nance that is more humancentric than most.

“I believe a lot of people think that the fi nance fi eld is only about numbers,” Kidd said. “While this is a signifi cant part of the fi eld, I feel as though people skills are more important. I think the ability to effectively communicate with your client and prospects while developing strong relationships is more important than your spreadsheet skills.”

david kidd

PNC Bank

the Cumberland Valley National Bank (CVNB) franchise is focused on serving Central Kentucky through 14 branches across the region, where its team members help their neighbors fi nd outstanding fi nancial products and customer service.

Embodying this community focus as an Assistant Vice President for Commercial Lending is David Snyder, who found his fi t with CVNB through relationships he formed playing for the University of Kentucky’s golf team. Today, Snyder continues to form long-standing relationships in the Lexington area, and works to propel the community focus that makes CVNB special.

“Community banking holds a special place in the economy,” Snyder explained. “Unlike larger national banks, community banks are focused on helping people achieve fi nancial health and also supporting the growth of our communities.”

Of course, this genuine care for clients means that Snyder often offers advice that can help their fi nancial wellbeing. Particularly in the current climate, that can be invaluable.

“As infl ation rises, it’s never been more important to save and invest to outpace infl ation,” he said. “Interest rates are anticipated to rise this year.

If you are investing in real estate or refi nancing your primary residence, act quickly before rates increase.”

david snyder

Cumberland Valley National Bank

“across investment management and retirement income planning services, Cornerstone Wealth Management specializes in helping clients in the Lexington area keep more of what they earn by limiting the impact of taxes on their retirement income. This desire to help people take ownership of their wealth is embodied in the work of Erich Castillo, CLU, ChFC and founder of the firm.”

“Every person has a unique financial situation,” Castillo explained. “I find it rewarding to help people make the most of their retirement income and reach a point where work is optional and retirement is affordable.”

Reflecting on what advice he might give to those looking to maximize their finances in 2022, Castillo drew upon his personal experience in helping clients do just that.

“I meet with people every day who have handled their investments themselves for years and are still surprised by some of the potential issues that come up in our discussions,” he said. “So much has changed in the last few years, it really can pay to revisit your plan. In short, my advice is that you might not know it all — it’s ok to ask for help.”

Erich Castillo

Cornerstone Wealth Management

859.381.0555 | kentuckyretirementpros.com

as As the CEO of Powerful Legacy Insurance & Financial Services, Kristina Ping Kepperling is helping clients in Lexington and Louisville secure just that: powerful legacies through retirement strategies, estate and legacy strategies, income protection and guaranteed income strategies. And as a boutique provider, the fi rm is particularly focused on individual clients that can benefi t most from professional advice in these realms.

“After the last major market crash in 2008, I wanted to hone in on the biggest need for income protection with our seniors, giving transparent and easy to understand information with a holistic approach to their full needs,” Kepperling said. “We have the best and most kind folks here and we absolutely love being in our community, enjoying our people!”

It is from this community- and client-focused point of view that Kepperling draws her greatest advice for those thinking about their fi nances in 2022.

“If you do not have a professional, it is important to have one that is there for you as an individual,” she urged.

“Our strategies are not just money, they are emotional, mental, physical and fi nancial.”

Kristina Ping Kepperling

Powerful Legacy

“i want to make investing less intimidating,” explained Audrey Back, a fi nancial advisor with Edward Jones - Chevy Chase. “I fi nd people are afraid to ask questions or talk about money because they think they should know more than they do. My goal is to create a safe, comfortable environment where clients can ask all of those questions, whether they’re just getting started or currently working with an advisor.”

With nearly 19,000 fi nancial advisors, serving more than seven million clients and holding $1.8 trillion in assets under its care, Edward Jones has grown to be one of the most prolifi c and well-respected fi nancial institutions in the world. Drawing on those resources and expertise, Back leverages multiple investment platforms to help her clients reach their goals for retirement, generational wealth strategies, tax savings or other plans.

“My clients are primarily individual investors and small business owners who are serious about achieving their fi nancial goals,” Back explained. “The excitement of seeing someone achieve their goals and/or realize their potential once we get their strategy in place, I can see the stress melt away.”

audrey back

Edward Jones

859.269.2203 | edwardjones.com

“like many of the families I work with, I was at a stage in life where I knew what I wanted for my family’s future, but lacked the time and tools to fi lter all of the competing information in the world of personal fi nance,” recalled Elizabeth Chatterton, a fi nancial advisor with Northwestern Mutual, when asked how she decided to start her career. “The more I learned, the more my anxiety was replaced with excitement and I recognized that I could help others have the guidance I was looking for.”

Working for a top-rated insurance, investment and fi nancial planning company that has been helping Kentucky families and professionals achieve fi nancial security for more than 150 years, Chatterton feels that now, more than ever, her mission of clearing up client anxiety is being fulfi lled.

“If we have learned anything over the last two years, it is that the unexpected can happen at any time,” she said. “It is diffi cult to plan for every scenario, but recognizing that life can and will create surprises is an important step to ensuring unpleasant surprises are manageable. A fi nancial plan creates that foundation.”

Elizabeth Chatterton

Northwestern Mutual

“one of the biggest misconceptions about the fi nance fi eld is that people believe you must be very wealthy to have a fi nancial plan,” explained Robert Lawson, an Inspired Wealth Advisor with Thrivent Financial. “People in all phases of life need to have a plan, and we believe that all people deserve a plan.”

To help carry that belief into reality, Lawson works every day to provide fi nancial advice, investment guidance, insurance and banking services, as well as generosity programs to help clients make the most of all they’ve been given. He grew up surrounded by poverty in Southeastern Kentucky and that instilled in him a desire to help others make wise fi nancial choices in every facet of their lives.

“At our heart, we are a holistic fi nancial services organization, dedicated to serving the unique needs of our clients,” Lawson said. “We focus on their goals and priorities, guiding them toward fi nancial choices that will help them live the life they want today — and tomorrow.”

robert lawson

Thrivent Financial

859.577.9720 | thrivent.com

at Thrivent Financial, Inspired Wealth Advisors like Brittany Lawson help clients chart paths to retirement, navigate proactive tax strategies, choose insurance, develop the right investment portfolio and more, all with a transparent focus and philosophy that money is a tool, not a goal or destination.

“My parents always talked about money when I was growing up — it was just part of how I was raised,” Lawson said of her entrance into the fi nancial consulting fi eld. “As I got older, I learned that this was not normal and that money was an icky subject to many. But I’m on a mission to change the conversation about money. I want to help people feel comfortable about their fi nances and instill confi dence in their ability to make wise choices.”

She’s particularly passionate about helping people utilize their savings — paying for a child’s college tuition, a vacation home or retirement. And there’s no place where she’d rather do that than right here.

“Lexington feels like a big small town — always a good meal around the corner and friendly and familiar faces everywhere you go,” she said.

brittany lawson

Thrivent Financial

unique in that it is a membership organization of Christians, Thrivent Financial is a fi rm where the advisors think about wealth in unique and people-focused ways.

“We take the time to learn what matters most to you and provide resources that help you put your values into action,” explained Thrivent Financial Advisor Rachel Hooker. “At the heart of Thrivent are the values of faith, community and generosity. Those are values that I share and I love that through my work I am able to build relationships and give back to my community.”

Hooker often begins conversations with clients by asking about them, their lives and what they value most. The candid and personalized responses she gets to those questions help her craft comprehensive fi nancial plans that help her clients feel comfortable and empowered to take their next steps.

“I love working with individuals and families to bring pieces of their fi nancial puzzle together,” she concluded. “Building a personal relationship allows me to provide fi nancial guidance on what’s most important to you.”

rachel hooker

Thrivent Financial

859.577.9720 connect.thrivent.com/rachel-hooker/