Meet The Team

My path to financial planning wasn't exactly conventional. As a junior at UW-Whitewater, I was drowning in debt and making terrible financial decisions. No one had ever taught me how to manage money, and I was working nearly full-time while barely keeping my head above water. When a fraternity brother introduced me to the financial services industry, something clicked. I realized I wanted to teach what I desperately needed to learn.

Around that same time, my father suffered a traumatic brain injury in his mid-40s. Watching what happened to his financial life when he could no longer work showed me firsthand the consequences of being unprepared. That experience shaped everything about how I approach this work today.

I started as an intern with Northwestern Mutual in 1995 and graduated the following year with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Marketing. After a few years with MetLife in Milwaukee, I moved back to Joliet in 2000 (my birthplace and where my family roots are) to be closer to my father and grandmother, who was caring for him. In 2015, I transitioned my practice to independence with LPL Financial, which gave me the freedom to build the firm and process I'd been envisioning for years.

What drives me now is helping people realize what's possible with their finances. Most of our clients aspire to a work-optional lifestyle, and my job is to help make that dream a reality. The best part is when someone walks into our office feeling concerned, confused, and uncertain about their situation, and we're able to show them they're actually in better shape than they thought. That they've made good choices. That with some coordination and planning, they can get where they want to go. Our role is simple: help clients worry less and enjoy life more by planning for the certainty of uncertainty.

Outside the office, life revolves around my family. My wife Karen and I got married in 2005, and we have two sons: Cade, who's a freshman at the University of Missouri, and Colin, who's a junior in high school. We also have a Bernedoodle puppy named Keiki who keeps things interesting. Our family loves to ski and snowboard, stay active (I'm religious about working out because your health is your first wealth), travel, and host game nights. I'm an avid golfer and a loyal Chicago sports fan (Bears, Cubs, and Hawks). Karen and I enjoy good restaurants, bourbon and wine, and catching up on movies and series when we get the chance.

After 30 years in this business, what keeps me motivated is knowing my clients depend on me to be their financial GPS. Helping them navigate the road ahead and being there when life throws them a curveball is what this work is really about.

I've been in the financial industry for 19 years, and what keeps me motivated hasn't changed: helping people navigate and manage the complexities of their financial lives. After earning my degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago, I joined Horvath Planning & Wealth Management in 2016 and found a team that approaches this work the way I always believed it should be done.

What I enjoy most about this job is getting to know clients on a personal level. The better I understand who they are and what matters to them, the more tailored and impactful my advice can be. Financial planning isn't one-size-fits-all. Every family has different goals, different concerns, different circumstances. My role is to listen carefully, understand what they're trying to accomplish, and build strategies that actually fit their lives.

I specialize in complex financial, tax, and estate planning, along with investment management tailored to individual outcomes. I work closely with a portfolio research consulting group to help manage our firm's portfolios, but I also spend a lot of time simply explaining things. Clients shouldn't have to wonder what's happening with their money or why we're making certain decisions. My job is to provide clear explanations and customized solutions so they feel confident about the path forward.

If you asked my clients about me, I hope they'd say I'm thorough, a good listener, trustworthy, transparent, and available when they need me. What I find most rewarding is when clients express their appreciation for having someone they trust to guide them through some of the most important decisions in their lives.

Outside of work, family is everything. I'm married to my wife, Viktorija, and we have two kids, Luke and Emma, plus our dog Jax. I love traveling, playing golf, getting my hands dirty with projects around the house, and doing creative projects with my wife and kids. Those moments remind me why this work matters: it's not just about numbers, it's about helping people build the lives they want.

For 25 years, I've been a hairstylist and owner of Kara Bella Salon. Building relationships has always been at the center of what I do. When you spend years helping people look and feel their best, you learn how to listen, how to remember what matters to them, and how to make them feel special. About eight years ago, I started doing more work with Craig's practice, and I realized those same skills translated perfectly to what we do here.

My role focuses on event planning for clients and office events, along with client appreciation and milestone gifting. What excites me most is the creative side of it all. I get to use my creativity in ways that go beyond the salon chair. Whether I'm planning an event or selecting a gift for a client's milestone, birthday, or difficult moment, I'm thinking about who they are as people and what would make them feel valued. The details are what separate our events and gestures from others, and I love finding ways to make each one personal.

I grew up in Plainfield, Illinois, when it was still a small town where everyone knew each other and looked out for one another. Craig and I live in Joliet now with our two sons, Cade (who's a freshman at the University of Missouri) and Colin (a junior at Joliet West High School). For years, I was mostly a stay-at-home mom who worked part-time at the salon, but as the boys have gotten older, I've been able to focus more on this work.

What I enjoy most about this job is building relationships with clients and getting to know them in a more personal way. I find it fascinating to learn about their history with Craig and how long they've been part of our practice. Whether it's through an event, a sympathy gift, or a congratulatory gesture, I want them to know they're more than just a client to us. They're people we care about.

Outside of work, I'm an avid runner and love working out with my girlfriends. I enjoy cooking, organizing, and anything related to home decor. And if there's a warm, sandy beach involved, you can count me in.

People who know me well aren't surprised I ended up in operations. I've always been the person who brings order to chaos, who makes sure nothing falls through the cracks, and who genuinely enjoys creating systems that help people feel confident about what's happening next. What might surprise them is that I used to be a Denver Roller Doll. Turns out the same focus and discipline that helped me navigate the roller derby track translates pretty well to keeping a financial planning practice running smoothly.

I started in the financial industry in 2012 after working with the Colorado Veterans Project. That experience taught me a lot about serving people who deserve better than they often get, and it shaped how I think about client service. Everyone who walks through our doors is dealing with something important to them, and my job is to make sure they feel heard, supported, and confident that we're handling the details.

What I love most about this work is bringing structure and clarity to complex situations. Financial planning involves a lot of moving parts, and clients shouldn't have to wonder what's happening or what comes next. I focus on making sure communication is clear, processes run smoothly, and everyone (clients and team members) feels supported. Every client is different, and I enjoy tailoring the experience so they feel confident moving forward.

I live in Denver with my husband, Michael, and our two daughters. Sidney is 21 and studying to be a dental hygienist, and Neena is 18 and studying to be a sound engineer. When I'm not working, you'll find me working out, golfing, fly fishing, traveling, or just hanging out with family and friends. I'm also involved with veteran organizations, which continues to be important to me.

I don't have a single hometown. My family moved around so much growing up that I've lived in five different states, and I've traveled to over half the country. One memory that stands out is arriving at our new home in West Virginia in the middle of a blizzard. No power, no furniture, just my mom, my sister, my brother, and me bundled up trying to stay warm. The movers were stuck because of the weather, and my dad had to go into the plant for an emergency. My mom told us to imagine we were back in the hot Louisiana summer we'd just left. She said, "The mind is a powerful thing. We can do anything we put our minds to." At the time, I struggled with that idea. Now I carry it with me every day.

I've been in the financial industry for 15 years, with nine of those years working specifically with LPL systems and policies before joining Horvath Planning & Wealth Management. My role focuses on account opening, client onboarding, account transfers, and ongoing account maintenance. Basically, I make sure the behind-the-scenes details are handled so clients can focus on what matters to them.

What inspired me to stay in this field is simple: the constant opportunity to learn and grow while helping others. Many people don't know where to start with their finances, and I'm thankful I know enough to help them learn and grow as well. There have been times when my knowledge allowed me to help loved ones during difficult moments, and that planted a seed that grew into a genuine desire to help others navigate these situations too.

What I enjoy most is seeing the impact you can have on someone's day. Every interaction is an opportunity to make their life a little easier, and that sense of purpose is incredibly fulfilling. When I interact with clients, what fascinates me most is hearing their life story, their experiences, what makes them who they are, and what brought them to work with us. I approach each conversation with a genuine desire to make a positive impact. I hope clients would say I really listen, that I understand what they're going through, and that I genuinely care about solving their problems.

I currently live in Spring, Texas, just outside of Houston. It's the perfect blend of city energy and suburban calm. I'm married to Steven, and we have a three-year-old son named Zavian. We're also expecting a daughter, Ember, in June 2026. Our family is completed by our two labs, Nova and Avery. My family is my biggest source of motivation. They inspire me every day to do my best and lead by example. I truly believe where there's a will, there's a way.

When I'm not working, I love spending quality time with Zavian. We enjoy museum visits and aquarium adventures together, always finding fun and educational ways to explore the world. Steven and I are both avid concert-goers and sports fans, and we make it a priority to travel, try new restaurants, and spend time with both sides of our family. For us, family time is everything.

I grew up in Oak Lawn in a big Italian family where gatherings were loud, full of laughter, and always centered around lots of amazing food. That environment taught me early on how much the little things matter when it comes to making people feel welcomed and cared for. Those same values guide how I approach my role now.

I'm new to the financial industry, but I bring a background in healthcare support, customer service, and scheduling coordination. I've been a licensed esthetician in Illinois since 2016, and while that might seem unrelated to financial planning, it taught me something important: people remember how you make them feel. Whether someone is coming in for a skincare appointment or a financial planning meeting, they want to feel heard, supported, and comfortable. That's where I come in.

What I enjoy most about my job is being the first face someone sees when they walk through the door. I love setting a positive tone for their experience and knowing that a warm welcome or a helpful interaction can make someone feel at ease. What fascinates me most is getting to know the people behind the appointments. Everyone has a unique story, different goals, and different reasons for planning for their future. Those small moments of connection turn a simple interaction into something more personal and meaningful.

I've always been interested in how money management and financial planning shape people's opportunities and security, and I'm excited to be part of a team that values kindness, teamwork, and reliability. I may not have every technical qualification, but I bring empathy, strong communication, and a steady work ethic. I take pride in showing up, following through, and doing the little things that make a big difference.

My family and I have been in Shorewood for nine years. It's a close-knit suburb with a quieter pace, but we're still close enough to larger cities when we need them. My husband is a first responder, so he's used to staying calm under pressure, which is probably good practice for living with three strong personalities at home. Our daughters, Bella and Sophia, keep us on our toes with plenty of teenage energy and lots of laughs./p>

When I'm not working, I love going to country concerts with my girls, trying new recipes in the kitchen, and spending quality time with my family. But if I had to pick just one favorite thing, it would be traveling. There's nothing like the excitement of exploring somewhere new and creating memories that last a lifetime.

When she’s not busy sleeping on the job, Keiki loves saying hi to everyone she meets. It doesn’t matter if she saw you 5 minutes ago or 6 months ago, she’ll still be just as excited to see you every single time. 🐾

As the office’s unofficial greeter and morale booster, Keiki takes her role very seriously by making clients and staff feel welcome the moment they walk through the door. Whether she’s asking for belly rubs, following the team around the office, or making sure no snack goes unnoticed, she always brings a smile to everyone’s day.

With more than 20 years of industry experience, Becca serves as Chief Marketing Officer. Her mission is to empower our team by helping us clearly articulate our service offerings, educate our community, and piece together marketing strategies that showcase our value.

Becca accomplishes this by creating and designing full-service marketing programs so our practice can thrive. Through her industry-leading InTouch Marketing Model, Becca educates and delights our clients every month.

Integrated Financial Partners is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

An Advanced Planning Specialist with more than 10 years of experience, Greg builds comprehensive financial plans for our high-net-worth individual and business owner clients. He is our resident expert with the state-of-the-art planning software, eMoney. Through live modeling, Greg creates an interactive experience that helps make your financial planning journey impactful and memorable.

Integrated Financial Partners is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

Angelina utilizes a variety of financial planning and proprietary investment tools, including eMoney and the Lifetime Income Model, to develop comprehensive financial plans that support our advisors in serving their clients. She is also available for case consultations, providing guidance and strategic insights to help advisors address complex planning needs and deliver customized solutions.

*Angelina is not registered with LPL Financial. 

Integrated Financial Partners is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

Matt serves as Chief Content Officer, creating content that enlightens and entertains our clients. Through blogs, videos, and podcasts, he loves helping us to educate and inform us about the ever-changing financial planning industry.

For more than 20 years, Matt wrote and produced content at various wealth management media outlets, including InvestmentNews where he was honored with 15 ASPBE awards for digital content creation. He also produced a documentary on impact investing that debuted at the United Nations.