Chicago
Kristen Koonce, CFP®
Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Financial Advisor
“No investments are good or bad — they all have pros and cons and need to be used together in the right way to achieve the goals you want for yourself.”
As the leader of our Chicago office, Kristen’s career inspiration came when seeing both her grandparents and parents benefit from the help of a financial advisor. She sought out internships in college on her way to becoming a financial advisor herself and, ultimately, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. She now works directly with clients as well as partners with other advisors to make sure every financial plan we build is custom tailored to meet each client’s unique needs.
Kristen is focused on retirement and distribution planning. She helps clients with spend-down strategies to help maximize their own wealth and pass money on to the next generation in a tax-efficient manner. “I’ve always had an interest in how you can help clients create multigenerational wealth and set up future generations for success,” Kristen says.
Kristen is married and lives in the South Loop, where she walks to Bears games when the weather is nice. She also supports Northwestern football (her alma mater) and enjoys spending time on the water and the golf course during the summer.
Phil Simonides, CFP®
Executive Vice President, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional
Empowering individuals and businesses to achieve long-term financial security is Phil's passion. With over 35 years of experience, he's a trusted advisor known for his strategic thinking and unwavering commitment to client success.
Phil focuses on crafting personalized financial plans tailored to your unique goals and risk tolerance. Phil works closely with you to:
- Craft your financial master plan. Leveraging his experience in retirement planning, wealth preservation and growth, tax efficiency, and estate planning, Phil designs a roadmap tailored to your goals and securing your future. He can also help you tackle volatile markets with Safe Money Strategies, offering solutions that guarantee your principal remains protected.
- Simplify the complicated. Phil thrives on helping clients navigate even the most complex financial situations. Whether it's managing market volatility or optimizing your tax strategy, he'll guide you through every step to ensure you keep more of your hard-earned savings.
- Encourage sound decision-making. Clear communication is paramount for Phil. He ensures you understand the financial landscape and feel confident about your choices. His most important deliverable is confidence.
Beyond his list of credentials - such as being a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, holding eight securities licenses including the fiduciary (Series 65) license, and Life & Health Insurance licenses - Phil is also:
- A recognized industry leader. His insights have been featured in Kiplinger, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Radio, CNBC, Investment News, and more. His book, "Spend, Protect, Grow," reveals how to derisk your retirement to achieve your dream lifestyle.
- A philanthropist at heart. Phil actively gives back to the community, donating time and raising millions in support of many local and national charities.
An avid athlete. When not helping clients achieve their financial goals, Phil enjoys tennis, golf, and more recently, pickleball.
