Planning Team
Our team has over 170 combined years of experience with helping clients achieve their financial goals. We pride ourselves in our approach to planning as well as our ability to help determine and implement the most appropriate solutions for our clients. We have a sincere passion for the work we do and are grateful for the ongoing relationships we continue to grow.
- Ashland University – Ashland, OH MBA summa cum laude
- Ashland University – Ashland, OH BBA magna cum laude
- Midwest Trust School, Bowling Green University – Bowling Green, OH
- Life / Health Insurance Licenses
- FINRA Series 7
Leading with integrity, enthusiasm, and care.
Background & Expertise:
Early in his career, Shawn found his motivation rooted in the financial services industry. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ashland University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Political Science, and later received his MBA concentrated in personal Finance from Ashland, finishing Summa Cum Laude. He then obtained his Trust and Estate Planning degree at Bowling Green University, where he was later an instructor.
In 1997, he started offering banking assistance to families and small businesses in his Licking County community. He managed a local Trust Department in Zanesville for 13 years before joining Northwestern Mutual in 2010. Since 2011, Shawn's received the distinguished Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) award and is repeatedly recognized for his leadership in central Ohio.
Professional Approach:
Shawn continues to grow his personal planning practice while also serving as the Growth and Development Director for Northwestern Mutual-Columbus, recruiting, developing and coaching new advisors and representatives toward success as they embark on their careers with Northwestern Mutual. He believes in establishing trust, planning for adversity and working with ambition.
One of his planning team’s primary goals is to collaborate with clients throughout the continuum of their lives. Each team member seeks to understand every client’s goals, asks thoughtful questions and listens intently to outline a clear path through all of their changing needs and circumstances, ensuring that their financial roadmap always reflects what is most important to them.
Personal Fulfillment:
The Phelps family lives in Licking County on multiple acres and raises beef cattle. Shawn’s wife, Leigh Anne, an enthusiastic Earth Science teacher, admittedly, leaves this activity to the boys, Seth and Alex, which they manage between their devotion to academics and athletics. The family loves filling their passports, traveling both in and outside the country as much as possible. Shawn believes in working and playing hard!
- University of Toledo – Toledo, Ohio
- Franklin University – Columbus, Ohio
- Life / Health Insurance Licenses
- FINRA Series 7
Delivering technical expertise, experienced advice, and genuine attention.
Background & Expertise:
Brandee’s professional background includes over two decades of experience in financial services, including several years of public and private sector accounting. Her deep knowledge of financial considerations for both individuals and businesses – including retirement planning and investment tax consequence – allows Brandee to help clients manage the varying facets of their financial position.
Professional Approach:
Well-versed in the investment and risk management environments, Brandee concentrates on providing appropriate and relevant solutions in order to deliver comprehensive financial planning advice.
Personal Fulfillment:
Brandee and her husband, Marty, live in Upper Arlington where they’re raising their boys who range from grade school to college. In addition to actively supporting their community and their church, they enjoy traveling with family as much as possible. Seeing how fast the kids grow has made this an even greater priority!
Matthew E Beeghley , CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, CLU®, CAP®
Partner and Wealth Management Advisor
Matthew E Beeghley , CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, CLU®, CAP®
Partner and Wealth Management Advisor
- The Ohio State University – Columbus, OH MBA
- The Catholic University of America
- CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, CLU®, CAP®
- Life / Health Insurance Licenses
- FINRA Series 6, 7, 63
- Planning successful outcomes through trusting relationships.
Background & Expertise:
Matt started his practice at Northwestern Mutual in 2010 after working in banking and bookkeeping for six years and completing his MBA. Building upon this experience – first working for large banks, then starting a bookkeeping practice serving small businesses – he continued to expand as a firm that primarily serves business owners, corporate managers, and medical professionals.
Professional Approach:
Matt’s practice is founded on building trusting relationships, comprehensive planning, and continuous improvement. Through designations and experience, he believes lifelong learning allows him to bring fresh perspectives to his clients’ planning needs. As a servant-leader, Matt puts his clients’ best interests first while helping them understand and act upon the plans we’ve formed collaboratively.
Personal Fulfillment:
Matt lives with his wife, Julie, in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus, OH. Outside of work, he enjoys playing and watching Australian football and soccer. He is a decade-plus member and past Treasurer of Columbus Australian Rules Football Club. Julie and Matt also enjoy hiking, working on their yard and garden, and attempting to keep up with their Greyhound rescue, Minnie.
Kayla C Hinds , CFP®, CLU®
Partner and Financial Advisor
Kayla C Hinds , CFP®, CLU®
Partner and Financial Advisor
- The Ohio State University – Columbus, OH
- CFP®, CLU®
- Life / Health Insurance License
- FINRA Series 6 & 63
Leading with authenticity, honesty, and fun.
Background & Expertise:
In 2012, while attending The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business, Kayla discovered the financial planning internship Northwestern Mutual offered and thought it would be fun to try for a summer. After that summer and seeing the impact she could make in the community, and the enjoyment she could have while doing it, she made the decision to build her practice full time after graduating in 2013. Since then, she has pursued higher education and designations to make sure she can make as much impact for her clients as humanly possible.
Professional Approach:
One of her primary goals is to help her clients build a life they designed. Everyone can achieve their goals if they work hard, know where they are headed, have a plan to get there, and she wants to help them do just that. In addition, she likes to educate her clients on what they are doing and why they are doing it, so they feel confident in their plan and their path forward.
Personal Fulfillment:
Kayla and her corgi, Rory, reside in Columbus. Most weekends though, you can find her somewhere outside of Columbus working with cattle. Kayla was raised on a purebred Angus seedstock farm in eastern Ohio. She still owns, shows, and sells cattle, and helps family and friends with maintenance, shows, and sales across the state and country. In addition, she loves to attend concerts, dabble in photography, and tell anyone who will listen, how perfect Rory the Corgi is.
- Mount Vernon Nazarene University – Mt. Vernon, OH M. Ed.
- The Ohio State University – Columbus, OH B.A.
- Life / Health Insurance Licenses
- FINRA Series 6, 7 & 63
Leading with innovation, education, and integrity.
Background & Expertise:
Justin joined Northwestern Mutual in 2016, after serving 11 years in education. As an advisor, he takes an educational approach in developing and implementing strategic financial planning for new and existing clients.
Professional Approach:
Justin takes great pride in learning about his clients' financial goals and aspirations. From there, he develops a unique, flexible strategy to fit their situation. He keeps his clients on track for success by guiding them through life events and realigning their planning portfolio as needed. One of Justin's primary goals is to make sure that every client grasps exactly why they are implementing certain tactics in their financial plan. His philosophy? To follow your plan, you must first truly understand the pieces that construct it.
Personal Fulfillment:
Justin and his wife, Brittnay, reside in Granville, Ohio and have two daughters Lilah and Olivia. In his spare time Justin enjoys watching his kids' sporting events, going on hikes, reading, and relaxing with friends and family.
- The Ohio State University – Columbus, OH
- Life / Health Insurance Licenses
- FINRA Series 7, 63
Navigating investment activities.
Background & Expertise:
Lou Ann has been in the financial services industry since 1981 and joined Northwestern Mutual in 2020. In her role as Associate Wealth Management Advisor, she assists clients with their investments and overall relationship with the firm.
Professional Approach:
Lou Ann’s interest in investments evolved from her personal experience with successful financial planning. Empathetically relating to clients’ needs, she strives to meet and exceed their expectations. She understands the importance of teamwork in providing comprehensive customer service.
Personal Fulfillment:
Lou Ann lives in Worthington and enjoys spending time with her new granddaughter. She likes to garden, read, and cheer on the Buckeyes.
- The Ohio State University – Columbus, OH M.A. & B.S.
- CAP®, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®
- Life / Health Insurance Licenses
- FINRA Series 6, 7 & 63
Coordinating comprehensive financial plans.
Background & Expertise:
Eric started at Northwestern Mutual in 2017 in a client services role and developed extensive knowledge in both insurance and investment operations. In 2020, he achieved his CFP®, ChFC®, and CLU® designations, and in 2021, he completed his CAP®.
Professional Approach:
Eric exhibits great attention to detail and organization in his work. He makes sure that the financial plan we customize for you is implemented promptly and seamlessly and that all ongoing service and communications are done professionally and timely.
Personal Fulfillment:
Eric resides in the Short North of Columbus, OH. He spends most of his free time outdoors, either backpacking or playing Australian rules football.
- Quantic School of Business & Technology – Executive MBA Candidate
- The Ohio State University – Columbus, OH
Creating authentic and meaningful connections.
Background & Expertise:
Rebecca joined Northwestern Mutual in February 2020. Prior to, she spent 12 years in the greater New York City area collaborating with finance leaders in diverse industries. In her role, she leads marketing and communication strategies, champions team culture, and engages with the community.
Professional Approach:
Rebecca loves building relationships. She believes every person deserves the freedom that an empowering financial plan can provide. Her attentive listening and problem-solving abilities go hand in hand with her creativity to deliver a personalized experience across every channel.
Personal Fulfillment:
Rebecca's a massive wellness enthusiast who also enjoys fiddling and traveling as much as possible. She lives in Clintonville, Ohio with her adopted fur kiddies, Ajna and Boots.
- Life / Health Insurance Licenses
Always be willing to learn and to teach.
Background & Expertise:
Bre joined River Tree Wealth Management in October 2021, with a versatile background in financial administration and office management. Leading client services, she is a valuable communicator who is responsible for bridging interactions between our advisors and clientele as well as maintaining our client relationship management software.
Professional Approach:
Bre is highly detail oriented. She likes creating structure and organizing systems. Her goal is to satisfy various client needs through creating comprehensive, flexible workflows for all day-to-day service requests. Once a process is designed, she continues to refine it for standardized use by implementing real-time feedback.
Personal Fulfillment:
Bre and her partner, Chris, enjoy traveling and camping. They love planning pet-friendly vacations and bringing their two fur babies along for travel adventures. In her free time, Bre performs in the circus arts.
- Wittenberg University – Springfield, OH
- Life / Health Insurance Licenses
Ensuring an exceptional client experience.
Background & Expertise:
Cheryl joined Northwestern Mutual as an Insurance Operations Associate in 2017. She brings over 25 years of customer service and financial service experience in a variety of industries.
Professional Approach:
Cheryl is extremely organized, prompt and focused. She supports advisors throughout the entire financial planning process.
Personal Fulfillment:
Cheryl resides in Newark, Ohio with her husband, Tom, and two children Sarah and Gus. In her spare time, she enjoys golfing, watching the Columbus Blue Jackets and officiating women's lacrosse and field hockey.
- The Ohio State University – Columbus, OH
Supporting clients to help them reach their goals.
Background & Expertise:
Julie started at Northwestern Mutual in 2021 as Practice Manager for Matthew Beeghley. Julie has worked previously in retail banking and within the private and commercial lending industry. Julie works with the team to balance clients’ needs with operational requirements.
Professional Approach:
Duty of care is imperative. Julie aims to provide superior service and support.
Personal Fulfillment:
Julie lives in downtown Columbus with her husband Matt and their retired racing Greyhound, Minnie. She enjoys spending time in the garden and hiking at any one of the numerous Columbus Metro Parks.
- Miami University – Oxford, OH
- Life / Health Insurance Licenses
There’s no substitute for consistency.
Background & Expertise:
Jackson recently graduated from Miami University with a finance degree and is currently a CFA Level 1 candidate. On our team, he helps review client-related financial plan and investment recommendations, investment operations, and helps our advisors design detailed financial plans for our clients.
Professional Approach:
Jackson is very accountable; he applies his precision and thoughtfulness to all aspects of the work he provides. In addition, he strives to make the investment process a clear-cut, comfortable experience.
Personal Fulfillment:
Jackson resides in Dublin, OH. When he is not in the office you can find Jackson on a golf course, watching sports or traveling with friends.
- Miami University – Oxford, OH
- Life / Health Insurance Licenses
A vision is a dream with a plan.
Background & Expertise:
Andrew joined the team in December of 2021. He has been obtaining experience in the Investment Services and Operations industry for five years. Andrew’s role on the team is to execute investment operations.
Professional Approach:
He prides himself on his meticulous attention to detail. His organized approach in his work ensures all tasks are completed accurately, and in a timely manner.
Personal Fulfillment:
He resides on the Southside in Merion Village and when not working at the office, you can find him exploring the city with my French Bulldog, Winston.
Marketing Assistant
- The Ohio State University – Columbus, OH
Cheerful, Organized, and Friendly.
Background & Expertise:
Leah joined NM August of 2021 as a marketing assistant and is responsible for assisting on social media and design projects and enjoys client-oriented tasks.
Professional Approach:
Leah is extremely organized and creative which allows her to approach each situation with dedication and a unique approach. Staying organized allows you to leave other time and room for more important decisions. She aims to bring a personal approach to each situation dedicating time and consistency to any project.
Personal Fulfillment:
Leah will graduate in May 2022 with her degree from Ohio State University. She resides in Columbus with her sister and her dog. In her free time she enjoys fashion, running, painting, and spending time with her pup.