• 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 & 66

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 middle 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!

• 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.

• Franklin University – Columbus, OH – magna cum laude
• FINRA Series 7, 63 & 66

Optimizing solutions to deliver results.

Background & Expertise:

Tammy has over two decades of experience serving individuals and businesses in the financial services industry. Her background provides her with the advanced skillset to service clients within the areas of investing, banking, and risk management. She joined Northwestern Mutual in 2022 to better utilize her knowledge and add value to clients and the firm.

Professional Approach:

Tammy enjoys building strong relationships with clients and colleagues. Her positive attitude and partnering approach allow her to meet the expectations of others both personally and professionally. She relies on listening skills to provide excellent service and identify meaningful solutions.

Personal Fulfillment:

Tammy and her husband are empty nesters. They love family time spent with their adult children and grandchildren. Tammy spends a lot of her time riding her horse, Wilbur, locally and across the states with friends.

• Life / Health Insurance Licenses
  

Focusing on quality, service, and value.

Background & Expertise:

Caitlin started at Northwestern Mutual in early 2017. She works closely with the team to develop a customized financial plan for each client and to help ensure that all facets of a client’s planning considerations are implemented.

Professional Approach:

Caitlin is extremely focused, organized and works diligently to deliver consistent and courteous service with the utmost professionalism. She facilitates many of the operational roles within the team, supporting advisors throughout the financial planning process.

Personal Fulfillment:

Caitlin lives in Dublin, OH with her cat, Peatri. She loves to travel and watch sports: Go Buckeyes! When Caitlin’s not at the office, you’ll find her planning her next adventure or with her nose in a good book.

• The Ohio State University – Columbus, OH
• Life / Health Insurance Licenses
• FINRA Series 6 & 63

It is never too late to be what you might have been.

Background & Expertise:

Alexis started Northwestern Mutual’s financial representative internship in January 2022. After graduating from The Ohio State University, she joined Northwestern Mutual full-time in June 2022 before accepting a position at River Tree. With her role, she’d dedicated to servicing client’s insurance needs and helping them easily secure defensive financial planning.

Professional Approach:

Determination, building trusted relationships, and acting as a resource for others are Alexis’ top strengths. Her goal is to be a positive influence to everyone who comes into her life and help them reach their full potential.

Personal Fulfillment:

Alexis resides in the Short North with her two best friends from college and enjoys finding new places in Columbus to explore. In her free time, Alexis likes to read, work out or play with her cat, Boo.

• Wittenberg University – Springfield, OH
• Life / Health Insurance Licenses
• FINRA Series 6

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
• 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.

• 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.

• Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University – MLS
• Tiffin University – B.S.
• Notary Public Commission

Trust the process.

Background and Expertise:

Alexis’s background is in legal administration. Responsible for ensuring clients have a wonderful experience.

Professional Approach:

Known for her meticulous attention to detail and organizational skills, Alexis always exceeds client expectations. She provides unwavering support to both clients and financial advisors.

Personal Fulfillment:

Alexis resides in Gahanna with her cat, Sage. Outside of work, Alexis enjoys nature walks, art, and being involved with her sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho, and giving back to the community.

• The Ohio State University – B.S. Business Administration - Marketing

Creative thinking and detailed analysis.

Background & Expertise:

Sandi began her career while studying at The Ohio State University. She brings her 25+ years of experience in financial services and marketing to help implement and grow the firm’s brand.

Professional Approach:

Detail oriented and a creative thinker, Sandi is a problem solver by nature. She uses careful analysis as well as insightful experience to create solutions to successfully reach objectives. Sandi loves to learn and strives to gain a deeper understanding of the holistic approach to financial planning to help expand the team’s marketing strategies and goals.

Personal Fulfillment:

Sandi and her husband have four active children. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, photography, traveling with her family, and watching her youngest two children play soccer and basketball.