July 2025 Newsletter
From the President
Ahhhhh, summertime in Wisconsin. Whether it is out on the golf course, or your favorite body of water, or in the middle of a state park… I hope you have found some time to spend in your happy place (shout out Third Space Brewery).
On behalf of the entire board, we want to start by thanking you for your membership with the FPA of Wisconsin. We are excited to welcome a bunch of new faces (see the long list below) and hope to continue to grow the chapter to better serve you and your clients.
In order to do that, we need volunteers that are interested in making a difference. We are asking folks that would be open to volunteering time to help steer the direction and impact of FPA of WI for years to come. If this is you, no matter where you are in Wisconsin, please reach out to me about joining our Board of Directors in 2026. Programming, Pro Bono, Symposium… plenty of opportunities for you to get involved. July 31st, we have an informal “patio meeting”, where we get together to start planning these things. Please reach out.
To close the year, we have a strong schedule of events. Free CE Day right around the corner, and then our biggest event of the year is Symposium Sept 30th-Oct 1st. The agenda is packed with a ton of value and the time with a community of fellow planners is priceless. Please check into joining us up in Green Bay. But we don’t stop there… we close out the year with three impactful lunch and learns via our virtual series. Registration is out on all three of those below. Get them on your calendar today!
Enjoy those long summer days in your favorite spot with your favorite people. As Ferris Bueller would say, “If you don’t stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it”. I hope to see you at our next event, until then. Be well.
Luke Kraft CFP® AIF® CAIA
Welcome New Members
Matthew Anderson, CFP® - Northwestern Mutual
Sadie Bishop - WFA Asset Management
Brandon Boyer - Keil Financial
Jordan Bradford, CFP® - The Tranel Financial Group
Anita Cruise - Northwestern Mutual
Michael Dubis, CFP®
Alex Egstad, CFP® - Egstad Wealth Management
Russell Enea - WFA Asset Management
Dana Felton, CFP® - Starboard Financial Group/Ameriprise Financial Services
Thomas Kiernan, CFP®
Samuel Kiesewetter - Northwestern Mutual
Ryan Komas - WFA Asset Management
Darren Liberski, CFP®, CRPC®, BFA™ - Intrua Financial
Cara McCarthy, CFP®
Benjamin Meyer, CFP®
Holly Mrstik, CFP® - Edward Jones
Sarah Nowak, CEPA®, CPFA® - WestPoint Financial Group
Cole Seigworth, CFP®
Gabriela Urquizo - Northwestern Mutual
Nathan Wesley
Michael Wesolowski - Liberty Financial Group
Membership
Understanding Your FPA Membership: National + Wisconsin = Double the Value
When you join the Financial Planning Association (FPA), you’re not just becoming part of a national organization—you’re also joining your local Chapter here in Wisconsin. But unless someone has taken the time to explain it, it’s easy to miss how this two-tiered structure works—and how it benefits you.
One Membership, Two Connections
FPA membership is centralized through the national office. That means when you sign up, renew, or update your information, it goes through FPA’s national system. However, as part of that process, you're also automatically enrolled as a member of the FPA of Wisconsin, your local Chapter.
This dual membership structure is designed to give you the best of both worlds:
National Resources: access to national conferences, thought leadership, professional development tools, publications like the Journal of Financial Planning, and a broad network of professionals across the country.
Local Engagement: opportunities to attend local events, participate in Chapter programs like our popular Financial Planning Symposium, get involved in volunteer leadership, and build relationships with peers right here in Wisconsin.
Two Websites, Two Logins
Here’s where things can get confusing: the FPA national website and the FPA of Wisconsin Chapter website are separate platforms—with separate login credentials.
National Website: This is where you manage your overall membership, renew your dues, and access national resources.
FPA of Wisconsin Website: This is where you register for local events, view Chapter-specific content, and stay connected with Wisconsin-based programming.
While we understand the dual-login setup can feel a bit clunky at first, having two platforms allows each level of the organization to tailor the experience specifically to your needs—whether you’re looking for national insights or local connections.
Why It Matters
If you’re planning to attend an event hosted by FPA of Wisconsin, you’ll need to log in to your profile on our Wisconsin website. Your national login credentials won’t work here, and vice versa (unless you have set them up to have the same username and password). This ensures accurate registration and access to member pricing.
Bottom line: When you join FPA, you’re gaining access to a rich network and robust benefits at both the national and local levels. Make the most of it—and if you ever have questions, your local FPA WI team is just a click away.
Thank You to Our Partners
The success of our year-long programs and community outreach is a direct result of the dedication and generosity of our FPA Wisconsin partners. We extend our deepest thanks for their continued partnership and support.
Gold Partner
Prairie Trust
First Trust
Silver Partners
American Funds
Brookfield Oaktree Wealth Solutions
CION Investments
Cliffwater
CPS Horizon Financial
CTaccess, Inc.
Edvest 529
Investors Associated
Luminate Bank
Nationwide Financial
Natixis Investment Managers
Vesta Senior Network
Vizance
Bronze Partner
Artisan Partners
von Briesen & Roper, s.c.
Did you know...
FPA Business Hub
The FPA Business Hub puts engaging content at your fingertips to help you transform your business and impact your work as a financial planner.
Explore the library of free downloadable content, including white papers, webinars, product guides, case studies, industry analysis, and much more, provided by experts and vendors across financial services.
Included in the FPA Business Hub you will find FPA Live – conversations with interesting people who are doing interesting things in and out of financial planning – watch now.
FPA Annual Conference 2025: The largest annual gathering of CFP® professionals each year so save November 3-5 on your calendar and plan to gather with your colleagues at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Current Board Members
Thank you to the outstanding FPA Wisconsin board members of 2025. Your vision and dedication have been key in advancing FPA of Wisconsin, and we’re grateful for your contributions to chapter success.
President - Luke Kraft, CFP®, AIF®,CAIA
President Elect - Shannon Nook, FPQP TM
Treasurer - Greg Nebel, CFP®
Secretary - Josh Strzelecki, CRPC, APMA
Chairman - Nick Ziarek, CFA, CFP®
Membership Director - Bethany Canfield
NexGen Director - Ryan Rink, CFP®, EA, CLTC®, ChFC®
Program Director - Deanne Phillips, CFP®, CDFA®
Career Development Director - Tyler McConville, CFP®
Pro Bono - Sarah Knudson, CFP®
Public Relations Director - Anthony Stich
Board of Directors - Andrew Scott
Board of Directors - Preston Cherry, Ph. D., CFP®
Social Media
Let’s Get Social
We’re ready to connect with you! Stay abreast of our activities by following our LinkedIn page.