Growing up in St. Joseph, Michigan, I was surrounded by hard work, resilience, and the unwavering support of my family. My mom worked tirelessly to provide for us, and I spent a lot of time with my Nana, who ran a daycare. When my mom married my stepdad, his presence as a strong male role model helped to form the foundation of a loving and supportive family for which I am deeply grateful.

My Nana and my mom are my greatest role models, and both have profoundly shaped the person I am today. Despite battling ovarian and uterine cancer, my Nana remained a beacon of selflessness and generosity, always putting others before herself. My mom, equally remarkable, instilled in me the values of independence, perseverance, and the importance of caring for others. She taught me what it means to sacrifice for the people you love, and one of my greatest motivations is knowing that someday I’ll be able to give back to her and say, “Mom, it’s your turn to relax—I’ve got you now.”

Numbers have always been my language. I was diagnosed with dyslexia in first grade, which made reading a challenge, but math always came naturally to me. I landed my first job as a caddie at a private golf course when I was just 13, an experience that taught me the importance of building strong relationships and the value of hard work. Over the years, I held roles in the service industry, coaching, and banking, each of which sharpened my skills in serving others and educating them with care and precision.

When I started college at Grand Valley State University, I initially pursued physical therapy and sports medicine because I wanted to help people on a personal level. But as I explored other opportunities, I discovered financial planning through a friend’s dad, who worked at a large, financial services corporation. That was my first glimpse at how transformative financial planning could be. Seeing how financial strategies could change lives sparked something in me. Watching him help clients build their futures made me realize that this career could combine my love for numbers with my passion for helping people.

When I met Elisabeth, that vision became even clearer, and that initial spark turned into a passion. I have always valued building relationships in my previous roles, but nothing quite prepared me for the profound impact we make here at Copia. Here, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of financial clarity. Seeing clients go from overwhelmed to confident and empowered is deeply rewarding. The emotional relief and joy our clients experience when they realize we can help them achieve the retirement they’ve dreamed of is incredibly powerful. This isn’t just financial planning—it’s life-changing work.

One story that stands out in my mind is of a widower who lost his wife unexpectedly just after retiring from the military. He came to us completely overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. By working together, we helped him regain his footing, and today, he’s one of our biggest advocates. Seeing him go from scared and lost to confident and even joyful is why I’m so passionate about the work that we do. Moments like these remind me that it’s so much more than financial planning—it’s giving people peace of mind and the tools to build the life they’ve envisioned.

Being part of Copia feels like being part of a family—both with our team and our clients. I’m proud to say this sense of connection and care is evident in the way we treat every individual we have the privilege to serve. We go beyond the numbers to truly understand each person’s goals and provide them with the support and education they need to succeed. It’s an honor to be part of an organization that makes such a lasting impact on people’s lives, and I’m excited to continue helping our clients achieve the confidence and clarity they deserve.