Luke started with Northwestern Mutual as a college intern in 2009. He majored in Finance at The Ohio State University, graduated in 2010 with Cum Laude honors and led his own financial planning practice before joining forces with Tim in 2012.

In that role he led financial planning, investment implementation and insurance design. Luke currently holds his Life/Health, Series 6, 7, 63 and 65 and is a Certified Investment Management Analyst. As Director of Financial Planning for Compass Financial Partners, Luke is responsible for development and oversight of Financial Plans and facilitating client review meetings.

Luke has the expertise to:

• Discuss investment strategy
• Analyze investment accounts/proposals
• Execute trades
• Open & update investment accounts
• Process account transfers and asset movement
• Review and discuss in-force insurance policies/proposals

Outside of the office, Luke enjoys spending time with family, being outside as much as he can, working out and watching sports. Luke lives in Glenview, with his wife Rachel and their daughter, Frannie.

AJ joined the firm as a financial analyst in 2024. Prior to joining our team AJ graduated from Miami University's Farmer School of Business with a double major in Finance and Information Systems. AJ spent the summer of 2023 as a college financial representative intern with Northwestern Mutual where he was responsible for new client acquisition and delivering personalized financial plans to clients.

As an analyst, AJ can help with: 

• Creating and updating financial plans  
• Providing new account balances and consolidated reports 
• Opening new accounts 
• Updating account information 
• Executing trades 
• Rebalancing accounts 
• Rollover calls 
• ROTH conversions 
• Account servicing 

AJ enjoys caddying, golfing, watching sports, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. 

Before starting her career with Northwestern Mutual, Lori graduated on the Dean’s List from the University of Chicago with a degree in Human Development. She continued her academic studies at the University of New Haven where she earned her master’s degree in Sports Management. While there, she served as the Assistant Coach for their Women’s Basketball Team.

Lori then joined Northwestern Mutual in 2011 and has held several leadership roles within the organization.

As Director of Operations for Compass Financial Partners, Lori is responsible for:

• Overseeing daily functions and workflow for the business
• Keeping the team on track and running efficiently through use and upkeep of our client database
• Human Resources
• Compliance
• Maintaining the banking and bookkeeper relationship
• Developing and implementing strategies for firm growth
• Contracting and licensing
• New hire onboarding

Lori and her husband Poitier have 3 children – Paxon, Parker and Pearson. Lori enjoys playing and watching as much basketball as possible, binge watching a good Netflix series, and hanging out with her family.

Tommy joined the firm as a financial analyst in 2024.  Prior to joining the Compass team, Tommy studied at the University of Miami, where he graduated with a double major in Finance and Political Economy.  While in South Florida, Tommy worked for Merrill Lynch as an Advisor Development Summer Analyst.  After graduation, he earned his Series 7 and 66 licenses, and worked at Merrill Lynch as a Financial Solutions Advisor.  Tommy decided to come back to his hometown Lake Forest to be closer to family and friends. 

As an analyst, Tommy is responsible for:

• Creating and updating financial plans
• Providing account balances and consolidated reports
• Opening new accounts
• Updating account information
• Executing trades
• Rebalancing accounts
• Investment analysis
• Rollover calls
• Roth conversions
• Account servicing 

Outside of the office, Tommy enjoys sporting events, traveling, golfing, concerts, and the beach.

Bernadeta joined the firm in 2017 after more than 13 years in the Northwestern Mutual family. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and holds an Illinois Life and Health Insurance license.

As Director of Insurance, Bernadeta is responsible for:

• Generating client reports
• Providing account balances
• Providing quotes for Life, Disability, Long Term Care Insurance
• Providing In-force Illustrations
• Scheduling medical exams and overseeing the underwriting process
• Submitting applications for life, disability, and long-term care insurance
• Assisting clients with questions on insurance billing accounts, insurance values, and other service needs
• Assisting with policy owner service-related issues, such as loans and policy maintenance

Outside of work, Bernadeta enjoys traveling and long walks with her husband, Ken. Fishing is one of the passions she shares with her father and brother, and can frequently be found near the Chain-of-Lakes. During winter months Bernadeta likes to read with her cat Maya curled up next to her.

Justin joined the firm in 2019. As Director of Investments, he is responsible for designing and managing client investment and wealth planning strategies.

Prior to this, Justin spent 14 years working with high net worth families and individuals in the banking industry. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics. He is also a CFA® charterholder and a member of the Chicago CFA® Society.

Justin is responsible for:

• Client review meetings
• Designing, implementing and managing investment strategies utilized within client portfolios
• Investment strategy due diligence
• Developing wealth planning strategies implemented within client financial plans
• Developing and managing retirement income plans

Justin and his wife, Kate, live in Park Ridge with their two children, and he is a lifelong Chicagoland resident. When not in the office, Justin enjoys spending time with his family, loves reading, being outdoors and supporting his Wisconsin Badgers.

Gardner grew up, the youngest of four siblings, in Hinsdale, Illinois. He played competitive tennis and idolized Andre Agassi for his skill, style and authenticity. After graduating from Benedictine University with a focus on with Sports Broadcasting and Communications, Gardner worked in sales at Patagonia. In 2011 Gardner participated in the first internship program at The Mather Group, a Chicago-based wealth management firm that was founded by his brother, Stewart. Gardner’s internship quickly turned into a career in business development where he helped grow the firm from 6 employees and $150m in assets under management to 200 employees and $9B under management when the company was sold in 2022.

Gardner and his wife Jessi have three 3 young daughters, June, Pearl and Summer in addition to a dog, rabbit and toothless cat. The Mathers enjoy hiking and spending time together outdoors. In his free time, Gardner loves saltwater fly fishing, Chicago sports and Texas brisket.

Gardner is an active member of several boards including Trout Unlimited, Lake Forest Open Lands, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation.

Julie joined our team in 2024 as Marketing Coordinator. She attended Smith College in Northampton, MA where she majored in Economics. Julie spent her early career in public policy and fundraising in the nonprofit, political and corporate world. After moving to Lake Forest in 2015, Julie became actively involved in several local organizations including Lake Forest High School APT where she co-chaired several fundraisers and student events and The Spirit of 67 Foundation where she held many roles including Vice President of Fundraising and Events Business Manager.

As Marketing Coordinator, Julie is responsible for:

• Managing the firm’s social media and website presence
• Leading community outreach and philanthropy projects
• Coordinating special events and client outings

Julie and her husband JV live in Lake Forest and have two children, Andrew and Addison. In her free time Julie can be found at the dog park or playing tennis, golf or pickleball.

Eileen joined the team in 2022, bringing more than 20 years of office and project management experience. As Client Service Coordinator, she will work with the team to provide operational support and exceptional client service. She attended Carleton College for her undergraduate degree, and continued her academic career at the University of Chicago, where she earned her Master’s Degree.

Eileen is responsible for:

• Scheduling client meetings
• Service support for insurance products
• Leading community outreach & philanthropy projects
• Assisting with special business developments
• Managing marketing and product campaign initiatives

Eileen and her husband Jim live in Lake Forest with their four children – James, Thomas, Viola, and Philip. Outside of work, Eileen enjoys spending time with her family, walking with friends, working out, and cooking. Her happy place is the Florida Keys!

Brendan joined the firm in 2016 as an Associate Wealth Management Advisor. He was no stranger to Northwestern Mutual, as he spent the previous four years as a Financial Representative, where he was responsible for new client acquisition and delivering customized financial solutions to clients.

A graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, Brendan holds his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification, Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) designations, as well as his Series 6, 7, & 63 registrations and Life and Health Insurance license.

Brendan is responsible for:

• Facilitating client review meetings and plan updates
• Executing trade orders
• Discussing investment strategies with clients
• Opening new accounts
• Updating account information (address changes, beneficiary changes, changes to account registration, etc.)
• Processing account transfers and IRA rollovers
• Providing account balances and consolidated reports

Outside of the office, Brendan and his wife are thoroughly enjoying their newborn daughter. Brendan loves golf and fishing, and occasionally, you may also catch him on TV attending a Chicago Blackhawks or Cubs game.

Erin joined the firm in 2019 with 25 years of experience in corporate sales, support, and training. As Director of Client Relations, she provides operational support to the team and serves as the primary contact for client relations and helps ensure a white glove experience.

Erin is responsible for:

• Scheduling client meetings
• Addressing client inquiries
• Assisting clients with the online Client Portal registration and integration
• Coordinating special events

She loves spending time with her two girls, family, and friends, as well as going to concerts and traveling. Erin has been actively involved with Placing Paws Rescue of Illinois, a local foster-based animal rescue, and is also a past Ambassador for the Project Athena Foundation.