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Additional Team Members

Additional Team Members

Every conversation with your advisor is informed by the exceptional work of our team behind the scenes.

 

Most of your interactions here will be directly with your advisor, but it’s important to understand the level of support the rest of our team provides “backstage.”

 

There is just a ton of details to be dealt with in achieving the thorough and thoughtful service we strive for. Most of this work directly affects the conversations, choices, and decisions that you and your advisor make together. Research, document and draft preparation, attending to the layers of regulations, and myriad other paperwork required when dealing with financial and insurance companies. All of this and more are deftly handled and carefully orchestrated by our dedicated team, out of view, so that you and your advisor can focus, undistracted, on your situation, your goals, and your options.

 

Again, the Goldilocks rule applies. At small firms, an advisor may have one person handling all administrative functions, or that advisor may handle some of these matters personally, which can cut into the time he or she devotes to the big picture. The very large firms may have a small army of support staff, but the sheer number of clients makes it almost impossible to deal with each client on a personal level. Your name functions more like an ID number, and your life is experienced and understood as a faceless spreadsheet.

 

We take the notion of team seriously. Although you may deal primarily with your financial advisor, it’s important to know that, supporting our advisors, every member of our team has a set of complementary responsibilities, which, together, ensure that you always receive the attention you expect from a top-tier planning firm.

 

For every client, we’re all about sustaining an ongoing conversation so that you know what’s going on with your portfolio and we know what’s going on in your life at all times. This is how we keep both aligned and in balance. And every member of our team has a critical role to play in keeping the conversation ongoing, meaningful, and productive.

Kristin Johnson, FPQP®

Paraplanner, Management Consultant

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Kristin originally joined Beacon Financial Planning Services, LLC in February 2004. In October 2014, Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group acquired Beacon's book of business. Her rapport with the clients and her previous business experience in banking, accounting, and advanced computer technology have allowed her to handle many facets of her role as a paraplanner and management consultant.  Her meticulous eye for detail and her dedication to keeping our day-to-day operations running efficiently supports our ability to focus on providing clients with the highest quality of customer service.

Kristin's artistic abilities have also been used to create firm advertisements, website, brochures, and to coordinate our special client events.

In April 2008, Kristin successfully completed her studies and national examination with the College of Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado, to become a Financial Paraplanner Qualified ProfessionalTM.

Kristin's hobbies and interests include genealogy, creating paper sculptures, greeting cards, and handweaving towels and scarves on an 8-shaft floor loom.

Kim van Eijk

Administrative Assistant

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If you have called or visited Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group’s office, you have probably spoken to or met Kim. Since joining the firm in 2011, Kim has become the first and last line of defense. From greeting visitors and fielding phone calls to processing paperwork and keeping the office organized, she handles a multitude of responsibilities.

As a client of the firm before becoming a member of the team, Kim provides a unique perspective that helps continually improve the client experience. With a marketing degree from Indiana University, she has lived and worked in both New York and the Netherlands before settling back home in Chicago. Kim is also the former owner of Arte Moderne, an antique store in downtown Glen Ellyn.

Kim is the mother of four children and currently resides in Glen Ellyn with her husband, Willem. When not manning Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group’s concierge desk, Kim spends her free time reading, knitting, and gardening.

Hanna An, CFP®

Paraplanner

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Hanna An joined Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group in October 2017.  She works closely with advisor Jae Ha, playing an important role in serving Jae's clients.  Before joining our firm, Hanna worked as a certified public accountant at an accounting firm, where she prepared corporate tax returns, bank reconciliations, general financial statements, and processed payroll.

Fluent in Korean and originally from South Korea, Hanna came to the U.S. when she was 20 years old. Hanna is an adventurer, having spent time living on both sides of the country—first in Seattle, Washington, then in Ithaca, New York, before settling in the Midwest. She earned a BA in hospitality business from Michigan State University.

Hanna currently resides in Aurora with her husband, Maroo, and her son, David.

Grace Ahn, FPQP®

Paraplanner

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Grace Ahn rejoined Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group in March 2018 after taking some time off to be with her family.  Grace’s enthusiastic disposition and helpful attitude play an important role in assisting advisor Jae Ha and his clients, with whom she worked from 2014 to 2016.

Originally from South Korea and fluent in Korean, Grace came to the U.S. with her husband and two small children in 2010. Grace has a strong language and educational background, having worked for Sahmyook University in Korea and Wolf’s Language Academy. 

Grace holds a bachelor of arts degree in music education. Grace enjoys playing the piano in her free time.

Alexis Rand, FPQP®

Paraplanner

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Alexis joined Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group in November 2019 as an associate for advisor Dave Navarro.  Alexis has proven to be a quick study especially since the COVID-19 pandemic occurred during her essential training period. Her current responsibilities include servicing clients with day-to-day needs, gathering documentation, and paperwork along with answering general client calls.

Alexis, her husband, and three children relocated from San Fransico, California, prior to working with us.  She has a bachelor's degree in human biology but prefers to work with people as opposed to a lab.  She enjoys attending her kids' events, reading, cooking, and baking. 

LeAnn Giaquinto, FPQP®

Paraplanner

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LeAnn joined Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group in November 2021 as an associate supporting advisor, Brett Sherpan. Before joining the firm, she was employed for over a decade in the real estate investment industry. Her duties included proofreading and coordinating financial documents to ensure seamless and accurate customer service. She brings that attention to detail and helpful demeanor to this position. Her current role involves adhering to client requests and supporting the advisors in any tasks to ensure goals are accurately and diligently accomplished.

LeAnn is originally from Chicago and currently resides in Clarendon Hills, Illinois. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, watching rom-coms, trivia/game nights, and spending time with her family and friends.

Karen Garcia

Paraplanner

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Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group warmly welcomed Karen Garcia to our firm in April 2022. Karen brings with her a wealth of experience, having worked in the real estate, mortgage, banking, retirement services and financial planning industries. She will play a key role in supporting financial advisor John Ferrante with planning needs and provide support planning and advanced operational functions within our firm. Karen’s passion is helping others and she takes great pride in educating clients on complex topics.

Karen earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Aurora University with a double major in Finance, and Business & Commerce. She then furthered her education by completing the Financial Planning Program at DePaul University. Karen is also fluent in Spanish.

In her free time, Karen enjoys spending time with her two sons and family, working out, grilling and chilling, and enjoying the outdoors.

Hannah Eastburn

Service Manager

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Chicago Oakbrook Financial Group warmly welcomed Hannah to our firm in June 2022. Having worked in the legal and medical fields, she brings her unique perspective and organized approach to the firm. Hannah has a passion for helping others and takes pride in providing excellent service. Hannah has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in photography and art history. While she is from Wisconsin, she has spent time living in Montana, Tenneessee, and North Carolina before making her way back to the Midwest. In her free time, she enjoys listening to audio books, crocheting, photography, and spending time with her dog, Poppy.