Speakers

Scott Welle, CSP

Founder of Outperform the Norm

Outperform the Norm | Thursday, July 23 | 3:30 PM – 4:35 PM

Scott Welle is a #1 international best-selling author, speaker, and founder of Outperform the Norm, a leading program for business leaders and athletes looking to raise their game and perform at the highest level.

Scott’s ten best-selling books, articles, videos, podcasts, and online programs inspire hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. He has a Master’s degree in sport psychology and is an adjunct professor at St. Olaf University in Northfield, MN. He regularly speaks and consults with top-performing executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, as well as elite athletes.

Scott enjoys pushing his own physical and mental limits, completing five Ironman triathlons, 30 marathons, and a 100-mile ultramarathon run. He and his brother, Jason, have long participated in at least one marathon together each year.

Theresa Crist, CLU®

Managing Director, Digital Solutions at Cetera Wealth Management Group

Cetera Update | Thursday, July 23 | 8:55 AM – 9:30 AM

Theresa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business economics from the University of St. Thomas and was previously with Securian Financial, starting in 2006. She has experience in product and platform management, new business, customer service, and asset movement.

Theresa has also provided coaching and best practices to advisors, focused on developing their financial advisory practices, sales system training, marketing, and the financial planning process in her prior roles.

Dave Harris

Founding Member and Vice President of Retirement Strategy and Solutions at Nationwide Retirement Institute®

Health Care: Plan for Costs in Retirement | Thursday, July 23 | 1:20 PM – 1:50 PM

Dave Harris is a founding member of the Nationwide Retirement Institute®, where he serves as Retirement Strategy and Solutions Vice President. He is responsible for educating financial professionals, clients, plan sponsors and plan participants about the latest in retirement planning.

Dave joined Nationwide in 1997, where he honed his skill set and in-depth knowledge of financial services across various roles, providing him with a comprehensive view of client needs on a holistic level. Early in his career, Dave began coaching and developing teams responsible for multimillion-dollar sales goals. He personally found success as one of the top-producing managers, delivering a quarter of a billion dollars in production.

Dave also holds a bachelor’s in finance from The Ohio State University, along with his FINRA Series 6, Series 26, and Ohio Life and Health certifications. He has developed a passion for delivering high-energy, captivating and results-oriented presentations that provide significant value.

Dave and his wife, Amanda, have a son, Alex, and a daughter, Emily, and reside in Columbus, OH, with Ginger, their dog. In 2008, Dave’s family was affected by autism, and since that diagnosis, he has enjoyed volunteering for Autism Speaks.

Jacquelyn Mann

Senior Director, Executive Consultant at Invesco

Priceless: “The Language of Value” | Wednesday, July 22 | 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Jacquelyn works to help top-performing financial teams enhance their practices by helping them implement actionable business growth and referral strategies. She also coaches financial professionals on engaging in more effective and meaningful conversations with their clients.

Jacquelyn joined Invesco in 2011 and has held multiple roles at the firm in Client Development and Business Development. Prior to becoming an executive consultant, she served as national manager for Invesco Global Consulting in Australia, where she worked closely with high-performing teams on client communication, organic growth, and practice management strategies.

A native of Melbourne, Australia, Jacquelyn now resides in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, Dale, teenage daughter, Chloe, and Border Collie, Cooper. Outside of the office, she enjoys cycling, traveling, and exploring Chicagoland and all it has to offer.

Tony Martins

Community Leader, Cetera Wealth Management Group

Cetera Update | Thursday, July 23 | 8:55 AM – 9:30 AM

Tony Martins is currently a Community Leader at Cetera Wealth Management Group. He brings experience from previous roles at Securian Financial Group and Prudential Financial, and holds a BA in political science from the University of New Hampshire.

Eric McDermott

Managing Partner at Pacific Advisors

Breaking Into the Business Markets | Thursday, July 23 | 10:25 AM – 11:40 AM

Eric is a managing partner of Pacific Advisors, a financial services firm with over 60,000 clients and more than 200 financial advisors, specialists, and staff. He leads the Advanced Financial Strategies Team, new initiatives, operational strategy, and enterprise marketing.

As a financial advisor, he focuses on connecting business leaders with strategies to protect and grow their business, net worth, and estate. An entrepreneur at heart, Eric uses his more than 20 years of innovation and marketing capability as a partner/owner in several enterprises.

He commits to hundreds of hours a year of continuous learning, mobilizing and inspiring change and innovation through public speaking, and mentoring those around him. For fun, he enjoys family vacations, time with his wife and three children, reading, designing, sketching, and tennis.

Jim Shoemaker, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CFS, CKA®

Financial Advisor at Shoemaker Financial

The Trusted Guide | Thursday, July 23 | 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM

Jim began his professional career in the financial services industry in 1973, and in 1978, founded Shoemaker Financial, a firm that represents a fully integrated array of financial services and products for individuals and businesses of all sizes.

Jim received his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College. He and his wife, Linda, have been married since 1972 and have two adult daughters and five grandchildren. They are members of Bellevue Baptist Church, where Jim serves as a deacon and teaches a Bible fellowship class for adults. Jim enjoys fly-fishing, hunting, and is an avid reader.

Carter Amundson (Milwaukee)

Financial Advisor

Charitable Highlight: Black and Brown Run Around | Thursday, July 23 | 7:35 AM – 7:50 AM

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Carter is a proud Latino who prioritizes assisting people of color as they strive for financial freedom. He works to educate his clients on how to achieve their financial goals, while simultaneously reminding them of potentials they may have deemed impossible. Additionally, Carter helps small business owners identify business solutions in order to save money and decrease their potential for risk.

Carter grew up in Prior Lake, MN. He attended Arizona State University where he studied business entrepreneurship, as well as the University of Minnesota, where he continued his studies and completed a degree in communications. Carter is incredibly outgoing and enjoys spending time with friends, watching and playing a variety of sports, and is a proud member of North Star’s softball and basketball teams.

Todd Bramson, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® (Madison)

Senior Partner

Closing Comments | Thursday, July 23 | 4:35 PM – 4:50 PM

Todd has been a financial advisor with North Star since 1987. While his office is in Madison, he maintains a national practice with clients in 45 states. As a member of the North Star Medical Division, he specializes in working with physicians and other medical professionals.

Todd is the author and creator of the Real Life Financial Planning book series, which now includes 16 different books on financial planning, with nine of those specifically for medical professionals. He has been a past editorial consultant with Medical Economics magazine and has contributed to many articles for that publication. He is also a frequent speaker at many residency programs and organizations.

Mikaela Doe Harmon, ChFC® (San Diego)

Financial Advisor

Panel: Pricing Your Financial Plans | Thursday, July 23 | 9:30 AM – 10:10 AM

Mikaela is a financial advisor based in North Star’s San Diego office. Mikaela works largely with medical and dental professionals, focusing on providing individuals and families with the tools they need to become financially secure and pass good habits on to the next generation.

Mikaela is originally from Huntington Beach, CA, graduated from the University of San Diego with a Bachelor’s in finance and real estate, and is now furthering her career in San Diego. Outside of work, she enjoys soccer, wakeboarding, tennis, and DJing.

Andrew Jacobs ChFC®, AIF®, RICP®, CLTC®, CPFA® (St. Cloud)

Senior Partner at Jacobs Financial

Peak Performance: Top Advisors Who Scale | Wednesday, July 22 | 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM

Andrew is a senior partner at Jacobs Financial and combines professional expertise with the personal, values-based approach that defines the family-owned firm. He helps business owners, families, and individuals plan confidently for retirement and life beyond work.

Andrew is a graduate of St. Cloud State University and resides in St. Cloud, MN, with his wife Angie, son Mason, and daughter Leah. He is an active member of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, River City Referral Professionals, NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors), Finseca, and NAPA (National Association of Plan Advisors). Outside of work, he enjoys lake time, golfing, traveling, attending community charity and sporting events, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Adam Jacobs, CRPC® (San Diego)

Senior Financial Advisor

Panel: Pricing Your Financial Plans | Thursday, July 23 | 9:30 AM – 10:10 AM

As a third-generation advisor, Adam learned the value of wise financial principles at an early age from his father, James. Early on, he inherited a passion to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families through financial advice. Now as a wealth management advisor, he provides comprehensive financial guidance for professionals and their families to build and protect their wealth and leave the legacy they want.

Adam strives to be a lifetime resource to help clients establish and reach their financial goals and develop strategies for the future with the continuity of care that they deserve.

Jane LaLonde, CFP®, CDFA (Minneapolis)

Senior Partner

Panel: Pricing Your Financial Plans | Thursday, July 23 | 9:30 AM – 10:10 AM

Jane’s vision for her practice is to provide her clients with a trustworthy and knowledgeable resource, an exceptional client experience, and a sound long-term strategy to help reach their financial goals through all-encompassing financial plans.

Her expertise in comprehensive fee-based financial planning, education funding, estate planning, investments, retirement strategies, and wealth management allows Jane to offer access to a variety of investment and insurance products to implement customized financial plans for her clients.

Above all, dedicated to bettering her clients’ lives and supporting them in achieving long term, Jane concentrates her efforts on working with like-minded clients in a wide variety of professions—including doctors, attorneys, dentists, business owners, veterinarians, and more. Jane provides her clients with an all-encompassing, long-term approach to reaching their financial goals.

Naryan Leazer (Milwaukee)

Financial Advisor

Charitable Highlight: Black and Brown Run Around | Thursday, July 23 | 7:35 AM – 7:50 AM

Naryan is a financial advisor who is committed to serving as a fiduciary and providing holistic financial planning tailored to each client’s goals and circumstances. He helps individuals, families, business owners, and high-net-worth clients overcome financial overwhelm by creating clear, personalized strategies designed to build long-term financial confidence and lasting wealth.

Naryan’s approach focuses on comprehensive financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, insurance and risk management, and business planning solutions. He believes financial guidance should be accessible, emphasizing education, coaching, and ongoing advocacy to help clients make informed decisions and stay on track toward their financial and life goals.

Damon Lichtenberger, CPFA®, CLTC® (Durham)

Senior Partner

Annuities Panel | Wednesday, July 22 | 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM

Damon Lichtenberger, CPFA®, CLTC®, is a senior partner and senior vice president at North Star. Damon has developed a national financial advising practice that services clients in roughly 35 states and has been distinguished as a member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals^™. He focuses on helping physicians, dentists, attorneys, business owners, and executives reach financial independence.

Damon is active with the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation, the GAMA Foundation, Finseca, Bikes for Kids, the Durham Rescue, and Animal Shelters/Rescue. In his personal time, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family (especially boating at the lake or spending time on the coast). He loves to play, spectate, or help teach/coach his twin boys (Corbin & Hollis) in virtually any sport. Damon is also an avid dog lover, and his Vizsla, Odin, gets to go with him on many adventures.

Shaun McDuffee, AEP, CLU®, ChFC®, CEPA® (Austin)

Senior Vice President, Founder, and President of Twin Oak Advisors

Annuities Panel | Wednesday, July 22 | 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM

Shaun began his career in the early 1990s working with physicians in training, helping them address debt reduction, basic savings strategies, and risk management/insurance. He is a 1990 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a published co-author of The Physician’s Guide to Financial Independence and The Dentist’s Guide to Financial Independence. He is additionally a published co-author of Promises Kept (2017).

Shaun sits on numerous charitable boards and founded the McDuffee Family Foundation in 2006 to focus on children’s causes. Additionally, he founded Stop Alzheimer’s Now (SAN) in 2013 to raise awareness and funding for Alzheimer’s research. Of note, SAN has been able to endow a research chair at Temple University’s Alzheimer Center as well as fund research projects at several universities to further Alzheimer’s research toward a cure.

He and his wife, Kristin, live in Austin, TX, with their three daughters, Sophie, Ingrid, and Annabel.

Bert Nijssen (Minneapolis)

Financial Advisor

Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance | Thursday, July 23 | 8:10 AM – 8:15 AM

Bert was born and raised in the Netherlands, though he relocated to Minnesota in 2010. He holds a master’s degree in applied industrial and organizational psychology from Colorado State University and a bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University, also in industrial and organizational psychology.

Joining North Star in 2021, Bert quickly gained an intricate knowledge of the financial services industry through his work as a coordinator with Gifford Financial, The MD & DDS Specialists, a division of North Star Resource Group, serving as a key point of contact for Gifford’s clients as he refined his skills.

In 2025, Bert transitioned to the role of financial advisor, serving clients out of North Star’s Minneapolis headquarters in a holistic financial planning practice. In this role, he emphasizes his position as an advocate for his clients, helping them plan for the unexpected and achieve their goals.

Today, Bert resides in Champlin, MN. In his time away from the office, he enjoys coaching soccer, spending time with his wife and two children, and hosting parties. He and his family also love heading up north to hike, mountain bike, and canoe.

Dave Nordmeier, CFP®, CFS (Elk River)

Founding Partner of Midwest Wealth Advisors & Financial Advisor

Peak Performance: Top Advisors Who Scale | Wednesday, July 22 | 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM

Dave’s goal is simple: to help clients enjoy life more by bringing clarity and confidence to their financial decisions. He believes wealth management is about much more than choosing investments—it’s about understanding how all the pieces of a client’s financial life work together and providing advice that’s always centered on their best interests.

When not working with clients, you’ll likely find Dave fishing, gardening, hunting, or planning his next trip. He and his wife, Nikki, live in Elk River, MN, with their children, Anna and Chet. Together, they’re actively involved in their local church, conservation groups, and local charities.

Holly Ruckel, RICP® (Austin)

Financial Advisor

Negative Eighty-Four Dollars | Thursday, July 23 | 11:40 AM – 12:10 PM

As an advisor, Holly seeks to truly understand her clients and their goals to help put their dreams in perspective. By digging deeper into their “why,” Holly uses solid financial strategies to guide them toward a feasible pathway to pursue their dreams.

While Holly proudly works with clients in a wide variety of industries, she specializes in working with nationwide lawyers, their law firms, and their clients. With their unique needs necessitating a customized approach, Holly provides financial planning services tailored specifically for members of this group while serving as their financial advocate.

Holly grew up in Cleveland, OH, but moved during her teenage years to Austin, TX, before attending the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. There, she earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics, actuarial science, and finance. In her free time, Holly rides, trains, and shows horses. She is also a self-proclaimed animal lover who strives to be in nature as much as possible.

Logan Rowe (Minneapolis)

Financial Advisor

Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance | Thursday, July 23 | 8:10 AM – 8:15 AM

Leveraging his experience in the blue-collar space, Logan partners with clients as they identify and pursue their financial goals. He enjoys working with trade workers and other hardworking professionals who seek direction, clarity, and accessibility in their financial situation.

Logan grew up in Forest Lake, MN. After spending four years as a welder and observing the unique financial challenges blue-collar professionals face, Logan transitioned to his current role as a financial advisor with North Star in 2025. Here, he prioritizes aligning his practice with the goals and needs of each client, serving as their financial advocate and educator in every interaction.

Today, Logan resides in the Minneapolis area. In his free time, he enjoys bow hunting, golfing, river fishing, and spending time out on the lake.

Anthony Schau, CFP® (Iowa City)

Financial Planner & Regional Vice President

Peak Performance: Top Advisors Who Scale | Wednesday, July 22 | 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM

Anthony has been a financial advisor with North Star since 1992. He helps people organize their complete financial picture—from retirement plans to personal insurance to investments—so they can spend less time worrying about their money and more time living.

As a graduate of the University of Iowa, Anthony is a devoted Hawkeye fan, and he enjoys hunting, fishing, and snow and water skiing in his free time. He and his wife live in North Liberty, IA, with their three kids, and he is a past president of the Coralville-North Corridor Rotary Club, past treasurer of the Heritage Christian School in North Liberty, and past president of Iowa NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors).

Ann Wengronowitz, CFP®, RICP® (Minneapolis)

Senior Partner

Sink Or Swim: My Advisor Story | Thursday, July 23 | 1:50 PM – 2:30 PM

Ann started with North Star in 1981. She and her business partner, Emily Malecha, CRPC®, ChFC®, co-founded Confidere Financial on a foundation of collaboration and personalized service in 2019. By focusing on a team approach, they were able to forge stronger relationships with clients and provide tailored financial plans.

Ann has been recognized nationally as a leader among her peers, serving on Cetera’s Advisor Engagement Council, a small and exclusive group of advisors selected to represent over 10,000 advisors by providing strategic input and guidance to Cetera’s executive team. Ann is the past president of WISE, an organization committed to the growth of women financial professionals at Cetera, and she serves as the past president of Premier Resource Group (PRG)’s board of directors, a national organization for financial professionals.

Ann and her husband, Jon, live in Victoria, MN. They have two daughters, one son-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Liz Witzel (Madison)

Partner

Peak Performance: Top Advisors Who Scale | Wednesday, July 22 | 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM

Liz is a financial advisor in North Star Resource Group’s Madison, WI office. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, she understands each stage of client care. Her skill lies in bringing structure to the emotional aspects of personal finance, creating a clear, measurable plan that aligns with long-term retirement goals and her clients’ vision for financial independence.

Liz has been married for over 20 years to her husband, Josh. They have a son, Jadon, who is 15, and two rescue dogs. Together, they are on a mission to visit all the U.S. National Parks and as many ski hills as possible. Liz also has an annual goal of reading 75-100 books per year.

Ed Deutschlander, CLU®, CLF®

Chief Executive Officer

Remarks From Ed | Thursday, July 23 | 8:15 AM – 8:55 AM

Ed Deutschlander has been the CEO at North Star Resource Group since 2016. He joined North Star as a financial advisor in 1993 right off the college campus, but quickly transitioned to recruiting before moving into greater leadership roles within the firm, where he has spent his entire career. Having experienced the industry as an advisor, recruiter, and executive, he brings a multi-faceted perspective to his leadership.

Ed serves as a founding member of the Scott Richards North Star Foundation, which donates 10% of North Star’s annual profits to national and local nonprofits (totaling $7.67 million as of December 2025). He is also a founding board member for Bikes for Kids, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that has gifted over 5,000 bicycles and helmets since 2004.

Ed was born and raised in Chicago and is a 1993 graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. He currently lives and works in Austin, TX, with his wife of 35 years, Toni. Together, they have four adult children (three of whom are team members at North Star) and two rescue dogs.

Diane Yohn, CLU®, RHU®, FLMI

Operating Officer

Working Lunch: New Technology to Support Practice Management | Wednesday, July 22 | 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

Diane has served as COO of North Star Resource Group since 2016. In her role, she manages over 165 team members in Minneapolis and across the country.

Diane started in the financial industry in 1979 at Securian Financial Services, and she joined North Star nine years later, where she held multiple leadership positions before becoming the highest-ranking female executive at North Star in 2016.

Diane is a graduate of Drake University in Iowa, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She currently lives in Bloomington, MN, with her husband, Garry, and near her two sons and two granddaughters.

Gary Schwartz, CLU®, ChFC®, CRPC®

Executive Vice President

Peak Performance: Top Advisors Who Scale | Wednesday, July 22 | 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM

Gary serves as North Star Resource Group’s executive vice president, where he provides professional consulting services to senior financial professionals on developing their teams, succession planning, and leading million-dollar practices.

Gary joined North Star in 2013, bringing with him over 30 years of experience managing financial representatives’ growth at Minnesota Mutual, Securian Financial Services, and Ameriprise Financial Services. He worked for four years as senior vice president of advisor growth and development before being promoted to executive vice president in 2017.

Gary is a long-time Minnesota local, receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, where he was active as a Martin Luther King Economics tutor and was elected to the student governing board of the business school. He later received a Master’s in Industrial Psychology from the University of Minnesota.

Currently, Gary lives in Edina, MN, where he enjoys time in outdoor activities and reading books on leadership and business. Gary also takes time to travel, especially to visit family in Seattle.

Angela Konz

Senior Marketing Specialist

Working Lunch: New Technology to Support Practice Management | Wednesday, July 22 | 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

Since joining North Star in 2022, Angela has focused on strengthening the firm’s visual identity and digital presence. She partners with financial advisors to develop branding, marketing materials, and graphic design elements.

Angela also enhances internal and external platforms through leading the firm’s SharePoint strategy and website design, improving how its teams collaborate and how clients engage online.

Tony Hill

Distribution Specialist

Annuities Panel | Wednesday, July 22 | 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM

Sean McTeague, CFP®

Financial Planning Specialist

Panel: Pricing Your Financial Plans | Thursday, July 23 | 9:30 AM – 10:10 AM

Layten Sjogren

Technology Support Service Specialist

Working Lunch: New Technology to Support Practice Management | Wednesday, July 22 | 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

Layten is a technology support service specialist and has been a member of the IT department since 2022. He helps support and maintain technology systems that enable employees to work efficiently and securely across the organization.

Prior to his current role, Layten served as a service desktop administrator and help desk engineer, building expertise in technical support, systems administration, and end-user service. Before joining the private sector, he served as a data system administrator in the United States Marine Corps, where he developed a strong foundation in IT operations and problem-solving.

Steven Vacinek, CIMA®

Director of Investments

How North Star Investment Resource Center is Supporting Your Success | Wednesday, July 22 | 2:15 PM – 2:50 PM

Matt Vasos

Disability Insurance Specialist

Kick off | Wednesday, July 22 | 1:00 PM – 1:15 PM