Riverstone Wealth Partners
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![The Market Observatory: Rate Cut Forecast [Audio]](https://blog.commonwealth.com/hubfs/Market-Observatory_Ep-015_Thumbnail.png)
As we approach the Fed’s next meeting at the end of January, what do we expect the central bank to do about rates? In this month’s Market Observatory episode, Sam and I talk about the likely path ahead, the tug-of-war between headlines and fundamentals, and how a pause on rates may shift investor focus to corporate earnings, which continue to beat expectations.
![Market Thoughts for January 2026 [Video]](https://blog.commonwealth.com/hubfs/Market-Thoughts-January-2026_V01_20260102.00_00_06_19.Still041.png)
December was a mixed month for markets. The Nasdaq ended the month down slightly, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones saw modest gains. Overall, markets had a strong 2025, with all three major U.S. indices up between 15 and 21 percent for the year. The economy also continued to expand throughout 2025, as shown by the 4.3 percent annualized GDP growth rate in Q3. Consumer spending has remained resilient and helped power the economy throughout the year.
![LPL Financial 2026 Outlook: The Market Observatory [Video]](https://blog.commonwealth.com/hubfs/26TMO-Hubspot-META-300x200.png)
As we get ready for 2026, investors are faced with some uncertainty about the path ahead. Consumer confidence has deteriorated, the jobs market seems to be slowing, and inflation has started to tick up. But against this backdrop, the market still seems positioned for another year of solid gains. So, what are the risks—and the opportunities—as we begin a new year?
As we enter 2026, we do so with the combined power and efforts of LPL Financial and Commonwealth. In the spirit of that partnership, we encourage you to check out the LPL Research team’s 2026 Outlook,* available now. I think you’ll find the team’s analysis and insights to be valuable as you help clients plan for the year ahead. With that same goal in mind, I’d like to provide my thoughts on what investors can expect in 2026.
![Market Thoughts for December 2025 [Video]](https://blog.commonwealth.com/hubfs/Market-Thoughts-December-2025_V01_20251201.00_00_05_05.Still039.jpg)
After declines in early November, a late-month rebound brought the S&P 500 and Dow Jones to positive territory, although the technology-heavy Nasdaq ended the month down 1.45 percent. Turning to the economy, a delayed employment report showed a rebound in hiring in September, following modest job losses in August. But the unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent, marking the highest level since late 2021.
![The Market Observatory: When Will the Economic Data Return? [Audio]](https://blog.commonwealth.com/hubfs/2025_MarketObservatory_November_16x9_v2.00_00_02_16.Still001.jpg)
The government shutdown is over, but when will the economic data return? That’s the big question for the Fed—and for investors. In this month’s episode of the Market Observatory, Sam and I discuss which economic data we’re likely to see soon, what the quality of that data will be, and whether there are some reports we may not get at all.
Senior Wealth Advisor
Series 7, 24, 63, and 65
Life and Health Insurance Licensed
With nearly four decades of experience in the financial services industry, Jeff brings a deep well of knowledge and a client-first mindset to his role as a financial planner. His career began with 19 years in investment wholesaling, representing major Chicago-based mutual fund companies and specializing in 401(k) plans, variable annuities, and other retirement-focused strategies.
For the past 20+ years, Jeff has focused on helping individuals and families navigate their financial journeys – from building wealth to planning for retirement and beyond. He holds FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 licenses, along with life and health insurance licenses, equipping him to offer truly comprehensive financial advice.
Jeff believes in developing lasting relationships with his clients by understanding their unique goals and tailoring financial strategies to match. His long-standing career is a testament to his commitment to ethical practices, in-depth planning, and client education.
When he’s not working with clients, Jeff enjoys life as a devoted husband, proud father of three, and an even prouder grandfather. Much of his free time is spent on the sidelines, cheering on his grandchildren at volleyball, softball, soccer, basketball, and cheer competitions – moments he values every bit as much as his work in financial planning.
Senior Wealth Advisor
Series 7, 63, and 65
Kristen Massie joined Riverstone in June 2025, bringing over 24 years of experience in the financial services industry. As a seasoned Senior Wealth Advisor, she is recognized for providing comprehensive financial guidance tailored to the unique needs of individuals and families. Kristen combines a deep knowledge of financial advisory services with a strong background in operations, delivering both strategic insight and seamless execution.
Passionate about building long-term client relationships, Kristen is committed to helping people navigate complex financial concepts with clarity and confidence.
Originally from Upper Michigan, Kristen and her husband, Marc, relocated to the Fond du Lac area in 2001. In 2018, they purchased their “forever home” in the Holy Hills of Mount Calvary, Wisconsin—a home that remains a constant work-in-progress. Outside of her professional life, Kristen enjoys visiting family in Upper Michigan and tackling home improvement projects with Marc. Together, they cherish time spent with their two adult sons, Trevor and Sean.
Operations Manager
Irenda joined Riverstone Wealth Partners in November 2024, bringing over 21 years of banking experience and 15 years of executive leadership to the team. She is deeply passionate about financial literacy and empowering others, with a strong focus on women’s health and community involvement.
Currently serving as the 2024/2025 Chair for the American Heart Association, Irenda is dedicated to promoting heart health and wellness. She also serves on two boards—one focused on financial literacy and the other on nonprofit initiatives—reflecting her commitment to both personal and community growth.
Recognized as a top leader in 2023 by her peers, Irenda is known for her stern yet flexible approach to leadership, effectively managing and inspiring her teams. She initially began her journey in nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee but realized her true passion for finance after one year, leading her to change her major to business management.
In addition to her professional achievements, Irenda is a passionate volunteer, helping those less fortunate unlock their full potential. She is currently writing a series of children’s books aimed at teaching financial literacy, reflecting her belief in the power of financial education for future generations.
Outside of work, Irenda enjoys spending time with her husband, Herman Jones, with whom she has been married for 8 years. Together, they have four beautiful sons, and a lovable 90-pound Labrador named Rocko. A proud twin sister with a shared passion for finance, she enjoys traveling, hiking, and volunteering at her church in her free time.
Client Relationship Specialist
Olivia has joined Riverstone Wealth Partners providing knowledge gained from her 15 plus years in management. Olivia has provided services within the financial industry, mortgage industry, and in the non-profit sector. Olivia thrives on providing stellar customer service, accomplishing all goals set before her, and doing the right thing. Olivia’s degree in Business Management allowed her to take on roles that ultimately led her to Riverstone Wealth Partners. Olivia is currently pursuing another degree with an emphasizes in Human Resources, which she has learned over time… is her passion!
Outside of work, Olivia enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Other things of interest include, faith-building, traveling, and being in attendance for a great live show/concert. You could possibly see Olivia at The Fiserv Forum supporting her local team, The Milwaukee Bucks! Olivia believes that it is important to make memories with loved ones while you are able. She absolutely LOVES a reason to celebrate someone or something! Olivia is a firm believer in “The Golden Rule.” She believes that everyone deserves kindness and respect. Finally, Olivia is optimistic about her future at Riverstone Wealth Partners and will always see the glass half full.
Client Relationship Specialist
Originally from Guyana, Percy has lived in various regions across the country and eventually planted roots in the Midwest, where she began her career in customer service and finance. Percy is passionate about supporting our advisors as they help clients navigate their financial goals. Over the years, she has developed a strong commitment to understanding people, building meaningful connections, and providing exceptional service.
Outside of work, she cherishes quality time with her husband and their three wonderful children. As a family, they enjoy exploring new destinations, relaxing by the beach, and immersing ourselves in the beauty of nature. Percy is also an avid photographer, capturing the small yet meaningful moments that make life so special. In her free time, she enjoys playing with their dogs and embracing the simple joys of everyday life.
She is dedicated to continuous learning and growth, always seeking opportunities to improve both personally and professionally. Percy states, “Building meaningful relationships is at the heart of everything I do, whether with clients or loved ones.”
Wealth Advisor
SIE | Series 7, 63, and 66
Brenna has a profound dedication to collaborating closely with advisors and their clients, leveraging over 10 years of experience in the financial industry, to define and achieve financial aspirations. Known as an astute and uncritical listener, she finds value in understanding the unique experiences and perspectives that shape each individual’s financial journey. Brenna believes in a personalized approach to financial wellness, rooted in trust and mutual understanding.
As a native to the area, Brenna has lived in Elkhart Lake, Howards Grove, Cedar Grove and Sheboygan. Her experience in investment and bank management in the Greater Milwaukee area prior to joining Riverstone equipped her with invaluable insights into client needs and community dynamics. She is overjoyed to support the current and next generation of clients in the local area she calls home.
Places you might bump into Brenna outside of the office: combing the shores of Lake Michigan in search of beach glass, staying active at the gym, volunteering at local animal rescues, or enjoying anything outdoors with her husband, Cody, and their dog, Milah. She takes great pride in her involvement in philanthropic endeavors supporting veterans, women, animal welfare, and underserved communities.
Client Relationship Specialist
Liz has worked in a variety of customer service positions her whole life! She is excited to continue with this focus by building relationships with customers at Riverstone and assisting the team with marketing support. Liz graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse with a degree in Marketing, an emphasis in Digital Media Studies and Design, as well as a certificate in Professional and Technical Writing. Some of her interests outside of the office include playing with her dog Riley, attending yoga classes, reading, traveling, and hiking.
Financial Planning Assistant
Chrissy provides administrative support to the advisors on the Riverstone team and their clients. She joined Riverstone in 2022 after spending the last 18 years running her family household and raising three girls with her husband John. Chrissy’s cheerful personality, marketing and creative skills, and love for conversation make her a great fit with our firm.
Outside of the office she is a passionate supporter of and volunteer for Little Friends – Naperville through her time spent at Serendipity resale shop in Aurora, IL. You may also find her at a Yoga or workout class during her free time. She is a graduate of UIC and currently resides in Aurora, IL.
Wealth Advisor
SIE | Series 7 and 66
Pablo is passionate about living a life of intent, and enjoys helping clients find the meaning behind their goals and connecting them to their financial plan. Pablo has been in financial services for 9 years in a variety of operational and frontline roles, and likes to apply his knowledge from positions in banking and investment management to provide clients with a holistic experience.
“I remember I would always count things growing up. In fact, I still count everything. How many steps it takes to get from where I park to the front door. How many steps there are in a house. And many more. Numbers have always been my passion, and fortunately for me, I’m passionate about people too. And when you connect numbers with what they mean to people, you can transform the financial planning experience. That’s what drives me.”
Pablo was originally born in Bogota, Colombia, and grew up moving to different countries in the Americas thanks to his parents’ work in the pharmaceutical industry. This fostered his love of travel and learning about different cultures; he’s always eager to share a life story and to hear the stories of those he meets.
Outside of work, Pablo enjoys spending time with his wife, Andrea, and his daughters Ana, Mila, and Cecilia. When they’re not playing in the backyard as a family, you can find them at a campground or hiking through a state park. Pablo is also active in Sheboygan’s chess club and soccer leagues, enjoys volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and their local congregation, and likes learning about wild food foraging.
Ashley has been working in the customer service field since she started her first job at age 16. For the past ten years she worked in an office setting handling accounts payable and receivable as well as some receptionist work. She is very excited to learn more about the investment field.
Born and raised in Sheboygan, Ashley enjoys spending her free time with family, friends, and her 11-year-old Shih Tzu Oliver. She loves anything outdoors. Some of her favorite hobbies include snowmobiling, attending country music concerts, and being on the beach or around a fire. She also loves watching the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers and tries to attend as many games as possible. Tailgating included of course!
Client Relationship Specialist II
Alec joined Riverstone after starting out his post college career on the operations side of an international logistics company working as an account executive. Graduating with a BA in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he quickly developed a strong interest in the financial world. A lifetime resident of the Chicagoland area, Alec is an avid fan of his hometown sports teams. He is also an enthusiast of outdoor activities like fishing, camping, and hiking whenever possible.
Vice President of Operations and Integrator
Series 6, 7, and 66
CPA, CAIA
Dave joined Riverstone after a successful career with a major global banking firm, building on his early experience in operations and change management within the institutional asset management industry since 1992. He holds an MBA in Finance and a BS in Accounting from DePaul University in Chicago and is both a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA).
A longtime resident of South Elgin, Dave has lived in the Chicagoland area since 1980. Outside of work, he is a Harley-Davidson enthusiast, enjoys golfing with his wife and spending time along the sunny shores of southwest Florida.
Wealth Advisor
Series 7, 63, and 65
With over three decades of experience in the financial industry, Shelly has built a career based on trust, integrity, and a true passion for helping people. Her approach is built on long-term relationships, personalized strategies, and a commitment to truly understanding what matters most to each client.
Known for her warm, approachable style and meticulous attention to detail, she prides herself on being not just an advisor, but a partner in her clients’ financial lives. “I genuinely love what I do,” she says. “There is nothing more fulfilling than helping my clients feel confident and secure about their future.”
Outside of the office, Shelly enjoys spending time with her husband, Glen, and their adult kids Camryn and Reece. She enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, and cheering on her favorite sports teams from Wisconsin-the Badgers and the Packers.
Senior Client Relationship Specialist
Series 6 and 63
With 20 years in the Investment field and 35 in the Finance industry, Rita provides multifaceted support to the Advisor Team at Riverstone Wealth Partners.
“I strive to provide excellent service to co-workers and clients. I’m blessed with a strong work ethic and enjoy helping others.”
The best part of her day is connecting with people from all walks of life and learning about something new… whether that’s a recipe, a good book or new places to visit. Most weekends are filled with making happy memories with family and friends, working on her lengthy honey-do list and relaxing.
Senior Wealth Advisor
Series 7, 63 and 65
Insurance Licensed
For over 30 years, Nancy has guided individuals and families in building thoughtful, well-balanced financial plans designed to grow with them throughout their lives. From college savings and retirement planning to long-term care and strategic asset allocation, she offers clear, ongoing guidance tailored to each client’s evolving needs.
Nancy values a collaborative approach and is committed to honest, objective advice. She speaks with clarity, always treating her clients’ financial decisions with the same care and attention she would give her own.
“I truly enjoy supporting my clients’ financial well-being. By understanding their personal stories, I can help ensure their finances serve them—and their families—today and for generations to come.”
Nancy lives in Naperville with her husband, Phil, and their dog, Theo. Their two adult children and 3 grandchildren live in the Chicago and Michigan area. In her free time, she loves reading (usually two books at once), golfing, biking, practicing yoga and Pilates, traveling, and spending summer days on the beach in Michigan, savoring fresh garden meals. A former Trustee of the Naperville Public Library Board, Nancy actively gives back to her community through volunteer work with Loaves & Fishes and Mutual Grounds.
Wealth Advisor | Director of Business Development
Series 6, 7, 63 and 65
Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA)
Kyle heads the team’s investment research, covering everything from portfolio construction to staying informed on market updates. As an advisor, he knows he can have a dramatic impact on someone’s well-being by preparing them for life’s unexpected events. Giving clients that sense of peace and well-being is why he comes to work every day.
“Ever since I was 14 and filing paperwork at a local bank for a Senior Advisor who shared the same last name, I knew this was what I wanted to do. I could also see the trust and joy the Advisor shared with her clients while planning for their future.”
Intrigued by the stock market and proficient with math, making sure that the right numbers were in place to fund futures was a natural fit for Kyle. He has completed his Certified Financial Planner education and will soon be sitting for the test.
Outside of the office, you can find him camping, kayaking, biking, hiking or road tripping with his wife Ashley and their two dogs, Brady and Bella. He most recently spent several months driving across Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming while crossing nine national parks off his bucket list. Kyle is also an avid fisherman, so don’t be surprised if you catch him on the river in front of the office.
Wealth Advisor
Series 7, 63, 65 Insurance License
Kim truly enjoys the long-term relationships she’s built with her clients over the years while helping them achieve their financial goals.
“Clients appreciate my honesty, reliability and detail-oriented mindset whether it’s crunching numbers to make sure portfolios are properly aligned or preparing client paperwork.”
In her down time, Kim enjoys reading, going to concerts and theater, travel and hiking with her dog Macey.
Senior Wealth Advisor / Registered Principal
Series 7, 24, 63, and 65
Investment Advisor Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network
Licensed in 14 states
Ken enjoys challenging people to grow and encouraging them to pursue things they might not otherwise have done had they not met him. He thinks of what he does as legacy planning – but not in the traditional financial planning sense of the word.
“Over the years I’ve witnessed clients in their later retirement years start to think about how they will be remembered when they’re gone. By starting to think about this sooner rather than later, clients are more likely to feel a sense of fulfillment with regard to how they’ve lived their life and their ability to make the world a better place. It’s not necessarily always about the numbers in the account, but oftentimes it can help these legacy-defining activities happen.”
Growing up without much, Ken’s parents emphasized hard work and savings. He got in the habit of saving a portion of every dollar he earned whether it was from birthdays, holidays or from his paper route he started when he was twelve. Through his own savings, he was able to buy and race BMX bikes as a kid and purchase his first car at 17. Ken found great satisfaction in saving, knowing that by simply deferring the gratification he could accomplish something with far greater impact that really mattered to him. He now enjoys helping others do the same.
Ken and his wife Michelle enjoy spending time with their two kids and dog. Music is a constant in the Koppitz household – both listening to and, for the kids, performing. And, Ken has never outgrown playing cars with his friends – he enjoys driving on tracks throughout the country, providing classroom instruction and in-car high performance driver coaching. Additionally, he’s been involved in Audi Club’s Teen Driving Clinic helping refine the driving skills of hundreds of new teen drivers over the years.
Senior Wealth Advisor / Registered Principal
Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) Series 7, 24, 63, 65
Registered in 23 states
Life Insurance Licensed
Jodi summarizes her work philosophy with three words: Listen. Organize. Guide. She listens to clients and thought leaders, organizes economic data, market trends and client information, and makes it all personal by providing guidance in financial planning and portfolio management.
“Connecting to people and organizations with shared values of integrity, positivity, perseverance, compassion and the spirit of generosity has been the most amazing experience of my life.”
My grandfather was an international business consultant. As a child, I visited his office and he explained how they reviewed all the pieces of a company and developed a strategy to help the company get stronger. I loved the idea of taking those puzzle pieces and putting them together to help individuals and families. As an Advisor, my passion is to guide clients to make good decisions. Ultimately, I saw the resulting sense of well-being created in my clients once they had a plan and someone they trusted to share their goals and concerns. Our clients are phenomenal people who I enjoy and learn from every day. I truly care about them and am humbled and amazed at the many ways in which they express their appreciation.”
Over the years, Jodi’s clients have watched her raise four very active children which included the usual sports, music, and urgent care visits. Whether they are hanging out by the backyard grill, traveling, golfing, hiking, biking or playing Scrabble, their high energy friends and family tends to expand to include just a few more loved ones… or loved-ones-to-be.
Above all, Jodi loves making connections. Just like her father, her brain automatically goes to “What do we have in common that will help me know you better?” She met her very first client walking home from Wall Street on her way to the NJ commuter train. A few words started a conversation and by the time they reached their destination, he said, “I could use an IRA. Maybe we should talk more.”
