It takes a committed team to coordinate and manage all aspects of financial health and well-being. We possess a deep-rooted passion for maintaining our core relationships with clients and helping them manage the primary resources and connections that inform their lives and futures.
We are committed to doing what’s best for our clients. We are always looking out for you.
We champion a rich and well-rounded life. Stability in financial life is the foundation of meaningful growth.
We are deeply aware of how our emotions shape financial decisions. We use this understanding to ensure decisions are made with confidence and reflect your values
We provide guidance that is on time and on point. Details matter as the little things make big things happen.
Service, Strategy, Results: Because there is no other way.
Matt transformed his childhood passion for the stock market into his life work and purpose. He graduated with a degree in Finance, Investment & Banking from the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Business. Following college in 2003, he worked in a training program for Kellogg Capital Group. By the end of 2006, he served as a Senior Analyst for an investment fund, managing a team of five. During the 2008 recession, Matt received calls from friend and family requesting financial guidance. As financial markets melted down, Matt decided it was time to help people plan their financial strategies and to directly lift their financial spirits. In 2009 he founded his own firm, Illumination Wealth Management, with a simple mission – to empower people with financial clarity so they can build their wealth and live their best financial life.
Norman joined Illumination in 2015 as a Financial Planner, bringing with him a diverse array of financial experiences and background expertise. He previously worked as a CPA in a public accounting firm, as a manager of corporate income taxes at BellSouth, and as the leader of the financial operations team at CareerBuilder. Norman earned his master’s degree from the University of Georgia where he specialized in tax. He cultivated his interest in investing during college and made personal finance a key focus of his career. Norman moved to San Diego from Chicago in 2014 with his husband Matt and enjoys traveling, technology, photography, and cooking.
Ben joined Illumination in 2014 as an investment advisor, bringing more than 40 years of investment experience with him. Ben’s successful investment career has spanned many different market environments. Prior to joining Illumination, he served as a Senior Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, advising on over $6 billion of fixed income assets at Voyageur Asset Management and Piper Capital Management. While at Piper, Ben started and managed the number one ranked Lipper Government Bond Mutual Fund. He was CEO and board member of a recently acquired investment advisory firm, and is currently on the board and treasurer of a successful, privately held manufacturing company. In addition, Ben has appeared on CNBC and frequently appeared on Minnesota Public Radio’s “Sound Money.” For many years he regularly broadcasted market commentary on WCCO radio and has been featured in Fortune, Barron’s, Chicago Tribune, Minneapolis Star Tribune and other publications.
Kimberly’s journey in finance began over a decade ago in Maryland, driven by a passion for building deep, trusting relationships with clients. Throughout her career, she developed an intimate understanding of the nuanced challenges affluent families face including navigating business sales, complex wealth transfers, or sudden wealth events like divorce or inheritance. Her experience positions her to deliver the elevated level of service and strategic thinking that sophisticated clients require.
At Illumination Wealth, Kimberly serves as a wealth advocate for business owners, entrepreneurs, and wealth creators. Kimberly earned her MBA from the University of Maryland and previously served as NexGen Director for the National Financial Planning Association.
Based in La Grange, Texas, Kimberly is actively involved in her community as a Lions Club member and docent at Festival Hill Institute. Outside of work, you’ll find her sailing, traveling, or learning how to work cattle on the ranch.
Christine joined Illumination Wealth in 2025 as a Financial Planner. She brings 13 years of experience in wealth management, working with high-net-worth families, business owners, entrepreneurs, and farmers on everything from protecting their assets to navigating the financial side of divorce and managing crop-hedging strategies. Christine is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS®), and Enrolled Agent (EA). She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Originally from Arizona, Christine now lives in Orchard Park, NY with her spouse and their two young children, and she loves golfing, hiking, and enjoying sauce Sundays with family.
John passionately believes in the propitious power of financial planning. He thrives on helping others master their finances, knowing the power this confers to meaningfully enrich their lives. And he particularly enjoys working with the more advanced challenges of planning for busy professionals, business people, and entrepreneurs. John is a Certified Financial Planner® who originally came to planning from a prior career in high-tech management and entrepreneurship. His prior positions include, co-founding a successful startup as Vice President of Engineering at PicoPower Technology, and leading multiple design teams as Director of Engineering at National Semiconductor. John also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University, and a Master’s in International Management from Thunderbird Graduate School. Beyond the office, John is an avid health and fitness buff. So far, he has tackled the Ironman Triathlon (Kona, Hawaii), the Boston Marathon, and the Pikes Peak Marathon. While above all, John enjoys spending quality time with his delightful partner and four fabulous children.
Sara joined Illumination in 2022 as a Financial Planner. She graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Finance and began her career working for an investment bank in their energy markets division. Sara decided to make the switch to personal finance due to her desire to work more closely with clients and help them achieve their personal goals. She earned her Certified Financial Planner ™ designation in 2017. Sara lives in Houston, TX with her wife and their three dogs. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors playing golf or cheering on her favorite sports teams at her neighborhood brewery.
Faranak joined Illumination Wealth as a Financial Planner in 2026, bringing more than a decade of experience across financial services and wealth management. She began her career in retail banking with Capital One before transitioning into the RIA space, where she has supported high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, and executives through a wide range of financial complexities.
Her career blends brokerage and investment operations, financial planning, client-focused strategy, and deep relationship building. Faranak is passionate about helping clients gain clarity, move forward with confidence, and pursue long-term financial security through personalized, disciplined guidance. She takes pride in earning trust through thoughtful execution, compassion, and a genuine commitment to the people she serves.
Faranak earned her B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and her M.S. in Management. Outside of work, she is a professional photographer and avid adventurer who enjoys challenging hikes, biking, playing volleyball, and traveling internationally with friends and family to explore new cultures, cuisines, and perspectives.
Moog Kim joined Illumination Wealth in 2025 as an Associate Financial Planner. He began his career at a boutique wealth management firm with a focus on tax strategies, which sparked his passion for helping clients navigate the full scope of their financial lives. From his hometown in Cincinnati, Ohio, Moog earned his Finance degree from the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business and is committed to empowering individuals and families through thoughtful, personalized planning. He currently lives in Colorado with his cat, Nala, and spends his free time rock climbing, hiking, and snowboarding in the mountains.
Zachary joined Illumination in 2026 as an Associate Financial Planner. His background includes experience as a support specialist at eMoney Advisor and most recently working with a team at Focus Partners Wealth serving high-net-worth individuals. Working on his family farm offered him early exposure to investment decisions, long-term planning, and risk management, experiences that sparked his interest in holistic financial planning. He understands that when it comes to a business, there are no days off. A graduate of Virginia Tech, he earned a degree in Finance and completed the program’s rigorous financial planning track. Zachary lives in Richmond, Virginia with his girlfriend Olivia. He enjoys hiking historical trails, fly fishing, and photography.
Joshua joined Illumination Wealth in 2026 as an Associate Financial Planner. He is a passionate learner dedicated to continuously honing his professional knowledge which allows him to provide excellent service to clients and colleagues. He brings with him a Bachelor of Science in Financial Planning from George Fox University and over 3 years of experience in wealth management having served in support roles to CPAs, Trust Officers, and Financial Planners. Additionally, he is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC ), and Tax Planning Certified Professional (TPCP ) through the American College of Financial Services.
He believes that the transformative power of financial planning extends well beyond individual success: that it truly leads to families, businesses, and communities flourishing.
Outside of work, he is first and foremost a family man and spends most of his free time with his young family. As an Eagle Scout he thoroughly enjoys taking his family on hiking adventures throughout the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, he is an avid reader and is particularly interested in working his way through his own personal “Great Books” program.
Danielle joined Illumination Wealth in the spring of 2020 and has been instrumental in strengthening the firm’s operations, HR, and compliance functions. She began her career in financial services in 2014, supporting the growth of a boutique investment firm in Del Mar, CA. In her role as Operations Manager, Danielle applies her decade of industry expertise and SHRM-CP certification to optimize workflows and enhance efficiency to support the firm’s long-term growth. Danielle earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and currently resides in San Diego. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, golfing, and spending time with her family.
Stephanie became part of the Illumination Wealth team in January 2022, taking on the role of Client Service Associate. Her journey began after she earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas State University, and she ventured into the financial services sector. During her initial tenure, Stephanie provided invaluable support to two private wealth managers. Her deep commitment to client service and continuous learning led her to assume the position of Client Service Manager at Illumination Wealth. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.
Nicole joined Illumination Wealth in December 2023 as a Client Service Associate. She spent 17 years at a Berkeley investment firm and enjoys assisting clients on the service and administrative side of their financial journey. Nicole is a graduate of San Diego State University and was inducted into the SDSU Hall of Fame for tennis in 2003. She is an Arizona native and currently lives in the Bay Area with her husband and semi-feral cat. Nicole enjoys long walks, reading, trips to wine country, and playing music.
Barbara joined Illumination in 2021 as a Senior Bookkeeper. In addition to being a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and having established her own small-business bookkeeping practice, she brings with her a wide ranging business background in Project Management, Sales and Account Management across a variety of industries. Her experiences fueled her interest in helping small business owners better manage their financial accounts so they could in-turn grow their businesses. She earned her bachelors at the University of California, Davis. Outside the office Barbara enjoys learning the piano, gardening, making kombucha, and spending time with her family.
Hannah joined Illumination Wealth in 2022 as a Full Charge Bookkeeper. A Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor, she possesses a diverse array of business bookkeeping experience across a variety of industries, including NFPs, e-commerce, professional services, and real estate. As the former Head of Finance for a NYC-based 501(c) non-profit, she has firsthand experience working with an independent bookkeeping service as a client, and Hannah leverages this understanding of the client experience to ensure a best-in-class engagement for clients. Hannah holds a BFA from Ohio University and is an avid film and literary fiction buff.
Onyx is Illumination Wealth’s Financial Therapy Dog. Onyx was born during the Great Recession on a farm in South Dakota. He migrated out west and has been at Matt’s feet since the inception of Illumination Wealth. Onyx is a source of unconditional love and positivity for the entire Illumination Wealth community no matter the ups or downs.