Meet the Team

At illumiFI Wealth, “team” doesn’t just mean us — it means you, too. Financial planning works best as a collaboration, combining your goals and values with our guidance and expertise.

Here’s a closer look at the people behind illumiFI Wealth.

Young man with short brown hair, wearing a gray suit and white shirt, smiling against a white background.

  • Founder & CCO

    Rooted in relationships and guided by integrity, Carter’s mission is to walk alongside clients and equip them with the clarity and confidence to pursue their goals with purpose and live intentionally.

    As the founder of illumiFI Wealth, Carter brings a passion for simplifying financial complexity and helping people align their money with what matters most. As a CFP® professional and CSLP®, he specializes in tax planning, student loan strategy, retirement planning, and long-term wealth building.

    When he’s not working with clients, Carter loves being outdoors, golfing, and riding his motorcycle. Faith, family, and community are central in his life, and he makes it a priority to stay active and present with the people he cares about most — especially his wife, Kayla (and their goldendoodle, Reggie!)

A woman with long wavy blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a big smile, wearing a navy blue top, against a plain white background.

  • Marketing & Design Coordinator

    Kayla supports illumiFI Wealth with operations, marketing, and design, helping ensure the firm’s mission and values are communicated with clarity. While not in a client-facing role, her behind-the-scenes contributions create a consistent and professional experience for clients.

    Outside of work, Kayla enjoys long walks, getting lost in a good book, and spending quality time with family — especially at the cabin.

A couple walks along the shoreline at sunset, with calm ocean waters, distant land, and a colorful sky.

Why work with illumiFI?

At illumiFI Wealth, our mission is clear: Illuminating Your Path to Financial Independence.

We exist to help clients simplify complex financial decisions — from navigating six-figures of student loans to building long-term wealth and planning meaningful giving. Our goal is to create those “lightbulb moments” where you not only understand what to do with your money, but also feel confident about why you’re doing it. Because we recognize financial decisions aren’t just about math — they’re shaped by habits, emotions, and the values you carry.

Too often, financial advice feels transactional — driven by products, commissions, or quick fixes. We built illumiFI Wealth to be different. As a fee-only fiduciary, our advice is objective, transparent, and always rooted in your best interests. You’ll never wonder if recommendations are influenced by commissions or sales incentives — they’re designed solely to help you achieve clarity and confidence.

We primarily serve medical professionals, growing families, and generous individuals who want clarity and confidence in their financial lives. We’re passionate about cutting through complexity, equipping clients to make confident decisions, and building plans that align with what matters most. And above all, we aim to be a partner for the long haul — walking alongside you through career changes, family milestones, and the pursuit of financial independence.

Are we a good fit?

We believe the best financial planning happens in partnership — where trust, communication, and shared values create the foundation for long-term success. If you’re looking for more than one-time advice and want an ongoing relationship with a fee-only fiduciary who puts your interests first, we might be a great fit.

The clients we serve often value:

  • Clarity in complex decisions (like cash flow, tax planning, investments, or estate)

  • A planning process that aligns money with their values and goals

  • Guidance that goes beyond numbers to include the “why” behind financial choices

If that sounds like you, I’d be honored to walk alongside you in your journey through financial independence.

FAQs

What does “fee-only” mean?

Fee-only means we are compensated only by the fees clients pay us — not by commissions or product sales. This ensures our advice is objective, transparent, and always in your best interest.

Who do you typically work with?

We primarily serve medical professionals, growing families, and generous individuals who want to simplify their finances, align money with their values, and build toward financial independence.

Typical client profile:

  • Beyond basics of budgeting/living on less than they earn

  • Household income of $200,000+

  • Six-figures of student loans

  • Preparing for retirement (distribution/income strategies, Roth conversion analysis, portfolio risk management, etc.)

  • Generosity as a priority in their plan (charitable giving strategies)

Do I need to live in Minnesota to work with you?

Not at all! While we love serving local clients, we also work with individuals and families across the country through secure video calls and digital planning tools.

What is the difference between financial planning and wealth management?

Comprehensive financial planning focuses on your entire financial picture — cash flow, investments, taxes, retirement, insurance, estate, and more. Wealth management involves rebalancing, trading, tactical model adjustments, and more for your investment accounts.

How do you charge for your services?

For Comprehensive Financial Planning, we charge an ongoing fee (ranging from $100-$500/month) based on complexity of your situation and planning needs.

For Wealth Management, we charge an assets under management (AUM) fee that starts at 0.80% and goes down as household assets increase. As a fee-only CFP® professional, you’ll always know exactly what you’re paying and what you’re getting in return.

Contact us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!