Knowledge - Integrity - Impact

Our Team

Mike Laatsch

President & Financial Advisor 

About Mike: 

Mike is responsible for managing client relationships and company strategy at Innovative Planning Group. Mike received his degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and maintains his Series 6, 7, 63, through LPL Financial and the Series 65 held through Great Valley Advisor Group. 

Mike and his family enjoy being active in local charities, spending time on the lake, and getting in the occasional round of golf.

OUR TEAM

Aaron Brandt

Vice President & Financial Advisor

About Aaron:

Aaron is responsible for managing client relationships, and company strategy. Aaron received two Bachelor of Science Degrees in Accounting and Finance from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He also maintains his Series 6,7, and 63, through LPL Financial and the Series 65 held through Great Valley Advisor Group.

Aaron and his wife, Adrianna, live in Maple Grove, MN. They have a son, Lincoln. They enjoy traveling, breweries, and spending time with family back on each other’s family farms in Southwest Minnesota. 

 

Our Team 

Justin Larson, CFA

Vice President of Investments

About Justin:

Justin is responsible for maintaining, implementing, and monitoring Innovative Planning Group’s investment strategy. Justin is a CFA® charterholder, a member of the CFA Society of Minnesota, and holds degrees in Finance & Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Prior to joining IPG, Justin worked as an investment analyst, financial analyst, and accountant at various companies and LPL Financial. Justin maintains his Series 6, 7, 63, and 66 licenses held through LPL Financial.

Justin and his wife, Kylie, live in Plymouth, MN.  They have a son, Rowan, and a golden retriever named Piper. They enjoy spending time outside - whether it’s taking Piper to the dog park, playing golf, or venturing north to the lake. They can also be found at various restaurants across the Twin Cities enjoying a date night together. 

 

Our Team

Nolan Schoonveld 

Director of Operations

About Nolan: 

Nolan is responsible for helping manage client communications, marketing, technology initiatives, and onboarding new clients. He is a graduate of Hamline University with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Finance. 

Nolan enjoys spending time with two different organizations, Special Olympics Minnesota and Hamline University where he serves on the Young Professionals Board of Directors as well as Hamline's Piper Athletic Association. Nolan is in charge of the Blue Ocean Invitational, a golf tournament Benefiting Special Olympics Minnesota Athletes. If he isn’t helping with something related to baseball or golf, you can find him at his lake house and spending time with family and friends. 

 

Our Team

Katie Kroll

Director of Growth and Development

About katie:

Katie joined IPG in June 2022.  Katie is dedicated to helping others grow and is a natural connector.  In her role as Director of Growth and Development, Katie is responsible for partnering with advisors who are needing support and direction with succession planning. She also helps create best practices and supports building out our organization to better serve our clients and affiliated IPG partners.  Katie holds a degree in Business Management and comes to IPG with over 10 years of industry experience. 

Katie and her husband live in River Falls, WI with their four children.  In her spare time, you can find her at one of her kid's sporting events, volunteering in the community, riding a motorcycle with her husband, visiting her lake home or tavern up in northern WI, or a long walk with a friend.

OUR TEAM 

Sadie Bresnahan

Investment Assistant

ABOUT Sadie:

Sadie is responsible for the preparation and planning for client meetings and she may be joining in on some meetings as a paraplanner to help develop financial plans and recommendations. Sadie is a senior at the University of St. Thomas pursuing a degree in Finance and will be graduating in May 2023.

Sadie lives in St. Paul, Minnesota and grew up playing hockey in her hometown Plymouth, MN. She enjoys spending time on the lake at her family cabin, downhill skiing, and actively volunteering for the United Heroes League organization.

OUR TEAM

Trevor Wasbotten

Associate, Investment Operations

ABOUT Trevor:

Trevor is responsible for assisting in the preparation of various client meeting topics, as well as implementing trading activities in accordance with the overall investment strategy. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a Bachelor of Business Administration, while majoring in Finance, and Management, and maintains his Series 7, 66, and SIE through LPL Financial.

Trevor lives in Hudson, WI. He enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his friends and family. Some of his favorite activities include kayaking, exploring the state park, and boating trips on the St. Croix River.

OUR TEAM

Ellie Welsh 

Financial Representative

ABOUT Ellie: 

Ellie is responsible for managing client relationships and facilitating new ones. Ellie received two Bachelor of Science Degrees in Mathematics and Finance from Michigan Technological University where she played DII basketball. She maintains her Series 6 and 63 through LPL Financial.

Ellie and her partner, Nick, live in St. Paul, MN. They have a rescue dog, Stanley, who they love to take on adventures with them. They enjoy traveling, hiking, and trying out new restaurants in the Twin Cities.

OUR TEAM

Blake Gleason

Financial Advisor

ABOUT Blake: 

Blake brings several years of experience working diligently with clients and specializes in assisting young families, farmers, and business owners with every aspect of their financial lives. He maintains his Series 7, 66 along with Life and Health Insurance Licenses. Blake’s commitment and work ethic are evident not only by his recent work with clients, but also via his time at UW-River Falls where he played football while obtaining majors in both Finance and Economics.

During his free time, you can catch him out on the water boating or hosting friends and family at his cabin in Cross Lake, MN.

OUR TEAM

Josie Johnson

CLIENT SERVICING INTERN

ABOUT JOSIE: 

Josie is responsible for assisting with client communications and marketing. Her face will be the first you see when you come into the office and she will be ready to help with whatever is needed. Currently, she is a senior at UW-River Falls pursuing a Bachelor's of Marketing Communications and Communication Studies and will graduate in May.

Josie has just returned from a semester of studying abroad throughout various countries in Europe and is always happy to talk about her adventures. She is also a Captain for the UWRF women's lacrosse team, which is where she spends most of her time outside of studying and work. In her free time, Josie enjoys photography and spending time at the lake with friends and family.