Meet Your Team

Brian Schaap is a Managing Partner and Wealth Planner at Oak Leaf Financial Group, where he leads his team and works directly with clients who want their financial plan to reflect who they are, not just what they have.
Brian began his career in auditing at a national accounting firm, working with manufacturing companies, before finding his calling in financial planning in 2010. In 2017, he partnered with Matt Kerber and a now-retired advisor to found Oak Leaf Financial Group. Brian grew up watching his dad run a hardware store, which meant watching someone carry the real weight of ownership every day. As a business owner himself, he brings that foundation into Oak Leaf and his work with small business clients. His philosophy is simple: the best financial plan is the one that reflects who you are, what you value, and the life you're called to live.

For many of his clients, money is about more than accumulation. It's about living consistently with what they believe.
Brian holds both a CFP® and a Certified Kingdom Advisor® designation, reflecting his commitment to planning that goes beyond the numbers. He helps clients think through generosity and stewardship alongside the practical work of tax reduction, Roth conversions, and maximizing deductions. Because how you manage your money and how you want to live shouldn't be separate conversations.

Outside the office, you'll find Brian outdoors with his wife Kayla and their daughters Charlotte (12) and Ingrid (10).
They enjoy hiking, camping, and kayaking. Personally, he enjoys tennis, golf, running, and serving at his church. Every so often he lines up for a Tough Mudder to keep things interesting. He also isn't known to turn down a good cup of coffee.

Matt Kerber is a Partner and Wealth Planner at Oak Leaf Financial Group.
Matt Kerber specializes in comprehensive financial planning for individuals, families, and small business owners. Matt began his career in auditing at a national accounting firm before transitioning into financial advising at Waddell & Reed. In 2017, he merged into Oak Leaf Financial Group alongside Brian Schaap and a now-retired advisor.

Matt serves as Oak Leaf's experienced professional on insurance, annuity, and small business retirement plan strategies.
He works with clients and team members aiming to build guaranteed income, protect against market downside, and create tax-deferred growth through annuities, while also helping protect what matters most through life insurance, long-term care, and disability coverage. For business owners, Matt brings additional depth in designing and implementing small business retirement plans tailored to their goals and their team.

What sets Matt apart is his perspective as a working business owner.
In addition to being a Partner at Oak Leaf Financial Group, Matt and his wife,
Ashley, own and operate Next Steps Learning Centers — a 100+ employee organization. From leasing decisions to vendor management to day-to-day operations, he understands the full scope of what it means to run a business. For small business owner clients, that firsthand experience makes him an exceptionally valuable partner.

Matt lives in Chaska with Ashley and their three daughters — Cecelia (10), Willa (8), and Stella (6).
When he's not at the office, you'll find him cheering at the girls' activities, spending time at the family cabin, or rooting for the Minnesota Vikings and Wild.

Nicholas Andresen is a Wealth Planner at Oak Leaf Financial Group.
Nick began his career at a global wealth management company, where he helped build the alternative investment department and developed deep expertise in portfolio construction and investment strategy. He later joined a national accounting firm, working within the wealth management division, an experience that sharpened his focus on the intersection of investing and tax planning. The result is an advisor who thinks about portfolios and tax strategy as one integrated picture, not two separate conversations. 

Nick leads Oak Leaf's dividend and growth investment strategy.
Nick's client investment philosophy starts with a simple question: What is this money supposed to do? A client in the accumulation phase needs a strategy built for long-term growth. A client entering retirement needs a portfolio designed to generate dependable income. And for many, the dividend and growth strategy sits at the intersection of both, producing growing income while continuing to build wealth over time. Nick also serves on Oak Leaf's investment committee, contributing to the oversight of the firm's mutual fund and ETF portfolios. For clients where it fits, he can incorporate alternative investments such as private equity, private credit, and hedged strategies as a complement. The right strategy is simply the one that meets your goals, whether that's retirement income, accumulation, or legacy.

Nick brings an emphasis on tax strategy to every financial plan.
Working within an accounting firm, it became second nature to think about how to reduce taxes for clients. As a result, Nick brings that perspective to every client relationship through strategies including Roth conversions, tax-loss harvesting, capital gain harvesting, and charitable giving strategies. Nick has authored a couple of ebooks on retirement tax planning, including Surviving Taxes in Retirement: A Step-By-Step Guide to a Tax-Efficient Retirement. The positive response and demand for the book reflect that people are looking for tax-saving opportunities, in addition to sound investment strategies. Our goal is to provide both through our comprehensive approach.

Nick lives in Lakeville with his wife Jessica and their three kids, Allison (10), Isabelle (7), and Zachary (3).
Nick's favorite place to be is with his family. Playing soccer, football, and swimming together, and doing a lot of laughing along the way. Beyond that, you'll find him with friends, reading, playing basketball, playing bass guitar, or coaching the occasional soccer team.

Thomas Brand is an Investment Consultant at Oak Leaf Financial Group.
It is a great privilege for Tom to serve in the financial services industry, assisting individuals and families in navigating the important, yet often complex, aspects of their financial lives. It is a particular privilege to be part of Oak Leaf Financial Group, working among those whose commitment to both clients and co-workers is such a clear and constant focus.

Tom's background spans business, industry, and financial services.
After earning a Bachelor of Science degree at St. Cloud State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota, Tom worked in various product and market management positions, primarily in the plastics and petrochemical industries. In seeking a greater connection between his work and its results, he entered the financial services industry, and after working for two large national brokerage firms, joined Oak Leaf Financial Group in early 2020.

Tom leads Oak Leaf's mutual fund and ETF portfolios.
In addition to directly serving clients as a financial advisor, Tom leads the firm's mutual fund and ETF research, including model development, asset class allocations, and trade execution. He also serves on Oak Leaf's investment committee, which oversees the firm's portfolios. Through years of client service, Tom has learned the importance of developing the capacity to listen & understand. While there are many analytical components to the work, the best service is rendered when one can fully place themselves in the shoes of another.

Tom has six children and two grandchildren, who are a large part of his life outside work.
He is grateful to have a family that enjoys one another and plans activities regularly. Tom enjoys most anything outdoors, including walking, hiking, golf, bicycling, and gardening. In recent years, he has renewed his interest in foreign language study and ballroom dancing.

Philip Johnson is a Financial Advisor at Oak Leaf Financial Group.
With nearly seven years of experience in the financial services industry, Phil has built a career around a belief that people deserve guidance that is truly built around them. His background spans investment analysis, client service, and wealth management across a national faith-based financial organization, a global banking institution, and Oak Leaf Financial Group, giving him a well-rounded perspective that he brings to every client he works with.

Phil brings nearly seven years of hands-on financial services experience to every client relationship.
Phil's career started as an Investment Analyst, studying markets, managing client portfolios, and playing a key role in launching a new wealth management firm. He then moved to a global banking institution as a Licensed Customer Service Specialist, supporting high-net-worth Private Banking clients and sharpening his skills in compliance, operations, and problem-solving. Most recently, Phil served as an Advisory Assistant at Oak Leaf Financial Group, where he worked closely alongside advisors, supported clients across a wide range of needs, and executed trades with precision. He's comfortable across all aspects of the client experience, and now he's stepping into a full advisory role of his own.

Phil's approach is straightforward: understand what matters to you and build a strategy around it.
Phil works with clients across a wide range of financial situations and goals. Whether someone is just getting started, thinking through retirement, managing investments, or working through a financial transition, Phil focuses on making the process clear and approachable. He's well-versed in the tools and technology that make client service run smoothly, and he takes pride in keeping things organized and running well behind the scenes

Phil is passionate about golf and giving back.
A four-year letter winner on the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Men's Golf Team, Phil brings the same focus and work ethic from the course into everything he does professionally. He is family-oriented and looks forward to building a family of his own someday. In the meantime, you'll find him on the golf course, staying active, and looking for ways to make a real difference in the lives of the people around him.

Carla is committed to delivering exceptional service and support to clients and advisors.
As a Client Relationship Manager, Carla provides comprehensive support to both clients and advisors, helping ensure a seamless and positive client experience. She assists clients with the firm's wealth management platforms, coordinates preparations for annual review meetings, and manages follow-up actions and documentation. Carla takes pride in being part of a team of dedicated financial professionals who are committed to building lasting relationships and helping clients pursue their financial goals with confidence.

Carla brings a diverse foundation to every client relationship.
Carla's educational background includes bachelor's degrees in social science, Bible, and accounting. She remains committed to professional growth through ongoing continuing education and stay current with industry regulations and best practices. Prior to her work in financial services, Carla spent several years helping students and families navigate the financial aid process for higher education. Her diverse educational and professional background enables her to bring both analytical expertise and a client-focused perspective to her work.

Travel, family, and shared experiences are at the heart of Carla's happiest moments.
Carla and her husband Tim, enjoy taking road trips across the country, taking time to wander through small towns, chasing sunsets, and searching for unusual landmarks, such as the tallest filing cabinet (it's in Burlington, VT, if you were wondering). When not traveling, her time is spent with family and friends, often cheering on nieces and nephews at sporting events & music programs, and celebrating life events. Life is good!

Jennifer Bistodeau is the Director of Client Experience at Oak Leaf Financial Group, where she serves as the operational and relational heart of the firm.
In her role overseeing the daily operations of the office, Jennifer manages everything from client relationships to marketing and compliance regulations, with a dedication to creating a seamless environment that enhances every client experience, supports organizational development, and drives workplace optimization.

Jennifer brings the human side to financial planning.
At Oak Leaf Financial Group, the client experience begins before any financial conversation takes place. It starts the moment someone walks through the door. Jennifer understands that how a client feels in those first moments sets the tone for the entire relationship. She has thoughtfully cultivated an office environment that is warm, organized, and welcoming, ensuring that every interaction, whether a scheduled appointment or a quick drop-in, is met with attentiveness and care. Her ability to anticipate client needs, coordinate seamlessly behind the scenes, and maintain a calm, professional atmosphere means that clients don't just feel served, they feel genuinely valued.

Jennifer puts emphasis on customer service.
She establishes a relationship-centered culture where every person who walks through the door or picks up the phone feels genuinely welcomed and valued. Jennifer ensures that the behind-the-scenes operations run flawlessly, from scheduling and follow-ups to compliance touchpoints. She maintains consistency across every interaction, ensuring that whether it is a first-time visit or a routine appointment, the experience always reflects the firm's commitment to excellence.

Jennifer lives in Bloomington with her husband, Troy, and their two kids, Mason (22) and Milan (19)
When the workday ends, Jennifer's favorite place to be is surrounded by the people she loves most, preferably somewhere with a lake view. Cabin life is where she truly recharges. A passionate home cook, Jennifer finds just as much joy experimenting in the kitchen as she does out on the water, and no walk is complete without her two dogs, Lily and Ruby, leading the way.