Meet Your Team
Our team is dedicated to helping you reach a higher level of success. Each partner brings nearly two decades of experience to the table, and with our professionals’ diverse range of skills, we’re prepared to serve you and your family with excellence for years to come.
Brian Kelly is a founding partner of Refine Wealth Strategies. As a Wealth Management Advisor, he works in the pre-retirement market specializing in helping people approaching retirement clarify their vision and develop a distribution plan that provides confidence for the long term.
Brian began his career with Northwestern Mutual in 2004 after working as a corporate account manager which included frequent travel and other demands. In his journey to become a Wealth Management Advisor, Brian realized the importance of establishing a clear vision in order to realize the life we want to live. Today, building clarity around goals and vision is a key part of our planning process to help clients achieve their best life.
Brian and his wife, Carin, reside in St. Louis Park with their two children, Grace and Myles. His family enjoys traveling, mountain biking and being active outdoors. Brian, Grace & Myles are all training to achieve their Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do in 2022. As a graduate of St. John’s University, Brian has been actively involved in the St. John’s Alumni Association as a former president and continues to look for opportunities to bring former classmates, recent graduates, and current students together.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, St. John’s University
- Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®)
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
- Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL®)
- FINRA Series 6, 7, 63 & 65
- Life, Accident & Health Licenses
Dave Klein is a founding partner of Refine Wealth Strategies. As a Wealth Management Advisor, he specializes in equity-based compensation strategies for Corporate Executives.
Dave began his career with Northwestern Mutual as an intern while attending the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management in 2004. Financial responsibility was instilled in him at a young age by his parents and grandparents, and because of this, he is motivated to help others start planning early and take steps towards achieving their most amazing future.
Born and raised in Minnesota, Dave is a huge Minnesota sports fan. He resides in Plymouth with his wife Melissa and their three children, Gavin, Olivia, and Everly. He enjoys golfing, spearfishing, playing outside with his kids, and spending weekends up north at the cabin.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Science in Finance, University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional (CFP®)
- Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®)
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
- FINRA Series 6, 7 & 63
- Life, Accident & Health Licenses
Larwin Kauffman is a founding partner of Refine Wealth Strategies. As a Wealth Management Advisor, Larwin works with medical professionals specializing in contract, compensation, and benefits consultation.
Larwin was taught to always do the right thing and to work hard, and at 12 years old, he got his first job. Because of this, he understood the value of a dollar and saw what money could do for families, and in 2006, he began his career with Northwestern Mutual as an intern while completing his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Minnesota.
Larwin met his wife Kristina while attending the University of Minnesota (GO GOPHERS!) and as graduates, they are both actively involved in the University of Minnesota Foundation. They reside in Chanhassen with their three boys, Owen, Connor, and Theodore, where they are actively involved in their church and local charity organizations. As a Wisconsin native, Larwin is an enthusiastic Green Bay Packer fan, while also enjoying as many Minnesota Wild hockey and Twins baseball games as they can squeeze in.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Arts in Communications, University of Minnesota
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional (CFP®)
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
- FINRA Series 6, 7 & 63
- Life, Accident & Health Licenses
Natalie is a Client Service Associate on the Refine Wealth Strategies team. It is her job to bring to life the recommendations made to the firm’s clients as they move from the planning process to the implementation phase. She does this by guiding clients through the underwriting and onboarding process, executing client service requests and account maintenance while providing the highest level of customer service to enhance the overall client experience.
Natalie joined Brian’s team in 2019 as an Associate Financial Representative, leading client operations and implementation of recommendations. Prior to joining Brian’s team, Natalie spent 4 years working in government.
Natalie lives in Lakeville with her husband Grant, son Bennett, and dog Gordy. She likes traveling, going to breweries, doing puzzles and spending time with family at the lake.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
- FINRA Series 6 & 63
- Life, Accident & Health Licenses
Mary is a Client Service Associate on the Refine Wealth Strategies team. It is her job to bring to life the recommendations made to the firm’s clients as they move from the planning process to the implementation phase. She does this by guiding clients through the underwriting and onboarding process, executing client service requests and account maintenance while providing the highest level of customer service to enhance the overall client experience.
Mary began her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2008. She brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience to the Refine Wealth Strategies team after supporting various advisors within the Northwestern Mutual system. Prior to her journey with Northwestern Mutual, she spent 10 years as a Regional Trainer/Representative for eCommerce in the printing industry, followed by 5 years as an administrative assistant and loan processor in the mortgage world.
Mary currently lives in Shakopee, MN with her two dogs Cooper and Finn. She is passionate about gardening, singing or just relaxing with a good book and a glass of wine. She is active with her church and loves making memories with family and friends.
Credentials
- Life, Accident & Health Licenses
Brianna is a Client Service Associate on the Refine Wealth Strategies team. It is her job to bring to life the recommendations made to the firm’s clients as they move from the planning process to the implementation phase. She does this by guiding clients through the underwriting and onboarding process, executing client service requests and account maintenance while providing the highest level of customer service to enhance the overall client experience.
Brianna graduated in June of 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Rasmussen University. She started her career with Northwestern Mutual upon graduation in 2016 with another advisor and transitioned to Dave’s team in 2018.
Brianna resides in New Hope with her husband Eric, daughter Rory, and their dog Tessie. Together, they spend most of their spare time with family and friends, enjoying the outdoors, visiting local breweries, and attending concerts or sporting events. When she isn’t doing that, she’s enjoying DIY projects around the house.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Rasmussen University
- Life, Accident & Health License
- Long-Term Care (LTC) License
Thomas Dunlap , MBA
Associate Wealth Management Advisor
Thomas Dunlap , MBA
Associate Wealth Management Advisor
Thomas is an Associate Wealth Management Advisor on the Refine Wealth Strategies team. In this role, he supports and works alongside the firm’s Partners by participating in client meetings and assisting with plan development, presentation, and documentation of meeting notes. In addition to client support, Tom also works with the planning team to help with modeling, case design, and scenario building.
Prior to joining Refine Wealth Strategies, Tom spent nearly 12 years within professional financial services across property & casualty insurance, big-four public accounting, and boutique staffing firms. Tom has spent time in numerous functions throughout his career including underwriting, finance, operations, business development, recruiting, and management consulting.
A resident of Stillwater, Minnesota, Tom loves spending his free time attending sporting events, enjoying the lake, attempting DIY projects, traveling and being with his family – wife Danielle, daughter Landry, son Ethan, and their dog Maple. Tom is also actively engaged in the community, currently serving as a Business Representative on the Washington County Workforce Development Board.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Arts in Accounting & Finance, St. John’s University
- MBA, Business Administration & Management, The College of Saint Scholastica
- FINRA Series 7 & 63
- Life, Accident & Health Licenses
Colin is an Associate Wealth Management Advisor on the Refine Wealth Strategies team. In this role, he supports and works alongside the firm’s Partners by participating in client meetings and assisting with plan development, presentation, and documentation of meeting notes. In addition to client support, Colin also works with the planning team to help with modeling, case design, and scenario building.
After spending 16 years in IT, Colin joined Northwestern Mutual in 2020 as a Financial Representative. Pairing that experience with his experience supporting various other teams within the Northwestern Mutual system, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the Refine Wealth Strategies team.
Colin grew up on Long Island. When he’s not working, he and his wife Rachel enjoy camping, rock climbing, traveling, and spending time with their twin children.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of Pittsburgh
- FINRA Series 7, 6 & 63
- Life, Accident & Health Licenses
Maria is a Financial Planning Associate on the Refine Wealth Strategies team. In this role, she is responsible for creating comprehensive financial plans and recommendations in alignment with the firm’s planning philosophy and client-specific goals.
Maria brings a vast amount of knowledge to the Refine Wealth Strategies team after starting her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2009, supporting a handful of Advisors in various roles before joining David’s team in 2014.
Maria and her husband have three daughters, Emma, Mya, and Aria. They enjoy living in the country and teaching their daughters, gardening, traveling, trying new restaurants and breweries.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Business Administration with emphasis in Finance and Bachelor of Accounting, University of Minnesota - Duluth
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
- Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®)
- FINRA Series 6, 7 & 63
- Life, Accident & Health Licenses
Kevin is a Financial Planning Associate on the Refine Wealth Strategies team. In this role, he is responsible for creating comprehensive financial plans and recommendations in alignment with the Firm’s planning philosophy and client-specific goals.
Kevin joined the Refine Wealth Strategies team in August of 2022 shortly after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from North Dakota State University.
Kevin resides in Elk River and enjoys spending his free time hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and spending time with family at their cabin in Longville. He and his girlfriend, Alyssa, have an adorable puppy named Winston.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Science in Finance, North Dakota State University
- FINRA Series 7 & 63
- Life, Accident & Health Licenses
Elena is a Financial Planning Assistant on the Refine Wealth Strategies team. In this role, she is responsible for creating comprehensive financial plans and recommendations in alignment with the Firm’s planning philosophy and client-specific goals.
Elena joined the Refine Wealth Strategies team in July of 2022 shortly after graduating from Luther College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Piano Performance.
Elena currently resides in Minneapolis and enjoys spending her free time exploring coffee shops and working on her yoga teacher certification. She also works as a Collaborative Pianist, playing for school districts, organizations and events in the Twin Cities area. On occasion, you may even catch her filling in for our building pianist.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Piano Performance, Luther College
- Life, Accident and Health Licenses
Jason is the Director of Investments of Refine Wealth Strategies. In this role, he is responsible for creating and managing investment portfolios for clients and works closely with the Advisors on the team to implement strategies to help clients achieve their investment objectives. He is well versed in the technical side of the investment universe as well as the operational side, can provide market commentary, and answer questions related to most investments.
Jason joined Larwin’s team in 2020 as the Director of Investment and Financial Planning. Prior to joining Larwin’s team, Jason worked at U.S. Bank for over 3 years in Wealth Management and Internal Audit.
Jason lives in Savage with his wife Kristina and their dog Shyla. He loves to travel, golf and spend time outside (when the Minnesota weather permits comfortably) and he is a die-hard Vikings fan.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Arts in Economics, University of Minnesota
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®)
- FINRA Series 7 & 66
Jennifer is the Director of Operations of Refine Wealth Strategies. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the team to ensure they are delivering a world class client experience while maintaining a great team culture.
Jennifer joined Brian Kelly’s team in 2016 and has held a variety of positions during her tenure. This experience has given her great insight into what it takes to successfully oversee operations. Prior to Northwestern Mutual, Jennifer was self-employed as a virtual assistant supporting several small companies in the Twin Cities.
Jennifer and her husband Eric have two children, Laurynn and Jack, and are preparing for life as “empty nesters” with their cat, Maddy Moe. They love to explore new cities and are always on a quest to find the best pizza. She enjoys trips to the ocean, family game nights, and trying new restaurants with friends.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Science in Marketing, St. Cloud State
- FINRA series 6 & 63
- Life, Accident & Health Licenses
Sarah is the Chief of Staff of Refine Wealth Strategies. In this role, she works closely with the firm’s Partners and the Director of Operations to ensure all aspects of the business run smoothly. She manages all business administrative activities, prioritizes and coordinates critical issues, and provides pertinent information to the firm’s Partners to make informed business decisions.
Sarah began her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2007, starting out at the front desk and then transitioning to the Sales Execution Team where she assisted new advisors through the planning process with their clients. She briefly left to pursue an opportunity with a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm where she gained experience in everything from client service, planning, compliance support, billing, and human resource functions. The wealth of knowledge she brings to the team from this experience positions her for success in the role of Chief of Staff.
Sarah lives in Maple Grove with her husband, Matt, two dogs (Daisy and Duke) and cat, Poppy. In her free time, she enjoys doing all things outdoors including snowshoeing, horseback riding, cycling, hiking, kayaking and just soaking up the sun poolside. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends and is always up for an adventure!
Credentials
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Metropolitan State University
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
- Life, Accident & Health Licenses