RYAN SAUNDERS - Key Persons
Caitlin began her career with Northwestern Mutual in 2012 in marketing and event coordination before joining Plancentric Financial Group in 2020. As Director of Marketing, Caitlin's focus is on client experience and relationship building.
After growing up in the suburbs of Atlanta, she graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising and finished graduate school with a Master's in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University. Outside of the office, Caitlin enjoys reading and the outdoors and loves to spend time hiking and camping in the mountains with her family.
Carole, a sixth-generation Buncombe County resident, lives in Asheville with her husband of 42 years, Joel. They take great pride in their two children. Her daughter, Anna, travels the world, helping those in need in developing nations. Her son, Clint, has worked with her for over 10 years. Carole enjoys cooking and loves catching up with her friends and family. Carole sits on the Board of Trustees at Mars Hill College, where she earned her degree in business.
Carole has been with Northwestern Mutual since 1985. She spent seven years as Managing Director of the Asheville district and she is the #1 female lives leader in Northwestern Mutual.
Job Titles:
- Director of Investment Services
Eva started working at Northwestern Mutual in June 2019 and joined Plancentric Financial Group in February 2020. She holds Series 7 and 63 securities registrations, as well as licenses for Life & Health and Long-Term Care Insurance. Due to her curiosity and desire to deepen her knowledge in the financial planning industry, she earned her CFP® certification in 2023.
Eva graduated from Kenyon College in 2019 earning her BA in Classics (Latin and Ancient Greek) where she gained substantial teaching experience. She has carried her teaching skills over to our team and clients. She is devoted to guiding our clients through every step of the investment onboarding process, as well as helping them with the ongoing maintenance of their accounts.
With her acute attention to detail, Eva maintains and develops processes for the team that enable top-of-the-line support for our clients. In her spare time, Eva finds herself in the kitchen baking a wide assortment of delicious treats. When she's not in the kitchen, she likes to spend time with her family & friends, as well as dote on her chihuahua-terrier mix, Pippin (named after the hobbit).
Job Titles:
- Financial Security Professionals
Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals list (October 2021), based upon 2020 data. Forbes Best-in-State Top Financial Security Professionals list (July 2023, July 2022), based upon data as of December 31st of the preceding year. Forbes "Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors" list, (August 2022). Based upon data as of 3/31/2022. Research & ranking developed by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Northwestern Mutual and its advisors do not pay for placement on 3rd party rating lists, but do pay marketing fees to these organizations to promote the rating(s). Rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success.
Job Titles:
- Associate Financial Representative
- Member of the UNC
Greyson joined Plancentric Financial Group in May 2021. Currently, he's studying Economics and Business Administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Greyson was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina and enjoys volunteering around the community often. He is an avid college sports fan, especially basketball and football. Greyson is a member of the UNC men's club lacrosse team and is very passionate about being active. He loves the outdoors and tries to spend as much time as he can traveling and spending time with his friends.
Job Titles:
- Associate Financial Representative
Hannah recently graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with her BA in Economics. Go Heels! She started her career with Northwestern Mutual as College Financial Representative Intern in the Durham, NC office before starting with Plancentric Financial Group in May of 2023. In her free time Hannah enjoys spending time with her dog and golfing.
Job Titles:
- Partner and Wealth Management Advisor
Job Titles:
- Associate Financial Representative
Jeremy joined Plancentric Financial Group in May 2022. He is currently studying Finance at Virginia Tech. Jeremy was raised in Charlotte, where he attended a Greek immersion school for nine years. He is a huge soccer and football fan, and loves being outdoors. Jeremy grew up with a passion for music, learning guitar and piano, and enjoys writing his own compositions in his free time. When he is not working or studying, he enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with friends.
John joined Plancentric Financial Group in May 2020 and holds his Life and Health insurance licenses and Series 7 securities registration.
John works in the investment and insurance sides of the business, with a key role in preparing reports and portfolio comparisons for client meetings. He heads the tracking and delivery of insurance policies and has begun to take a larger role in the creation of individualized financial plans. He recently graduated from North Carolina State University with Bachelor of Science degrees in both Economics and Business Administration.
John was born and raised in Charlotte, NC and is an Eagle Scout of Troop 33, where he stays involved in the local community. He is a huge sports fan, especially college basketball. He enjoys being outdoors and on the water, running, playing golf and tennis. John also enjoys traveling and going out with friends.
Mary began her career with Northwestern Mutual in 1988 in Pennsylvania before moving to Charlotte and brings a unique blend of experience, knowledge and expertise to her role as Chief Operations Manager, where she is responsible for overseeing the business operations for the team.
Mary holds life and health insurance licenses, FINRA Series 7, 9, 10, 24 and 63 securities registrations, and has earned her ChFC® and SPHR® designations. When she is not in the office, Mary enjoys gardening, hiking, golfing, and spending time with her husband, John, and her family and friends.
Michelle began her relationship with Plancentric Financial Group as a client where she was inspired to make a career change and joined the team in 2018. Her passion for making smart financial decisions resonates with our clients, making her invaluable to them as she helps guide them toward financial freedom. Michelle's continuous drive to delve deeper and expand her industry knowledge has led her to earn the CFP® professional certification and maintain licenses for Life, Health, and Long-Term Care insurance, as well as the Series 7 and 63 securities registrations.
Michelle's goal is to help address potential gaps and inefficiencies to give clients peace of mind and set them up for financial empowerment. As a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, it is important to Michelle to journey back to Death Valley whenever she can. She is a Charlotte native and enjoys traveling, being on the water and spending time with her family and friends.
Michelle Krause Coleman, Carole H Martin, Jason Todd Martin, Ryan Scott Saunders, Eva Haller Buchanan-Cates, John M Harris and Mary Rita Holdorf use Plancentric Financial Group as a marketing name for doing business as representatives of Northwestern Mutual. Plancentric Financial Group is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, insurance agency or federal savings bank. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (NM) (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Michelle Krause Coleman, Carole H Martin, Jason Todd Martin, Ryan Scott Saunders, Eva Haller Buchanan-Cates, John M Harris and Mary Rita Holdorf provide investment advisory services as Advisors of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC), Milwaukee, WI, a subsidiary of NM and federal savings bank. Michelle Krause Coleman, Carole H Martin, Jason Todd Martin, Ryan Scott Saunders, Eva Haller Buchanan-Cates and John M Harris are Agents of Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, (long-term care insurance) a subsidiary of NM. Michelle Krause Coleman, Carole H Martin, Jason Todd Martin, Ryan Scott Saunders, Eva Haller Buchanan-Cates, John M Harris and Mary Rita Holdorf provide investment brokerage services as Registered Representatives of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS), a subsidiary of NM, registered investment adviser, broker-dealer and member FINRA (finra.org) and SIPC (sipc.org). Michelle Krause Coleman, Carole H Martin, Jason Todd Martin, Ryan Scott Saunders, Eva Haller Buchanan-Cates, John M Harris and Mary Rita Holdorf are Insurance Agents of NM.
Job Titles:
- Associate Financial Representative
Riley joined Plancentric Financial Group in December 2021 and holds his Life and Health insurance licenses. He is currently studying Business Administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he is on the development team of the UNC Impact Investing Club and is treasurer of his community government. Riley was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina and is active in his local community. He is an avid college sports fan and is involved with many intramural sports at UNC. He enjoys watching soccer, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.
A lifetime resident of Charlotte, Ryan resides in South Charlotte with his wife, Alicia, and his children, Savannah, Caroline and Drew. They are members of Carmel Baptist Church. Ryan is an active member of the UNC Rams Club and enjoys spending Saturdays watching football at Kenan Stadium. A self-proclaimed sports addict, he also enjoys watching the Carolina Panthers and the Tar Heels rack up NCAA Basketball Championships. Ryan is very passionate about travel, spending several weeks a year on both domestic and international excursions with his wife and family.
Ryan was named Financial Advisor of the Year by Northwestern Mutual for seven consecutive years, 2017-2023, achieved 5-Star Pathfinder Status in 2023, 4-Star Pathfinder Status in 2020 and 3-Star Pathfinder Status in 2018, 2019 and 2021 by Northwestern Mutual for maintaining a balanced, integrated practice, as well as the 2019 Master Achievement Award, the 2018-2019 Financial Security Award (Top 20) and 6x winner of the Financial Security Award (Top 100). Ryan has also been named to Northwestern Mutual Forum for five consecutive years, 2018-2023, which recognizes the top 3% of all advisors nationally.
Plancentric Financial Group was recognized by the Charlotte Business Journal for several awards, including the Fast 50 classes of 2020 and 2021, the only financial services company within the fifty fastest growing businesses in Charlotte. Plancentric Financial Group was also named #1 Best Places to Work 2021 in the small business category. Most recently, Charlotte Business Journal named Ryan to the Most Admired CEO Awards Class of 2022 in recognition of leaders who are making significant contributions to the greater Charlotte area.
Charlotte Magazine celebrated Plancentric Financial Group as the voters' choice winner of the top Financial Planning/Wealth Management team in the city in the 2021, 2022, 2023 Best of the Best Awards.
Job Titles:
- Associate Financial Representative
Sawyer joined Plancentric Financial Group in May of 2021 and holds his Life and Health insurance licenses, as well as his Series 7 and 63 securities registrations.
Sawyer is currently studying Economics at Furman University where he is the President of the Investment Club, President of the Economic Society, and on the leadership for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Sawyer was raised in Charlotte and is an avid Carolina Panthers fan. In his free time, Sawyer enjoys offshore fishing at the beach, learning the ukulele, and spending time in downtown Greenville, South Carolina.
Job Titles:
- Director of Insurance Services
Sherry began her career with Northwestern Mutual in 1982 and joined Plancentric Financial Group in February 2019. As Director of Insurance Services, she works with our advisors to assist clients through the underwriting process and provides customer service to both new and existing clients. She holds her Series 6 and 63 securities registrations, as well as licenses for Life & Health and Long-Term Care Insurance. Sherry is very active in her church and enjoys spending time with her husband Steve, family, and friends.
Job Titles:
- Associate Financial Representative
- Member of Phi Theta Kappa
Sydni joined Plancentric Financial Group in May of 2022. Sydni is pursuing a Finance major at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and Women in Business. When Sydni is not studying or in the office, she enjoys listening to live music, taking her dog to the park, and working on her photography skills.
Job Titles:
- Financial Representative Assistant
Wyatt joined Plancentric Financial Group in May of 2023. Currently, he is studying Finance and Digital Marketing at Appalachian State University. Wyatt was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. He enjoys discovering and trying new food spots all over the city. Wyatt is a huge sports fan that loves to watch NFL and NBA specifically. Outside of the office he values spending his time on taking trips and enjoying unique experiences.