Meet Our Team

How do you support our clients and team?

As company founder and President, I focus on the long-term vision and strategy of our business. I am our team's  lead advisor, overseeing investment research and money management solutions. Additionally, I help develop and nurture client relationships and am passionate about community and charitable endeavors.  

What path led you to your current role?

After I graduated from college, I had the unique opportunity to start the company as an independent advisor and have been doing it ever since. Over the years, we have added different staff to help serve our clients and allowed me the opportunity to follow my passions.

What was your first job?

Working at a small sundry and drug store near my home. The owners were the parents of my good friend, and we had an awesome time. I learned time management, discipline, the value of hard work and serving others, and that you need to rotate the candy to keep it fresh.

What’s your favorite family tradition?

Hands down, it’s Italian Christmas dinner with my extended family. The seemingly endless food is amazing, and it is the one time a year when I get to spend time with almost everyone. I’m kind of a one-trick pony, but I can make some mean spaghetti sauce.

What did you first spend your very own money on?

The coolest “boom box” ever. Lots of lawn mowing was done to get it.

If you had to sing one song on television before the whole world, what would it be and why?

“Sweet Talkin’ Woman” by ELO (Electric Light Orchestra). Why? Because it’s awesome, that’s why.

What is one cause you are truly passionate about?

Helping people identify the things which are the most meaningful in their life and building a plan around being truly dedicated to those things.

Describe a meaningful event in which you served others.

One early afternoon when I was in Haiti staying with the Missionaries of Charity Sisters, many people started lining up outside the gates of our building. As I looked around, there were stations being set up with different kinds of food - rice, meat, etc. When I asked what was going on, they said that once a month people can come in and get food. I asked if I could help and was able to take part in the process. Many of these people lived permanently in tents (or less), had severe wounds and other afflictions, etc.. It is something I will never forget.

What is your favorite quote?

“Before you take any decision, consider it's effect on the next seven generations.”
- Native American Hopi Proverb

How do you support our clients and team?

I utilize my talents and experience to support the strategic objectives of our organization.  In my diverse role, I'm responsible for overseeing all aspects of the business including operations, project management, finance, human resources, and benefits. I am also fortunate to share my passion for helping others by taking an active role in our company’s community outreach efforts.

What path led you to your current role?

From an early age, I knew I wanted to work in a position where I could help people. Since the age of 16, I’ve worked in a variety of service roles. These jobs, along with my education and training have provided me invaluable communication and organizational skills. I’ve also been blessed to work alongside some incredibly talented people who introduced me to marketing and human resources to help further my skills in the areas of service and leadership. In my current role, I get to blend all these skills together. It’s rewarding to be a central resource that assists both my fellow employees and our clients.

If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?

I would love to be fluent in a second language. If I learned another language, I believe it would give me the opportunity to connect with others on a deeper level.

What is one cause you are truly passionate about? 

I support any cause that encourages the humane treatment of animals. I have two dogs (both Great Pyrenees - Moose and Maisie) and two cats (Binx and Macy). I would say I have a big heart and a passion for the loving care of all animals. In the past, I have volunteered at the humane society to show my support. It's so great and uplifting to be surrounded by that community of people who share the same love of animals.

What is your favorite quote?

“A person who has never owned a dog has missed a wonderful part of life.”
- Bob Barker

Describe a meaningful event in which you served others?

I was fortunate to participate with a group of people packing meals in support of "Feed my Starving Children.” In two hours, we assembled over 21,000 meals for the children of Haiti. It was such a rewarding experience, and I am so thankful to have been a part of it. I’m excited that our team at Lee Stoerzinger Wealth Management shares a passion for serving others and I’m excited for upcoming team events where we can work together to serve our community and better our world.

Disclosure: Nicole Ford acts as a non-registered associated person of United Planners.

How do you support our clients and team?

In my role as an advisor, it is my privilege to build relationships with our clients and provide guidance and strategies to meet their financial goals. I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by a team that enjoys doing the same.

What path led to your current role?

I experienced my own extended family struggle with making future plans for retirement. I want to help as many people as a I can to not go through the same experiences. There is nothing I enjoy more than helping clients both discover and achieve what is important to them financially.

What was your first job?

I grew up in a small farming community. I learned that there are few things in life as rewarding as helping your neighbor and a hard day's work.

What did you first spend your very own money on?

I remember purchasing a summer golf pass and a new golf bag with money saved from mowing lawns and shoveling snow.

If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?

I have been fascinated by the infinity of outer space as long as I can remember. If I could become an expert in anything in would be astrophysics!

What is one cause you are truly passionate about? 

Animal rescue, particularly dog rescue is something I hold dear to my heart. I have had rescue dogs most of my life. All dogs deserve to be saved whether it is adopting myself or fostering a dog to help rehabilitate them to be adopted by someone else. Volunteering at any shelter is always needed and much appreciated.

What does service mean to you? 

Service is having the ability and desire to give back to someone or something that has less then you, or not as many opportunities as you have been given.

Describe a meaningful event in which you served others? 

I have had the opportunity to be able to give back in many situations. Whether it is volunteering for help at the local animal shelter, or habitat for humanity, or feed my starving children. It takes so little to give a small part of your day to help make a big difference for others.  My ultimate dream is to be able to take my dog to retirement communities and visit with residents.  We are working towards that!

How do you support our clients and team?

I get to provide support to our advisors and clients, so everyone is set up for success. I enjoy being the first point of contact when clients visit or call our office. I am available to schedule meetings, process requests and execute transactions with a focus on finding positive and timely solutions for all. 

What path led you to your current role?

Prior to working at Lee Stoerzinger Wealth Management, I worked for six years at an international tooling provider. It was an intellectually rewarding job, and I enjoyed learning the technical functions and applications; however, I felt that I had outgrown my role and I missed having meaningful interactions with clients. At the beginning of 2022 I decided to look for a place of work that I could see myself for the next ten years or longer. Nine months later on that journey I met Nicole, a few meaningful conversations later with her and the team led me here! 

What’s your favorite family tradition?

My family traditions are connected to food and farming. One of my favorite family traditions growing up was making “pamonha”. Pamonha is a traditional Brazilian food made with corn. I was born and raised in Brazil. I remember enjoying going to the farm to pick the corn from the fields. We would fill the truck bed as full as possible with the fresh corn. Get back to my grandma’s house and take the whole day prepping. We spent hours carefully pulling green husk from the corn and then grinding the kernels to make the corn paste that gets cooked inside the husk. It’s a day of hard work but you don’t notice how much until you sit down to eat huge quantities of this delicious food.

What is one cause you are truly passionate about?

People and food. I grew up with an incredible loving mom, grandmas and aunties who are also great cooks. They are people you want to have in your team. They show up with the best energy and make you feel so loved. My passion is to keep that legacy going, loving people and cooking good food for them.  

Describe a meaningful event in which you served others.

It’s hard to pick one single event. I was raised in a Christian family and got to serve my local church from the time I was 12. We did a lot of community events in West St. and East St. Paul. I always felt humbled by these community events, you always felt like you received more than you gave. 

What is your favorite quote?

“Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.” Maya Angelou

How do you support our clients and team?

I've come to realize that it is an honor to be entrusted with people’s financial decisions. Finance encompasses every aspect of life. To be trusted with people’s livelihood is a big deal. That’s why I am passionate about working with the team to serve our clients efficiently.

What path led you to your current role?

About 5 years ago, I started as an admin processing paperwork at a financial practice. The exposure to the industry sparked my curiosity about wealth management.  I started learning about different aspects of industry and I’ve grown to love it. My previous job didn’t have the capacity to support my growth. When I came here, Lee and the entire team have been supportive of my desire to continue growing. I’m excited for my future here.

What was your first job (and what did you learn)?

My first job was working the front desk at the Minnetonka Moccasin Corporate Office in Minneapolis. I worked there the summer of my 10th grade year. Working there taught me the importance of time management, organization, and multi-tasking.

What is your favorite family tradition?

Growing up with a sense of community. In my family when someone has an issue, they have the option to set up a family meeting to process it with everyone. That helped me know that I have a support system to help me get through hard times. When I have children someday, I would love to instill the importance of community in them. 

If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?

I would love to interview people and write about it. I enjoy connecting with people’s stories and learning about their perspective of the world. People’s experiences fascinate me and teach me so much about myself.

Describe a meaningful event in which you served others?

What does service mean to you?

Service is a demonstration of love. There is no love without giving. Serving others allows you to give, in return you get a sense of fulfilment.

Describe a meaningful event in which you served others.

When I was young, my neighbor, who is intellectually disabled, suffered a severe stroke. I remember watching the ambulance rush him away, not realizing how much that moment would shape me. The stroke took away even more of his independence, on top of the challenges he already lived with.

After school, I would often go to his family’s door to ask if he wanted to go for a walk or play basketball. I hoped it might help with his recovery, but it also gave me an early understanding of what it means to serve others. Service isn’t about transactions or titles. It’s about showing up, offering encouragement, and being present when someone needs it most.

I still keep in touch with him. Seeing him back on his bike after everything he’s been through continues to inspire me. That experience strengthened my passion for helping others and shaped the way I view the power of simple acts of kindness.

What was your first job?

My first job was washing dishes on weekends at one of my family’s restaurants when I was 12 years old. At the time, I wasn’t too excited to be thrown into the kitchen right after the grand opening meal, especially with a broken hand covered by a Walmart bag. Still, that experience ended up teaching me more than I ever expected.

Over the next couple of summers, I embraced the work and spent weekend nights dishwashing in the kitchen until closing. I learned the value of hard work, the importance of pitching in where you’re needed, and that sometimes the most meaningful lessons come from the least flashy jobs. Those long nights shaped my work ethic and showed me the pride that comes from serving others, even in small ways.

What path led you to your current role?

I grew up around family businesses in the hospitality industry, and much of my early work experience came from there. Over the years, I worked my way through nearly every position in our restaurants and was eventually given the opportunity for part-ownership. That experience helped me grow both personally and professionally, and it gave me countless interactions with people that shaped how I view the value of service and connection.

Over time, I realized I wanted to carry that same passion into new paths where I could continue making a difference in people’s lives. Each day, I hold onto a mission of asking, “What can I do for others?” and that question continues to guide how I approach both my work and life.

What is one cause you are truly passionate about?

I’ve always had a deep passion for helping others, and one cause that’s especially close to my heart is mental health awareness. I love bringing joy and light into situations where people may be struggling. To me, serving others can be as simple as being someone they can lean on during difficult times.

We all face challenges in life, often in silence. It can make a world of difference when someone steps in, even without a close connection, to simply say, “I’m here for you.” Those small moments of kindness and support can have a lasting impact. That belief continues to guide how I strive to be there for others.

What is your favorite quote? 

My favorite quote is “Be the light.” The author is unknown, but the phrase has been shared and expanded on by many leaders over time. One variation that speaks to me most comes from Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Both remind me that even in difficult times, choosing light and love can have a powerful impact on the people around us.

Disclosure: Evan Tomaro acts as a non-registered associated person of United Planners.