The Gervais Group

My role at Gervais Group...

Is to help ensure every one of our clients receives the highest level of care and service during the creation and ongoing management of their financial plan. My focus is to align your investments with your broader — and often complex — family and legacy goals, as well as proactively leverage opportunities and manage risks in regards to estate planning and tax efficiency.

I do what I do because...

I have an interest in financial planning that began when I was a child. I was inspired by those around me and by the fact that anyone from any economic level, with the right preparation and planning, could rise above their circumstances and become financially independent. This experience formed my opinion that financial planning is best practiced with a collaborative and value-driven process. As I have focused my career on financial planning, what I have found most rewarding is ensuring that women have a seat (and a voice) at the table.

My education and certifications...

• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
• Husson University: bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance (summa cum laude)

I stay connected with my community…

Through these organizations:

• Ozaukee Youth Hockey Association
• Ozaukee Women's Hockey
• Alliance Bible Church
• Cedarburg Woman's Club

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

My role at The Gervais Group…

Is to bridge the gap between financial theory and application. My day-to-day activities include the development and review of investment policies, asset allocation analysis, independent manager research and selection, performance reporting and the ongoing management of the investment process. My work provides a platform for our team and clients to discuss relevant ideas and opinions. I have been successful in my role if I have influenced portfolio construction and empowered my clients to make informed decisions.

I do what I do because…

I get the most satisfaction from building genuine, lifelong relationships. Meeting at clients’ homes, being invited to family celebrations, touring the family business and sharing vacation photos have been some of the most rewarding aspects of this job. Knowing that my knowledge and experience allows my clients to focus on relationships, travel and whatever else might be important to them is motivating to me.

Outside of work, I love…

Being active with my kids. Coaching their sports teams, playing chess or simply watching a movie together are a few of the things I enjoy. When the kids are busy, I find myself reading a book, practicing the ukulele or attempting to learn something new.

My education and certifications…

• Chartered Financial Analyst
• Certified Private Wealth Advisor
• University of Maine: bachelor’s degree in engineering
• Concordia University: master’s degree with a concentration in finance

I stay connected with my community…

Through these two wonderful organizations:

• Ozaukee Youth Hockey Association
• CFA Society Milwaukee

My role at The Gervais Group…

Is to provide excellent service to clients by assisting in everyday operations and financial planning.

I do what I do because…

I find it highly satisfying to build long-term relationships and see over time how my role in private wealth management enables individuals and families to achieve their life goals.

Outside of work, I love…

Anything outdoors – I enjoy hiking, camping and fishing to name a few. I also value spending quality time with my family, friends and faith community.

My education and certifications…

• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
• FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses
• Trinity International University: bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in management (summa cum laude)

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

My role at The Gervais Group…

Is to create long-term relationships with clients through a seamless operational process and remarkable service.

I do what I do because…

I enjoy working with clients and helping them with any service that will support their financial goals.

Outside of work, I love…

Spending time with family and friends. I have 2 active boys and I love making memories with them. I enjoy sports, being outdoors, and I’m always up for a new adventure.

My education and certifications…

• MPTC: Associate degree - Accounting

My role at The Gervais Group…

Is to support our teams client service, marketing and communication initiatives.

I do what I do because…

I am a problem solver who enjoys thinking outside the box in developing creative concepts and solutions. My strategic and innovative ideas allow me to develop efficient and productive processes, that will help our team better serve our clients.

Outside of work, I love…

Being outdoors, camping, biking, swimming & fishing in my pond or just watching my kids play and going to their events.

My education and certifications…

• FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: bachelor’s degree in science with an emphasis in secondary math education. (Magna Cum Laude)

Jaleigh White is the managing director of Baird's Family Wealth team. The Baird Family Wealth team works with advisors and their most complex clients ensuring that all business owners, executives, and multi-generational client families have access to the resources they need to meet their individual goals and navigate major transitions in their lives.

Jaleigh is a member of the Integrated Wealth Advisor Council at the Family Office Exchange and is on the Leaders Council of The UHNW Institute.

Kelsey Clair joined Robert W. Baird & Co. in 2020. Kelsey is currently the Tax Strategist for Baird’s Private Wealth Management Group.

Prior to joining Baird in 2020, Kelsey was responsible for providing tax compliance and tax planning services to high net worth individuals and privately held businesses at Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP.

Kelsey graduated from the University of South Carolina with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Accountancy with a focus in taxation.

Kelsey is a Certified Public Accountant with the North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners as well as the Virginia Board of Accountancy.

Laura Ames is a Wealth Strategist based out of Baird’s Milwaukee, Wisconsin office. Part of Baird’s Private Wealth Management Group, Laura works with Financial Advisors to help clients meet their long-term wealth management and family legacy goals. Laura works closely with clients to develop and implement strategies that reflect the client’s personal values while mitigating gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes.

Prior to joining Baird, Laura was an estate planning attorney with Casner & Edwards,  LLP’s private  client group in Boston, Massachusetts. Laura handled a broad range of matters including the development and implementation of sophisticated wealth transfer strategies; charitable planning; and the establishment of family investment vehicles.

Laura graduated from the University of Vermont and earned her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School, where she served as a certified advisor to the Battered Women’s Advocacy Clinic. Laura is admitted to the Massachusetts bar. Laura is a member of the Boston Planning Council.

Scott Grenier supports Financial Advisors by helping them understand the benefits of using financial planning in their business and educating them on planning solutions and techniques. Prior to joining Baird in 2010, Scott was responsible for providing financial planning solutions to high net worth individuals and families at Cleary Gull, Inc. He was also responsible for creating and implementing firm wide financial planning solutions, while overseeing the east coast clients and the relationship management team.

Scott has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, and a master of science in financial services degree from The American College. He has earned the CFP®, CLU® and ChFC® designations. He holds his life and health insurance licenses, along with his FINRA Series 7, 9, 10, 63 and 65. Scott is a board member of the Milwaukee Estate Planning Forum, Ltd., and general member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, the Financial Planning Association and the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils.

Jonathan Raymon is a Senior Vice President and Charitable Solutions Strategist for Baird Trust. He provides trust administration and client service, focusing on charitable trusts and charitable organizations. He has 11 years of experience in the investment industry and holds the Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designations.

Jonathan is a member of the American, Kentucky, and Louisville Bar Associations and a member of the Taxation Section of the Louisville Bar Association, previously serving as Chair.

Jonathan spent twelve years with Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, where he worked as a Faculty Manager, and one year with the Internal Revenue Service’s Office of Chief Counsel as a Legal Intern. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Loras College, a Master’s from University of Houston, and a J.D. from the University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law. He is President of the Estate Planning Council of Metro Louisville and has served on several boards of local non-profits and actively volunteers for others. Jonathan joined our firm in 2012.

Erica Kroll joined Baird in 2003 and has over 14 years experience in the financial services industry. As the Insurance Specialist for Baird Insurance Services, Erica supports Baird Financial Advisors in insurance planning concepts from the most simple to advanced wealth transfer planning techniques. Erica also assists in evaluating client’s existing insurance portfolios.

Prior to joining Baird, Erica spent five years working as an Executive Assistant to the Life Insurance Director and Annuity Director at Banc One Insurance Services.

Erica is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) designee and has advanced education in long-term care planning. She also holds the FINRA Series 6 & 63 licenses, as well as the WI life and health licenses.

Kathy Carey is Director of Research & Planning for Baird’s Private Wealth Management group. In this role, she oversees the Asset Manager Research, Equity, Value Equity and Fixed Income Research teams as well as the Financial & Estate Planning department.

She is a co-portfolio manager for the ALIGN Strategic portfolios where she is involved in the investment, asset allocation and rebalancing decisions as well as due diligence of the portfolios. Additionally, she is a voting member of Baird’s Equity Recommended Portfolio and sits on the firm’s Investment Policy Committee.

Previously, Kathy spent 9 years as an equity analyst and sector portfolio manager at Mason Street Advisors, the public investment subsidiary of Northwestern Mutual. Before that she was a senior associate in Baird’s Equity Research Department covering Utilities and Financial Technology for 4 years.

Kathy received a bachelor of arts degree from Yale University and a MBA from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. She has earned the CFA charter and is a member of the CFA Society of Milwaukee. She also holds Series 7, 66 and 24 licenses.