Our Team
Our team strives to deliver customized plans tailored to our client's needs, and we back that with unparalleled client service. We take pride in helping our clients develop tax-efficient, long term financial plans to achieve their personal and business goals.
Joseph M Anderson , CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®
Wealth Management Advisor and Founder
Joseph M Anderson , CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®
Wealth Management Advisor and Founder
PERSONAL
Joe was born and raised in West Charlton, New York, where he still resides today. Joe’s family owns and operates a 400- acre farm where they grow hay, vegetables, and raise beef. Joe is married to Jessica and has two daughters, Emma and Jacqueline. Joe enjoys spending time with his family, farming, hiking, and listening to audiobooks.
PROFESSIONAL
Joe graduated from Cornell with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Management and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. Joe is a Wealth Management Advisor and has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2008. Joe has earned the following certifications: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional (CFP®), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), Certified Advisor of Senior Living (CASL®). Joe has also been a member of the Capital Region chapter of Entrepreneurs' Organization since 2021.
Barbara A Bertrand , CLU®
Chief Operating Officer and Private Wealth Advisor
Barbara A Bertrand , CLU®
Chief Operating Officer and Private Wealth Advisor
PERSONAL
Barb was born and raised in Troy, New York. Barb’s husband Chris serves as a Lieutenant firefighter for the City of Troy. Barb and Chris have two children, Jacob and Genevieve. Barb enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, baking, and traveling.
PROFESSIONAL
Barb has been in the insurance and financial services field since 1998. Barb’s primary role centers around assisting our clients with more complex insurance need through the application and underwriting process. In addition, Barb is responsible for developing processes, managing the day-to-day operations of the business, hiring, training, and developing team members to ensure that our team is delivering the highest quality experience to our clients. Barb is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Barb has earned the CLU ® designation through The American College. Barb currently holds the following professional licenses; FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 investment registrations as well as her Life, Accident, and Health insurance license.
Please contact Barb for:
- Staffing Inquires
- General Inquiries
- Assistance with Insurance applications
- Servicing insurance and annuity policies
- Questions around underwriting
PERSONAL
Zachary lives in Phoenix, Arizona and is originally from Wisconsin. He has a passion for helping others and has donated his kidney and his liver. He also cares for all animals and has even wrangled rattlesnakes. Zachary enjoys metal detecting, treasure hunting, and collecting pennies. Zach also loves adventurous outdoor activities including learning power paragliding, target shooting, ziplining, lumberjacking, and surfing. Zachary has an effervescent personality, saying he is “on the quirky side of normal,” which makes him a fantastic entertainer and storyteller, as he loves to bring people together.
PROFESSIONAL
Zachary's primary role centers around the development and implementation of investment strategy as well as the ongoing research and review of client portfolios. In addition, Zach is responsible for managing the day-to-day financial operations of the business, financial planning development, overseeing all trading activities, and the training and development of team members. He enjoys developing long, lasting relationships with our clients. Zach has been in the financial services industry since 1997. Zach has earned his Series 7 and 63 as well as his Life, Health, and Accident Insurance license.
Please contact Zachary for:
- Portfolio related questions
- Servicing Your Investment Accounts
PERSONAL
Louise loves to cook, bake, and spend time with family and friends.
PROFESSIONAL
Louise focuses on customer service and investment operations such as preparing/processing paperwork and investment trades, wire transfers and internal/external account transfers. Louise has earned her Series 6 and 63 registrations.
Please contact Louise for:
- Servicing Your Investment Accounts
PERSONAL
Nicole grew up in Connecticut and moved to the Saratoga area in 2012. Outside of the office, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as gardening and traveling.
PROFESSIONAL
Nicole supports the team with 15 years of experience in a high-paced corporate environment. Nicole graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Nicole’s role is centered around assisting clients with the opening and servicing of their investment accounts. Nicole started with Northwestern Mutual in 2018. Nicole has earned her Life, Health, and Accident Insurance license, Series 6, and 63 registrations.
Please contact Nicole for:
- Servicing your investment accounts
- Questions around opening and closing investment accounts
PERSONAL
Born and raised in North Greenbush, NY, Kyle enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, skiing, and playing basketball in his free time.
PROFESSIONAL
Kyle has worked in the financial industry since 2018. He graduated from Loyola University Maryland, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Kyle is responsible for assisting clients with the opening and servicing of their investment accounts, as well as investment trades, wire transfers and internal/external account transfers. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association and has earned his FINRA Series 6, 7, and 63 registrations, along with his NYS Life, Accident, and Health insurance license.
Please contact Kyle for:
- Placing trades
- Initiating money movements
- Opening and servicing your investment accounts
- Questions around opening and closing investment accounts
Karen A Hoffman , CLTC®
Director of Insurance Operations and Services
PERSONAL
Karen grew up in New Jersey. She moved to New York in 1991. Karen enjoys spending time with her husband Dave. She is Mom to Meagan & Nick and “Honey” to her grandchildren Isaac and Cooper. When not at work you can find Karen completing a project at home or camping with her family and friends. Karen also enjoys being at the beach.
PROFESSIONAL
Karen has been with Northwestern Mutual since 1992. Karen has earned her Life, Accident, and Health license, Series 6, and 63 registrations and CLTC designation. Karen’s role is Director of Insurance Operations. Karen is responsible for assisting clients with customer service-related issues on their insurance products, assisting clients through the application and underwriting process.
Please contact Karen for:
- General Inquiries
- Assistance with Insurance applications
- Servicing insurance and annuity policies
- Questions around underwriting
PERSONAL
Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian, their two children, Olivia and Logan, and their pets, along with other family and friends. Sarah also enjoys baking, traveling, and crafting.
PROFESSIONAL
Sarah has been in the insurance industry since 2008. Sarah’s primary role centers around the insurance application and underwriting process as well as servicing current policies and contracts. Sarah has earned her Life, Accident and Health Insurance license.
Please contact Sarah for:
- Assistance with Insurance applications
- Servicing insurance and annuity policies
- Questions around underwriting
Jonathan Krist , CFP®, ChFC®
Private Wealth Advisor and Director of Financial Planning
Jonathan Krist , CFP®, ChFC®
Private Wealth Advisor and Director of Financial Planning
PERSONAL
Jon’s pronouns are he/him/his. When not relaxing with his wife, teenage daughter, and three dogs, he is probably sleeping or running. He has completed multiple marathons and ultra-marathons, with the pinnacle to date, being a 100-mile run spanning two states.
PROFESSIONAL
Jon has been in the financial services industry since 2006 and most recently spent over 9 years at the Northwestern Mutual home office in a variety of servicing, technology, and planning roles. Jon has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and Chartered Financial Consultant® designations. Jon helps develop and maintain comprehensive financial plans for our clients by understanding their values and goals, marrying them with products and strategies that fulfill their needs, and coordinating with their interested parties (CPAs, attorneys, etc.).
Please contact Jon for:
- Planning questions
- Updates to your financial strategy
- Assessing plan impacts of life’s changes
PERSONAL
Lauren was born and raised in North Greenbush, New York. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, baking, cooking, and reading. Lauren also loves to travel and studied abroad in Cork, Ireland for a semester.
PROFESSIONAL
Lauren graduated from Loyola University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. Lauren was a member of Mu Kappa Tau, National Marketing Honor Society, and Beta Gamma Sigma, International Business Honor Society. Before joining The Anderson Financial Group, Lauren spent the past couple of years working in the wedding planning arena. Lauren is responsible for our marketing initiatives, coordinating sponsorships, charitable donations, and client events.
Please contact Lauren for:
- Online NM website/Account access assistance
- Charitable Donation and Sponsorship Requests
PERSONAL
Erin loves to spend time with her friends, family, and her husband. She crochets stuffed animals in her free time. Erin and her husband have a lot of animals, 13 in total. They have 5 cats, 5 snakes, and 3 geckos. Erin is very organized and loves to clean.
PROFESSIONAL
Presently, Erin previously worked for TSA for almost 6 years and recently made a change so she could start a new career here at Northwestern Mutual. Her main duties include answering phone calls, warmly greeting clients as they enter the office, directing clients to the proper person/team to assist them, scheduling client meetings, and ensuring we capture the most accurate client information in our client management database.
Please contact Erin for:
- Scheduling an appointment with your advisor
- Updating your name, address, phone number, email address, etc.