Our Firm
Schaefer Financial Management (SFM) was founded in 1987 as a privately owned, independent investment advisory firm. Our firm was built on the belief that clients are best served by working with a firm that maintains complete objectivity and focuses exclusively on your best interests. We work entirely on a "fee-only" basis to minimize any compensation-related conflicts of interest that would impair the advice we provide. SFM maintains no affiliation to any other firm or product provider and receives no indirect compensation.
Jeffrey Schaefer, CFP ®
I founded Schaefer Financial Management in 1989 as I completed my Master’s degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder. As a second-generation Colorado native, my plan was always to remain in the most beautiful state in the country. My vison then was to provide comprehensive financial planning, wealth management and investment advisory services to individuals and families. My academic training and early work experience highlighted for me the siloed nature of traditional financial advice. Rather than focusing solely on narrow areas, I knew that the best results could be obtained with a comprehensive, global view of all of the issues that bear on financial decisions. Providing these services as a fiduciary on a fee only basis, always placing the client’s best interest first, was the essence of what we have always done at SFM. Over the years, I have been joined by an exceptionally capable team of advisors with a wide range of interests and talents.
Kirsten Hollander, CFP ®
I realized when planning my wedding, I had a hard time asking for help. My mother had passed away several years before and despite offerings of assistance from friends and family my desire to be self-sufficient led me to planning most of the wedding details. I have learned over time, that it is easier to ask for support. Assisting my clients with planning their financial future and executing that plan gives me a great feeling of accomplishment. I enjoy instilling decision-making confidence in my clients to help them feel the same sense of accomplishment and success. Whether it’s choosing a new career, spending money to renovate their home, or planning the next family adventure. I work with my clients to help them make decisions with confidence. Prior to joining SFM in 2007, I worked for another independent fee only financial planning and investment advisory form. I have also worked for a large insurance firm and a mutual fund company which has given me deep knowledge of the financial industry.
Rachel Clevey
I graduated from Gardner-Webb University in 2011 with a degree in Sports Management. For the past 10 years I have held positions as a Director at The Country Club of Virginia and a Manager, Marketing Coordinator for Streamline Brands. My passion has always been to help people and see the joy of achieving a goal. I recently joined Schaefer Financial in 2020 as the Wealth Management Coordinator and Marketing Director. I am eager to continue my education in Financial Advising. Growing up my dad, who was a financial advisor for over 30 years would talk about the importance of planning and investing for the future. With the knowledge of saving money and planning for life instilled in me, I have continued to be passionate in this field of work. I am excited to see where my love for math, planning and people can take me.
Jerome Perkins, CFP ®
I grew up on the east coast, going to high school in New Jersey. My passion for running brought me out to Colorado to run cross country and track at the University of Colorado. While at Boulder I was able to continue pursuing my enjoyment with math by majoring in Applied Math. It is through that program that I found a fascination with finance and the math behind investments. After school I was lucky enough to fall upon a job opportunity with Schafer Financial Management in 2013 which allowed me to experience all facets of finance in the real world. After gaining a further appreciation for the investment management business I gained my CFP certification in 2016 and have been working as a Financial Planner and Director of Investment Research with the company since. Now as a CFP I really enjoy trying to help fellow millennials understand the nuances of asset management and help set them up for a successful future.
Rebecca Aardal, CFP ®
I am a Colorado native and have known Jeff Schaefer since my parents became clients in 1991. I remember meeting with Jeff prior to my own college experience and found the field of finance, saving and investing intriguing. I attended Colorado State University and studied finance. During this time, I needed to complete an internship in my field and so I asked Jeff if he’d be willing to accept me as an intern to which he agreed. I have always enjoyed numbers and so combining that with helping clients with their financial needs, financial planning became a good fit. From retirement planning, tax planning and preparation (for my own family) to college funding I have a wide range of experience. I have been with Schaefer Financial Management since 1998.
Lowell Hansen, CFP ®
For as long as I can remember, I have had a fascination with markets. Whether it be the stock market, the bond market, or the real estate market. I have enjoyed striving to understand how values are determined and markets operate. Although markets can seem complex, I enjoy attempting to make them simple for my clients to understand. Prior to joining SFM in 2004, I worked in the institutional money management business representing some of the smartest minds in the investment industry. After the Tech Bubble in 2000, I realized that although there is ample academic research to support market behavior, it did nothing to comfort the individual investor. It was at that point, that I realized the desire to help individuals navigate the markets and accomplish their financial goals. I had worked with Jeff Schaefer during my tenure with Undiscovered Managers, LLC and became a client after 9/11. I appreciated the trustworthy and transparent approach and knew this would be a great fit as I looked to help clients navigate the financial landscape and help them accomplish their financial goals.
Andrea Searle, CFP ®
While growing up in Estes Park, my parents did not initially have a lot of savings or investment knowledge, which sparked my interest to learn more about the stock market and investing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Boulder and traveling for a month on the Eurail, I started working as a tax accountant for Arthur Andersen, LLP, a “Big Six” accounting firm. I enjoyed expanding my knowledge in taxes, investments, retirement planning, estate planning, and attending their worldwide training center. To further enhance my financial planning and investment knowledge, I then worked for AMG National Trust and Envestnet PMC. After our first child was born, I started searching for a work environment where I could balance my passion for financial planning with the joy of spending time with my family. I joined Schaefer Financial Management in 2001. I love helping clients find creative and obtainable ways to work towards meeting their financial goals and objectives.
Dawn Johnson
I grew up in the Midwest, appreciating the wide-open spaces and friendly people. I attended Kearney State College (now called University of Nebraska Kearney) majoring in visual merchandising. I moved to Colorado in 1993, and instantly fell in love with the weather, people, and lifestyle. I started working as a teller and later as account specialist for FirstBank of Colorado. This is where I realized how much joy I found in helping people. I chose to stay at home with my three young children for 10 years while volunteering at their schools and our church before returning to work as an assistant to the CFO of a marketing and advertising agency in Denver for the last 11 years. My role expanded to Office Manager and eventually Executive Assistant. I missed the intimacy of the customer care environment I had experienced at FirstBank. When I met everyone at Schaefer Financial Management, I felt that I connected with their mission to help people.
Ken Schaefer
After graduating from the University of Colorado I was a Certified Public Accountant with Haskins & Sells. The majority of my career was spent in the financial services industry as an Associate Director of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Prior to working with the National Association of Securities Dealers I was a Financial Principal for a Denver-based securities broker/dealer. Most recently, I started working with Schaefer Financial Management in 2006. As Chief Compliance Officer, I handle much of the firm's internal accounting and administrative functions.