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Creating Financial Calm

Always Do What is Best for Our Clients

These words of advice were shared by Jeff Berenson with his son, Stephen, during the beginning of his career as a financial advisor. Doing what is best for their clients has been the driving force behind the Rising Light Financial Advisors team ever since. Honesty, responsiveness, and genuine care for their wellbeing, are what Stephen and Jeff’s clients have come to expect.

Our Services

Rising Light Financial Advisors offers comprehensive financial services. Our team of professionals will help you create a well-thought-out strategy to help you address your financial needs and concerns.

  • Portfolio Construction and Proactive Ongoing Investment Advice
  • Analysis of Existing investments and annuities
  • Strategic Asset Allocation
  • Trust Management
  • Tax-efficiency and tax loss harvesting
  • Low-cost investments
  • Asset Placement
  • Cash Flow Projections and income distribution planning
  • 401k/403b Analysis & Ongoing Recommendations
  • Retirement Planning (i.e. “What If” Scenarios)
  • Tax Efficient Ways To Access Retirement and investment funds
  • IRA Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) calculations and planning
  • Tax Planning
  • Financial Organization and Net Worth Analysis & Projections
  • Proactive Tax Planning & Monitoring
  • Coordination of Tax & Investment Planning
  • Education Plan Recommendations / 529 Plans
  • Roth IRA conversions strategies
  • Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) planning
  • Long Term Care and Life Insurance needs and policy analysis
  • Trust & Estate Planning
  • Family Gifting Strategies & Projections
  • Charitable Gifting Strategies & Analysis
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Risk Management & Insurance Planning

“True hospitality consists of giving the best of yourself to your guests.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt

Rising Light Financial Advisors is committed to delivering excellent service and creating an outstanding client experience. The team started their independent practice to focus more time and resources on putting their best effort into each client relationship. Rising Light Financial Advisors is a family-run business, and we look out for our clients like we do our families.

Meet The Team

Managing Partner - Financial Advisor

Stephen Berenson

Stephen Berenson has the ability and tools to develop comprehensive investment plans to help meet your financial and long-term goals. He is a resource to clients needing informed investment advice with access to a broad array of services, including economic- and investment-specific research, a breadth of investment platforms, and access to ancillary services. Whether you are planning for retirement, your children’s or grandchildren’s education, the purchase of a home, or transition wealth for future generations, Stephen can help you.

Before founding Rising Light Financial Advisors, Stephen worked as a Financial Advisor for Wells Fargo Advisors. He previously worked as a certified public accountant and accounting manager for Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant. As a former accountant, he learned to appreciate the importance of planning for the future and preparing for unexpected changes along the way. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University.

The strongest relationships he has fostered over the years resulted from his clients knowing how much he cared about them. His greatest reward is congratulating clients when their planning aligns with their goals and celebrating milestones with them, such as a child’s graduation from college or the birth of a grandchild. Stephen has made it his utmost priority always to put people first and to do the best for each client.

(O) 708.885.0239
(E) sberenson@risinglightfa.com

Managing Director

Jeffery Berenson, CFP®

As a Financial Advisor, Jeff Berenson helps manage assets for individuals, trusts, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. He helps clients develop and implement strategies for building wealth and realizing their goals through a long-term investment approach. His mission is to provide objective and timely financial advice and guidance—with the highest level of professional service—in building and preserving wealth for his clients.

Before joining Rising Light Financial Advisors, Jeff worked at Wells Fargo Advisors for over 20 years. Before entering the financial services industry, Jeff graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in accounting and worked as a certified public accountant with Laventhol & Horwath. With an emphasis on continuing education, he earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM professional (CFP®) designation from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. He completed approved educational programs for this designation, passed rigorous examinations, and met stringent experience requirements.

(C) 708.885.0243
(E) jberenson@risinglightfa.com

Senior Client Services Associate

Patricia G Wetzel

Patty Wetzel has been in the securities industry for more than 30 years and brings abundant knowledge and experience to the Rising Light Financial Advisors team.

Patty’s responsibilities encompass client services, such as account monitoring, entering trades for clients, and a solutions-oriented client experience. Patty’s attention to detail and desire to see her team and clients succeed have been ingrained in her work ethic and have driven her success in the industry. She holds Series 7, 9, 10, 63, and 66 registrations. She is committed to providing all clients with personalized attention and support.

(C) 708.885.0249
(E) pwetzel@risinglightfa.com

Will Brand, CRCP®

Chief Compliance Officer

Ryan Geschke

Director of Investments

Erin Corbett

Director of Finance & Human Capital

Jenny Kurz

Marketing Coordinator

Lauren Lehman, CFA®, CFP®

Head of Portfolio Management

Arianna Rodriguez, CIMA®

Senior Portfolio Manager

Will Brand, CRCP®

Chief Compliance Officer

Ryan Geschke

Director of Investments

Erin Corbett

Director of Finance & Human Capital

Jenny Kurz

Marketing Coordinator

Lauren Lehman, CFA®, CFP®

Head of Portfolio Management

Arianna Rodriguez, CIMA®

Senior Portfolio Manager

Resource Partners

Resource Partners

Get In Touch

Do you have questions for Rising Light Financial Advisors and want to get in touch? Give us a call Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST, or email us at any time. We are here to serve you.