Our Team

Susie Steel, CFP®

COO, Wealth Manager, & Senior Shareholder

Brad Cougill, CFP®

CIO, Wealth Manager, & Senior Shareholder

Marsha Kalasmiki

Business Manager & Chief Compliance Officer

Marcus Miller, CPA, CFP®

Wealth Manager & Shareholder

Matt Roop, CFP®, CEPA

Wealth Manager & Shareholder

Aidan Finet, CFP®

Associate Advisor

Shannon Ziegler, FPQP™

Office Manager

Linda Gehr

Administrative Specialist

Lori Kamminga, FPQP™

Client Services Associate

Lori Conder, FPQP™

Client Services Associate

Tracy Wailes

Client Services Associate
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Website

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Indianapolis

8440 Woodfield Crossing Blvd, Suite 360
Indianapolis, IN 46240
P: (317) 469-2455

Chicago

1480 Renaissance Dr. Suite 215
Park Ridge, IL 60068
P: (847) 789-5000

Susie M. Steel, CFP®

COO, Wealth Manager, & Senior Shareholder

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As Chief Operating Officer, Susie directs the firm’s daily business operations, leading Deerfield’s Wealth Managers and Associate Advisors and providing counsel to a limited group of the firm’s clientele.  She brings Deerfield a passion for innovation, procedural diligence, and disciplined execution capabilities honed over her 30-year financial planning career and strives to make each client and team member feel like they’re family.

Susie has been a principal shareholder and Executive Officer at Deerfield for more than 25 years.  She is a graduate of Ball State University. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, and a NAPFA Registered Financial Advisor, where she has served as a Regional Board member and on multiple leadership committees.  In addition, Susie earned the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC) graduate-level estate planning professional specialization designation, Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®), and utilized these credentials the period 2013-2018 while maintaining the required local estate planning council membership. 

Over the years, professional involvement has included memberships and participation in the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Greater Indiana, the Central Indiana NAPFA Study Group, the Estate Planning Council of Indianapolis, Network Of Women in Business, Female Advisor Network, Professional Advisory Leadership Council (PALC), and the CIFC Cornerstone Council.  Recognized for her professional success, Mrs. Steel has been named one of Indianapolis Monthly’s “Five Star Wealth Managers” annually for the last decade (2009-2021). 

Susie’s deep belief that “To whom much is given, much will be required” drives passion about giving back to the local communities where she lives and works. Her community involvement has included serving the Indianapolis community through a Board Position with the Financial Center First Credit Union (FCFCU), the Indianapolis Children’s Museum Planned Giving Council, Kiwanis Club of Northwest Indianapolis, Junior Achievement Volunteer, mentoring professional women through the CFP Board “WIN-to-WIN” Program, the Rotary Club of Carmel, Indy Reads Alphabet Affair Gala Planning Committee, United Way of Central Indiana Leadership United Program, and various leadership positions that support local Christian ministries.  Of late, most energies have targeted the Rotary Club of Carmel, Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN), and the current Board position with the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center (MRNC).

Married for 28 years, Susie and her husband Kevin live in Carmel, Indiana, and raised 3 (now near-adult) children.  Susie spends the majority of her time focusing on faith, family, business, and community involvement. 

Brad Cougill, CFP®

CIO, Wealth Manager, & Senior Shareholder

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On behalf of Deerfield, Brad’s efforts are focused on overall business strategy, leading the investment strategy for the firm, and providing counsel to a limited group of our clientele. He has a relentless passion for learning and growth that is grounded in the wisdom and knowledge he has gained in a career that has spanned nearly three decades.

Brad has been a shareholder, director, and officer at Deerfield for more than 25 years.  He is a graduate of Butler University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional as well as a NAPFA Registered Financial Advisor for which he has served for more than a decade on its Plan Review Committee as well as various sub-committees and leadership task forces. 

Outside of Deerfield, Brad is a member of the Central Indiana Community Foundation’s Cornerstone Counsel.  He also serves as a board member with two national non-profit organizations – the All American Cup, Inc., whose mission is to promote the future of American Saddlebred horses and Hatch for Hunger, Inc., a non-profit focused on creating a sustainable solution to America’s hunger crisis.

Brad is a lifelong resident of Indianapolis, IN where he and his wife of more than 25 years, Lorrie, have raised two daughters. Outside of family and Deerfield, Brad is passionate about and very active in changing the future of food by addressing issues rooted in how we treat our land, grow our food, and ultimately, what we eat. 

Marsha Kalasmiki

Business Manager & Chief Compliance Officer

As Business Manager and Chief Compliance Officer, Marsha is focused on leading the firm’s financial management activities and maintaining client trust by ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory mandates.  In addition, Marsha works closely with the leadership team overseeing technology, facilities, and human resources.

Marsha has more than 40 years of experience in financial management and operations.  Prior to joining Deerfield in 2011, she worked as a Controller and Director of Information Technology for two large privately held corporations in the fields of healthcare and commercial real estate.  She is a graduate of Indiana University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.   

When not working at Deerfield, Marsha enjoys refinishing furniture and spending time with her family.  She has four grown children and three grandchildren, along with two dogs.  She loves to entertain family and friends and annually hosts a whiffle ball derby at her home in Westfield, IN.

Marcus Miller, CPA, CFP®

Wealth Manager & Shareholder

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Marcus is passionate about helping clients whose definition of WealthwhileSM is achieving and maintaining financial independence for their families. In his role as Wealth Manager, he provides comprehensive financial planning, income tax and estate planning, and investment management for a wide array of clients.  Coordinating the activities of their accountants, insurance brokers, estate attorneys, bankers, and other professional advisors is an important part of this strategy.

Prior to joining Deerfield in 2012, Marcus gained valuable experience working for Big Four accounting firm, as well as a national brokerage firm, and a prominent independent advisory firm.  He is a graduate of Ball State University where he earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science degree in Accounting.  In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, Marcus is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.  He is an active member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, where he is a NAPFA Registered Financial Advisor. He serves in the community as a member of the Central Indiana Community Foundation’s (CICF) Professional Advisor Leadership Council, a member of the Planned Giving Committee at the Indianapolis Zoo, a Board member at Happy Hollow Children’s Camp, and a frequent guest speaker at Ball State University.

Marcus lives in Carmel, IN, with his wife Andrea and two young daughters.  He and his family love spending time outdoors hiking, bicycling, camping, and traveling to national parks. He also enjoys training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is an avid reader.

Matt Roop, CFP®, CEPA

Wealth Manager & Shareholder

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Matt knows the importance of learning each client’s personal definition of WealthwhileSM.  He works closely with their other trusted advisors such as accountants, insurance brokers, estate attorneys, and bankers to provide comprehensive financial planning that’s as unique as the client.

Matt has been active in the investment and wealth management industry since 1997.  He gained valuable and relevant industry experience while working at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and later, with a boutique Indianapolis-based independent advisory firm. Prior to joining Deerfield in 2015, Matt took a brief detour from the industry to work for a closely held family business.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University as well as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from George Washington University.  In addition, Matt is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, and a NAPFA Registered Financial Advisor.  He is an active member of the Exit Planning Institute and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors.

Matt and his wife, Kimberly, live in Carmel, IN, where they are raising four active children.  When he isn’t working, he is an avid reader and enjoys spending quality time relaxing with family and close friends at their lake house in southern Indiana.  He spends time there boating, floating, skiing, and fishing.  In short, if it’s a sport or on the water, it’s for Matt!

Aidan Finet, CFP®

Associate Advisor

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With a passion for numbers and data analysis, Aidan provides planning support to our team of Wealth Managers.  As Associate Advisor, he leverages those skills to assist with the management of investment assets and client relationships.  He is actively involved in all aspects of the firm’s wealth management processes and works directly alongside Advisors addressing many of the firm’s most complex client situations.  In addition, he provides support to the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) as a member of the firm’s CIO Cabinet. 

Aidan earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs degree from Indiana University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. While attending college, Aidan worked part-time for four years at a boutique independent investment advisory firm located in Fort Wayne, IN.  Not only did he gain valuable wealth management industry experience, he also learned how to serve others and was introduced to Deerfield and hired in 2018.

Aidan resides in downtown Indianapolis, where he enjoys living an active lifestyle outside his professional one. When not working or studying, he enjoys traveling, exercising, enjoying real food, and craft beer.

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

Aidan Finet, CFP®

Associate Advisor

Shannon Ziegler, FPQP™

Office Manager

In her role as Office Manager, Shannon works closely with our operations team ensuring that our back office runs efficiently and effectively, thus allowing our service teams to focus on delivering excellence to our clients.  She performs a wide array of critical functions in the areas of technology, facilities, financial management, compliance, human resources, and corporate insurance. 

Shannon joined Deerfield in 2005 and served as a Client Services Associate for more than a decade before accepting the role of Office Manager.  Prior to her career at Deerfield, Shannon worked in the hospitality industry as an Event Planner and also in the investment industry for Edward Jones Investments, bringing her tenure in the financial industry now to more than 25 years.

Shannon received an Associate of Arts degree from Ball State University and also earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University.  In addition, she holds the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ designation through the College for Financial Planning.

Shannon lives in Tipton, IN and, when not working, she loves being with her grandchildren and spending time outdoors.  There, you’ll find her and her husband, Tim, gardening, camping, riding their Harley-Davidson motorcycle and side-by-side utility vehicle, as well as Jeeping.

Linda Gehr

Administrative Specialist

In her role as Administrative Specialist, Linda works closely with our Client Services Associates ensuring that our back office runs efficiently and effectively so that they are able to serve our clients with excellence. 

Linda handles a little bit of everything here at Deerfield.  She performs a wide array of critical functions mostly related to establishing and maintaining accurate client records and processing the large inbound flow of correspondence and communications in a timely, personal, and professional manner.  In addition to being a resource for our Client Services Associates, she also provides administrative services for our operations team.

After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Computer Systems from Grove City College in Pennsylvania, Linda worked in the mortgage industry for a national home builder, ultimately managing their Cincinnati, Ohio office before relocating to the Indianapolis area.  She joined Deerfield in 2012.

Linda and her husband, Ed, live in Westfield, IN, where she enjoys walking her Golden Retriever, Ozzie, as well as riding her bike, hiking, and reading, whenever time allows.

Lori Kamminga, FPQP™

Client Services Associate

Lori’s goal is to help clients live their WealthwhileSM by ensuring that they receive exceptional service and that all of their planning and investment needs are being met.  She enjoys getting to know clients on a personal level so she can help simplify their financial lives while building relationships. As a Client Services Associate, Lori works directly with clients alongside a team of Wealth Managers and Associate Advisors to assist with the implementation of their planning and investment strategies.  She spends most of her time responding to client inquiries, gathering data for detailed client-specific recordkeeping, processing distribution and account transfer requests, and researching special projects.  She also handles opening and closing accounts, as well as meeting scheduling for her team. Prior to joining Deerfield in 2016, Lori spent 15 years working in the banking and public accounting industries in various executive administration roles.  With her passion for professional growth, Lori obtained her Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ designation through the College for Financial Planning in 2017. Lori lives in Fishers, IN with her daughter, Shelby, along with their dog and cat. She finds great joy in supporting non-profits and community initiatives that improve the lives of others, and is particularly passionate about children, elders, and people living with disabilities. Building strong traditions for Shelby is important, and they love finding ways to make memories by volunteering, cooking, and laughing together.

Lori Conder, FPQP™

Client Service Associate

Lori’s commitment to delivering exceptional service helps clients achieve their WealthwhileSM and ensures that all of their planning and investment needs are being met.  The most rewarding aspects of her job are the personal one-on-one interactions she has almost daily with clients as it helps her see the positive impact her role has on their lives. In her role as a Client Services Associate, Lori works directly with clients to help execute the planning and investment strategies developed by her team of Wealth Managers and Associate Advisors.  Main areas of Lori’s focus include: gathering client data, opening and closing accounts, maintaining detailed client records, scheduling meetings, processing deposits and distribution requests and account transfers, researching special projects, and fielding questions. When she joined Deerfield in 2018, Lori brought 12 years of experience in advertising and promotional product sales and then e-Commerce, most recently at Angie’s List.  Lori very quickly obtained her Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ designation through the College for Financial Planning so that she would have the specific industry knowledge necessary for her to make an immediate impact for her clients and teammates. In her spare time, Lori can be found with her three pets Max, Tilly, and Gus. She also enjoys gardening, puzzles, dance, and walking. Whenever time allows, Lori lends a hand in the community as a valued volunteer for Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build initiative.

Tracy Wailes

Client Services Associate

Tracy has a passion for helping others, which serves her well in her role at Deerfield. She enjoys connecting with clients and getting to know them on a personal level.  As a Client Services Associate, Tracy works closely with her team of Wealth Managers to help clients reach their financial goals. Her main responsibilities include gathering client data, maintaining detailed client records, opening and closing accounts, scheduling meetings, account maintenance, and communicating with clients about day-to-day needs. Before joining the Deerfield team, Tracy spent over 15 years in customer service and administrative roles, with 13 of those years in banking. Her background in the financial industry has provided her with a great foundation to build upon. She is looking forward to obtaining her Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation in order to provide additional strength in her role. Tracy lives on the south side of Indianapolis with her husband Jim, 2 children, and their dog. She loves working in the yard, watching sports, and vacationing at the beach as much as possible.