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Cordis Team

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Ingrid Strauss, CFP® Photo
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Ingrid Strauss, CFP®

Partner/Financial Planner

Ingrid Strauss, CFP®

I have always enjoyed connecting with people – learning about their story and what is important to them.  Combining that with financial planning has been a great fit for me.  I’m intrigued by the challenge of creating financial strategies for clients that align with their personal goals and values.  No two situations are the same.

Ingrid first began in the financial planning industry in 2006.  When she joined Paul Leighton’s financial planning practice in 2011, she was drawn to the comprehensive, life planning approach that Cordis embraces.  She earned her CFP® credentials in 2014.  In June 2018, Cordis became an independent Registered Investment Advisory firm.  Ingrid continues to appreciate the impact that a well-designed financial plan can have on their clients' lives.  She is actively involved in the Minnesota chapter of the Financial Planning Association, currently serving as a board member.

Ingrid grew up in Rochester, Minnesota as the youngest of 5 children.  She received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa, with a major in Political Science.  She spent a semester studying abroad in Rome, which sparked her love for travel.  Today, Ingrid lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with her husband Nick and their four children – Nina, George, Arthur, and Maeve.  On the weekends, Ingrid and family can be found cheering on the Hawkeyes, Gophers, and Vikings, trying out a new restaurant, exploring the city’s playgrounds and parks, and occasionally even finding time to squeeze in a game of tennis.

Jeanna Fifer, CFP®, CPWA® Photo
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Jeanna Fifer, CFP®, CPWA®

Partner/Financial Planner

Jeanna Fifer, CFP®, CPWA®

I love sitting beside people and helping them learn about the decisions they are making.  I think as a great financial planner your most meaningful work is in educating people so they feel confident both in where they are currently and where they are going.

Jeanna joined the Cordis Team in June of 2018 during the firm’s transition to becoming a Registered Investment Advisor.  Her past experience with other financial planning groups brings valuable insights to our business and clients.  Jeanna started in financial planning after graduating from University of Minnesota in 2008.  Through an internship in college with a planning firm in Edina she saw first hand the impact that holistic financial planning can have on people’s lives.  After college, Jeanna set out to work in small, independent and team-oriented financial planning firms.  Over the years as a financial planner, Jeanna has enjoyed working with clients helping them to better understand their position and supporting them as they make decisions.

Jeanna grew up in Huron, South Dakota and goes “home” often to spend time with her family.  During her time at the University of Minnesota she relished in all that the Twin Cities have to offer and decided to make it her new home.  Jeanna and her husband, Will, live in Minnetonka with their son, Wesley, and daughter, Ellis.  After renovating their 1960s rambler together they are happy to be just 'living' there and spending time with a little ones bumping into the corners. Jeanna feels strongly about giving back to the world around her and does so in many different ways.  For fun she will play a board game anytime, immerse herself into a tv show, take in a concert or a musical (if she has the choice) and cheer on the MN sports teams.  

Community Involvement:

  • Financial Literacy Coalition of MN - Steering Committee Member
  • Minnesota Council on Economic Education - Board Member
  • Financial Planning Association of MN - 2016 Chapter President
  • Financial Planning Association of MN - Programs Committee Chair
  • Minneapolis Foundation - Fourth Generation Member (previous)
  • Jeremiah Program - Life Skills Program Presenter (previous)
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters - Big Sister 2009 - 2016
Tom Sullivan Photo
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Tom Sullivan

Financial Planner

Tom started his real world, family financial planning journey early in 1974 as a FIC (Fraternal Insurance Counselor) with The Lutheran Brotherhood. His knowledge and skills evolved right along of this new profession of “financial planning”, eventually starting his own Registered Investment Advisory firm, Thomas L Sullivan Financial, in 1997. He welcomes this opportunity to finish out his 50+ year journey with Cordis Financial.

Tom is a Nordeast boy, growing up on the remnants of the Sullivan Family Farm in nearby Columbia Heights – soon surrounded by new schools and fellow Baby Boomers. That probably helps explain his deep dive into family genealogy – finding and meeting distant cousins in the exotic worlds of Ireland, Sweden and North Dakota.

He loves his wife, his family and all 7 grandchildren and spends as much time as possible in the world of music as a decent singer and an adequate instrumentalist (guitar, Irish Bodhran and piano accordion). Anything goes, but his preferred genres are bluegrass, 50’s-70’s folk ballads, and traditional Swedish and Irish music. He and his wife Kristi (the real musician in the family) are supporters of Celtic Junction Art Center and The Center for Irish Music in St Paul.  

Kelly Sullivan Noah, CFP® Photo
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Kelly Sullivan Noah, CFP®

Financial Planner

Make your life and your community interesting and vibrant. Keep your financial life simple.  I’ve learned to curate a world of information to deliver only what is both relevant and useful to our clients.

While Kelly grew up helping file papers at her father’s office on school off days and assisting with his evening seminars, they did not plan for her to follow his footsteps into financial planning. She was working in corporate accounting in 2005 when she was looking for a path that better aligned with her values, and Tom was looking to hire the next planner for his practice. Kelly achieved her CFP® certification and then completed a Masters degree in Family Financial Planning with an emphasis on informal eldercare systems in 2010. She has been honored to walk stages of life with clients these past two decades, learning from their experiences from young adulthood through legacy years.  One of her favorite elements of her career is creating educational pieces to connect her clients with useful and relevant financial perspectives.

Driven by a love of learning and a need to serve others, Kelly’s calling is to learn and then teach. She joined the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Squad as a young adult, volunteering in rescue & recovery and community service. By the time she left the squad to start her family, she was the lieutenant in charge of training for her division and also worked as a CPR instructor and EMT as a hobby. She and her husband, Sam, have homeschooled their two teenaged boys from toddlerhood. She volunteers extensively in the gifted and homeschooling communities and now finds herself requested to speak to both parents and educators about raising lifelong learners.

She enjoys reading nonfiction, growing vegetables, and riding the Three Rivers Parks bike trail system with her family.

Community Involvement:

  • Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Squad – Volunteer 1997-2010
  • Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented CHOICES Chapter – Volunteer and board member 2015-present
  • STAR Academy – Volunteer administrator 2017-present
Kristin Baker, CFP® Photo
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Kristin Baker, CFP®

Associate Financial Planner

Kristin Baker, CFP®

I am fascinated by people. Each individual is inspired and driven by unique motivations. Connecting these motivations to appropriate financial strategies is immensely rewarding. When someone realizes what is possible in their financial life and it aligns to who they are;
it is delightful.  

Kristin Baker joined Cordis Financial as an Associate Financial Planner in January 2023. Kristin has over 15 years of experience in financial services. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and holds an MBA from Hamline University. Kristin’s passion is working with people on financial planning and the Cordis approach of Planning with Purpose aligns with her values and vision.  

Kristin grew up in Fargo and moved to the Twin Cities after college at the University of North Dakota. She met her husband, Grant, a Deephaven native, and they settled down in Minnetonka. When Kristin is not in the office, she and Grant are chasing their three children, Audra, Olle, and Sam from activity to activity and enjoying every moment of it. They also have a Yorkie, Reggie, and a goldfish.  

Kristin loves to read and listen to audiobooks. She runs every day and enjoys getting outside in all seasons. She takes a weekly pottery class at a local studio. In addition, she makes it a point to go out with her friends a few times a month for dinners at some of the great Twin Cities restaurants. She loves to travel, both in-state and to far-flung locales, her favorite thus far being Australia.  

Rob Spah Photo
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Rob Spah

Operations Manager

Rob Spah

I feel a great deal of joy and satisfaction being able to help people. I love coming into the office every day knowing I have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life and help them achieve their goals.

Rob joined the Cordis Financial team in October of 2021 as the Operations Manager. His prior experience in the financial industry aids him as he focuses on our client experience and business operations. Rob’s interest in the financial planning industry was sparked when he served as the treasure of the Investment Club his senior year at the University of Minnesota Duluth. After graduating in 2014 with a finance major and a marketing minor, he gained experience working for other small businesses and financial companies. Rob’s favorite aspect of work at Cordis is getting to know our clients and their individual stories and helping them work toward their financial and life goals. 

Rob grew up in Champlin, Minnesota as the oldest of 5 siblings where he enjoyed fishing, biking around the neighborhood and playing sports with his friends. While studying at the University of Minnesota Duluth Rob’s love for the outdoors grew. He tries to visit the north shore as often as possible with his wife Kelly, where they enjoy hiking, camping, skiing, and visiting the local breweries. Rob and Kelly live in Minnetonka, Minnesota with their son, Wally, and dog Eleven (named after the character from Stranger Things). When he's not working on a project around the house, Rob relaxes by cooking with his wife, playing golf with friends, seeing live music and spending time with his family. 

Jade Cain Photo
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Jade Cain

Client Service Manager

Dedicated to building lasting relationships through exceptional service and unwavering support, I strive to ensure every client feels valued and understood. 

Jade Cain joined Cordis Financial through the acquisition of Sullivan Financial Advisors. She started as a Client Communications Manager in June 2011 and has since become an invaluable part of the team. With a passion for personal interactions and data organization, she is dedicated to enhancing the client experience. In her pursuit of professional growth, Jade returned to school in Spring 2020 and proudly earned her Associate of Applied Science in Finance Management in 2023.  

Originally from Rogers, Minnesota, Jade has a younger sister and shares a life with her husband, Ryan, whom she began dating in 2008 and married in 2018. In addition to her role at Cordis, Jade supports the administrative functions of Ryan's concrete and natural stone restoration company in Andover.  When she’s not at the office, Jade enjoys spending time with her elementary school-aged niece, playing with their three doodles, or tending to their menagerie of chickens and ducks. As Tom’s great-niece, she also cherishes the moments spent with family at Sullivan gatherings. Jade's blend of professionalism and warmth makes her a cherished member of our team and a trusted partner for our clients.