Kristi Van Vleck MBA, CRPC® ,CDFA®, BFA®
Kristi Van Vleck, MBA, CRPC®, CDFA®, BFA®, is a seasoned Private Wealth Advisor with over two decades of experience guiding clients through life’s most important financial decisions. As part of the Pave Advisory Team, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, she specializes in retirement planning, divorce financial analysis, behavioral finance, and women’s financial strategies. Kristi takes a personalized approach, listening deeply to her clients’ goals and creating tailored plans to help them navigate today’s unpredictable markets with confidence. Her expertise extends to estate and tax planning strategies, education savings, and investment guidance, including stock options and RSUs, making her a trusted advisor to individuals and families alike.
Beyond her advisory practice, Kristi is passionate about financial education and empowerment. She has a particular focus on helping families raise financially aware children and equipping women with tools to take charge of their financial futures. Her dedication to mentoring extends into volunteer service, where she has contributed as a Company Advisor for Young Entrepreneurs Business Week and as President of North Marion Youth Athletics, blending her commitment to financial literacy with community leadership.
Kristi earned her MBA from the University of Phoenix and a B.S. in Business Marketing with a minor in Writing from Oregon State University. She holds multiple professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, and Behavioral Financial Advisor®. With a career marked by both professional excellence and a deep sense of care for her clients’ well-being, Kristi is dedicated to helping people not only plan for their future but also live more fully in the present.
• CRPC
• CDFA
• University of Phoenix- M.B.A.
• Oregon State University- B.S.
• Fighting Pretty
• Bricks for North Marion
• Portland Fruit Tree project
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to more than 24 years of dedication in financial services, growing my practice since 2006 into an all-female advisory team where I’ve had the privilege of mentoring women and guiding clients through life’s milestones as if they were part of my own family. My certifications in divorce and behavioral finance, along with my MBA and CRPC designation, have allowed me to better serve and empower clients—particularly women—while staying deeply engaged in my community through nonprofit work and service.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to seek out mentors who can guide both professional and personal growth, and to embrace work-life integration rather than striving for a perfect balance.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to embrace flexibility and work-life integration rather than waiting for “perfect balance,” while surrounding yourself with a strong support system. Seek out mentors and invest in education and certifications to build both credibility and confidence.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is navigating a male-dominated industry while balancing motherhood and business ownership, along with finding and developing high-quality talent. At the same time, there’s a tremendous opportunity in thoughtfully integrating AI into financial services while still maintaining the personal touch, and in working with families early to plan strategically—especially around taxes—before it becomes overwhelming.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity, family, and health, while empowering women in finance, providing ethical and personalized guidance, and staying committed to mentorship, lifelong learning, and community involvement.