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Planning for 

Better Tomorrows


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The Prestwood Process

At Prestwood Financial Group, we follow a proven process with every client that allows us to understand you, identify what's important, develop a plan, and work on your behalf to help you reach your objectives.


Engage


Getting to know you and your needs, wants and wishes

During the initial discovery meeting, we will help you paint a road-map of your life and your current financial surroundings as we discover who you are, what is important to you, and see how we might be able to help you plan for and achieve a better tomorrow.

Explore


Researching the right set of options for you

Based on your needs, we will research several options and work diligently to find the right vehicle to guide your investment down the path to meet your goals.

Design


Mapping a plan of action to help you reach objectives

What is best for one person may not be right for another. This leads us to our process of customized plan design with each client, where we construct portfolios to fit your specific needs.

Implement


Setting your strategy into motion

During this process we will establish your financial accounts and coordinate the steps in aligning you with your financial plan.

Guide


Navigating you through opportunities and obstacles

On a regular basis, we’ll continue to monitor your progress, make adjustments, and report on how you are doing. As your financial life changes, we’ll help you stay on course.

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Get to Know the Team



We are committed to building and maintaining strong relationships with our clients and look forward to providing you with the same level of service. We understand that communication is a key component in the process and we focus on providing personal attention. Our team strives to be counted on and to remain knowledgeable to help plan for better tomorrows.

Our hope for every one of our clients is that after each meeting, you’ll feel more confident and rest assured that your money is here to be an engine of opportunity.

Wendy Prestwood, CMFC, CRPC Photo

Wendy Prestwood, CMFC, CRPC

President & Financial Advisor
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Wendy Prestwood, CMFC, CRPC

Wendy@prestwoodfinancial.com

913-469-8800


Wendy Prestwood and her husband Mark opened Prestwood Financial Group in 2007 because she saw a need for a financial services group that stood for integrity and insightful investment options. Wendy became a financial advisor in order to serve clients with the utmost sophistication and creativity. Developing and implementing personalized financial plans for her clients is a top priority at Prestwood Financial Group.

Wendy was recently nominated to the University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute Board of Directors. The University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation established to promote and support medical research and faculty invention disclosures. Established by the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1992, the Research Institute administers federally-funded and privately-funded research projects and Clinical Trials within the University of Kansas Medical Center with a major objective of enhancing the research capability of the University of Kansas Medical Center faculty for the benefit of the public.

Wendy is highly involved with her three children and their activities. Her oldest son Jordan also works with her at Prestwood Financial Group as an advisor. Wendy loves to be active and especially enjoys a round of golf whenever possible. As a “foodie”, she loves sharing her culinary creations with friends and family. Traveling to new destinations, near and far, is one of Wendy’s favorite things to do.

An Interview With Wendy

Mark Prestwood, CMFC, CRPC Photo

Mark Prestwood, CMFC, CRPC

CFO & Financial Advisor
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Mark Prestwood, CMFC, CRPC

Mark@prestwoodfinancial.com

913-469-8800


Mark Prestwood decided to become a financial advisor after discovering a growing need in the retirement market for professionals that provide a sophisticated analysis and planning for individuals and families. Previously a small business owner, Mark took the opportunity in 2007 to open Prestwood Financial Group with his wife Wendy. He appreciates clients that are willing and eager to learn from his experience. The ability to plan and educate his clients on both opportunity and risk for major decisions is what makes the job so worthwhile.

When not working, Mark prefers to spend time relaxing with his wife and kids. He hits the gym whenever he can to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Mark and his family enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, bike riding or walking their two dogs. He provides comic relief to his wife during the occasional round of golf.

Shelli Buffington, CMFC, CRPC Photo

Shelli Buffington, CMFC, CRPC

Financial Advisor
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Shelli Buffington, CMFC, CRPC

Shelli@prestwoodfinancial.com

913-469-8800


Shelli Buffington has been with Prestwood Financial group since 2007 when it was first founded by Wendy and Mark Prestwood. Shelli's greatest asset as a financial advisor is her genuine care and concern for each and every one of her clients, carefully listening to their goals and aspirations. She is committed to helping them realize those goals through creative and thoughtful planning.

In her free time, Shelli enjoys running, riding her road bike with her husband, Gavin, and spending time with her adult children, Trey and Josh.

Sheri Birdsell, CMFC, CRPC Photo

Sheri Birdsell, CMFC, CRPC

Financial Advisor
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Sheri Birdsell, CMFC, CRPC

Sheri@prestwoodfinancial.com

913-469-8800


Sheri Birdsell became a financial advisor by following her passion for helping teachers and professors plan for a financially stable retirement. She values being able to educate her clients on their investment options. Designing innovative solutions is of the utmost importance. Her career with Prestwood Financial Group since 2007 has allowed her the flexibility to remain as dedicated to her children as she is to her clients.

Sheri enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, playing tennis, and jogging. She also likes taking trips with her husband and spending time with her three kids. Spiritual activities and volunteer work in the community are especially important to her.


Jordan Brown Photo

Jordan Brown

Financial Advisor
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Jordan Brown

Jordan@prestwoodfinancial.com

913-469-8800


Jordan has been with Prestwood Financial Group since 2011. He focuses on financial planning and working with educators and healthcare professionals to help them make educated decisions with their assets to give them financial confidence and reach their goals. Jordan believes every family is unique and he gets to know his clients and help them identify their priorities and goals and together they implement a financial plan using simple and complex software and calculations combined with various investment vehicles. He then meets with his clients on a regular basis to track their progress and update their plan with any changes. Jordan believes in more than just saving for retirement, but rather planning for goals on the journey through life.

Jordan enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. He also coaches his son's baseball and basketball teams. When the weather permits, he loves riding his bike and playing with his kids outside.

Shelbie Montalbano Photo

Shelbie Montalbano

Office Manager
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Shelbie Montalbano

Shelbie@prestwoodfinancial.com

913-469-8800


Customer service and the drive to keep our clients happy is something that Shelbie has always had a passion for. She loves the behind the scenes work that goes into making positive changes for the client. Shelbie looks forward to growing professionally by gaining more knowledge and experience in the financial industry. In her free time, she enjoys watching horror movies, attending ghost tours, and spending time with her fiancé, three year old son, and two wiener dogs.


Jennifer Schneider Photo

Jennifer Schneider

Operations Manager
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Jennifer Schneider

Jennifer@prestwoodfinancial.com

913-469-8800


Jenny enjoys the great atmosphere at Prestwood Financial Group. Along with supporting the Advisory team, her focus is on providing the upmost in service to clients. With her attention to detail and caring manner, she is the perfect addition to our group. Jenny values going above and beyond for both the client and her team and she sees herself with Prestwood Financial for the long run. In her spare time, she enjoys attending softball tournaments with her daughter, hiking, and running marathons.

Sarah Lee Photo

Sarah Lee

Financial Coordinator
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Sarah Lee 

SARAH@PRESTWOODFINANCIAL.COM

913-469-8800


Sarah joins the firm with over 14 years of industry knowledge.  Her caring and personal approach, along with her ability to comb through fine details with precision and accuracy make her an invaluable asset to Prestwood Financial Group.  She has successfully received her FINRA Series 7, 66 and 24 licenses.  Working in different roles throughout the industry, has allowed Sarah to explore her passion for researching new investment ideas for future generations.  

Born and raised right here in Kansas City, she received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Missouri Kansas City.  Sarah and her husband Shane, are parents to an adorable daughter named Emerson. When she’s not cheering Emerson on at her soccer games, you’ll often find Sarah in the kitchen trying new baking recipes.  She and Emerson love to make messes trying to recreate the things they see on the Food Network.  


You love what you do. You’ve worked hard to get here and want to know that tomorrow may be just as secure. In a changing world, it’s hard to find an insightful advisor to discuss financial choices. With the constant demands of day to day life, financial planning tends to fall by the wayside.

Thankfully, we also love what we do. Let us put as much care into your financial future as you do in what you love. With Prestwood Financial Group, you’ll chart a path to what’s important as we journey towards better tomorrows.



Our Commitment


Prestwood Financial Group is committed to helping clients and their families plan for better tomorrows. We do this by having a clear understanding of your objectives and creating a plan uniquely specific to your needs. We are committed to developing lifelong relationships by providing a high level of knowledge, personalized service and maintaining the standards of integrity and professionalism.

Markets Fluctuate. 

We'll Help You Stay The Course.


Comprehensive Wealth Management Services



Overview

Every client has a different plan, a different course to chart. Time is valuable and you need someone that understands your unique circumstances. It is important to explore all of your options and make informed decisions.

For those with a demanding profession, your time is better spent devoted to your career than worrying about how all the pieces fit together. We take any and all concerns into consideration to work towards creating the best possible plan for your future.

Prestwood Financial Group will help you focus on what's important to you.


Schedule a Meeting


Retirement & Financial Planning

Where will your retirement money come from? If you're like most people, qualified-retirement plans, Social Security, and personal savings and investments are expected to play a role. Once you have estimated the amount of money you may need for retirement, a sound approach involves taking a close look at your potential retirement-income sources.

Our services include

  • Customized financial planning based on your needs, wants and wishes
  • Regular review and updates of financial goal plan based on life changes or needs
  • Proactive implementation and support of plan components and strategies
  • Analysis of your income needs now and in the future
  • Tax efficient planning to maximize income benefits
  • Social Security maximization
  • Continual development and implementation of recommendations to fund your income needs and help maintain a comfortable standard of living
  • Educating you on all of the distribution options for your employer retirement plans and IRAs
  • Inherited IRA options
  • Beneficiary review and guidance

Investment Services

Investing should be easy – just buy low and sell high – but most of us have trouble following that simple advice. There are principles and strategies that may enable you to put together an investment portfolio that reflects your risk tolerance, time horizon, and goals. Understanding these principles and strategies can help you avoid some of the pitfalls that snare some investors.

Our services include

  • Review your investments and design a personalized portfolio appropriate to your needs
  • Year-long, continual monitoring of your investments
  • Commission-free transactions on most stocks, bonds or mutual funds traded in your account
  • Recommendations regarding positioning of funds within your employer retirement plans

Risk Management

A good defense is the best offense. Insurance transfers the financial risk of life's events to an insurance company. A sound insurance strategy can help protect your family from the financial consequences of those events. A strategy can include personal insurance, liability insurance, and life insurance.

Our services include

  • Audit of your current life insurance
  • Regular review of your health insurance, long term care and long-term disability policies
  • Assistance with placement, or replacement of protection products based upon your needs

Estate Planning

Effective estate management enables you to manage your affairs during your lifetime and control the distribution of your wealth after death. An effective estate strategy can spell out your healthcare wishes and ensure that they're carried out – even if you are unable to communicate. It can even designate someone to manage your financial affairs should you be unable to do so.

Our services include

  • Analysis of your current estate plan and concerns
  • Consultation and coordination with your attorney, or referral should you need one
  • Assistance in transferring assets to your trusts
  • Guidance in case of death of loved one

Goal Review & Communication


Review Meetings

  • We will meet with you to review and evaluate your personal situation, update your overall financial goals and financial plan, review investment performance and, if necessary, reallocate your portfolio to ensure we are in line with your objectives

Regular Communication

  • We’re here any time you have questions about your financial situation, plan or investments
  • Quarterly Newsletter to keep you apprised of the most current planning options
  • Special reports on how to minimize your taxes and other important topics
  • Prestwood Financial Group special events, including client appreciation events (guests welcomed)

Tax Strategies*

Understanding tax strategies and managing your tax bill should be part of any sound financial approach. Some taxes can be deferred, and others can be managed through tax-efficient investing. With careful and consistent preparation, you may be able to manage the impact of taxes on your financial efforts.

Our services include

  • Review of your tax situation and planning to incorporate any new tax law changes
  • Consultation and coordination with your tax preparer
  • Recommendations of tax strategies including tax advantaged investments

Business Owners


Regardless of whether business is booming and you are constantly busy, or times are slack and you are struggling to grow your business, it may seem as if the stress involved with running a business is never-ending. However, by adjusting your approach to time management and reviewing your priorities, you can break the cycle of stress and start to feel more satisfied and in control of your life.


College Funding


Rising education costs require a forward-thinking plan. Prestwood Financial can help you prepare for one of life’s biggest investments.


Charitable Giving*


For millions of Americans, “charity begins at home.” In addition to the immense satisfaction that comes from giving to others, charitable giving can provide tax benefits for the donor and his or her heirs when done as part of an estate plan.

From the Blog


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Getting Started is Easy


Schedule a Meeting


While every conversation is different, you should expect to cover some general information and get a sense of what it’s like to collaborate with us.

To help prepare for this meeting, you should have a basic idea of your current financial picture and financial goals. How are things now? Do you have any concerns? What do you hope to accomplish in the next few years and longer term?


Current Clients


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