Our Team

Mike brings more than 30 years of investment management experience and insight to business owners, individuals and families seeking a proactive and personalized approach to wealth management.  In 2000, Mike and his wife Joanie co-founded Retirement Solutions in Naperville, Illinois to bring the extensive financial planning experience and comprehensive wealth management capabilities to a select group of individuals and families. Since its founding, Retirement Solutions has a relationship with LPL Financial, who acts as their broker/dealer.  Mike acts as one of the firm’s three wealth advisors and focuses his time on market research, investment selection, and asset allocation while engaging with clients to understand their investment and lifestyle objectives.

Mike graduated from The University of Toledo in 1980 with a business degree in finance, and went on to work in investing at The Sylvania Savings Bank Co. and then as a bond trader at Van Kampen, Merritt.  In 1986, Mike moved to The American National Bank in Chicago to trade government bonds. When the stock market crashed in 1987, he made a conscious decision to move out of trading and into a field where he could use his vast investment experience to make a direct impact on the lives of individuals. He moved to The Acacia Group in 1990 after completing his CFP to begin an investing and financial planning practice. Mike spent 10 years at Acacia, growing his practice and honing his skillset before founding Retirement Solutions.

Mike and Joanie have two children, Lisa and Ryan, and four grandchildren, Stevie, Gavin, Charlotte, and Ramsey.  Mike is an avid bowler, having recorded three perfect games, and golfer, including two holes-in-one.

Ryan formally joined Retirement Solutions as a Wealth Advisor in 2015 but has been indirectly involved in the business since its founding as the son of Mike and Joanie.  As of January 1, 2024, he was promoted to CEO and owner of Retirement Solutions.  His primary focus is on tracking the markets and ensuring client’s investment selections and asset allocations are properly aligned to their objectives.  Ryan currently holds the Series 7 and Series 66 Securities registrations through LPL Financial.

Ryan was raised in Naperville, Illinois, graduating from Neuqua Valley High School before attending George Mason University where he played Division I Men’s Volleyball.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the School of Management in 2010 and then continued his volleyball career in Belgium, playing professionally until 2011.  After returning to the states, Ryan took several sales roles at companies in Virginia and NYC before joining Retirement Solutions in 2015.

Ryan married Caroline in 2018 and they now have two young, boisterous kids, Charlotte and Ramsey.  Outside of work and family time, Ryan enjoys going to the gym, playing volleyball, golfing, and traveling.

Caroline joined Retirement Solutions in 2021 after working for 20 years in institutional investment management.  As of January 1, 2024, she will be a Co-Chief Investment Officer and a wealth advisor.  Caroline brings a wealth of experience from her years working at an equity mutual fund, an investment bank, a private equity firm, a hedge fund, and an outsourced chief investment office (OCIO) where the team managed billion dollar plus client portfolios.

Caroline studied business at the McIntire Commerce School at the University of Virginia, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science with Distinction in 2002.  She went on to become a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charter-holder in 2006 and completed her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in 2007.  

Caroline and Ryan got married in 2018 after meeting at a pro beach volleyball tournament.  They now have two young, boisterous kids, Charlotte and Ramsey.  Outside of work and family time, Caroline serves on the Board for the Meals on Wheels of Northern Illinois Foundation, competes in pro and semi-pro beach volleyball competitions, and works out at the gym with Ryan. 

Joanie is a Managing Partner/LPL Registered Administrative Associate and cofounder of Retirement Solutions. She and her husband Mike Kwiatkowski have built a successful wealth management practice focused on meeting the challenges business owners, individuals and families face in growing, protecting and managing their wealth. 

Joanie is an integral part of the team, working one-on-one with the firm’s clients to ensure their needs are met across a broad range of areas including account inquiries, review preparation, client communications and special event planning. Joanie is instrumental in ensuring all office practices and operations maintain compliance with industry standards. She is the firm’s primary liaison with providing oversight across all business operations, including human resources activities and technology initiatives.

Before cofounding Retirement Solutions, Joanie spent 17 years in the nursing field, specializing in pediatrics.  She graduated from The Toledo Hospital School of Nursing in 1979 and holds Series 6, 63 and 65 Investment Securities registrations through LPL Financial.  In her free time, she supports Hesed House, a homeless shelter in Aurora, IL, and enjoys spending time with her family, including her two children, Lisa and Ryan, and four grandchildren, Stevie, Gavin, Charlotte and Ramsey. 

Kristina joined Retirement Solutions in 2015 as an LPL Registered Administrative Associate and was promoted to Director of Operations in 2023. With over 15 years of prior experience in the financial services industry, she brings a high standard for quality service and understanding to help provide the advisors support as they assist clients working toward their financial goals.  Her duties include processing new account applications and paperwork, preparing documents for client reviews and responding to client requests. 

Kristina graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s degree in Finance concentrating on investments, and currently holds her series 7, and 63 registrations through LPL Financial.  She and her husband, John, enjoy spending time with their two grown children, Kellie and Matthew, and one granddaughter.  In her free time, Kristina enjoys being outdoors hiking, biking and walking their two goldendoodles.

Jupiter acts as a culture carrier for Retirement Solutions, bringing a positive attitude and unparalleled enthusiasm to his daily tasks. While his exact age, breed and work experience are unknown, he was rescued in 2012 by Mike and Joanie and has been happily tagging along with the team ever since.