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An Extension of Your Team

The Board, Carriers, and People Behind The Ridgeback Group

Two Ridgeback team members

Support starts with trust.

Eric Eklund and Nathan Hedrick are part of the team that Member Firms call when the work gets complex.

An Extension of Your Team

“The difference is we really do care.”

Nathan Hedrick | Head of Operations

At Ridgeback, we’ve assembled a team of experienced operators, strategists, and specialists who bring decades of real-world expertise to the Firms we serve. They understand the realities of running an independent business and provide practical guidance, creative problem-solving, and deep industry knowledge. Most importantly, they’re invested in your long-term success. Because Ridgeback is Firm-owned, our success is inseparable from yours.

That mindset extends beyond our employees. Our Board members, carrier partners, and strategic collaborators each play a different role, but they’re united by the same commitment to helping our Firms succeed. Together, they’re part of the team standing behind every Ridgeback Firm.

Member Firm Voices

“Whenever I want, I can reach out to Brendan, or Eric, or Dan, whoever, and just say hey, I need help with this, can you do this? And they’ll give me more than I needed, and really make sure they explain things to me. The entire team consistently goes above and beyond what you would reasonably expect. They have a way of making you feel like you are their only Firm.”

Chris Ganim | President of Ganim Wealth, a Ridgeback Member Firm

The Ridgeback Team

Hope Ashton
Case Manager, New Business & Underwriting
Brian Bristow
Supervisory & Operations, Ridgeback Securities
Christine Bristow
Supervisory & Operations, Ridgeback Securities
Brendan Connolly
Chief Compliance Officer, Ridgeback Securities
Brendan Costello
CFO, Senior Leadership & Advanced Planning
Alejandra Eklund
People & Culture
Eric Eklund
COO, Senior Leadership & Advanced Planning
Hannah Farnham
Market Positioning & Brand Gravity
Kari Gillenwater
Practice Development
Chase Hedrick
Corporate Communication
Nathan Hedrick
Head of Operations
Kyle Jones
Case Design, Advanced Planning
Erica A. Mains
Finance & Regulatory, Commissions & Licensing
Brian Murphy
CEO, Senior Leadership & Board Chair
Dan Murphy
Ridgeback Co-Founder, Senior Leadership & Firm Selection
Matt Murphy
Ridgeback Co-Founder, Senior Leadership & CEO of Ridgeback Ventures
Sara Murphy
Executive Assistant, to Senior Leadership
Kelly Olafson
Case Manager, New Business & Underwriting
Lisa Oleski
Chief Underwriter, New Business & Underwriting
Cole Porter
Case Design, Advanced Planning
Carla Stowe
Carrier Relations, New Business & Underwriting
Cole Teegarden
Firm Selection
Joseph Zellner
Firm Success Associate, Ridgeback Wealth

Ridgeback's Ridgeback: Our Board

ABFP®, CFA®, CMT®, CFP®, Csenge Advisory Group

Eric brings deep expertise across investment analysis, behavioral finance, and financial planning, with a disciplined focus on asset allocation and risk management.

Meet Eric

CFP®, AIF®, CIMC, Csenge Advisory Group

John brings more than three decades of financial planning and investment management experience, grounded in fiduciary commitment, analytical rigor, and genuine client care.

Meet John

Heritage Strategies LLC

Mr. Fanning brings 45 years of experience advising ultra-high-net-worth families and businesses, with deep expertise in estate, business succession, and life insurance planning.

Meet Mr. Fanning

Ganim Wealth / Ganim Financial

Larry brings more than four decades of financial services leadership, with deep experience building client-centered wealth management and business succession planning solutions.

Meet Larry

MBA, The Ridgeback Group

Brian brings decades of financial services leadership to Ridgeback, with deep experience across life insurance, wealth management, and distribution.

Meet Brian

MBA, CLU, The Ridgeback Group

Dan brings deep expertise in life insurance distribution, consultative planning, and firm development to Ridgeback’s national platform.

Meet Dan

MBA, The Ridgeback Group

Matt Murphy helps drive Ridgeback’s entrepreneurial and investment strategy, with a focus on creating long-term value for member firms.

Meet Matt Murphy

CLU®, ChFC®, MBA, Sapers & Wallack

Aviva brings deep technical expertise in life insurance and financial planning, paired with a strong commitment to client service and community impact.

Meet Aviva

KeyBridge Insurance Solutions

Matt Sathe brings practical life insurance and advisory experience to customized protection strategies for individuals, families, and institutions.

Meet Matt Sathe

Impact Wealth

Jim brings nearly three decades of financial services experience, combining institutional-style investment management with advanced planning strategies.

Meet Jim

CLU, ChFC, The Mid-Continent Companies, Ltd.

Bill brings deep experience in complex business and estate planning, helping family-controlled companies address business, estate, people, and tax issues.

Meet Bill

Symphony Six

Jason brings more than 27 years of legal and business experience, helping families, business owners, executives, and organizations navigate complex planning matters.

Meet Jason

About The Board

The Ridgeback Group is guided by a Board of Directors made up of accomplished entrepreneurs, advisors, operators, and Firm leaders from across our community. Together, they bring decades of experience building businesses, serving clients, and navigating the challenges of growth, succession, and leadership.

A ridgeback is the backbone of a mountain range, the elevated line that provides direction and guidance. That idea is central to The Ridgeback Group; we provide steady, elevated support to help Firms grow.

Core Carriers

Ridgeback Voices

“You can fight your way to an offer, or you can earn the trust that makes the next hundred cases easier.

Lisa Oleski, our Chief Underwriter, has built relationships with our carrier partners based on credibility, preparation, and respect. That’s why carriers enjoy working with Ridgeback, and it’s why our Firms benefit from those relationships every day.”

Carla Stowe | Ridgeback Head of New Business

At Ridgeback, carrier relationships are measured by the value they create for Firms. While we work across the marketplace and maintain access to a broad range of carriers, our core partners are more than product providers; they are an extension of our team and an essential part of our ecosystem. With a carrier-empowered approach, we cultivate deep relationships with a select group of industry-leading partners.