about us

MICHAEL WIDLAKE

President, Commonwealth Guardians

Michael Widlake is the president and founder of Commonwealth Guardians. His focus is helping federal employees and their families as well as individuals and their families achieve their financial goals and live out their retirement dreams. He accomplishes this creating a close personal bond with each client so he can work with the financial planning team to create strategies that will help each client to achieve their unique goals. Michael did not start out in the financial industry. He embraced music at an early age. He studied Piano and taught himself clarinet, and other instruments. He attended Oberlin college and studied music performance as well as French literature before leaving for a professional music career. After achieving some success he decided to follow another of his passions helping people. Through personal experience and hard study Michael came to realize that the financial world is filled with many choices. Difficult decisions many people struggle with is how to come up with a plan that will help them meet their goals for retirement. Michael’s focus is on educating clients and assisting them in creating a plan to achieve their financial goals and move towards financial independence. Michael works with his clients to incorporate smart savings strategies, tax strategies, and investment strategies in their financial planning to help them meet their financial goals and needs.

SHANNA WHITAKER

Shanna Whitaker has a Masters Degree in Public Relations management . She joined the team at Commonwealth Guardians in October 2021.  Since then, she has truly gained a passion for helping our clients find the best path to achieve their financial goals. Shanna is a wife and mother of 2 children and enjoys teaching them everything she knows about the world of finance.

Jason Ulrickson

CFP®, EA

Jason Ulrickson is an accountant and tax advisor at Ulrickson Financial Partners. His focus is helping individuals, families, and business owners navigate the complexities of the tax code. Whether you need help with preparing your annual tax returns, have received a dreaded letter from the IRS, or are seeking strategies to reduce your lifetime tax burden, Jason and his team are ready to assist. In addition to handling the compliance work, they emphasize taking a proactive approach when it comes to tax planning. They work with you year-round to identify opportunities and implement strategies that minimize taxes, aiming to reduce your tax bill both now and in the future.

Jason started out in the industry as a financial planner, helping high-net-worth families manage their wealth and optimize their financial situation from all angles. After recognizing the significant need for accountants who offer strategic tax planning alongside standard compliance services, he transitioned over to tax and accounting. Many accountants tend to be reactive, focusing on transactions and missing potential savings opportunities. In contrast, Jason and his team take a hands-on approach, partnering with clients to continuously refine and implement their tax strategies throughout the year. From tax preparation to long-term planning, their mission is to simplify the tax process and ensure clients are making the most of every opportunity available.

Katie Noles

Estate Planner

Katie is a Master Certified Estate Planner. She brings a unique perspective to the estate planning process, as a former financial professional, she’s been on both sides of the table. She’s the author or ghostwriter of more than 200 educational articles on estate planning. As an industry consultant, thousands of advisors and their clients have benefited from her expertise, gaining a deeper understanding of the basics of estate planning and best practices.

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