Inheritance can be a tricky topic both from the perspective of giving and receiving. Whether you are on the side of leaving an inheritance or receiving inheritance from a loved one, there are things to know before naming beneficiaries or cashing a check.
Jun 21, 2018
It’s the problem everyone wants to have: how should you spend a large additional sum of money? Whether the source is an inheritance, bonus or gain realized on the sale of an asset, the boost to your bank account can create the urge to splurge. As you begin to think about what you might do with your windfall, consider the following tips...
Mar 9, 2018
Director of Financial Planning / Financial Planner
Kim has been a Certified Financial Planner® professional with Johnson Bixby since 1993, taking on various leadership roles along the way. She now serves as our Director of Financial Planning, mentoring and teaching our newer financial planners. Her work includes imparting the firm’s process and philosophy and preparing early-career planners to step into the role of trusted financial advisor.
To help lift the next generation of financial planning professionals, Kim also invests time and energy in speaking with finance students at local universities.
Kim keeps a pulse on industry and market trends and developments to help serve clients and the team. And she’s a key contributor to our firm’s Planning Matters blog, Ripple Events and pro bono work.
An enthusiastic problem solver who enjoys teaching others, Kim also works to improve financial literacy in the community and has held several officer positions with the Financial Planning Association of Oregon & Southwest Washington over the course of her 25-plus year membership.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification
Certified College Planning Specialist
Bachelor of Business, Marketing emphasis, Portland State University
Elder Planning Specialist Training
Series 7, 66, 63 and 65
Life, Health & Disability Insurance
College Planning
Pension Planning
Tax Planning
Life Transitions
Financial Planning Association of Oregon & SW Washington member
Guest lecturer at Oregon State University and University of Portland clubs
CEO, President and Financial Planner
Heidi is the owner and ‘architect’ of our firm. She began her career in financial planning in 1991 as an assistant to Deborah Johnson, our company’s founder. She achieved her Certified Financial Planner® certification in 1997 and has been devoted to helping clients plan for the lives they want ever since.
One of Heidi’s earliest lessons about money was her parents saying, “If you want it, save your pennies.” It’s an approach she’s used her entire life, and one she shares often with others.
Today, Heidi leads Johnson Bixby with a clear vision and purpose – to continue building the firm to give back to the profession of financial planning and to the community.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification
Bachelor of Business, Financial Planning emphasis, Marylhurst University
Series 6, 62, 65 and 63
Life, Health, Disability and Long Term Care Insurance
Estate Planning
Life Transitions
Retirement Planning
Tax Planning
Financial Planning Association of Oregon & SW Washington
Global Sojourns Giving Circle, Board Treasurer
Vancouver Downtown Association, Member
Greater Vancouver Chamber, Member
Women Entrepreneurs Organization (WEO) Member
Financial Planner
Whether it’s the game of Gonzaga basketball or the game of personal finance, Zach is a huge fan. After making a 180- degree career change from nonprofit work to financial services, Zach is driven by the empowerment and confidence sound financial planning brings to people’s lives.
After college, Zach served as an AmeriCorps volunteer for two years in Spokane before transitioning to a Portland area nonprofit helping connect volunteers to service agencies across the Pacific Northwest.
After a budding fascination with personal finance became an obsession, he started working with a financial planning firm in Portland before joining Johnson Bixby in 2020. Zach was a member of our client services team prior to completing the requirements to become a Certified Financial Planner® professional and joining our team of planners.
Zach enjoys staying on top of changing financial law and regulations, but also learning about how to help clients use their resources, financial and otherwise, to live a meaningful life.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification
Bachelor of Psychology, Gonzaga University
Series 7, 65 and 63
Life, Health, Disability and Long Term Care Insurance
College & Education Planning
Retirement Planning
Tax Planning
Inheritance Planning
Employee Benefits Analysis
Financial Planning Association of Oregon & SW Washington
Financial Planner
Amanda knows talking about personal finances can feel very private, and sometimes it can be overwhelming. And that’s exactly why she is here combining her love of people and finance. As a Certified Financial Planner® professional, Amanda considers it a privilege to help guide our clients on a path toward achieving their goals.
Sometimes we don’t exactly know what we think or want until someone asks us pertinent questions, takes time to listen and draws connections about what they’ve heard. Amanda creates space for clients to feel comfortable sharing their values and priorities, so together they build a financial plan that is meaningful and realistic.
Growing up in California, she escaped to the Northwest years ago and still finds pure joy in every waterway she can dip her toes into. Whether it’s swimming, boating, kayaking, SUP’ing, hiking near a waterfall or simply sitting along the shore.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
Master in Counseling
Bachelor of Business Accounting
Series 7, 66
Life, Health, Disability and Long Term Care Insurance
Retirement Planning
Life Transitions
Union Chapel Board of Directors, Vancouver WA
Financial Planning Association of Oregon & SW Washington
Portfolio Manager
In the noisy and complex world of capital markets and investing, Lynn knows how to simplify and keep the conversation relevant to one’s personal goals. Afterall, it’s something he’s been doing his entire life, thanks to being raised in the heartland of Nebraska where Warren Buffet and Berkshire Hathaway were sources of inspiration.
Prior to joining Johnson Bixby, Lynn held a variety of financial roles including positions at U.S. Trust, Columbia Mutual Funds and Janus Mutual Funds.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL ANALYST® Designation
Master of Business Administration, Finance, University of Colorado
Bachelor of Arts, Saint John’s University (Minnesota)
Series 7, 65 and 63
Asset Allocation
Portfolio Optimization
Equity & Fixed Income Analysis
Alternative Investments Analysis
CFA Society of Portland
Financial Planner
As a Certified Financial Planner® professional, Patricia helps clients plan for tomorrow by taking care of today. With a clear understanding of each client’s unique financial vision, she works to develop a tailored path forward whether buying a home, starting a family, or planning for retirement.
From her perspective, change usually won’t occur unless the “why” is understood. Educating and coaching clients on ways to support their lifestyles without sacrificing their goals is a top priority. She also gives each client the time and attention they deserve to make sound financial decisions and feel confident they are prepared for the future.
Before joining Johnson Bixby in 2017, Patricia worked at Oregon State University in the human resources department. It was here that she learned the ins and outs of retirement benefits and federal compliance.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification
Master of Business Administration, Oregon State University
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bowling Green State University
Series 6 and 63
Life, Health, Disability and Long Term Care Insurance
Pension Planning
Retirement Planning
Tax Planning
Financial Planning Association of Oregon & SW Washington
Financial Planner
Alexander has a strong desire to help people make empowered financial decisions so they can live their best lives. He has a voracious appetite for learning and dives into research on technical financial questions, gaining a thorough understanding to help clients make informed choices.
Like so many people, Alexander learned to budget through fits and starts. He eventually succeeded in paying off debt and sticking to a spending plan, and then used his newfound skills to help those around him who were struggling. He felt a calling to the financial planning profession, so he left the graphic design field to become a Financial Counselor and coach, attaining the Accredited Financial Counselor® designation and opening his own private practice.
Upon joining Johnson Bixby, Alexander fast-tracked his learning, acquiring multiple securities licenses, his insurance license, and his Certified Financial Professional® designation within two years. With an intense interest in all things finance, he continues to pursue other areas of specialized knowledge.
Today, Alexander volunteers his time and knowledge teaching financial empowerment classes to high school students and others in the community.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification
Accredited Financial Counselor® Certification
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising
Academy of Art University in San Francisco
Series 7 & 66
Life, Health & Disability
Retirement Planning
Budgeting
Tax Planning
Debt Management
Financial Planning Association of Oregon & SW Washington member and scholarship recipient
Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education member
Financial empowerment volunteer instructor at Cascadia Technical Academy
Compliance/Audit Manager
Details are Lana’s forte. Lana has been with Johnson Bixby since 2003 and with more that than 25 years of experience in the financial planning world, Lana knows exactly what details to look for. She has a laser-like focus on accuracy and completeness—a natural gift we appreciate greatly here. Lana enjoys staying on top of the regulatory updates and changes, as it presents a consistent learning opportunity, which she enjoys.
Lana moved to the Northwest from Colorado, drawn to its proximity to the spectacular beauty of both the mountains and coast. She misses the Rockies and occasionally goes back to get her “Colorado fix,” but home is where the rain falls and where she and her husband raised their two children.
Series 65
RIA Compliance
National Society of Compliance Professionals
Client Services II
An inaugural member of our first Johnson Bixby internship program, Kailee joined us in the summer of 2022 before coming onboard full time in the fall. She’s a graduate of the University of Portland, with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a major in Finance.
As part of our Client Services team, Kailee assists our financial planners by offering efficient, kind, and compassionate service. She chose the financial profession because she knows dealing with finances alone can feel overwhelming and intimidating at times. But with a knowledgeable team behind you, those financial stressors can be alleviated.
Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Portland
Series 7 & 66
Financial Planning Association of Oregon & SW Washington
Karen joined Johnson Bixby in 2004. She’s a long-time veteran of the financial planning industry and enjoyed supporting team members and clients for more than 30 years. She held the FPQP™ designation (Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional) from 2007 – 2021. In 2020 she transitioned to a part-time role, gradually moving toward retirement. She loves helping others and provides support by confirming transactions and assisting with special projects.
Karen enjoys music, dancing, biking, learning about photography, and being involved in her local church. She has two sons who live in Idaho and Michigan with their wives and young children – which means as many trips as possible to visit those grandchildren!
Bachelor's Degree, University of Alabama
Financial Planning Association of Oregon & SW Washington
Office Administrator
Karen is our office manager at Johnson Bixby and likely one of the first faces you’ll see when visiting us. She oversees the day-to-day logistics of running our front office while supporting our Client Services team. With a lifelong enthusiasm for organization and order, she channels those attributes making our team’s professional lives more manageable and streamlined.
Before joining Johnson Bixby in September 2021, Karen worked in a variety of office management positions with a specialty in financial services.
Financial Planning Association of Oregon & SW Washington
Client Services Manager
Mandy is a natural at building rapport with clients, something she likely picked up after working the bulk of her career in family law.
In 2018, she switch paths from the legal field to financial services and quickly learned this was the industry for her! She joined Johnson Bixby in 2020 where she worked her way to the role of Client Services Manager. Mandy found she has a passion for supporting clients with reaching their financial goals and helping team members reach their professional goals.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Major in Organizational Management
Minor in Human Resource Management, University of Minnesota, Duluth
Series 7 & 65
Financial Planning Association of Oregon & SW Washington
Senior Technical Specialist
Whether she’s explaining the complex in simple terms, or unraveling a particularly tangled web, Haley brings her passion for learning and finding answers to the work she does every day. But these aren’t just abstractions. Her extensive background in volunteering shows that she’s in this to better the lives of clients and colleagues.
Haley started working in financial services in 2008 after an unexpected career change, but that was all the chance she needed. Since then, she has worked her way up, and built a formidable career helping to polish our internal processes and guide her teammates in support of clients achieving their financial goals. Now we get to realize the benefits of her hard work, dedication, and serious problem-solving skills.
When she’s not working, Haley enjoys spending time with her husband and going to Timbers games. Yep, Haley is a super fan.
Associates of Arts, Clark College
Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP™)
Series 6, 63
Oregon Life Insurance License
Technical Specialty
Financial Planning Association of Oregon & SW Washington
With her quiet demeanor, Cindy helps our business run smoothly and safely, while demonstrating compliance is about helping and protecting the people you work with, and the clients you serve.
Cindy relocated to the Vancouver area after 30 years in the financial services industry in Seattle. The move allowed her and her husband to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law and expand her love of gardening beyond the porch pots.
Series 7, 63, 65, 24
Client Services II
A graduate from the University of Portland, José joined our team in May 2022. With a degree in finance and a minor in Spanish, José joined the financial profession because of his strong belief that everyone deserves a seat at the table when it comes to their financial relationships. Working toward obtaining his CFP® designation, he looks forward to giving clients and local community the tools to become financially empowered.
Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Portland
Minor in Spanish, University of Portland
Series 7 & 66
Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) – Instituto Cervantes
Financial Planning Association of Oregon & SW Washington
Ask Cyndi what she loves about her job and the answer is simple: people and purpose. Her energy and enthusiasm for helping both team members and businesses grow and succeed is evident in her work over the last 25 years.
Before joining Johnson Bixby in 2020 as our CFO and COO, she held multiple finance and client relationship roles in a variety of industries – from recruiting to medicine to real estate. Don’t be surprised if you see her name pop up when researching items related to financial planning, investing, parenting or travel as she’s published articles in dozens of magazines through the years.
Cyndi has been an active board member of the Financial Planning Association of Oregon and SW Washington including serving as president for 2020 and 2021 along with Board Chair/Past President for 2022. She is on the Board of Directors for the Portland chapter of Financial Executives International as well as the Oregon State University Business School’s Finance Advisory Council.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification
Masters of Financial Planning
Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Colorado
Financial Planning Association of Oregon and SW Washington
Financial Executives International – Portland Chapter Board of Directors
Oregon State University Business School’s Finance Advisory Council
In her role, Megan leads community involvement, philanthropy and volunteerism efforts for Johnson Bixby and sister firm, Integrated Tax Services where she was previously director of Community and Client Relations. Megan is also co-founder and vice chair of Ripple Impact NW, a nonprofit who mission is to connect, inform and inspire people to generate ripples of community well-being through philanthropy.
Megan believes growing and developing are essential for all aspects of life, not just the office. Whether it be cultivating the growth mindset of her two children or tending the vegetables and flowers around her yard – growth is everywhere. When not in the garden, you may find her writing a poem, an art form near and dear to her heart. Not a big surprise considering she met her husband in a poetry class back in college.
B.A. Humanities (Sociology & English), Washington State University Vancouver
Technical Writing Certificate, Washington State University Vancouver
Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP)
Ripple Impact NW, Board Vice-Chair
Fosterful, Former Board Chair
Estate Planning Council of SW WA (member)
Rachel is an optimistic realist helping promote the Johnson Bixby brand in all the ways that matter—whether that be to existing clients, future clients, employees or community partners. A natural people person who gets an extrovert classification on every test she’s taken, she tackles each communication challenge that comes across her plate with grace and enthusiasm.
A lifelong communicator who had childhood dreams of becoming a news broadcaster, she spent her early career years in public relations and marketing roles. After more than a decade in corporate communications, she moved to a local creative agency in account services where she realized she had a passion for promoting brands for smaller businesses.
Away from the office, Rachel enjoys entertaining friends and family over a homecooked meal—especially ones that contain vegetables from her garden.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Public Relations, Marquette University
Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP), Digital Marketing Institute
Professional Certified Marketer (PCM), American Marketing Association
Marketing Committee, Columbia Springs
Johnson Bixby & Integrated Tax Services Community Engagement Committee
Chief Marketing Officer/Brand Strategist
Kristi believes in the power of story to connect us, move us, and transform lives. As our Chief Marketing Officer, she is a writer, brand and messaging strategist, and workshop facilitator with a knack for finding stories and creating pathways to help great ideas become remarkable experiences.
For 25 years, Kristi has worked in marketing for companies including HP, Microsoft, Apple, Nike, Moda Health, Kaiser Permanente, and many others. She has 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, working with Registered Investment Advisory firms and larger brands such as Charles Schwab, Morgan Stanley and Prudential.
Today, she is committed to mentoring the next generation of women and BIPOC leaders in marketing, communications and business.
Bachelor of Journalism & Communications, Magazine emphasis, Iowa State University
Integrated Marketing Communications certificate, Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management
Brand strategy and development
Marketing and communications
Messaging
Speech writing
Strategic planning
Write Around Portland, former board member
Block Aid Project, co-founder
Bachelor of Science, San Jose State University
Majors: Accounting & Finance Minor: Economics
Member – American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Member – Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA)
Bob McMahan joined our team in 2022 and oversees all aspects of the use of information technology and information security for Johnson Bixby and our sister company, Integrated Tax Services.
With a positive attitude, strong work ethic, attention to detail and belief in always doing the right thing, Bob is a charismatic and natural fit to our organization. He has more than 25+ years of experience leading Fortune 500 and public sector organizations through digital transformation, educating and guiding business leaders in advancing digital dexterity, delivering quality services that support business objectives, and championing the importance of information risk and cybersecurity.
Juli brings enthusiasm for people along with her vast experience in human resources to Johnson Bixby, and our sister company, Integrated Tax Services. She drives our people strategy and initiatives to ensure we are attracting, developing and retaining the best talent, while working to amplify employee engagement and strengthening our HR systems and procedures.
A Pacific Northwest native, Juli was an adult student while raising her two kids. She graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in Personnel Psychology and Human Resources Management, and a minor in Psychology. She holds multiple human resource professional designations including Professional in Human Resources (PHR), SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and Certified Compensation Professional (CCP).
Depending on the season, you’ll find Juli enjoying any number of activities – hiking, kayaking, outdoor concerts, camping, yard work or wine tasting.
SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)
Bachelor of Arts, Washington State University
Chief Operations Officer
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & Accounting
Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management
With a kind demeanor, Melanie brings organization and social media prowess to our marketing and events team. She enjoys working in our collaborative environment and chose to go into marketing because the field struck a balance with both her creative and strategic abilities. Prior to working with us, she worked for a freelancer and a marketing firm.
Client Services
Ellen’s journey into the financial services industry is nothing short of fascinating. Not only has she held several positions in the industry including Licensed Institutional Sales Assistant, Investor Support, and Relationship Manager, but she also spent some time navigating through the intricacies of the residential real estate market. Fortunately for us, all roads kept leading back to financial operation roles with Registered Investment Advisory firms.
Throughout her diverse professional experience, one constant has prevailed – Ellen’s commitment to precision and her genuine passion for details. Seeking a shift from her previous remote work setup, Ellen found her way to our team where she’s quick and eager to help.
Series 65
Melissa’s passion for finance stems from its ever-evolving nature and inherent complexity. What excites her most is transforming that complexity into simple, actionable solutions.
Before joining the Johnson Bixby team in early 2025, Melissa worked in various leadership roles at different broker dealers and registered investment advisors. She was instrumental in guiding teams through major change initiatives related to a variety of topics including relationship management, mergers and transitions, new technology and compliance-related projects.
As our Chief of Staff, she brings that same energy and change management expertise to our team, focusing on aligning people, processes, and systems to work in harmony. This work allows our entire team to efficiently support clients in their long-term financial goals.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance, Idaho State University
Trisha lives by Mahatma Gandhi’s quote, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This philosophy shines through in her work, where she supports our team by expertly organizing and executing programs and events that help everyone perform at their best.
Beginning her career in hospitality, Trisha naturally transitioned to Human Resources, recognizing the shared focus on service. She found that skills honed in restaurants—such as customer service, adaptability, and effective communication—were invaluable in fostering a positive and productive workplace.
Originally from Texas, Trisha and her then-boyfriend, now husband, were captivated by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest during a visit. Enchanted by the landscape between the ocean and mountains, they made a promise to move there if they ever got married. True to their word, they reside here now, along with their sweet, sassy Augie who joins their outdoor adventures.
Not just in dollars and cents, but in dreams, people, and possibilities. We know investing reaches far beyond financial portfolios and markets. We invest time, knowledge, energy, and labor – both emotional and physical. We invest in relationships and in building strong foundations. Whether it’s time, creative problem-solving, or thought leadership at scale, we understand that these investments yield lifelong returns. We invest our skills, passion, and leadership for good. We drive innovation, break barriers, and elevate each other. We invest in education. We know knowledge is power, and we prioritize learning to realize the futures we envision. We invest in each other’s unique assets. We inspire confidence in other women, empowering them to discover, uncover, and embrace their authentic selves. We invest in family. We put time and care into our children, other people’s children, and our elders. We invest in building our communities. With sweat equity and helping hands, we create bonds that strengthen the fabric of neighborhoods and economies. We invest in the future. By preparing the next generation to lead – in academia, in stewarding our natural environment, and in life – we leave this world better than we found it. And we invest in each other. Through support, encouragement, and collaboration, we lift one another up and build longer tables to ensure everyone has a seat.
As women, we know true wealth isn’t only built in the stock market—it’s in the families, communities, and futures we help build every single day.
How are you investing?
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Summer’s here, and what better way to celebrate than connecting with each other and supporting a woman-owned business in our community. On Wednesday, June 18, at 5 p.m., we’ll gather at Willful Wine at the Grant House.
We’ll cover a glass of wine for the first 10 women who arrive! 🍷
Our Women Invest Community asked for more conversations about investing in the markets—and we listened. We’re happy to host our next event where we’ll bring our community together for a practical conversation about investing. This dynamic panel, hosted by CFP® professionals at Johnson Bixby will cover:
- The basics of how the stock market works
- Key principles every new investor should know
- How to align your investments with your goals and values
- Practical first steps to start investing with confidence
Bring your questions, your curiosity, and a friend! This is a free event and we will provide a light breakfast.
Financial Resource Guide (PDF)
Money-Saving Hacks Everyone Should Know (PDF)
Financial Questions Everyone Should Ask (PDF)
Understanding Cognitive Bias: How It Shapes Your Decisions (PDF)
Discover Your Money Story (PDF)
Large Decision Worksheet (PDF)
Who am I: Social Identity Mapping Worksheet (PDF)
For more insights and tips, read our blog, Planning Matters.
We work with kind, hard-working, humble people who depend on us to listen, sift through the noise and information, and provide advice specific to your needs and goals. With a financial planning-first approach, we’re your partner for making informed decisions, building long-term financial confidence, and navigating complex matters. We meet you where you are and walk alongside you as life changes.
