MEET THE TEAM
MATTHEW B. BOERSEN, CFP®, CFA
Certified Financial Planner™, Chartered Financial Analyst
Managing Partner
Matthew is the Managing Partner of Straight Path Wealth Management. He has the rare distinction of having earned both the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation and the Chartered Financial Analyst certification. The CFP signifies integrated knowledge in estate, retirement, business and tax planning. The CFA proves an in-depth understanding of investments and economics. He also received his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Grand Valley State University.
Matthew serves as one of the youngest ever Directors on the CFP Board, the oversight body of over 87,000 Certified Financial Planners. In addition, in 2020, Matthew was selected as a Top 40 Under 40 Advisor in the country.
Matthew lives in Jenison with his wife, two daughters, and son. They also have a Golden Retriever named Hope that they adopted through the Paws for a Cause Program. In the fall and winter, Matthew loves watching college football and basketball. During the summertime, he enjoys playing golf with a goal of golfing in all 50 states.
Over the years, Matthew has served on several non-profit boards including a private school and an NGO that provides health care in Sudan and Kenya.
What is your favorite food/ guilty pleasure?
Bacon Fried Brussel Sprouts
What did you want to be when you grew up?
NBA Player
If you could be one superhero, who would it be?
Iron Man
VICTORIA BUFFUM EA
Enrolled Agent
Chief Operating Officer, Partner
Victoria has been with Straight Path Wealth since 2017 where she is the Chief Operating Officer and handles a variety of activities for the office.
Victoria graduated from Cornerstone University where she majored in Finance and had a double minor in Management and Economics. Since then, she has been working in the financial industry for eight years. She is also an Enrolled Agent (EA). EA’s are federally-licensed tax practitioners with expertise in taxation.
She lives in Grandville with her husband Jordan and their two boys. They enjoy spending time with friends and family. In her free time, Victoria loves to be outdoors: hiking, biking, running, or enjoying Lake Michigan.
What is your favorite food/ guilty pleasure?
Tru Fru Frozen Chocolate Covered Raspberries
If you could be one superhero, who would it be?
Iron Man
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a mom when I was younger, and now I love that I am able to be a mom while still working a career that I love.
THOMAS J PROOS, CPWA
Certified Private Wealth Advisor
Senior Wealth Advisor
Tom joined Straight Path Wealth Management in 2020. He is a Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) which is a holistic multidisciplinary program focusing on the lifecycle of wealth: accumulation, preservation, and distribution.
Tom has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. He helps clients coordinate their planning to meet their life goals. He believes that part of the planning process is to help clients understand risk and how to keep behavioral biases in check, which can be just as important as investment returns.
Tom is very passionate about martial arts and strives to live the "martial way." He is an avid reader and enjoys being outdoors, photography, and spending time with family and friends. He and his wife live in West Michigan.
If you could be one superhero,
who would it be?
Batman
What's one word that best describes you?
Calculated
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Astronaut
Ken Welch, CPA
Certified Public Accountant
Wealth Advisor
Ken joined Straight Path Wealth Management in December 2020. Ken graduated from Calvin University with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He obtained his CPA license and spent 5 years in public accounting at a national accounting firm and transitioned to a CFO role at a managed healthcare provider for 5 years.
Ken lives in Hudsonville with his wife and 4 kids. He enjoys spending his free time with family and friends, mountain biking, and playing beach volleyball.
What's one word that best describes you?
Dedicated
If you could be one superhero, who would it be?
Captain America
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Heavy machinery operator
David Lutz
Senior Wealth Advisor
David joined Straight Path Wealth Management in 2021 as a Senior Wealth Advisor. He recently completed a 33-year career at a local office furniture company, holding several financial roles in support of product development, new business ventures and dealer distribution. Most recently he led their acquisition and alliance activity. In addition, he has worked for a variety of manufacturing companies in industries such as pulp and paper, heating and cooling equipment, and technology equipment. David holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Master in Business Administration, both from Western Michigan University. He is currently pursuing his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.
Active in the local community, David has held a number of leadership roles at his church, was elected to the Board of Education for a local school district and served on the Board of Trustees for an elder care organization. He and his wife live in West Olive and have a blended family of seven children and six grandchildren.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Car mechanic
What's one word that best describes you?
Focused
What is your favorite food/ guilty pleasure?
Tulip Time junk food - especially Elephant Ears
JAYCOB KEUNING, CFP®
Certified Financial Planner ™
Wealth Advisor
Jaycob joined the Straight Path Wealth Management team in 2019. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and mostly works with clients on their financial goals, investment strategy, and tax planning. Before coming to Straight Path, he worked at a local CPA firm in Holland.
Jaycob attended Grand Valley State University and graduated with degrees in Finance and Accounting. Jaycob lives in Holland. He enjoys spending his free time playing golf, exploring hiking trails, trying out new breweries, and watching sports.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Professional Golfer
If you could be one superhero, who would it be?
Thor (God of Thunder)
What is your favorite food/ guilty pleasure?
Pizza with ranch
RHIANNON DIEKEMA, EA
Staff Accountant
Rhiannon joined us in 2019. She is a staff accountant and mostly handles bookkeeping. Before coming to Straight Path, she worked as a customer service manager for five years. Rhiannon attended Davenport University, where she majored in Accounting Fraud Investigation.
She and her husband Nathan live in Holland and have two young boys. Together, they love spending time in the U.P., seeing local bands play, and trying out new restaurants and breweries.
If you were crayon what color would you be?
Blue
What did you want to be when you grew up?
FBI Agent
What is your favorite food/ guilty pleasure?
Tortilla Chips
MARSHA SHADE
Client Services Specialist
Marsha has been with Straight Path Wealth Management since 2016. Prior to joining the Straight Path Wealth Management team, she worked with SA Advisory since 2007.
Before entering the financial industry, Marsha earned her bachelors in Business from Calvin College. Since then, she has been in the financial industry for 25 years.
Marsha and her husband Jim live in Grand Rapids. They have three adult sons and one grandson. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, gardening, and reading. Marsha also loves going to live events whether it be concerts or theater.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A Mom
If you were crayon what color would you be?
Blue/ Teal, The color of Lake Michigan in the late afternoon
What's one word that best describes you?
Diverse
HEATHER BAEDER
Office Administration
Heather has been with Straight Path Wealth Management since October 2019. Prior to joining the Straight Path Wealth Management team, she worked with Weller Truck Parts for 22 years.
Heather and her husband Aaron live in Bryon Center. They have 3 kids who are 21, 18, and 13 years old. In her free time, she enjoys spending time gardening, and photography. Additionally she loves to travel wherever she can, locally and internationally with her husband and kids.
What's one word that best describes you?
Caretaker
If you were crayon what color would you be?
Orange
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A Teacher
Brook Jacobs
Marketing and Advertising Intern
Brook is the newest team member at Straight Path Wealth Management, as a marketing intern.
She lives in Big Rapids, Michigan, and attends school at Ferris State University. She is currently studying towards a BS for marketing with a concentration in digital media. In her free time, she does photography for high school seniors and couples. She enjoys going to the beach, spending time with family, and learning new skills.
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If you were crayon what color would you be?
Blue like the sky
What's one word that best describes you?
Optimistic
What is your favorite food/ guilty pleasure?
Cream Cheese Bagels
MADELYN LANSER
Financial Planning Associate
Madelyn has been with Straight Path Wealth Management since
May 2021.
Madelyn lives in Grand Rapids and recently graduated from Calvin University with a bachelor's degree in financial planning. She is a financial planning associate who works with other advisors to help clients reach their financial goals. She enjoys hanging out on the lake, playing sports, and spending time with family and friends
What's one word that best describes you?
Determined
If you were crayon what color would you be?
turquoise
What is your favorite food/ guilty pleasure?
Any form of potato
