ABOUT NORTHAVENUE

Our Story

The doors of NorthAvenue opened January 1st, 2019. However, the seeds of this practice were planted several years earlier when Kristen and Chandler first met.

Kristen had already built a solid foundation in financial planning. After graduating as a dual major in Finance and Marketing, she helped hundreds of clients plan their financial well-being working as a senior financial advisor for over a decade. But during that time something was missing – the opportunity to satisfy her unique vision for holistic financial planning.

Following a math-intensive education in actuarial science, Chandler spent several years as an actuarial analyst in healthcare. Although she found this work fulfilling, it all took place behind a computer screen. After one-too-many dreams about Excel spreadsheets, she realized it was time to explore a career shift towards more immediate and personal relationships with clients.

At the start of their own new beginnings, winds of change brought these two focused and driven women together to forge a partnership and break the mold in a male-dominated industry. They bonded over their love of musicals, travel, and in particular their desire to provide unbiased fiduciary advice.

While in Chicago for a business conference, they retreated to the lounge of The Robey, a stylish hotel on North Avenue, to brainstorm ideas for an exemplary business. There, they came to the table with an idea of what set them apart from their contemporaries. Attributes that already propelled them forward within their own careers: attention to detail, thoughtfulness, and a work ethic that just won’t quit. Discussing this made them realize their connection was special.

The day was spent exploring and refining their vision, overlooking North Avenue with breaks for discussions over Cuban food and a walk through the historic neighborhood of Wicker Park. That day two financial professionals finalized a joint vision of a company culture for their employees that prioritizes a reputation of excellent client service, support for professional development, advancement of a diverse financial planning industry and client base, and realizing higher values by giving back to their communities.

The story of NorthAvenue is just beginning.

Proud to be a women-owned business.

Kristen E. Moosmiller, EA, CFP®

FOUNDER, MANAGING PARTNER

For more than a decade, Kristen Moosmiller has worked closely with hundreds of individuals and families—particularly those approaching or in retirement—providing comprehensive, tailor-made financial plans with a focus on investments and taxes. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Enrolled Agent with the IRS, she is uniquely qualified to maximize tax savings for retirees. She also works with high-income individuals and small business owners, helping them strategize their tax savings in preparation for retirement. 

Her greatest joy is encouraging and supporting clients to achieve their personal dreams.
 

HIGHLIGHTS

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

EA - Enrolled Agent with the IRS

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Top 40 Advisors Under 40 Award                          InvestmentNews 2016

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NAPFA

     National Board Member (2019-Present)

Financial Planning Association 
of Central Ohio

    Chairwoman (2016)

    President (2014-2016)

    Board Member (2012-2013)

NORTHAVENUE IN THE NEWS

Chandler E. Fugate-Laus, CFP®

PARTNER, SENIOR ADVISOR

Chandler Fugate-Laus is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and owner of NorthAvenue Financial Advocates. After graduating from The Ohio State University with degrees in Actuarial Science and Financial Math, she originally began her career as an actuarial analyst in healthcare data analytics, where her work directly informed the design of chronic disease-management wellness programs in Central Ohio. She discovered fee-only financial planning while searching for job opportunities with more personal client interaction. Her desire to help people make meaningful change in their lives paired well with her strong math background, to make financial planning a natural fit.

Chandler firmly believes that the best way to serve her clients is by providing sound financial education, from a holistic perspective, so that her clients fully understand her recommendations and ultimately feel comfortable making their own financial decisions. She aims to work with her clients as a partner

and resource toward their financial wellness.
 

James Mwombela, CFP®

ASSOCIATE ADVISOR

Born and raised in Washington DC, James graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science. During a summer internship after his junior year, James met a mentor who introduced him to the principles of sound financial decision-making. He began learning everything he could about managing personal finances in order to achieve more financial stability than he experienced growing up. He became determined to share this knowledge with others so that they could experience the same confidence and freedom of choice that he had gained. James worked for several independent financial planning firms and earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation before joining the NorthAvenue team in September 2020. 

James’ favorite aspect of his work is celebrating with clients when they achieve their goals. James believes that the financial planning profession is the solution to the lack of formal financial education in America. He has conducted financial education seminars for a wide range of audiences, and he provides mentorship to other advisors through the CFP Board’s Mentor Program. He is also active in his local Financial Planning Association (FPA) chapter and the Association of African American Financial Advisors (AAAA).

James lives in Durham, NC with his wife, Rachel, and their dog. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, playing and watching basketball, listening to music from all time periods and genres, and exploring the outdoors. 

Rae DeBruyne

ANALYST

Rae is a recent career-changer into the financial planning field and loves the opportunity that it has provided to challenge herself and move toward her ultimate goal of helping others.

She graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) with a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management and a minor in Psychology. After originally working for a few years in project management, Rae made the decision to change careers into a profession that felt more personally fulfilling. With a knack for numbers and a keen eye for detail, she originally considered making the switch into the accounting field. However, after more research and guidance from a family friend, she discovered fee-only financial planning and knew it was the right fit for her. She went back to school and completed the CFP® Board Certified Financial Planning program at UMD and now has the goal of becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. 

Prior to settling into a financial planning career, Rae was drawn to the field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology in which she enjoyed focusing on human capital as well as learning about the many aspects of “psychology in the workplace.” She grew up training and competing with dogs using positive reinforcement training methods, so it was only natural that she found herself interested specifically in training and development! Throughout her career, she has had multiple opportunities to create internal and external training materials with the goal of promoting clarity and efficiency for all involved. Rae is excited to use the skills that she has gained from her prior career and recent education to help clients in the ever-changing space of financial planning.

Rae is a native Minnesotan and currently enjoys living in the Twin Cities area with her two dogs and her partner, Matt. They are avid disc golfers and love to travel. She prefers the mountains over beaches, but would love the opportunity to see it all! 

Stephanie Bailey

CLIENT SERVICE MANAGER

Stephanie has loved finances since she was a teenager and balancing her sister’s checkbooks. It took a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Washington State University and many years of managing her family’s finances to realize her passion and desire to support others with charging forward toward their own financial freedom. 

Stephanie has recently joined the finance world after staying at home with her children for the last sixteen years. She has a Master’s degree in Personal Financial Planning from Kansas State University. Stephanie has already passed the CFP® exam and is working on her experience requirement to obtain the CFP® marks. She is grateful to be a part of each client’s financial journey at NorthAvenue.

As a military spouse, Stephanie has lived all over the United States. She has called Wyoming, Washington, Maryland, Arizona, California, Missouri and most recently Texas home.  Stephanie’s greatest joy is her husband, Travis, and three daughters: Lauren, Rachel, and Abigayle. When faced with downtime, Stephanie loves to water color and bake.

Bobbie Moosmiller, CPA Inactive

IN-HOUSE TAX CONSULTANT

Bobbie is a Columbus, Ohio native and a proud alumnus of The Ohio State University. Originally a school teacher, Bobbie opted for a career change after 10 years of educating Columbus' youth. Returning to college, this time at Franklin University, she majored in accounting earning the CPA designation shortly after graduation. 

As a Senior Tax Accountant, specializing in estate and trust tax laws, she boasts 30 years of experience as a practicing CPA. And, while Bobbie no longer maintains her CPA certification, she still brings serious tax expertise to the NorthAvenue team. 

Bobbie and husband John reside in Westerville, Ohio. Both are Buckeye football fans as well as enthusiastic travelers and artists. She escapes it all by cozying up with a good book, preferring British history and mysteries.