Leslie Garrison
How She Can Help You
Leslie leads the operational efforts across the firm, ensuring that Cornerstone Wealth Management’s programs and services are running smoothly and adding value to each advisor’s practice and, in turn, their clients. She also plans and executes events for the Cornerstone community that enhance the firm’s already robust, collaborative culture that our advisors appreciate.
What Makes Her Knowledgeable
Leslie enjoys continuously learning about new tools, technology and resources that can enhance an advisor's practice and their clients' experience. She connects regularly with LPL Financial to ensure Cornerstone advisors know best practices to streamline operations. Leslie is passionate about finding ways to help advisors get further faster as they work toward their goals.
In 2018, Leslie joined Cornerstone Wealth Management as the firm’s first director of marketing, supporting advisors with marketing materials and execution. Before joining Cornerstone, she led the marketing team for a national RIA based in St. Louis for three years. Leslie holds the Series 7 with LPL Financial and Series 66 with Cornerstone Wealth Management and LPL Financial. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Truman State University.
Getting to Know Her
A St. Louis native, Leslie lives in Webster Groves, Missouri, with her husband of over 20 years, John. They have two children, one of which spends most of her time at college in Oklahoma. Outside of work, Leslie serves on the Webster Groves High School Parents Club board and enjoys home improvement projects, reading, physical activity of any kind, and having fun with family and friends.
John Howard
How He Can Help You
John’s specialty is understanding the Cornerstone Wealth Management payroll process inside and out. With more than 125 advisors in our community, it can be a challenge, but John has streamlined and enhanced the process so it takes minimal time to complete, ensuring advisors get paid promptly and accurately.
What Makes Him Knowledgeable
John has utilized his profound Excel knowledge to make the firm’s monthly advisor payroll process as automated as it can be to reduce human error. With previous experience running his own business, John also helps manage the firm's finances and forecast future growth. He regularly provides analytical insights and financial reporting to Cornerstone's executive team to help them make better decisions for the firm and its advisors.
Prior to joining Cornerstone, John owned a telecommunications company, which he built from scratch with his business partner.
Getting to Know Him
When not working in the office on an Excel spreadsheet, John enjoys playing golf and reading about history.
Elizabeth Siesener
Alaina Budnick
How She Can Help You
Alaina leads the new advisor onboarding process in conjunction with LPL Financial’s onboarding consultants to help advisors prepare for their transition. She also works as a transition specialist, easing the administrative burden on advisors as they transition – including opening accounts, submitting and tracking account transfers, handling e-signatures, establishing ACH payments, and more.
What Makes Her Knowledgeable
Alaina joined Cornerstone Wealth Management in 2014, bringing over 7 years of prior experience in the banking industry. She has a genuine interest in helping others and is focused on providing excellent customer service and advisor support.
Getting to Know Her
Alaina is a native St. Louisan and enjoys spending her free time with family and friends.
Claire Hamberg
How She Can Help You
Claire partners with advisors to create and implement customized marketing plans to best fit their individual goals, ideal client, and budget.
Combining her strong design skills, conscientiousness, and love of a good brainstorming session, Claire relishes the opportunity to work with a diverse group of advisors and the clients they serve.
What Makes Her Knowledgeable
After graduating with a BFA in graphic design from Webster University, Claire served as the solo marketer for a personal injury law firm in St. Louis for over 7 years.
An avid learner, she enjoys staying on the pulse of marketing and design trends within the financial industry and beyond.
Getting to Know Her
A St. Louis native, Claire and her husband David enjoy exploring local trails, listening to podcasts, experimenting in the kitchen, and doting on their two cats, Blake and Remy.
Laurie Triplett-Wood
How She Can Help You
Laurie joined the Cornerstone Wealth Management team in 2022 to support the firm’s internal operations, including advisor and client needs and support to the marketing, coaching, and recruiting teams.
What Makes Her Knowledgeable
Laurie is passionate about serving others, accuracy in her work and being part of a team. In her previous roles, Laurie’s key responsibilities were to help her team grow and reach their goals, create operational policies and efficiencies, and troubleshoot challenges. She has carried these skills and strategies to her current role on the Cornerstone Wealth Management team.
A St. Louis native, Laurie earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and a master’s degree from Webster University.
Getting to Know Her
When she’s not busy at the office, you can find her reading, attending festivals and sporting events, repurposing vintage collectibles, and spending time with her family and friends.
Chris Swenson CFP®
How He Can Help You
Chris has a passion for bringing together our advisors to enjoy time outside of the office. He knows the importance of forging strong bonds through experiences that develop Cornerstone’s collaborative and engaging culture.
What Makes Him Knowledgeable
Before joining Cornerstone Wealth Management in 2013, Chris spent over 15 years at a national brokerage firm. He chose to become an independent advisor affiliated with LPL Financial to more completely serve the needs of his clients.
As a Cornerstone partner, Chris has embraced the opportunity to organize events and outings that gather advisors and their team members to connect on a personal level.
Chris is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia and has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification.
Getting to Know Him
Chris has served his community on the Salvation Army Midland Division Advancement Committee, Advisory Board, Executive Committee and the Central Territory Investment Advisory Board. He also served as vice president for the Chamber of Commerce in Town & Country. On the weekend, Chris can be found fishing, hunting or watching a hockey game with his wife, Mary, and sons Blake, Brandon and Logan.
