Our Team

Ryan is a Founding Partner of the group and Wealth Management Advisor. He has several professional designations and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ that offers tailored fiduciary advice and written financial plans to individuals.

As an advisor, Ryan works mainly with business owners, high net worth individuals who are entering or currently in retirement, physicians, and dentists. He works closely with the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Science as a regular speaker on Financial Planning.

Areas of expertise include:

• Business value enhancing, key person and succession planning for closely held businesses
• Tax efficient strategies
• Qualified plan design and investment solutions

He is a graduate from the State University of New York at Geneseo where he was a 2 time All-American in Track and Cross Country. Ryan is still an avid runner and lives in East Aurora with his wife and 3 children. He is active in the Western New York Community through membership with various organizations, serving on several boards, volunteering, and youth coaching.

Ryan believes that every person can get closer to the vision of their perfect life by having a plan and committing to a disciplined approach that can adjusts with their changing circumstances.

Chris is a Wealth Management Advisor and Founding Partner. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ that can offer true fiduciary advice and solutions.

His specialties include:

• Retirement planning
• Wealth management
• Insurance planning

Chris has been honored as a qualifying member of MDRT since 2004 and has been recognized consistently for numerous accomplishments within Northwestern Mutual as well as other local and national achievements in the financial industry.

Chris received his bachelor’s degree in communications from Canisius College. He is a lifetime resident of Western New York where resides with his wife Lanette in Kenmore. He enjoys playing soccer and is a music buff. He also enjoys cheering for the Buffalo sports teams. You can find him in the warmer months enjoying long rides on his Harley Davidson.

Deanna has been with Northwestern Mutual since July 2008 and joined Williams & O’Connor Financial Planning Group in August 2014. As Director of Investment Operations, she helps manage and maintain investment portfolios, proposal generation along with other investment operational procedures. Deanna has become Partner at Williams & O’Connor Financial Planning Group and holds her FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations along with the New York State Life, Accident and Health Insurance license.

Deanna was born and raised in Western New York and is a graduate of Canisius College with a degree in Marketing. She enjoys spending time with her husband Mike, son Ronan and goldendoodle Oliver. Deanna is passionately involved with JDRF for Type 1 Diabetes Research.

Tyler has been with Northwestern Mutual since January of 2020 and joined Williams & O’Connor Financial Planning Group in January of 2021. Tyler is an Associate Wealth Management Advisor at the firm and has an emphasis on student loan planning. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Canisius College. Tyler has obtained his FINRA Series 7 & 63 securities registrations, as well as his New York State Agent License for Life, Accident and Health. He resides in the Buffalo area and in his free time he enjoys playing soccer and exercising.

Ryan has been in the employee benefit and HR space since 2014. He has joined Williams and O’Connor in February of 2022 and holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing from Niagara University. He has his New York State Agent License for Life, Accident and Health. Ryan resides in Hamburg, NY with his wife and newborn son. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, golf and watching the Buffalo Bills. 

Tess has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2013 and has a Life, Accident and Health insurance license. In her role she assists our clients in servicing their insurance policies and facilitates new insurance applications. Tess was born and raised in Western New York and is a graduate of The State University of New York at Buffalo. She spends her free time with her husband and three sons.

Steve is a marketing professional with significant leadership experience and success driving global product development and brand marketing strategy at Fortune 500 companies. He has well-rounded experience in marketing, communications, advertising and branding in Health Care, Consumer Goods, and Financial Services.

Steve manages Client Experience, Strategic Partnerships and Community Relations for the firm. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Health Fitness from Springfield College and his MBA from Canisius College. Steve lives in East Aurora where he and his wife raised their children. He is active in his community and serves on several Board of Directors.

Colleen Was joined Williams & O’Connor Financial Planning Group in March of 2021.  As Director of Client Services, Colleen handles general office administration, client scheduling and support of the operation team’s workflow.  Colleen is a graduate of Alfred State College and resides in Depew with her husband and two children.  In her free time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her family.

Kristen has worked in the financial services/insurance industry since 2013 and joined Williams and O’Connor in June of 2022. Kristen is a graduate from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies. She holds her NYS Life, Accident and Health license. 
 
Kristen resides in Buffalo and in her free time enjoys playing tennis and going to concerts.

Sean joined Williams and O’Connor Financial Planning Group in September of 2022.  As  the Research Analyst, he conducts economic research, provides insight into individual stock selection and conducts portfolio rebalances.  

Sean is from the Western New York area and is a graduate of University at Buffalo with a degree in Finance, as well as a candidate in the CFA program.  In his free time he enjoys cheering on the Buffalo Bills and golfing.