Meet The Team

Kendra Johnson serves as the Director of Operations at Fundamental Wealth Designs, LLC, where she is dedicated to creating an exceptional client experience through thoughtful service, strong communication, and meaningful relationships. She believes that trust is the foundation of every successful partnership and takes pride in ensuring clients feel supported throughout every step of their financial journey.’

Drawing on extensive experience in the financial services industry, Kendra combines operational expertise with a client-first mindset. She oversees the firm’s day-to-day operations, helping deliver a seamless experience while supporting the team in providing personalized service. Her focus extends beyond transactions—she is committed to building lasting relationships that reflect the firm’s values of integrity, responsiveness, and care.

Kendra earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Winona State University. A Minnesota native, she lives in the north metro with her husband, Ben. Outside the office, she enjoys running, reading, discovering new restaurants with friends and family, and taking advantage of everything Minnesota has to offer throughout all four seasons.

Kendra Ryder has been in the Financial Services Industry for over 33 years. She has in-depth experience with Carriers, Broker Dealers and Field Marketing Offices. She understands the business from both a captive and independent advisors’ point of view. She has passed securities examinations 7/24/63 and holds the MN Life and Health License. Her primary focus has been in the Annuity and Life Insurance space. Kendra has held roles in Marketing, Distribution and Operations. As the new VP of Client Engagement, she looks forward to helping Billy and the team grow their business for the clients who want it all.

Kendra resides just on the other side of the river in the lovely state of Wisconsin. Therefore, it goes without saying she is a HUGE Green Bay Packer fan. She is working on attending a Green Bay game in each stadium that they play.

She lives with her husband, Bill and two dogs, Willa and Lyla. Kendra has 2 daughters, Emily who lives in Denver and Katie who lives nearby in North Hudson.
Kendra spends her leisure time watching sports, traveling and on their boat which is kept on the St. Croix River.

As the eldest of three boys, Phil grew up in a natural leadership role, often being the one others turned to for guidance and support. His passion for teaching and helping others took shape early through his experience as a swim teacher, where he learned how to break down complex skills into simple, understandable steps for people of all ages. These early experiences built the foundation for the patient, education-first approach Phil brings to every client relationship today.

Phil is a Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) through The American College of Financial Services and a Certified Financial Fiduciary (CFF), reflecting his commitment to advanced retirement planning and fiduciary standards.

Phil began his career at a Fortune 100 financial services company, consulting with advisors and clients on a broad range of financial products and planning strategies. After five years with the firm, he was invited to join one of its largest clients in Michigan, where he served as a retirement specialist working directly with households nearing or in retirement. This background gave him a deep understanding of both the institutional side of financial products and the real-world concerns of retirees.

As a retirement specialist, Phil has focused his practice on distribution planning, Social Security optimization, tax-aware strategies, risk mitigation, and comprehensive retirement income planning. He works with clients to design portfolios and income strategies intended to help them maintain lifestyle, manage volatility, and reduce the impact of taxes over a multi-decade retirement. Phil believes effective retirement planning requires coordination across investments, insurance, tax considerations, and legacy goals, not just product selection.

Phil is returning home to Minnesota and joining Fundamental Wealth Solutions to provide retirees with a truly holistic planning experience rooted in independence, objectivity, and education.

Outside of work, Phil enjoys golfing, following all things Minnesota sports, traveling, and volunteering in his community. He also values time with friends and family, which reinforces his belief that money is ultimately a tool to support a meaningful, relationship-centered life.

Sam Johnson is a Medicare professional with a diverse background and a passion for helping others. Originally from Stillwater, MN, Sam studied American Sign Language at Arapahoe College in Colorado before beginning his career. He previously worked as a restaurant consultant, guiding remodels and rebrands to bring new life to businesses.

Outside of work, Sam enjoys an active and family-centered lifestyle. He is an avid golfer, runner, and a proud Eagle Scout. He also loves traveling to spend time with his seven nieces and nephews. Sam lives in Hudson, WI, with his girlfriend Katie and their two cats, Mozy and Talluah.

Known for his determination and unmatched tenacity, Sam approaches every project with focus, hard work, and a drive to succeed.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Travis Naylor has been a dedicated CPA since 2014, combining professional expertise with enthusiastic client service. A proud alumnus of Bethel University in the Twin Cities, he has built a career grounded in integrity and precision in the world of taxation where he seeks to design client-focused tax strategies.

Outside of his professional life, he treasures family time with his wife, Karolyn, and two children, Kirah and Nash. He enjoys being on the golf course in the summer and cheering on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the winter. His thoughtful, steady presence reflects both a commitment to his craft and a genuine love for his family and community.

With every challenge he embraces, Travis continues to demonstrate the balance of sharp expertise and heartfelt enthusiasm that defines both his work and personal life.

Maria Traynor is a dedicated Client Experience Specialist with a strong background in human resources. She holds a master’s degree in organizational management from Concordia University – St. Paul and has earned industry designations including SHRM-SCP and SPHR, reflecting on her commitment to excellence in human resources and organizational development.

With extensive experience as Human Resources Business Partner, Maria has worked across various industries such as insurance, engineering, construction, and safety. This diverse background has equipped her with valuable insights and skills that she now brings to her role at Fundamental Wealth Designs, where she aims to cultivate strong, impactful relationships with our clients.

When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family. She lives in Wisconsin and has three wonderful children – Torrie and Logan, who both reside in Minnesota, and Lucas, who calls Colorado home. Maria strives to balance her professional dedication with family life, finding joy in every moment.

Danielle Christensen is an Operations Specialist at Fundamental Wealth Designs, LLC. In her role, Danielle is instrumental in optimizing operational processes, ensuring efficient workflows, and providing essential support to the financial planning team. Her responsibilities include managing administrative tasks, coordinating with financial planners, and enhancing overall operational effectiveness to deliver exceptional client service.

Danielle brings a wealth of experience in financial services and client support to her position. Her previous roles have involved preparing detailed financial plans, managing client information, and handling complex administrative tasks. Additionally, she has a strong background in mortgage loan processing, where she managed client files, ensured compliance with standards, and facilitated smooth mortgage transactions. Danielle’s diverse skill set and dedication to operational excellence make her a valuable asset to Fundamental Wealth Designs.

Outside of work, Danielle and her fiancé, Seth, enjoy spending their free time with their beloved rescue dogs, Tuukka and Rusty, who are described as the goodest and most handsome boys. They also enjoy traveling, rooting for the Minnesota Wild, and seeing live music.

Beth retired in 2021 from a fulfilling and rewarding career in nursing, where she spent 30 years as a nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit and for 13 years, she was the nurse coordinator for the pediatric palliative care program at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Through her career as a nurse, she served on several boards and committees and planned local and national nursing conferences and celebrations for her patients.

Beth is new to the world of finance but her planning and organizational skills come in handy as she schedules our client educational events and workshops. Beth resides in Michigan, working remotely and part time for FWD.  She travels frequently to visit her son Billy and his family in MN and her daughter in the Chicago area. Her four grandchildren light up her life.

When not traveling or working, Beth enjoys quilting, painting and any kind of crafting.  She is also a board member and volunteer at New Hope Center for Grief Support.

Haley Eder-Zdechlik is a recent graduate of Hamline University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Marketing. While at Hamline, she also served as an assistant captain of the Hamline Women’s Hockey Team, demonstrating strong leadership, communication, and teamwork skills both on and off the ice.

She began her professional career as the first intern at Fundamental Wealth Designs, where she quickly made an impact through her initiative, attention to detail, and commitment to client service. Her drive and dedication led to her current role as a Client Experience Specialist, where she focuses on creating meaningful, personalized experiences that reflect the firm’s values and help clients feel confident and supported in their financial journey.

Passionate about building relationships and creating value through thoughtful brand and client engagement, Haley brings energy, professionalism, and a people-first mindset to every aspect of her work. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time outdoors and staying active through sports and recreation.

Mary Rose has over 25 years of experience in customer service, leadership, and early childhood care. She began her career as a Customer Service Representative, where she spent three years building strong communication and problem-solving skills before moving into a leadership role as a Customer Service Initial Training Manager. In that position, she discovered a passion for guiding and supporting others — a passion that later shaped her 21-year journey as an in-home childcare provider. Through her work, Mary Rose has combined her talents for empathy, organization, and relationship-building to create nurturing, trust-filled environments for both families and colleagues. She is dedicated to helping others feel valued, supported, and heard in every interaction.

Mary Rose lives in the St Paul area.  She is a proud alumna of Visitation high school, where she was a member of the tennis team, and continued her education at the University of Minnesota.  She enjoys watching sports, playing golf, ping pong, gardening and tending to her many bird feeders.  She also volunteers once a month at a local group.  She is mom to Joe, Charlie, and Annie, all of whom are Eagle Scouts!  She also enjoys spending time in Ohio with her twin sister, Julie.