Starting Out
Starting Out
We often hear “I don’t have enough money for a financial advisor” or “I don’t need to do that stuff until later”. Good financial habits, and time, are the two most important things when it comes to your financial wellbeing. You’re in the stage of making real money, paying off debt, and managing relationships and decisions.
You’re not supposed to have it all figured out, you just need to build a network that supports you. Life isn’t going to tell you when the “right time” is. Work, the stock market, or your personal life likely aren’t going to “settle down”. Instead, get that support system established, check it off the to-do list, and live life confidently.
We help young professionals:
- Build healthy saving and spending habits
- Compound smart decisions for the long-term
- Understand investing without intimidation
- Make smart adjustments as income grows or declines
- Balance enjoying life today with planning for tomorrow
The sooner you start making the right decisions, the longer you’ll be able to experience financial freedom and opportunity.
Want to find out more? Schedule a 15-minute introductory conversation here.
Juggling Midlife
Juggling Midlife
These are often the busiest years of life, as we are pulled in several directions at once. Careers are demanding. Kids are growing. Expenses rise quickly. Retirement suddenly feels closer while college and aging parent responsibilities compete for attention.
Many families are financially successful on paper but still feel stretched, disorganized, or uncertain about whether they are making the right decisions. At this stage, most people don’t need more information, they need better organization, prioritization, and structure. Thoughtful planning can help people make decisions with greater confidence and avoid reactive choices during stressful periods.
We help families:
- Organize and simplify their financial life
- Balance current lifestyle with future goals
- Prioritize retirement, college, debt, and cash flow
- Coordinate investments, taxes, insurance, and estate planning
- Navigate peak earning years and career transitions
- Reduce financial stress and decision fatigue
Want to find out more? Schedule a 15-minute introductory conversation here.
Next Chapter
Next Chapter
Retirement is exciting, but it can also feel intimidating. You only retire once, and many people worry about getting it right. Questions around income, healthcare, taxes, market volatility, and longevity suddenly become very real. At the same time, retirement is about much more than finances alone. Daily routines change, identities shift, and people begin thinking carefully about how they want to spend their time, energy, and purpose in this next phase of life.
We often say it is important not just to retire from something, but to retire to something.
Income planning, taxes, healthcare, Social Security, legacy goals, charitable giving, and family support all begin working together in new ways. Financial confidence in retirement comes from having structure, flexibility, and a strategy that fits your life.
Retirement planning is not simply about investments. It is about creating a sustainable and fulfilling next chapter.
We help pre-retirees and retirees:
- Transition confidently into retirement
- Create reliable retirement income strategies
- Make thoughtful tax and distribution decisions
- Align wealth with family and legacy goals
- Maintain clarity through changing markets and life changes
- Build a retirement plan that supports both financial security and personal fulfillment
Want to find out more? Schedule a 15-minute introductory conversation here.
NIL
NIL
You’re at the next level. You’re juggling constant practices, workouts, travel, school and an attempt at a social life. You’re finally making some REAL money. You might feel pressure from family to succeed, friends coming out of the woodworks asking for favors, and your own desire to reward yourself.
You don’t know how long the money is going to keep coming. Will you be at this school next year, will a transfer or incoming freshman take your spot? Could an injury derail your ability to get paid? How do you make sure this lasts as long as possible, while still living your college years to the fullest.
The most important thing is to build an off-field team you go to for support. That team’s role is to help you make smart decisions to take some stress off your plate. Our role as your off-field financial support system is to help you:
- Think clearly through opportunities and decisions
- Organize your income into a sustainable system
- Build savings and investments for long-term stability
- Build out your entire Off-Field Team of accounting, legal, and insurance support
You worked hard to earn this opportunity. Our job is to help you protect it and build from it.
Want to find out more? Schedule a 15-minute introductory conversation here.
Advisors
Mark Hannah
Managing Partner
Click here to schedule a call with Mark
Mark Hannah believes financial planning is ultimately about helping people make thoughtful decisions with clarity and confidence.
As Managing Partner of Evergreen Wealth Strategies, Mark works with individuals, families, business owners, and retirees to simplify complex financial decisions and create practical plans aligned with what matters most to them. His approach combines long-term strategy with behavioral guidance, helping clients build healthy financial habits, navigate life transitions, and stay grounded during both opportunities and challenges.
Mark has more than 25 years of experience in financial services and holds the Certified Financial Planner™ certification as well as the Chartered Life Underwriter® designation.
He is especially passionate about helping clients reduce financial stress by creating structure, organization, and clarity around their financial lives. Whether someone is just starting out, balancing the demands of midlife, preparing for retirement, or navigating a period of sudden financial opportunity, Mark believes good planning should feel understandable, personal, and actionable.
Community involvement remains important to Mark. He serves on Equitable Advisors’ LGBT Field Advisory Council and has previously served on the Board of Trustees for Rohan Woods School. He and his family are active members of Christ Memorial Lutheran Church.
Mark lives in the St. Louis area with his wife Lauren and their family. Outside the office, he enjoys hiking, fishing, cooking, photography, travel, and causing mayhem with his children.
CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP (with flame logo)® are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements. California Insurance License #0J08352 Arkansas Insurance License #6408033
Reagan Weatherby
Financial Advisor
Click here to schedule a call with Reagan
Reagan joined our team to enhance our client experience as our practice continues to grow. Her role is to work directly with new and existing clients, providing advice and guidance for their specific financial needs. Becoming a financial professional has been a longtime dream of hers. She went to the University of North Texas and got her Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a focus in Finance.
In her free time she enjoys volunteering at her church, indoor/outdoor rock climbing, traveling, and spending time with her family.
California Insurance License #4297246
Greg Vaughn
Financial Advisor
Greg specializes in guiding people and businesses towards their financial goals.
Each person, family and business is different; Greg wants to understand each client’s unique needs and desires to properly craft their specific strategy. His approach revolves around simplifying complex topics and strategies to give clarity in their decisions.
Greg grew up in St. Louis and graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Finance and Banking. He moved to Tampa in 2021 to run an HVAC startup business, after working in orthopedic sales in St. Louis for 4 years.
Greg lives in Tampa, Florida with his fiancé, Marta. Greg loves playing and watching sports, especially golf, and refuses to let anything get in the way of him and the TV on Mizzou college football Saturdays.
Operations
Julie O'Connell Roberts
Operations Manager
JOConnellRoberts@evergreen-ws.com
Julie joined Evergreen Wealth Strategies in August of 2014 after moving back to St. Louis from Chicago, IL. As Operations Manager, Julie is an integral part of the complete team planning process and office management. She assists clients in many ways, including phone and email correspondence, scheduling client meetings, and greeting visitors to Evergreen Wealth Strategies. Behind the scenes, Julie assists advisors and staff in the preparation of client reviews and paperwork.
In 2005, she earned a Bachelor of Music degree from The University of North Texas, where she studied vocal jazz and music theory. The following year, she moved from Texas to Chicago to pursue music. Julie performed and taught private lessons, all while running a successful early childhood music school.
Julie’s love of the outdoors is fulfilled in the many hikes and camping adventures she enjoys with her husband and son and running. Along with explorations, she loves to be baking and cooking while having dance parties in the kitchen with her son.
Kayla Baldwin
Executive Assistant
Kayla joined Evergreen Wealth Strategies staff in early 2022. Kayla is responsible for assisting advisors and clients, phone and email correspondence, scheduling meetings, and greeting visitors.
She earned a degree in Horticulture in 2018 and is currently working toward completing her second degree in Behavioral Health. Prior to joining Evergreen Wealth Strategies, Kayla was a Care Manager for a private care management firm, which served the elderly population and those with complex health histories. Kayla brings excellent organizational skills and a desire to learn to the team.
Kayla lives in south St. Louis with her husband Andrew and her daughter Iris. They have a full house with 4 cats, a guinea pig, a rabbit and 3 mice. She enjoys gardening, plants, home renovation projects, reading and spending time with friends and family.
Valerie Freistein
Executive Assistant
Valerie joined Evergreen Wealth Strategies in June of 2018. Valerie assists clients in many ways, including phone and email correspondence, scheduling client meetings, helping manage accounts and greeting visitors. Behind the scenes, Valerie assists Mark and Reagan in the preparation of client reviews.
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Advertising, Valerie graduated in 2002 from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. Prior to joining Evergreen, Valerie has spent the past 11 years as a Senior Recruiter in Information Technology and more recently recruiting photographers for one of the top Newborn Photography companies in the United States.
Valerie and her husband, Justin, reside in Chesterfield, MO with their two sons, Micah and Jeran. She enjoys running, playing sports with her children, and spending time with family and friends.