Brian Ellenbecker
CFP®, EA®, CPWA®, CIMA®, CLTC®
Shakespeare Wealth Management, LLC
Financial Advisor
Brian Ellenbecker
CFP®, EA®, CPWA®, CIMA®, CLTC®
Shakespeare Wealth Management, LLC
Financial Advisor
As a fee-only ongoing financial planner, serving those with investable assets of $1 million or more, my focus is to offer unbiased financial advice to help you achieve your life goals. - Brian Ellenbecker, CFP®, EA®, CPWA®, CIMA®, CLTC®
Fee-Only Financial Advisor Serving those in Milwaukee, WI and Lake Country Area with Investable Assets of $1 Million or More

Expert Financial Planner and Strategist to High Net Worth Individuals and their Families.
Brian Ellenbecker is a Pewaukee, WI fee-only, fiduciary, financial advisor. Shakespeare Wealth Management, LLC provides comprehensive retirement planning, investment management, and tax planning to help business owners, retirees, and other high net worth individuals organize, grow and protect their assets through life’s transitions. Shakespeare financial advisors are never paid a commission of any kind and have a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.
We form strong relationships with each of our clients and use a team approach in everything we do, capitalizing on the talents and knowledge base of our entire team to best serve clients with investable assets of $1 million or more. To learn more, visit https://www.shakespearewm.com/.
Brian Ellenbecker joined Shakespeare Wealth Management in 2020 with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. His focused areas of expertise include tax planning, Medicare and Social Security strategies and estate planning. Brian believes in the importance of relationships first and foremost in order to achieve a successful financial partnership.
Brian is detail oriented and specializes in more complicated scenarios for our high net worth individuals and families. He enjoys the collaborative environment of Shakespeare to create and implement custom financial plans for our valued clients.
Brian earned his degree in Finance from Marquette University in 2000. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, an Enrolled Agent, a Certified Private Wealth Advisor®, and a Certified Investment Management Analyst®. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) where he serves on the Symposium Planning Committee. Brian is also an active member of the Investments and Wealth Institute, the AICPA and WICPA, the Milwaukee Estate Planning Forum, and the Waukesha County Estate Planning Council.
Brian lives with his wife, Rebecca, and two cats, Luke and Ani. In his free time, Brian enjoys weekly tennis matches, traveling and exploring new restaurants. He also enjoys watching and attending Packers, Bucks, Brewers and will always cheer on Marquette Golden Eagles in their volleyball and basketball games.
Financial Specialties
- Tax Planning
- Social Security Strategies
- Estate Planning
- Medicare Planning
Financial Certifications
- CFP®
- EA®
- CPWA®
- CIMA®
- CLTC®
Brian Ellenbecker is a Member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors - highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
NAPFA members live by three important values:
- To be the beacon for independent, objective financial advice for individuals and families.
- To be the champion of financial services delivered in the public interest.
- To be the standard bearer for the emerging profession of financial planning.
Our goal is to form a strong relationship with each of our clients. This relationship is what makes Shakespeare different from other Milwaukee Financial Advisors. We provide you with fiduciary advice after finding what drives you, what inspires you, and what you feel you deserve in your life. We hope this relationship is equally important to you. We are not just your Financial Planner; we are your partner. We use a team approach in everything we do, capitalizing on the talents and knowledge base of our entire team to best serve clients with investable assets of $1 million or more.
Meet Our Experts
Specialties: Planning for Business Owners | Inheritance and Sudden Wealth | Generational Wealth
Kevin has been helping clients achieve their financial goals for over 30 years. Developing a one-to-one relationship with clients is Kevin's unique skill and the reason he started Shakespeare Wealth Management.
Placing an emphasis on developing close relationships is what allows him and his team to better help clients through key transition points in life, such as retirement, selling a business, losing a loved one, divorce or inheritance. He finds planning for and successfully guiding his clients through these moments rewarding; but finds the most reward in ensuring a client's legacy continues to bear fruit long after they're gone.
Kevin graduated from Marquette University College of Business with specialties in Finance and Economics. Kevin uses his financial expertise to serve his community as a member on the board of the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Foundation Planned Giving Council, is an active member in Jesuit Nation, Life Connections, and his local church. Kevin is the past President and Chairman of The Financial Planning Association of Wisconsin and is an active member in WICPA and NAPFA.
Kevin is happily married and the proud dad of three adult 'boys.' He is an avid traveler, preferring remote and far-flung destinations. He is a semi-professional weekend landscaper and has frequently been accused of planting too many trees and spending too much time on his lawnmower. When not traveling and landscaping, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, skiing, boating, working out, and being outdoors.
Contact: kevin@shakespearewm.com
Specialties: Inheritance and Sudden Wealth, Medicare Planning, Women and Wealth
Andrea views herself and her colleagues at Shakespeare as more than just “financial planners;” they’re advisors tasked with guiding clients to security, fulfillment, and happiness. Andrea prefers to get to know each client and their story before identifying and prioritizing their financial goals. This intimate process allows her to plan for her clients’ every life adventure, as well as for their future legacy.
One of the most rewarding aspects of financial planning for Andrea (in addition to achieving financial success for her clients, naturally) is educating them so they completely understand the financial planning process. She lives for the “Aha!” moments.
Andrea received her Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota and earned her CFP® designation in 2009. She also an active member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).
Andrea grew up in Pewaukee not far from the Shakespeare office and currently lives in Merton with her husband and 3 children. She spends most of her free time with her children, teaching Sunday school, running, biking and participating in triathlon events.
Contact: andrea@shakespearewm.com
Specialties: Retirement Income | Investment Analysis | Tax Planning
As a financial advisor who has gained clients' trust for over 15 years, Nick is dedicated to achieving financial independence with every client. To Nick, financial planning isn’t only about working toward retirement and financial goals, but continuing to keep in mind what is meaningful to the client. Financial success is truly a value when you are able to enjoy what is meaningful and chase your life’s mission.
Since the beginning of his career, Nick has understood that the only way to reach a client’s goals is to first get to know their story and what will make a difference in their life and in their family’s lives. This way when faced with a unique challenge, he already knows the next steps to take with each individual’s situation and stay true to the legacy they are working to build.
Nick has gained experience over the years working with a variety of high asset clients as well as being a board member of the FPA.
When not in the office, Nick spends time with his wife and 2 kids and volunteers as coach for his daughter’s soccer team. In the short summers you’ll find him on the golf course; and in the long winters you can find him at the local bowling alley.
Contact: nick@shakespearewm.com
Brian Ellenbecker, CFP®, EA®, CPWA®, CIMA®, CLTC®
Specialties: Tax Planning | Social Security Strategies | Estate Planning
Brian joined Shakespeare Wealth Management in 2020. With over 20 years of experience, his focused areas of expertise include tax planning, Social Security strategies and estate planning.
Brian earned his degree in Finance from Marquette University in 2000. He is a Certified Financial Planner® practitioner, an Enrolled Agent®, a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® and a Certified Investment Management Analyst®, and is a member of the Financial Planning Association, where he serves on the Symposium Planning Committee, and the Investment Management Consultants Association.
He is on the Board of the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center.
In his free time, Brian enjoys playing tennis, traveling and exploring new restaurants. He also enjoys watching and attending Packers, Bucks, Brewers and Marquette Golden Eagles games.
Contact: brian@shakespearewm.com
Specialties: Retirement Planning | Insurance Strategies | Charitable Planning
Partnering with, walking clients through the financial planning process, and seeing his clients achieve their financial aspirations is what provides Ryan with the greatest satisfaction. During his tenure in this field, he has been able to leverage his technical skill set to assist clients with the planning of their financial future.
Ryan graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor’s degree in Personal Finance. He underwent a rigorous course load through their CFP® Board-Registered Program, passed the CFP® exam in November 2018, and achieved official certification in September 2019. Additionally, he holds the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation.
In his free time, he enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. He is also a big Wisconsin Badgers basketball fan and was fortunate enough to attend the 2015 Final Four in Indianapolis to see the Badgers take down Kentucky. He makes it a priority to go to at least one game a year at the Kohl Center.
Contact: ryan@shakespearewm.com
Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.
Specialties
- Tax Planning
- Social Security Strategies
- Estate Planning
- Medicare Planning
Ideal Clients
- High-Net-Worth Individuals and Families
- At Least $1 Million in Investable Assets
- Preparing for Retirement or Recently Retired
- Recently Married or Divorced
- Death of a Loved One
- Selling a Business
- In Need of Inheritance Planning
- Complex Asset/Investment Situation
Working Together
- Complimentary Initial Consultation
- All-Inclusive Service
- Ongoing Financial Planning
- Meetings 1 - 3 Times per Year
- Virtual or In-Office Meetings
- Blog Posts and Monthly Newsletters
- Webinars and Client Events
Professional Designations & Affiliations
-
Brian Ellenbecker is a NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor
The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
-
Brian Ellenbecker is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional - Click for Verification
CFP® professionals are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in your best interest. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can use the CFP® designation.
-
Brian Ellenbecker is an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the IRS
An enrolled agent is a federally authorized tax practitioner empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Enrolled agent status is the highest credential awarded by the IRS.
-
Brian Ellenbecker is a Certified Private Wealth Advisor ® (CPWA®)
The CPWA certification is an advanced professional education and certification for advisors who provide the breadth of specialized skills required to meet the needs of high-net-worth clients. This certification requires advisors to develop advanced knowledge and skills to address the wide range of complex issues faced by wealthy individuals and families, including portfolio strategies, wealth transfer, family dynamics, risk management, asset protection, closely-held business ownership, charitable giving, estate planning, retirement planning, and more. Fewer than 1% of financial advisors have achieved the CPWA certification.
-
Brian Ellenbecker is a Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
The CIMA designation is the premier certification for financial advisors and investment consultants and one of the only professional certifications in financial services to meet international accreditation and quality standards. CIMA advisors have completed a rigorous process and have demonstrated knowledge and competency in a variety of investment management consulting and portfolio construction topics, including advanced investment management theory and application.
-
Brian Ellenbecker holds the Certification in Long-Term Care (CLTC®)
The CLTC® (Certification in Long-Term Care) program was created in 1999. It focuses on the discipline of extended care planning. It provides professionals the critical tools necessary to discuss the subject of longevity and its consequences on their client's family and finances. Professionals learn how to mitigate these consequences by developing a plan to protect their clients and their families. The designation has been recognized and supported by The American College, CFP® Board, NAIFA, NAHU and major insurance carriers.
-
Brian Ellenbecker is a member of The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®)
FPA® is the largest membership organization for CFP® professionals in the U.S. and supports high standards of professional competence, ethical conduct, and clear, complete disclosure when serving clients.
-
Brian Ellenbecker Serves on the Medical College of Wisconsin's Cancer Center Board of Directors
-
Brian Ellenbecker is Quoted on CNBC: "Here’s how to handle the complicated rules for an inherited 401(k) or IRA"
-
Brian Ellenbecker is Mentioned on United Way's Leaders United as a Presenter of "Preparing for Unexpected Costs in Retirement"
-
Brian Ellenbecker is Quoted on NerdWallet.com: "Suddenly Retired? Here’s What to Do Next"
-
Brian Ellenbecker is Quoted in InvestmentNews: "Advisers warn against dipping into 401(k)s"
-
Brian Ellenbecker is Quoted in MarketWatch: "You’re almost out of time to get this smart retirement benefit"
-
Brian Ellenbecker is Quoted in the New York Times: "Last Tax Season Was a Mess. Now’s Time to Prepare for This One."
-
Brian Ellenbecker is Quoted on Baird The Popovich Financial Group Blog: "Wealth and the Single Parent"
-
Brian Ellenbecker is Quoted in Financial Planning Magazine: "Mortgage rates are at record lows — should clients refinance?"
-
Brian Ellenbecker is Quoted on Industrial Equipment News: "A Checklist for the Newly Retired"
-
Brian Ellenbecker is Quoted on Bloomberg: "Bull Market Limits Options for Trimming Year-End Tax Bills"
Contact Brian Ellenbecker
Office Locations:
-
N22 W27847 Edgewater Drive
Suite 101
Pewaukee, WI 53072-5260