Our team is personable, trustworthy, creative, and proactive. As a brand we stand for empowerment through education, working collaboratively and ethically, and staying true to our service-first approach to business. As your partner, flexibility to your organization's needs and the provision of comprehensive industry advice are at the top of our to-do list.
Jessica Ballin
Principal, Investment Advisor Representative- AIF®, C(k)P™, CPFA
jessica.ballin@lpl.com
Jessica Ballin is an Investment Advisor Representative and Principal of 401k Plan Professionals. She has been a retirement plan advisor and consultant for 21 years, joining LPL Financial in January, 2007. She graduated from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota in 2000.
She obtained her Series 7 (registration held through LPL Financial) and 66 (held through 401k Plan Professionals and LPL Financial) licenses and is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF). Jessica has earned the C(k)P™ Certified 401(k) Professional Designation from The Retirement Advisor University™ in collaboration with UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Education.
Jessica is recognized as an industry leader, named to both the National Association for Plan Advisors (NAPA) list of Top Women Advisors from 2015 - 2024, and Top 50 Retirement Plan Advisors under 40 from 2016 - 2018.
Jenna Witherbee
Investment Advisor Representative- AIF®, CPFA
jenna.witherbee@lpl.com
Jenna Witherbee is an Investment Advisor Representative with 401k Plan Professionals. Jenna joined 401k Plan Professionals in 2009 after obtaining a Finance degree from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.
She holds Series 7 through LPL Financial and Series 66 through 401k Plan Professionals and LPL Financial. She also has MN Insurance registrations and is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF). Jenna takes pride in providing experienced service to the small and mid-size clients including investment research and due diligence, group and individual employee education meetings, plan design guidance, fee benchmarking and vendor proposals.
Most recently, Jenna was named by The National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) to the ACES List for Top Advisors Under 40. She has been named to that list from 2022 - 2025. She is also named to the NAPA Top Women Advisors list for the years 2015 - 2016, 2018 - 2019, and 2023.
Gina Buchholz
Investment Advisor Representative- AIF®, CPFA
gina.buchholz@lpl.com
Gina Buchholz brings over 20 years of retirement plan experience to our team. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a B.S. in Finance, Gina began her career as a 401(k) sales and service representative and later worked at an advisory firm. She joined 401k Plan Professionals in September of 2017. Gina is Series 7, 65 and 63 licensed (registration held through LPL Financial) and has an AIF® designation. Gina works closely with our plan sponsor clients to oversee and help service their retirement plans, including plan design consulting, investment due diligence, investment research and employee assistance and education. From 2018 - 2024, Gina has been named by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) to the Top Woman Advisor List.
She is also a volunteer for Best Prep, a nonprofit organization with a mission to increase financial literacy for Minnesota middle school and high school students.
Gina lives in Chanhassen with her husband and two children.
Virginia Ryan
Investment Advisor Representative- AIF® in training
virginia.ryan@lpl.com
Virginia Ryan joined the 401k Plan Professionals team in April 2022. While new to our team, she has worked with 401k plans since 2012 through her employment with two major recordkeepers on both the sales and service sides of the business. Virginia is Series 6, 7, 63 and 65 licensed (registration held through LPL Financial).
Virginia enjoys working with retirement plans as it allows her to help increase financial literacy among employees while communicating complex ideas with ease. She also enjoys helping plan sponsors feel confident and secure about their retirement benefit offering. and helping sponsors execute efficient plan design while customizing strategies to connect with every employee.
Virginia lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with her husband and 3 kids and enjoys spending time outside with friends and family, watching her kids conquer their fears, and taking family road trips.
Virginia is recognized by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) to the Top Woman Advisor List for 2024.
Kristen Karlin
Director of Marketing + Client Experience
kristen.karlin@lpl.com
Kristen Karlin is in charge of client experience & marketing for 401k Plan Professionals. She’s served in this role since September of 2017. Kristen interned with our team while attending the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota where she graduated with a degree in Finance and a minor in Spanish in 2011. Communication and marketing have been passions of Kristen’s since she can remember and she is thrilled to be part of the team once again.
When she is not working with our advisors, Kristen helps other teams and organizations develop their brand, client experience, sales, and marketing strategies.
Kristen lives in San Diego, California. She loves to teach and practice Pilates, walk the beaches, and enjoy life in Southern California with her dog, Lupe.
