Ryan Bell

Ryan’s journey in financial planning started at Merrill Edge and Merrill Lynch, where he got his first taste of the industry. Pretty quickly, though, he realized something was missing—he didn’t just want to help people pick investments, he wanted to walk alongside them through all the big money questions life throws at you.

That realization nudged him toward independence, and in 2017 he stepped out on his own as an advisor. A few years later, him and George Heathcote formed their own firm in response to restrictions being imposed by their former company that would end up hurting their clients. Shepherd was born in March 2022—a place where clients can expect straightforward advice, real relationships, and a partner in building the life they want.

These days, Ryan lives in the Madison area with his wife, Liz, and their three energetic boys—who keep life loud, fun, and always moving. When he’s not sitting down with clients, you’ll find him chasing his kids around the yard, spending time with friends, or sneaking off to the golf course.