Our Team

A Team That Knows Your Plan

Retirement is one of the biggest changes you’ll ever make. You shouldn’t have to face it alone. And you shouldn’t have to start over with someone new if your advisor retires or moves on.

That’s why we built Ascend Planning Partners as a team. More than one of us will know you and your plan. We talk through your situation together and bring in the right person for each question, whether it’s about taxes, Social Security, income, or investments. You’ll always know who to call, and you won’t have to tell your story twice.

Koren Vining, CFP®, CRC®, CSSCS® | Founder
Koren has spent more than 25 years with Cetera, including over 15 years as Vice President and Branch Manager in Denver, coaching and training other advisors. She started Ascend Planning Partners to focus on the work she loves most: helping people turn a lifetime of saving into income they can count on. Her focus is retirement income, tax planning, Roth conversions, and Social Security. Her style is direct and warm. She’ll tell you what you need to know, not just what you want to hear, and she always starts with what matters most to you.

Ann L. Speer, AIF®, CPFA® | Financial Planner & Wealth Advisor
Ann grew up around the financial industry, and her work rests on one idea: people make better decisions when they understand their choices. She takes the time to explain the “why,” so you feel informed and confident. Ann also leads our work with 401(k) and employer retirement plans and runs our day-to-day operations.

Steve Sherman | Financial Planner & Wealth Advisor
Steve has more than 40 years of experience in financial services. He has a gift for taking complicated decisions and making them simple. Outside the office, he loves art and the outdoors, and he brings that same mix of careful thinking and creativity to every plan he builds.

Brandon Speer | Financial Planner & Wealth Advisor
Brandon is the newest member of our team. He works with business owners, younger investors who are focused on growth, and people who are still 10 or more years from retirement. He brings energy, curiosity, and a background in helping people take their first steps toward a plan.

Lisa Dameron | Client Services
Lisa is often the first voice you’ll hear when you call. She handles scheduling, paperwork, and client requests so that working with us stays simple and stress-free.

What we believe

Planning is about your life, not just your portfolio.
Money decisions are emotional decisions. They deserve patience and honesty.
Good tax planning can make a real difference in retirement.
You deserve a team that follows through.
If that sounds like what you’re looking for, we’d love to meet you. 

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