Team Members
Our approach means you benefit from a client-centric, highly qualified team focused on guiding you to make informed decisions. Meet our financial professionals and learn what each brings to our firm.
Thomas J. Canale CFP®, ChSNC®, ChFC®, CLU®
Private Wealth Advisor and Founder
In a career spanning more than 25 years, Tom has led clients to prioritize what really matters through full-picture financial planning. With competency and compassion, he has established long-term relationships empowering clients to align their actions with their vision for life.
A Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor and Crain’s Chicago Business “Chicago’s Notable Advisors,” he is recognized for his industry experience and leadership of an established wealth management practice focused on professionals and entrepreneurs.
Tom’s expertise in special needs planning has allowed him to develop an understanding of the unique circumstances surrounding the financial needs and goals of families with a loved one with special needs.
He was among the innovators who developed Northwestern Mutual’s Special Steps program, which guides families to maximize financial resources. A thought leader and subject matter expert, he frequently speaks on planning for persons with disabilities and their families.
Qualifications
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional
- Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®)
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
- Chartered Life Underwriting (CLU®)
- FINRA Series 6, 7, 9, 10, 63, 66
- Life, Health and Long-Term Care Insurance Licenses
- Marquette University, B.A. in Business
Outside the Office
Tom is a native of Elmhurst, IL and enjoys spending time with his friends and family and cheering on the Chicago Bears. Tailgate Tom has been known to attend every game since becoming a season ticket holder in 2001. He is married to Melanie, and they have two sons, Justin and Brendan.
Hanna Grichanik CFP®, CRPC®, ChFC®, CLU®
Financial Advisor
Hanna’s desire to help people make informed decisions aligned with their values emerged during her childhood. As new immigrants, financial planning consisted of covering monthly bills. One day her family sought advice to plan beyond the day-to-day to create financial security. They were educated by a financial planner around protecting their family and creating a plan for their future goals. Over the next several years, Hanna witnessed the incredible impact spending wisely, saving intentionally and investing intelligently can make! She was determined to share this impact with others.
For over a decade as a financial advisor, she has had the privilege to partner with clients nationwide by specializing in wealth accumulation, focusing on the transition and preservation of wealth. Through a consultative and comprehensive wealth management process, she often guides:
- Couples who are planning for, transitioning into and enjoying retirement while wanting to leave the desired legacy.
- Families who are navigating their careers, kids, and aging parents while balancing today's needs with tomorrow’s desires.
- Corporate professionals who need strategies to maximize complex executive compensation and benefits while minimizing taxes.
Hanna believes in living the life you want and creating the legacy you want to leave; you need a coach. You need someone who cares deeply, has your best interest at heart, and is qualified and experienced. Together, we review options, show you blind spots, yet empower you to take action to grow and protect wealth.
Qualifications
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional
- Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®)
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
- Chartered Life Underwriting (CLU®)
- FINRA Series 7, 66
- Life, Health and Long-Term Care Insurance Licenses
- UCLA Certificate in Personal Financial Planning
- UC San Diego, B.A. (Cum Laude) in Economics
Outside the Office
As a first-generation American, she is proud of her Jewish identity and the strong sense of family in which she grew up. Family is everything to her! After living in several cities, the addition of her son brought her back to Los Angeles. Hanna and her husband, Mark, enjoy spending time with their son and daughter, exploring natural landscapes and cooking. They met on the ballroom dance team and continued their love of the arts together.
Integrity, depth of expertise and experience within the team are what Kristen values about being a part of Canale Financial Group. With 10+ years as an actuary, her critical thinking and problem-solving expertise make her a valuable resource to our clients as she partners with individuals and families and provides them with a holistic financial plan.
Qualifications
- Life and Health Insurance Licenses
- Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA)
- Drake University, B.S. in Actuarial Science & Finance
Outside the Office
A Milwaukee area native, Kristen is a Green Bay Packers fan. She enjoys spending her free time with her partner, Joey, and their cat, Nox, cooking, doing puzzles and exploring the Chicago food and music scene.
Josh Puccini CFP®, ChFC®, WMCP®, ChSNC®, CLU®
Associate Private Wealth Advisor
The collaborative spirit of the team and the well-defined process that guides client meetings are what Josh embraces in working within Canale Financial Group. As an Associate Private Wealth Advisor, Josh creates comprehensive financial plans, implementing financial strategies that help clients align their actions with their goals.
Qualifications
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
- Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP®)
- Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®)
- Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®)
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
- FINRA Series 7, 63
- Life and Health Insurance Licenses
Outside the Office
A Colorado native, Josh enjoys outdoor activities, from hiking and running to all things basketball. A Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood resident, he and his wife Alicia enjoy exploring Chicago and attending live music events when he's not cheering for the Cubs.
The true partnerships we form with our clients and team members are what Becky enjoys most about working within Canale Financial Group. She oversees onboarding investment clients and servicing investment accounts, including processing securities orders and rolling over 401ks and IRAs.
Qualifications
- FINRA Series 6, 7, 63
- Life and Health Insurance Licenses
- Benedictine University, B.A. in Business Management
Outside the Office
A lifelong Chicago area resident, Becky enjoys attending concerts and outdoor activities. A favorite is hiking or kayaking during the summer.
Caring for a brother with special needs, Chris understands the profound impact and importance of holistic financial planning. He brings to all our clients a commitment to timely and accurate communications. For our team, he serves as the point of contact for our calendar and scheduling appointments. Furthering our goals to provide educational resources, he coordinates our webinars, speaking engagements, and community service outreach.
Qualifications
- Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®)
- FINRA Series 6, 63
- Life, Health and Long-Term Care Insurance Licenses
- The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.A. in Interpersonal Communications
Outside the Office
A Texas native who moved to the Chicago area when he was young, he and his wife enjoy navigating through Chicago’s food scene, country music concerts and long walks with their dog, Ellie.
A collaborative spirit that fosters teamwork to build true partnerships built on a foundation of integrity and mutual trust is what Josh values most about his role within Canale Financial Group. Embracing Northwestern Mutual’s proprietary planning tool that integrates insurance and investments, he partners with Josh Puccini to create comprehensive financial plans that help our clients align their actions with their goals.
Qualifications
- FINRA Series 6, 7, 63
- Life, Health and Long-Term Care Insurance Licenses
- American Sign Language (ASL)
- Illinois State University, B.S. in Finance
Outside the Office
Aspiring to be a professional basketball player at 5’9”, it was out of the picture as a realistic goal. Today he enjoys all things physical fitness and is a big sports fan – as a spectator, not a player.