Expertise

Andrew Ladd is a Managing Director in Baird's Private Wealth Management office in Dallas with over 22 years of experience. Prior to joining Baird in 2014, Andy was a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors (formerly A. G. Edwards) since 2003. He joined his father, Ed, in 2007 and The Ladd Group was formed. Andy has developed his practice by focusing on the investment needs of business professionals, families, nonprofit organizations and small business retirement plans. He and his business partner Jayson Bales were recognized as a Top Team by Baird in 2022 and recently The Ladd Bales Group was recognized by Forbes/ Shook Research as a 2025 and 2026 Best-In-State Wealth Management Team². Together, their team manages over a half a billion dollars in assets for a limited number of families through a unique financial planning process. Andy’s areas of expertise include portfolio design, investment management, insurance analysis, retirement planning and estate planning.

Background

Andy obtained his Bachelor's Degree from The University of Texas in Austin and subsequently concentrated his studies in all areas of portfolio management, investment planning, and estate planning. Andy holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner credential and has his Series 7 and 66 registrations along with a General Lines, Life, Accident, Health and HMO insurance license.

Community Involvement

Andy also has experience working in the nonprofit sector and has helped organizations with their charitable giving efforts, development coordination, donor relations, and endowment investment planning. Andy has been on the Board of the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas and involved with Big Brother Big Sisters, Meals on Wheels, and Scottish Rite Hospital. He currently serves on the Investment Advisory Board of the Dallas YMCA and advises on their endowment and the organization’s community involvement.

Outside of spending time with his family, Andy enjoys golf, travel, Longhorn sports and running. Andy and his wife Jenilee live in University Park in Dallas with their daughter Margot, son Harrison and identical twin boys, Penn and Cooper .

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with flame logo)® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP® Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

²2025 FORBES | SHOOK Research Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams. Published 1/9/25, rankings based on data as of 3/31/24

²2026 Forbes | Published 1/7/26. Data Compiled By Shook Research LLC Based On Time Period From 3/31/24-3/31/25.

Expertise

With over 28 years of experience in financial services, Jayson has built deep relationships with clients that serve their dreams and needs over a lifetime. In 2009, Jayson started his own advisory firm, Clermont Capital, where he maintained a partnership with Spectrum Financial Group prior to joining Baird in 2012. Jayson was named Spectrum’s Advisor of the Year in 2011, and also a Forbes/Shook Research Best in State Advisor in 2021 and 2024¹. Currently, Jayson serves on the Financial Advisor Advisory Council at Baird. He and his partner Andy Ladd were recognized as a Top Team by Baird in 2022 and recently The Ladd Bales Group was recognized by Forbes/ Shook Research as a 2025 and 2026 Best-In-State Wealth Management Team². Together, their team manages over a half a billion dollars in assets for a limited number of families through a unique financial planning process.

With a degree in journalism, Jayson also is a published author with contributions to various newspapers, magazines, and blogs across the U.S. on a variety of topics including politics, finance and economics, travel, running, music and food. Jayson has interviewed a variety of individuals such as President George W. Bush, Earl Campbell, Gov. Ann Richards and Col. Oliver North. Jayson has also been a musician and songwriter, with a professional record label contract in the mid 2000s, including radio airplay and touring. Though now Jayson only writes and records music for fun, you can still find his recorded music across streaming music platforms.

Community Involvement

Jayson has extensive involvement in his community, currently serving as a board member of Belmont University’s President’s Advisory Council. Jayson has previously served as the chairman of the executive committee of the church council for Highland Park United Methodist Church, the board of trustees for Visible Music College in Memphis, TN and the board for The Roots Network in Africa. Jayson has lead teams or been on more than 25 mission trips to Costa Rica, Mexico, and Rwanda and Burundi, Africa. Jayson was also past two-time president of the Dads Club at Armstrong Elementary School in Highland Park. Jayson’s greatest passion is for his wife Amy and their three boys Silas, Bennett, and Henry. He also enjoys travel, food, wine, reading, running and of course, music.

¹ Forbes/SHOOK Research "Best in State Wealth Advisors" 2021 award was published on February 11, 2021. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2020.2024 award was published on April 3, 2024. Rankings based on data as of June 30, 2024.

²2025 FORBES | SHOOK Research Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams. Published 1/9/25, rankings based on data as of 3/31/24

²2026 FORBES | SHOOK Research Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams. Published 1/7/26, rankings based on data as of 3/31/25

EXPERTISE

Kirsten joined The Ladd Bales Group in 2023 as an Associate Financial Advisor. Prior to joining the team, Kirsten completed Baird’s robust Foundations program in Milwaukee, WI, as well as the Financial Advisor Training Program. Kirsten also worked as an advisor in Austin, TX before relocating to Dallas.

She has a passion for financial planning and enjoys walking clients through the process of identifying their personal goals and strategizing how to meet them.

BACKGROUND

Kirsten graduated from the University of Texas at Austin McComb's School of Business in 2020 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a certificate in Global Management. She holds her SIE, Series 7 & 66, Life and Health insurance licenses. She is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional and a  Certified Private Wealth Advisor® Professional.

When not working, Kirsten enjoys spending time at the lake, doing Pilates, and hanging out with her pups, Tucker & Remi!

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Kirsten currently serves as a member of Junior League of Dallas and Genesis Young Leaders. She previously served as the Co-Chair for the Impact Austin Advancement Committee and been a member since 2019. She loves volunteering at the food & diaper bank, working to provide necessities to the homeless population and advocating for women and children who have been affected by domestic violence.

She is also a graduate of Leadership Austin's Emerge 16 class focused on developing compassionate, educated leaders in Central Texas through hands-on community work and conversations with leaders from across the state.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ and CFP^® (with flame logo)^® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP^® Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Expertise

Ashley joined Baird in 2014 and has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. In her role as a Senior Client Specialist for The Ladd Bales Group, she implements custom investment models, assists with financial planning and 401k rollovers, oversees account administration, and provides technology support along with other Client Service items.

Background

Prior to joining Baird, Ashley spent ten years as a Senior Client Assistant and Officer with Wells Fargo Advisors (formerly A. G. Edwards), and two years as an Equity Trading Administrator with NFJ Investment Group. Committed to building her knowledge of the industry, Ashley has earned the FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations as well as a General Lines, Life, Accident, Health and HMO insurance license. Ashley is also a past member, and Chairperson, of Baird’s Registered Assistant Advisory Council (RAAC). As a member of this council, Ashley served as a communication liaison for all client specialists to advocate change, best practices, and professional development throughout the firm.

Community Involvement

Ashley and her son Liam live in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, where she is a member of the Lake Highlands High School PTA and a past instructor for Junior Achievement USA. When she's not messing around planting flowers, Ashley enjoys traveling, New Orleans Saints football and attempting to tap dance.

Expertise

Elizabeth joined the Ladd Bales Group at Baird in February 2026 as a Client Assistant. In her role she supports the team in delivering relationship-focused service and helps ensure a smooth client experience across day-to-day needs.

Background

Elizabeth earned her degree in Business Administration from the University of Arizona. Before joining Baird, she held client service and operational support roles. Elizabeth is currently expanding her industry knowledge.

Community Involvement

New to the Dallas area, Elizabeth is excited to get involved and become a part of the community. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, Pilates and going on long walks.