Meet the Team
We are fiduciary advisors driven by a genuine commitment to your financial well-being—because for us, it’s about more than just numbers. With years of experience at leading firms, we’ve seen firsthand the importance of building strong, lasting relationships. That’s why we founded our practice: to provide personalized, comprehensive planning with a focus on you.
No phone centers. No hand-offs to junior advisors. When you work with us, you’ll always have a dedicated, single point of contact who understands your goals and is there every step of the way. We take the time to align your financial strategies with both your quantitative goals—like growing wealth—and your qualitative aspirations, ensuring you can live the life you’ve envisioned.
Our purpose is simple: to guide you, support you, and keep you on track so you can enjoy peace of mind and focus on living your best life.
Jeff Gonzales
Fiduciary Advisor | Managing Partner
Areas of Expertise: Retirement Planning | Investments | Annuities | Estate Planning
Jeff Gonzales is a Fiduciary Advisor serving the great state of Texas. Prior to founding KWM Partners, LLC, he was a Fiduciary Advisor at Trajan Wealth guiding clients and their families in the areas of wealth management, annuity solutions, and comprehensive financial planning. Being an independent fiduciary advisor enables Jeff to be the single point of contact for his clients and to be able to offer an unlimited array of products and services best suited for his clientele. His utilization of Charles Schwab as the custodian of assets and expansive investment offerings, creates a powerful synergistic relationship that drives results for his clients.
Jeff worked at Teachers' Insurance Annuity Association (TIAA) for 20 years serving colleges, universities, and health science centers throughout Texas. He has been in the financial services industry for 30 years, with extensive experience in defined contribution retirement plans, defined benefit plans (including Teacher Retirement System - TRS and Thrift Savings Plans - TSP), insurance, brokerage, banking, investor real estate, and comprehensive financial planning. Jeff earned a Bachelor of Science in Politics & Government with a Specialization in Economics from the University of Texas at Dallas. He is proud of the fact that he worked full-time at Home Depot to put himself through college. He holds the Series 65 registration and the Texas Life, Accident, Health & HMO insurance license. Jeff has held the Series 7, 24, 26, 51 and 63 registrations and is currently pursuing the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation and has completed the curriculum for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Jeff has been asked to speak at community seminars, media events, association meetings, client forums, and has been featured in Financial Advisor magazine and Yahoo Finance. He loves freshwater and saltwater fishing. The center of Jeff's life are his two boys, Jacob and Hayden, and his partner, Lauren. He is very active in his community and church and is an advisory board member with the Cedar Park Youth Football Association, the Treasurer for the Cedar Park HS Football Booster Club, and is a mentor in the Cedar Park HS College & Career Pathways program. Jeff's mom is a retired teacher, and his dad is a retired banker. He feels he received traits from both of his parents that naturally enable him to educate his clients regarding complex financial topics. "I love assisting my clients personally in accomplishing their goals and objectives to live their best life!”
Lauren Shanks
Fiduciary Advisor | Managing Partner
Areas of Expertise: Financial Planning | Investments | Insurance | Women and Wealth | Business Planning
Lauren brings over a decade of experience in the insurance and financial services industry to her role at KWM Partners. Before expanding into financial services, she owned and operated Kaia Insurance Group, an independent life and health agency serving clients across Texas. A proud graduate of Sam Houston State University, Lauren is committed to helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals with care and integrity. Lauren enjoys working closely with entrepreneurs to protect their businesses while implementing strategies to grow personal wealth outside the business—often enhancing profitability along the way.
Outside of work, Lauren loves spending time with her loved ones and embracing the great outdoors. Whether fishing, hiking, exploring, or traveling, she finds joy in adventure and connection.
Michael Collins
Fiduciary Advisor | Partner
Areas of Expertise: Retirement Planning | Investments | Annuities | Estate Planning
Michael Collins is a Fiduciary Advisor with over 34 years of experience helping his clients not just build, but truly live their financial plans. His approach has always been rooted in a simple belief: a financial plan is only as valuable as the life it lets you live.
Prior to joining KWM Partners, Michael was with Trajan Wealth, where he helped build the roadmap that guided clients in cracking open their retirement nest eggs with a risk-conscious, tax-efficient approach. Over the course of his career, he has walked alongside families through market highs and lows, always with the same steady hand and the same core conviction — that thoughtful, personalized planning changes lives.
Raised in a single-parent home, Michael saw firsthand what not having a financial plan could do to a family. That experience shaped him, and it continues to shape the way he serves his clients today. Determined to build a different future, he paid his own way through college, earning his degree in Finance from the University of Nebraska. Michael has been married to his wife, Becki, for almost 20 years. Together, they are the proud parents of 2 boys and the even prouder grandparents of 4 grandchildren — the inspiration behind so much of the legacy-focused planning he brings to his clients' families. In his free time, you'll find him on the golf course or cheering on his favorite college sports teams. Michael's Mantras: "It's not what you make — it's what you keep." "Taxes do more damage than bear markets."
Christopher L. Johnson, MBA
Fiduciary Advisor | Partner
Areas of Expertise: Retirement Planning | Investments | Annuities | Estate Planning
Christopher L Johnson is a professional with 25+ years of experience helping
individuals, families, and business owners navigate investments, retirement planning,
and risk management. Known for a disciplined, goals-based approach, Christopher
partners with his clients to translate complex financial decisions into clear, actionable
strategies tailored to their time horizon and comfort with risk.
Christopher attained his MBA from Northern Illinois University with an emphasis in
Finance. With his vast experience and knowledge in financial planning, he has helped
his clients with retirement income planning, portfolio construction, tax-aware strategies, and estate planning coordination. Christopher is committed to proactive communication and ongoing monitoring, so clients feel informed and confident as markets and life circumstances change.
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Christopher grew up in the Midwest where he learned to put others first and help wherever he is able. He has called Tucson home since 2018 and enjoys all that the area has to offer, from golfing and hiking to fantastic meals at wonderful restaurants. Christopher is a father of four and is so proud of each one of them. His oldest is currently serving in the United States Army as Sargent Johnson, proud papa for sure. His younger three are soaking up the educational opportunities that the Tucson community provides, again, proud papa for sure. Christopher loves to meet new people and foster long-lasting relationships. He is excited to meet you too.
Steven R. Woodhead
Fiduciary Advisor | Partner
Areas of Expertise: Retirement Planning | Investments | Annuities | Estate Planning
Steven R. Woodhead was born and raised in the Salt Lake Valley. His father started a small grocery chain called The Store. Working at The Store side by side with his dad at a young age Steve learned the value of hard work, long hours, and treating people with respect and integrity. These are the same values he brings to his clients as a financial advisor.
Steve graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in engineering and spent the first decade of his career in the medical device industry. In 1996, he earned his Life and Health Insurance License and began his career in financial services as a captive agent for a large health insurance company. He quickly realized that the captive model limited his ability to act solely in the best interests of his clients, which led him to become an independent advisor.
After many years of experience and growth in the financial industry, Steve joined Trajan Wealth, where he spent eight years helping clients navigate their financial goals as a fiduciary advisor. During that time, he built strong relationships with both clients and fellow financial professionals, relationships that ultimately led him to KWM Partners. As a partner at KWM, Steve is honored to offer clients independent, transparent guidance and customized solutions while fully upholding his fiduciary commitment, free from corporate limitations. Over the years, Steve has discovered that one of his greatest strengths is his ability to simplify complex financial concepts in a way that is easy to understand, helping individuals and families feel confident and empowered in their financial decisions. Steve and his wife, Jane Anne, have been married for more than 40 years. They have four married children and are proud grandparents to 13. Outside of work, Steve enjoys staying active through golf, tennis, pickleball, skiing, and hiking.
Camilla Cox
Client Service Specialist
Areas of Expertise: Communications | Customer Service | Organizational Processes | Administrative Support
Camilla brings over a decade of expertise in marketing and insurance claims adjusting to her role, where she ensures that every client experience is smooth, personalized, and stress-free. A proud Texas State University graduate, Camilla is passionate about creating a welcoming environment for everyone who connects with our firm.
When she’s not at the office, Camilla loves spending time with her two children on weekend adventures, whether enjoying the mountains or soaking up the sun at the beach. A creative at heart, she enjoys painting and getting lost in a great book. Her sweet 11-year-old dog, Baylee, is her constant companion and a cherished part of the family.
Camilla is dedicated to helping our clients feel supported and confident every step of the way!
Zoe Bear
Director of Pawsitivity
Areas of Expertise: Pawsitive Morale Boosting | Stress Management | Work-Life Balance | Snacking Strategy | Quality Assurance
Zoe, our beloved rescue pup, has a knack for turning challenges into opportunities—and plenty of smiles. She’s the heart and soul of our team, lifting spirits with her steadfast loyalty, gentle charm, and a knack for reminding us to slow down and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. As a classic weenie dog, Zoe loves being part of the action, but she’s just as happy curling up on the couch for a cozy cuddle whenever she gets the chance.
A professional napper and treat connoisseur, Zoe takes her roles seriously, ensuring everyone stays balanced and happy. In her free time, she enjoys quality moments with her loved ones and expertly coordinates efforts (both at the office and at home) to make sure her needs are met.
Zoe reminds us daily that the best plans include a little rest, a lot of love, and maybe a treat or two along the way.
