Chris Seegers, CEPA®
Chief Growth Officer
Caleb Seegers, CEPA®
Independent Consultant
Lauren Kirby
Operations Consultant
Tara Seegers, CFP®, RLP®, MMP
CEO | CCO | Wealth Manager
Tara is a nationally recognized financial planner and entrepreneur known for her leadership, innovation, and lasting impact in the financial advisory profession. As CEO and Wealth Manager, she has built a reputation for delivering exceptional guidance to complex families and business owners facing complex financial decisions and life transitions.
Throughout her career, Tara has earned multiple public recognitions for excellence in financial planning, client service, and business growth. Her entrepreneurial success stems from her ability to merge strategic vision with operational discipline, allowing her to build and scale a firm grounded in integrity, clarity, and long term results. Under her leadership, the firm’s reputation has become synonymous with thoughtful planning, transparent communication, and a values driven client experience.
Tara’s approach is both technical and deeply human. She is known for her ability to translate complex financial concepts into actionable, personalized strategies that support her clients’ life goals. By listening closely and understanding each client’s unique circumstances, she helps them navigate wealth management, retirement planning, and major life decisions with clarity and confidence.
Dedicated, insightful, and mission driven, Tara continues to elevate the standards of financial planning while empowering clients to make intentional decisions that create long term stability, opportunity, and peace of mind.
2023-2024 Forbes Top Women Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, created by SHOOK Research. The 2024 Award was presented in February 2024 based on data gathered from September 2022 to September 2023. 10,805 advisors were considered, 1,991 advisors were recognized. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. Click here for more award information.
2023-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams, created by SHOOK Research. Presented in Jan 2024 based on data from March 2022 to March 2023. 10,144 Management Teams were considered, approximately 4,100 Teams were recognized. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, click here.
2022-2024 Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best in State, created by SHOOK Research. Presented in Aug 2024 based on data gathered from March 2023 to March 2024. 4,081 Advisors were considered, 1,621 Advisors were recognized. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. Click here for more award information.
2023 200 Fastest Growing Advisors to Watch, created by AdvisorHub. Presented in June 2023 based on data from 12/31/2021-12/31/2022. 1,268 advisors were considered and 200 Advisors were recognized. Advisors do not pay a fee to be considered or hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. Please click here for more information, click here.
2024 ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES Awards Finalist, created by ThinkAdvisor. Presented in Sept 2024 for the preceding 12 months. Not indicative of firm’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, click here.
Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest 40 Under 40, created by Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest. Presented in Feb 2025 for the preceding 12 months. Not indicative of firm’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, click here.
Cole Ruth, CFP®
Wealth Manager
Cole Ruth joined Exceptional after years of collaboration with Tara, a relationship grounded in shared values, professional respect, and a common belief in thoughtful, client‑first advice. From the outset of their work together, Cole knew she wanted to be part of Tara’s firm and contribute more directly to the Exceptional mission.
Cole brings a multidisciplinary perspective to wealth management shaped by a 20‑year career in advertising, branding, and strategic communications. In 2000, she co‑founded a creative agency in Stockholm, Sweden, where she helped build and guide brands for global clients over two decades. Fluent in Swedish, with degrees in Creative Writing and from Calvin University, Cole is deeply attuned to clarity, narrative, and helping clients make confident, well‑informed decisions.
Cole’s work in marketing and communications forms the foundation of her approach today: disciplined thinking, careful preparation, and a focus on long‑term outcomes rather than short‑term wins. Her interest in investing began early through her father’s hands‑on approach to stock selection, instilling a respect for fundamentals, patience, and personal accountability.
A lifelong board‑game enthusiast, Cole appreciates the balance of strategy, precision, and adaptability required to achieve meaningful results. She is also a seasoned sailor and West Coast resident, and a member of the Del Rey Yacht Club. Cole often compares investing to sailing - success depends on managing risk, preparing thoughtfully, and adjusting as conditions evolve.
At Exceptional Wealth, Cole works closely with clients to provide calm guidance, disciplined planning, and a steady long‑term perspective - helping them chart a course with confidence, intentionality, and care.
Alicia Kabacoff, CPA, MBA
Senior Paraplanner
Alicia brings deep analytical expertise and a disciplined financial background to the advisory team, where she plays a central role in shaping and executing the firm’s comprehensive financial planning strategies. With 15 years experience in public, corporate and non-profit accounting she ensures every client financial plan and investment portfolio provides the accuracy, structure, and clarity necessary to support client goals.
As a licensed CPA, Alicia adds meaningful tax insight to the planning process, helping clients understand the implications that drive long term financial outcomes. She has passed the CFP® exam and is currently a Level III CFA candidate, reflecting her commitment to technical mastery and her pursuit of full certification in 2026.
Alicia works closely with CEO Tara Seegers to co lead the firm’s investment committee, where she contributes to portfolio construction, asset allocation, and ongoing research. Together, they oversee the firm’s model portfolio solutions and manage day to day trading, ensuring disciplined execution and alignment with the firm’s strategic investment philosophy.
Known for her meticulous approach and ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable guidance, Alicia elevates the depth and quality of the firm’s planning and investment work. Her dedication, intellectual curiosity, and steady analytical leadership make her an essential contributor to the firm’s mission of delivering thoughtful, values driven financial advice.
Emily Lester
Client Experience Manager
Emily is a dedicated client experience professional who ensures a seamless, organized, and exceptionally supportive experience for every client the firm serves. As the primary manager for marketing and service related needs, she leads the processes to manage prospect onboarding, client operational needs, and other client-focused services with precision, care, and consistency.
Before joining the firm, Emily spent 19 years developing efficient operational systems in both the Energy and Retail sectors. In these roles, she streamlined workflows, strengthened process reliability, and enhanced customer experiences through thoughtful system design and hands on problem solving. This cross industry background gives her a unique ability to connect with clients, uncover opportunities for increased efficiency and implement processes that support a smooth and consistent client journey.
Emily is known for her responsive communication style and her ability to anticipate client needs before they arise. Her attention to detail and proactive approach help maintain the smooth execution of daily operations, ensuring clients feel supported and well informed throughout their financial journey.
With her commitment to clarity, consistency, and operational excellence, Emily plays a vital role in reinforcing the firm’s values driven service model and elevating the overall client experience.
Chris Seegers, CEPA®, MMP
Chief Growth Officer
Chris serves as Chief Growth Officer at Exceptional Wealth & Family Office, where he is responsible for advancing the firm’s strategic growth initiatives, and expanding the firm’s presence within the communities it serves. Chris brings a thoughtful, relationship driven approach to growth that aligns with the firm’s commitment to integrity, clarity, and long term stewardship. Prioritizing partnership and alignment, Chris ensures the firm values and culture is maintained as new partners join the firm.
Chris does not provide investment advice and does not act in an advisory capacity on behalf of EWFO. Exit Planning Services offered through EBA.
Caleb Seegers, CEPA®
Independent Consultant
Caleb is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor with our strategic partner, Exceptional Business Advisors (EBA). His professional background includes experience in private real estate and private equity, where he excels at sourcing and structuring business transactions & transitions. A McCombs School of Business Graduate, his marketing talents greatly enhance collaboration between Exceptional Wealth & Family Office and Exceptional Business Advisors.
Caleb does not provide investment advice and does not act in an advisory capacity on behalf of EWFO. Exit Planning Services offered through EBA.
Lauren Kirby
Operations Consultant
Lauren is an operational leader known for helping organizations design and implement efficient, scalable processes. With a strong foundation in Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, Lauren specializes in removing operational bottlenecks, aligning cross functional teams, and building systems that support sustainable growth.
Her passion lies in transforming complex challenges into streamlined workflows that are both measurable and repeatable. Lauren has led initiatives that reduce waste, improve quality, and create seamless customer journeys—always with a focus on data-driven decision making and continuous improvements.
Lauren is a collaborative, strategic thinker who brings clarity, structure, and momentum to every project. Whether optimizing service delivery, standardizing procedures, or coaching teams on process excellence, Lauren’s leadership consistently drives operational performance and enhances the overall client experience.
Lauren does not provide investment advice and does not act in an advisory capacity on behalf of EWFO.
Exceptional Blueprint
Our Exceptional Wealth Blueprint is your comprehensive and customized financial guide, bringing clarity, capacity, and coordination to expand your outcomes. It’s designed to help you align your wealth with your vision, expand your capacity, and have full control of your financial trajectory. This isn’t about theory, it’s about results – built for impact, built for legacy, and built to last.
Our approach is simple: educate, activate, and equip.