Chartwell is pleased to expand the firm’s ownership team by adding eight new shareholders. The individuals are instrumental in supporting Chartwell's vision to be the most highly respected and sought-after financial advisory firm serving the middle market.

Position: 5-Operations

Kari Bedford

Kari oversees Chartwell’s day-to-day corporate accounting activities. She manages the firm’s accounting staff and provides information, primarily financial in nature, about company activities to assist management, partners, and other staff in making educated economic decisions about the company.

Professional Certification

Kari is designated as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Professional Experience

Kari started her accounting career as an auditor at Grant Thornton LLP. After leaving public accounting, she went on to hold several accounting positions in various industries, including insurance, graphic/web design, and distribution. 

Shelley Billings

Shelley manages Chartwell’s Dallas office and supports senior executives in the firm’s valuation and transaction opinions practice. She is responsible for project support and coordination, including preparation of client proposals and presentations, engagement agreements, project timelines, and other professional deliverables. Shelley also executes general administrative duties, including CRM database maintenance, schedule and travel management, meeting and event planning, and other related activities.

Professional Experience

Shelley has over 20 years of executive and administrative assistance experience. Prior to Chartwell, she worked at PeaceHealth and has also held roles at Lam Research, United Healthcare, and Intel.

Abeer Chawra

Abeer handles various day-to-day Chartwell corporate accounting activities, including general ledger, accounts payable, and vendor invoice processing. She is responsible for project coding, company vendor coordination, and corporate credit card management. Abeer also assists with the month-end closing process and ad hoc reporting.

Professional Experience

Prior to Chartwell, Abeer was an accounting assistant at Sheraton Bloomington Hotel for seven years where she gained experience in accounts receivable and accounts payable. Abeer also spent ten years at Sofitel Hotel where she held a variety of accounting positions.

Nate Davis

Nate is responsible for the maintenance, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems and servers at Chartwell. He configures and deploys new hardware and software across the organization and is responsible for keeping the firm’s network secure and accessible.

Professional Experience

Prior to Chartwell, Nate was an outsourced desktop support technician at Marco where he assisted with day-to-day IT operations including computer systems deployment and troubleshooting.

Brittany Funk

Brittany leads the management and execution of Chartwell’s marketing and business development activities. She supports senior leadership with the implementation of the firm’s national strategy and is instrumental in upholding Chartwell’s brand identity. She is responsible for collateral creation, tactical level plan design, and external and internal marketing-related communications.

In addition, Brittany supports corporate marketing efforts by assisting with the coordination of association conferences, events, and other gatherings. She provides senior leadership within Chartwell’s operations team and is responsible for the maintenance of the firm’s CRM database. She is also experienced with project coordination for Chartwell’s valuation and transaction opinion practice and is well-versed in the preparation of client proposals and other deliverables.

Becca Johnston

Becca supports senior executives in the firm’s consulting practice. She is responsible for project coordination including preparation of client proposals and presentations, engagement agreements, project timelines, and other professional deliverables. Becca also executes general administrative duties, including CRM database maintenance, schedule and travel management, meeting and event planning, and other related activities.

Professional Experience

Prior to Chartwell, Becca spent thirteen years as a training general manager for Noodles & Company. While there, she managed all aspects of the business, including financial reporting, human resources, employee/customer interactions, and training new hires.

Kelly Laursen

Kelly oversees Chartwell’s day-to-day corporate accounting activities. She manages the accounting department staff and provides financial information about company activities to assist management, partners, and other leaders in making educated economic decisions that impact the firm.

Professional Experience

Kelly has over 20 years of accounting and finance experience. Prior to Chartwell, Kelly managed the accounting, financial, and payroll functions at Salo. Preceding Salo, she spent 13 years working closely with senior business leaders of Seabury Group and held multiple accounting leadership roles including global manager of financial reporting and controller of various entities of the company. Kelly began her career as a staff auditor at a certified public accounting firm.

Laura Jo Peasley

Laura Jo provides administrative and strategic support to Chartwell’s CEO, board of directors, and shareholders. She works closely with the firm’s executive leadership team to develop and implement corporate initiatives. Laura Jo also manages and maintains administrative procedures related to Chartwell’s broker dealer affiliate and its representatives. She has particular expertise in deploying new corporate technology systems and is chiefly responsible for the maintenance of Chartwell’s ERP database, engagement agreement templates, and internal recorded training programs.

Laura Jo also performs general administrative duties including schedule management, travel coordination, meeting planning, and other related tasks.

Arianna Peterson

Arianna manages Chartwell’s Portland office and supports senior executives in the firm’s valuation and transaction opinions practice. She is responsible for project support and coordination, including preparation of client proposals and presentations, engagement agreements, project timelines, and other professional deliverables. Arianna also executes general administrative duties, including CRM database maintenance, schedule and travel management, meeting and event planning, and other related activities.

Professional Experience

Prior to Chartwell, Arianna spent seven years in the legal field and most recently was a legal assistant at Glascock Street Waxler LLP. She holds a Paralegal Certificate.

Lindsey Reilly

Lindsey is a key contributor to Chartwell’s overall marketing team. She manages the coordination of national, regional, and local conferences and events for all trade associations in which the firm participates. Lindsey proactively assists with speaker proposals and presentations, attendee registrations, corporate group travel, and the planning of general networking and business development events.

Additionally, Lindsey provides project support and coordination for Chartwell’s advisory practice. She is responsible for preparation of client proposals and presentations, engagement agreements, project timelines, and other professional materials. She also completes general administrative duties for her team, including schedule management, travel coordination, meeting planning, and other related tasks.

Professional Involvement

Lindsey is an active member of The ESOP Association, where she currently serves as an officer for the Minnesota/Dakotas chapter. Lindsey is also a member of the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO).

Professional Experience

Prior to Chartwell, Lindsey worked as an event specialist for an event planning company in the Twin Cities. Her responsibilities included acting as a liaison between clients and vendors, on-site event execution, and managing the company’s marketing efforts.


Back to top