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Meet the Team

Michael Stewart, MBA, RFC

Founder and Financial Planner

Michael Stewart has been in the suburban Chicago area for most of his 50 years. He has been in the financial services industry for over 20 years. His past experience includes eight years working in the Private Banking and Wealth Management divisions of two of Chicago’s largest banks, overseeing assets in excess of $200,000,000 in McHenry County.

In 2008, Michael founded his own firm to independently serve the tax planning needs and more conservative financial planning needs of his clients who are in or near retirement. The strategies Michael employs are designed to help reduce a client’s market risk by using income-generating investments that help minimize drawdowns and generate steady returns. The philosophy is that if you can avoid a large loss, you don’t have to take a lot of risk to be successful over time.

In addition, Michael is a well-established speaker, co-author of the book
Purpose Based Investing: 9 Lessons to Rescue Your Retirement from Wall Street, and the co-host of both the Retirement Success Blueprint Radio Show and Podcast. He lives in McHenry with, Karen, his wife of 25 years, and their three children, Connor, Patrick, and Olivia.

Connor Stewart

Financial Planner

Connor is an Associate Advisor who graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Management from the University of Iowa.

Before joining Crystal Lake Tax & Financial, Connor worked on various projects with the Chicago Wolves, Think Iowa City, and the University of Iowa Athletic Department.

Outside of the office, Connor is an avid sports fan who enjoys working out, spending time with family, playing video games with his friends from all over the country, and adding to his sports card collection.

Glenn Prigge, CPA

Certified Public Accountant and Tax Manager

Glenn is the Tax Manager at Crystal Lake Tax & Financial. For the past two years he has successfully managed the tax department and is responsible for helping individuals and organizations file their taxes. He works closely with clients to develop tax strategies and policies that help them maintain compliance with local and federal laws and regulations.

Prior to joining Crystal Lake Tax & Financial, Glenn spent 35+ years at various firms concentrating on individual taxation.

Glenn lives in Palatine where he raised three beautiful daughters. He spends his weekends between UW Whitewater and Iowa State and is their biggest cheerleader. Glenn enjoys golf, sports and spending time with friends and family.

Karen Stewart

Special Projects Coordinator

Karen has been with Crystal Lake Tax & Financial since 2015 working in a variety of positions throughout the company.

She received her Associates Degree and Paralegal Certification from William Rainey Harper College. For several years, she provided support for both attorneys and clients at a family law firm, before staying home to raise her three children.

Karen lives in McHenry and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as traveling, concerts, and nights around a fire.

Deb Baudin

Office Manager

Deb has been with Crystal lake Tax & Financial for several years and has enjoyed watching the business grow. She loves getting to know the clients and assisting them in getting their financial questions answered.

Deb has three kids and has lived in Crystal Lake for over 20 years. She enjoys baking, long walks outside in the warm weather, spending time with her family, and visiting her dad’s lake house in the summer months.

Shannon Donaldson

Marketing Coordinator

Shannon has been in the marketing field for a little over a year and obtained her Bachelors of Science in Marketing at Illinois State University. She is passionate about connecting consumers with services that enhance their quality of life and protect what matters most.

Prior to joining Crystal Lake Tax & Financial, Shannon helped families protect their assets on the insurance side of the spectrum at Liberty Mutual.

Shannon grew up in Crystal Lake, and enjoys spending time in our downtown coffee shops, traveling, going to the beach, staying active, and relaxing with family and friends.