Helping You Pursue Your Financial Goals

Meet the Team

Phillipp Group

Edward R Phillipp

Edward R. Phillipp

Managing Director/Investments

Edward has many decades of experience helping high-net-worth investors, wealthy families, and institutions navigate the markets and manage their complex financial needs. 

Leveraging his experience and Stifel’s extensive resources, Edward develops highly customized investment plans with his clients’ goals at the very center.  This approach has enabled him to build deep, long-standing relationships, many of which date back to the beginning of his career.

Edward joined Stifel as part of the firm’s 2015 acquisition of Barclays Wealth and Investment Management, Americas.  Prior to joining Barclays, he was a Senior Vice President of Investments with Lehman Brothers from 1979 to 2008 and an Account Executive with Merrill Lynch from 1976 to 1979.

Edward earned a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and holds Series 3, 7, 8, 63, and 65 securities licenses.

Edward is a native Chicagoan and global traveler, who – through his philanthropic endeavors – is committed to giving back to the community.  Edward is devoted to his faith and family:  four children and two grandchildren.  He is a patron of the Arts, an active participant in dance, a voracious reader, and an avid cyclist.  Edward is a dedicated alumni of LU Chicago, active on the dean’s council and other committees.

Michelle Shlimon

Michelle Colquhoun

Vice President/Investments

Michelle has more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry.   Working closely with a broad array of high-net-worth investors, wealthy families, and institutions, Michelle has a deep understanding of complex client needs.

Prior to joining Stifel in 2015, she served as a Vice President of Client Services in Barclays’ Wealth and Investment Management, Americas.  She began her investment career at Lehman Brothers’ Private Investment Management as an Analyst in 2005. 

Michelle earned an MBA from DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business and a B.S. in Finance from Northern Illinois University.  She also holds Series 3, 7, 63, and 66 securities licenses.  She is a member of the advisory board for Invest For Kids, a nonprofit organization that has raised more than $16 million for Chicago-based children’s charities.  She is also co-chair of the Diverse Learners Committee at her local community school, an advocacy group established to support the diverse learners student population.

A native of Chicago, Michelle enjoys traveling and is an avid runner, having participated in several marathons.  She currently resides in the Lakeview neighborhood with her partner and their children.

Laura A Bienz

Laura Bienz, CFP, CRPC

Client Relationship Manager

Laura brings more than 10 years of experience in the financial services industry to the team.  Before joining Stifel in 2019, she was a Private Wealth Associate with Merrill Private Wealth Management.  She began her career in finance in 2008 with Credit Suisse Private Banking North America division, first as an associate with the Center for Wealth Planning and then as a Registered Client Associate.

As Client Relationship Manager, Laura assists the team in working with high-net-worth clients, implementing strategies that align with their complex and unique needs, and reporting requirements in a holistic manner.  She plays a key role in managing the team’s client relationships across multiple generations.

She earned a B.S. from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.  She has attained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselorâ„  designation and holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.

Laura lives in Chicago and enjoys listening to live music in her free time.

Patrick E Phillipp

Patrick Phillipp

Portfolio Analyst

As the team’s Registered Client Service Associate, Patrick is instrumental in keeping the practice running at a high efficiency and serves as the main point of contact for clients.  He is passionate about his career and enjoys communicating with clients on a daily basis.

Before joining Stifel in 2017, Patrick was a Mortgage Analyst for The Federal Savings Bank of Chicago.  Patrick earned a B.A. in Music Business Management from Columbia College Chicago.  He holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.

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