Experience

That inspires confidence

Entrepreneurial leaders know the weight of success. It’s what you carry with you into every meeting, decision, and season in your business. But there’s another level of weight that comes with the idea of transitioning out of your business.

Whether you’re leading your family business, owning another business, or carrying the vision as an executive for a corporation, a question lingers.

It’s a question that may be stealing your sleep or chasing your focus throughout the day. It’s what drives many to second-guess or even reconsider leaving your business at all.

“Will I have less of a sense of purpose if I’m not as involved in my business anymore or if I exit all together?”

This is the crossroads of turning success into significance that we understand. Our passion is helping you see what’s truly possible outside of your business when it comes to how you want to live your life, impact the lives of others, and shape the legacy you will one day leave behind.

We call it The Significance Playbook:

  • Plan & Implement - First, we must get incredibly clear on what a life of significance means to you and we help you dig deep to set goals that inspire you. Then, we determine where the gaps may be and take action.
  • Accelerate & Position - We collaborate with experts and professionals to maximize your business value and get you into an optimal position of preparedness for a successful transition.
  • Quarterback & Coach - You can count on us to never stop until you get where you want to be by adding accountability and proactive insight on your journey.
    This is about so much more than financial success alone. That is the call to significance:  you have an indelible opportunity to intentionally design this next phase of your life and carve a purpose that reaches far beyond your business.

Helping business owners make their most important financial decisions with confidence is what we do. Empowering them to live a life of significance is who we are. Welcome to The Geesman Group.

C. Matthew Geesman, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, CEPA, CRPC®

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

 If you’re devoted and intentional, you will realize your full potential. That’s not theory—that’s my own story. I was raised by incredible, passionate parents who showed me the roadmap not to just success, but more importantly, to significance. My mother was a science teacher who inspired driven kids to chase their calling. My father was a legendary high school football coach who knew how to get the best out of his players, even more than they ever thought possible. Their example and wisdom inspired so many of my friends and others in our community to see what was truly possible. They provided the leadership, encouragement, and tools to help you reach your full potential. That ignited a fire in me to serve my clients with that same chase for significance beyond financial success. For me, being a financial advisor isn’t a career - it’s my DNA. I’m called to serve those who need more out of life than a large account size. That’s who I choose to help realize what’s truly possible in life. It’s what we at The Geesman Group work to live out every day because life is too short to stop at financial success. If you’re capable of so much more, isn’t it worth it to see what’s truly possible?

Matt lives in Chicago with his wife Tonya, two children and beloved French bulldog. He enjoys skiing, fishing, music, sports, contemporary art and the culinary arts. His civic involvements include mentorship of underrepresented founders through the UBS VC Pathways program, facilitating art acquisition as a member of the Collection Committee and chairing Emerge at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and aligning tuition support for children as Director of Corporate and Philanthropic Giving at Friends of Bennett Day School. He supports business owners through the Exit Planning Institute and works closely with UBS leadership to drive local culture through the Financial Advisor Advisory Committee. 

Registered States:
  • CA
  • CO
  • DC
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • IL
  • IN
  • MI
  • MN
  • MT
  • NC
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • PA
  • SC
  • TX
  • WA
  • WI

Education

  • Hillsdale College , B.A.

Credentials

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
  • Certified Exit Planning Advisor
  • Certified Investment Management Analyst®
  • Certified Private Wealth Advisor®
  • Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor
One North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

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Vanessa Pfaff, CFP

Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

Vanessa is devoted to working with families to build and maintain their wealth plan. The wealth plan serves as the cornerstone for identifying goals, appropriate risk tolerance and a tool for uncovering potential deficiencies. By creating a plan, clients are able to think deliberately, define their goals and work to align their assets accordingly. Vanessa works through the planning process, determines needs and prepares for a range of possible future scenarios to help uncover opportunities and risks that might otherwise be overlooked.

Vanessa earned her B.S. from Ohio State University and MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and maintains a Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP®) certificant. Originally from Ohio, Vanessa lives in Glen Ellyn with her husband and two children. Vanessa enjoys to cook, golf, and is involved in her community as a board member of Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare Society.

Registered States:
  • AZ
  • DC
  • IL
  • KS
  • MD
  • MS
  • NH
  • NM
  • NY
  • OH
  • PA
  • SD
  • TN
  • TX
  • WI
  • WV

Education

  • Ohio State University, B.S.
  • Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, M.B.A.

Credentials

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
Home Worker IL
Home Worker IL, IL 000

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Clare Prendergast

Client Associate

Clare joined UBS Financial Services, Inc. in 2017. She specializes in anticipating client needs, providing solutions, and delivering proactive concierge-level services tailored to our clients' individual wealth management situations. Clare graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a BS in Agriculture and Consumer Economics, with a concentration In Financial Planning. She holds the FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. When not in the office, she enjoys running, dance, and spending time with family.

Registered States:
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • IA
  • IL
  • IN
  • LA
  • MA
  • MD
  • ME
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • MT
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OR
  • PA
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA
  • WA
  • WI
  • WY
One North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

Email Me