THE
TEAM
Wealthspan Advisors is a team of seasoned financial advisors and aging scientists dedicated to helping individuals understand the interconnectedness of health and wealth. Our passion lies in empowering you to make informed decisions regarding the planning necessary to navigate the risks that longevity can pose to both your financial and personal well-being.
KIRK ASHBURN
Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder
Kirk Ashburn is a highly skilled professional with over 15 years of experience in the financial industry. He has a proven track record of assisting individuals and families in Illinois and across the nation in transforming their savings and planning strategies for a secure future for themselves and generations to come.
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Kirk specializes in retirement income planning, focusing on educating clients to meet their current financial needs while achieving long-term goals. He helps clients avoid common retirement planning pitfalls, empowering them to enjoy a lifetime of financial freedom. This comprehensive approach instills confidence in their financial affairs, both now and throughout retirement.
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JEFFREY STUKEY
President, Co-Founder
Jeff has over 23 years of experience in the financial services industry, primarily in executive-level roles. Throughout his career, he has trained hundreds of financial advisors nationwide on how to better plan for and serve their clients. His extensive knowledge of financial planning and the products available empowers him to create tailored solutions that achieve clients' desired outcomes.
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Having witnessed his parents work hard yet struggle financially during his childhood and early adult years, Jeff is passionate about helping clients become more educated and receive better advice. His goal is to enable them to grow and protect their wealth, allowing them to live their best lives. With over two decades of experience under his belt, Jeff effectively communicates with clients, understands their aspirations, and positions them to thrive both during retirement and beyond.
scientific advisors
S. JAY OLSHANSKY, PhD
Chief Science Officer
Dr. S. Jay Olshansky earned his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago in 1984. He currently serves as a Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Research Associate at both the Center on Aging at the University of Chicago and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and the Chief Scientist at Lapetus Solutions, Inc.
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Dr. Olshansky's research focuses on estimating the upper limits of human longevity and exploring the health and public policy implications of individual and population aging. His work includes forecasting population size, survival rates, and age structure, as well as pursuing scientific methods to slow aging—referred to as the Longevity Dividend. He also investigates the global implications of the resurgence of infectious and parasitic diseases.
In addition to his research, Dr. Olshansky serves on the Board of Directors for the American Federation for Aging Research, further contributing to the field of aging research and policy.
STEVEN AUSTAD, PhD
Director of Scientific Breakthroughs
Steven Austad is a distinguished professor and Chair of the Department of Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He earned his undergraduate degree in English literature from UCLA, but after spending several years outside of academia—during which he drove a taxi in New York City, worked as a newspaper reporter, and trained large cats for television and film—he rediscovered his passion for science.
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This newfound interest led him back to academia, where he formally studied animal behavior and received his Ph.D. in Biology from Purdue University. Dr. Austad has authored over 200 scientific articles and more than 150 newspaper columns on science, contributing significantly to the field.
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His acclaimed book, Why We Age: What Science Is Discovering About the Body’s Journey Through Life, has been translated into eight languages, further spreading awareness of the science of aging.