When a financial planning firm takes gold in two separate categories in a major city’s public-voted competition, it signals something bigger than a marketing win—it speaks to genuine community trust. ProsperPlan Wealth, the independent firm co-founded by Lauren M. Williams and Chris Grellas, has done exactly that, earning top honors as both Favorite Financial Planner and Favorite Wealth Manager in The Sacramento Bee’s 2026 Sacramento Favorites contest.
The firm’s founders, Lauren M. Williams and Chris Grellas, lead a team that has clearly resonated with Sacramento residents. In the 2025 competition, ProsperPlan earned first place in one category and second in the other—but this year, they swept both with Gold finishes.
The firm took Gold in both categories in The Sacramento Bee’s Sacramento Favorites competition, up from first and second place finishes in 2025.
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“Winning both categories is a real honor, and it belongs to our clients, our team, and everyone who took the time to vote. Thank you. We don’t take this trust lightly.”— Lauren M. Williams
Based in Gold River, California, ProsperPlan Wealth was recognized in the annual reader-chosen contest that lets the Sacramento region decide its local favorites. “We asked Sacramento for its support, and our city and clients showed up,” said co-founder Lauren Williams. “Winning both categories is a real honor, and it belongs to our clients, our team, and everyone who took the time to vote. Thank you. We don’t take this trust lightly.”
Co-founder Chris Grellas put the recognition in human terms, describing the anxiety many families bring through the door. “Every family who walks through our doors is carrying a question: Will we be okay? Did we start too late? How do we take care of the people we love?” Grellas said. “Our job is to answer those questions with a clear plan and a team that stays beside them every step of the way. Being named Sacramento’s favorite tells us that our approach is working, and it pushes us to keep raising the bar.”
ProsperPlan Wealth describes its core service as bringing clients’ pensions, taxes, estate documents, and savings together into one unified plan, so clients always know where they stand and who to call. The firm’s offerings span financial planning, retirement planning, investment management, tax planning, and estate planning. The leadership team includes co-founders Chris Grellas and Lauren M. Williams, alongside Shannon Auger as Director of Client Service, Kris Schwedler as Director of New Client Experience, Cristobal Lopez as Director of Operations, and Sean David Harvey as Director of Financial Education. Advantagy Managing Partner Pete Tkachuk leads the firm’s marketing division.
The dual-award win caps a notably active year for ProsperPlan. The firm recently launched Kaiser Permanente Retirement University (KPRU), a free, plain-language curriculum designed for Kaiser Permanente employees and their families. The program walks participants through everything from basic pension eligibility to properly filing retirement paperwork. Co-founder Chris Grellas was also named to the Sacramento Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, Class of 2026. In 2025, Lauren M. Williams was recognized as one of the Top Female Advisors in America by InvestmentNews.
Every member of ProsperPlan Wealth’s partner advisory team holds the CFP® designation, and each has earned advanced degrees in finance, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis in Financial Planning or a Master of Science in Financial Analysis (MSFA). The team writes for financial publications, mentors future advisors, and serves retirees, healthcare professionals, and families seeking confident, informed wealth decisions.
Founded by Lauren M. Williams, CFP®, CRPC®, MBA, and Chris Grellas, CFP®, MSFA, ProsperPlan Wealth operates as a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning firm with offices in Gold River and Roseville, California. The firm focuses on helping retirees, families, healthcare workers, and business owners build and execute holistic financial plans. Specializing in retirement planning, tax strategy, and life transitions, ProsperPlan aims to turn years of work into lasting wealth and peace of mind.
Award disclosures: Favorite Financial Planner (Gold) and Favorite Wealth Manager (Gold), The Sacramento Bee / Sacramento Favorites 2026. Winners chosen by public voting. 40 Under 40: Chris Grellas, CFP®, MSFA, Sacramento Business Journal 40 Under 40, Class of 2026. Award selected by editorial staff. InvestmentNews Top Female Advisors of 2025: Lauren Williams. Award selected by editorial staff. No fee was paid for nomination, consideration or usage for any of these awards.
Advisory services offered through NewEdge Advisors, LLC, a registered investment adviser.
Sean David Harvey
ProsperPlan Wealth
+1 916-909-3993
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Why it matters: When a financial advisory firm earns top marks in two categories by public vote—especially one that serves families navigating pensions, taxes, and retirement—it reflects a growing demand for transparent, fiduciary guidance in an era of financial complexity. ProsperPlan’s rise from split finishes in 2025 to a clean sweep in 2026 suggests that its client-first approach is not just resonating, but building measurable community momentum.
