Brian S. Whatley CIMA®, CFP®
Founder & Managing Director
303-942-0253
I bring more than 20 years of experience across the U.S. and abroad, supported by the CIMA® and CFP® certifications. My academic background includes study at the Yale School of Management and a B.A. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. That combination shapes how I approach complex financial decisions, grounded in analytical discipline and a clear ethical framework. My role is to make complicated topics clear, practical, and connected to what matters most.
Why I Built Cypress Peak
Over the years, I developed a specific way of helping clients, one that connects planning, investing, and long-term decision-making into a coordinated process. Cypress Peak was built to support that approach fully, so that every recommendation, every portfolio decision, and every plan is aligned with what I believe is best for the client.
The Name
The name Cypress Peak reflects both where I come from in Louisiana and where Dani grew up in Colorado. It is the life we have built together. Bald Cypress trees are the redwoods of the South, tall, enduring, and deeply rooted. They define the landscapes of Louisiana where I grew up and represent a sense of stability and home. As for the Peak, it needs no explanation. The beauty and majesty of the Rocky Mountains speak for themselves.
Together, they represent the qualities of the places that shaped who we are.
My Family
I live in Colorado with my wife, Dani, and our two sons, Ethan and Matthew. I am a lifelong learner and typically read 30 to 40 books a year, some related to my work and many not. When I am not working, I am in the kitchen with my family or outside with the boys, often somewhere on a trail in the Rockies. In many ways, how I approach my work is simple. I treat my clients’ financial lives with the same level of care, structure, and long-term perspective that I would expect for my own family. In that sense, this is a family business built to serve your family.
Kelsey Ruttenberg
LPL Registered Client Associate
303-942-0254
As an LPL Registered Associate with Cypress Peak Wealth Management, my focus is on creating a smooth, organized, and welcoming experience for every client. I work alongside Brian to help ensure that each person we serve feels informed, prepared, and confident in the steps ahead.
I’m originally from California and have lived in Colorado for the past seven years. Outside of work, horses have been a defining part of my life. I’ve been riding for more than 20 years, including five years as a professional rider. That background taught me patience, discipline, and the value of steady progress, qualities that shape how I approach my work and support our clients.
I recently married my husband, Devon, and when I’m not in the office, I’m usually at the barn or spending time with him. Colorado has become home in a meaningful way, offering the balance of work, family, and the outdoors that I value!