Our Team

Edna founded The Financial Center in 2002 after a decade at Bluestem Financial Services as a financial planner. Her vision was to build an independent financial services company focused on taking the complexity out of all the financial jargon. She sensed a clear need for financial guidance rooted in family values, where investments are an outcropping of a well-connected plan with a thorough understanding of a client’s goals, dreams, and even fears. To help provide clients with thoughtful and seasoned financial guidance, Edna became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. She thrives on weaving together plans that build roadmaps not only for the current generation, but for leaving a legacy for those that follow. One of her greatest sources of joy is having served three or more generations of many clients’ families.   

Working Style: Edna’s working style is that of an Individualist. She is a critical, creative thinker with a technical and inquiring mind. She can remain task-focused, solve critical problems, and get results—with a focus on helping clients achieve future goals. Patient and persevering, she can have critical discussions with confidence that help remove roadblocks.

Family: In her spare time, Edna enjoys reading, spending time in the kitchen, and traveling to see family and friends. She is an active member of her local community and loves to volunteer when others need help. Growing up as part of a large, multigenerational farming family has shaped the values and experiences she uses to advise clients. She fully understands that, like farming, life has seasons and harvests.

Favorite Travel Destination: Anywhere to see friends and family.

Favorite Hobby: Puzzles, reading and cooking.

James became part of The Financial Center in 2023, after two decades in executive leadership in Ag businesses. In the most recent ten years, he served as President/CEO of Barenbrug USA, which is part of the Barenbrug Group, the second largest independent grass and forage seed company in the world. He takes specific joy in providing financial guidance rooted in family values to those who also have family businesses. He feels his background gives him a unique perspective on connecting the dots between business strategy and financial success in both areas. To further his commitment to business owners, James earned the CEPA designation in 2026.  

Working Style: James’s working style is that of a Persuader. He is an engaging, stimulating communicator, poised and capable of projecting enthusiasm and warmth, and of motivating other people. He has a strong sense of urgency, initiative, and competitive drive to get things done, with an emphasis on working with people in the process. He understands people well and uses that understanding effectively in influencing and persuading others to act. 

Family: James lives with his wife, Tonya, and three children in rural Salem, Oregon, where his children have enjoyed raising show pigs for 4H. He is an active part of the local community and serves as a lay pastor in the Apostolic Christian Church of America. He relishes time spent with family traveling as well as his morning runs.   

Favorite Travel Destination: Cape Cod, Hawaii, and Internationally. 

Favorite Hobby: Flying and running. 

Margaret started working with her sister, Edna, at The Financial Center in 2008 after two decades in the banking industry. While her main role is the support and service of clients’ needs, Margaret is also a licensed financial advisor. She loves people and assisting the advisors to help turn recommendations into actions while making it feel seamless. Her favorite part of the job is getting to know clients on a personal level and turning these relationships into friendships.

Working Style: Margaret’s working style is that of an Artisan. She is thoughtful, disciplined, and particularly attentive with the details involved. Her modest, unassuming character allows her to work at an even-keeled pace while completing her work in a timely and accurate manner.

Family: Margaret’s life revolves around family. Growing up as a part of a large, multigenerational farming family has shaped her values and experiences. She fully understands that, similar to farming, life has seasons and harvests. She loves jumping in and helping both her immediate family, as well as aunts and uncles, in their time of need.

Favorite Travel Destination: Anywhere that includes meeting extended cousins, family, and friends.

Favorite Hobby: Being with friends and blessing those with special needs.

Liz joined The Financial Center in March 2025 after more than two decades in agriculture, both with the Illinois Farm Bureau and the Growmark/FS System. Working primarily in the public policy arena has given Liz an inside window into the many diverse regulations and issues that farming families face today. In addition, she has a unique ability to translate highly technical information, which is perfect for her primary role in servicing clients and assisting advisors in developing robust financial plans through RightCapital® software.

Working Style: Liz’s working style is that of an Operator. She is helpful, patient, and respectful of processes, policies, and standards. She feels this allows her to deliver high-quality and accurate results repeatedly. As an easy-going, patient, and willing listener, she connects well with clients and can communicate and teach in a detailed and non-threatening way.

Family: Liz and her husband, Rob, grew up on a grain farm in rural Fairbury, Illinois, and now live in Anchor, Illinois. She has always harbored a passion for agriculture and continues to be engaged with her family in the farming operation. She comes from a large family with seven siblings and many nieces and nephews. She loves to travel and camp with her husband. They are also both highly engaged with their local church and enjoy traveling with the youth on mission trips to serve others.

Favorite Travel Destination: Timber property with her camper or Colorado to visit family.

Favorite Hobby: Spending time with family and friends, hunting, camping, and volunteering.

Cathy is the first person who will put a smile on your face when you call! She came to work for The Financial Center in 2017, but her relationship and experience with our founder, Edna Steidinger, go all the way back to 1995, when they worked together in banking and when they both studied for and passed their insurance licensing exams. 

Cathy’s main role is making clients feel special! In her role, whether answering the phones, putting on a company event, or helping advisors get ready for client meetings, her goal is simple: to make your experience memorable! 

Working Style: Cathy’s working style is that of a Collaborator.  She is warm, informal, and enjoys meeting new people.  She is unselfish, a tolerant and understanding listener, who derives satisfaction from doing things for other people and being appreciated by them for doing so.

Family: Cathy lives in Fairbury, IL, with her husband, Clark, who is a high school teacher, and has three children and five grandchildren. They enjoy traveling together and have a special place in their heart for family pets.

Favorite Travel Destination: She enjoys the beach with friends for short trips, traveling with her husband, and visiting historical sites and national parks.

Favorite Hobby: Spending time with her grandchildren and traveling.