Experienced, friendly & trusted
Our team
Founder + Principal
Joe Smalley
Joe Smalley’s mission is to make sure that our entire team is focused on helping clients align their values with their money. He always seems to be thinking about the big picture and what is next.
Joe’s background is in private wealth management, retirement plan management, and portfolio design, but he didn’t start out in finance. After graduating from Albion College, Joe moved to Hollywood to be an actor and writer. After only landing a handful of roles, he returned to Michigan and worked on political campaigns. But in the early 1990s he was offered a job at a large brokerage firm. Five years later, Joe created his own fee-based wealth management firm. In 2008 he founded Sustainable Folios, one of the first firms in the country to offer risk-based models using Socially Responsible Investments. Later, he formed an employee benefits firm specializing in retirement plan management. Joe holds the Series 7, Series 63, and Series 65 through Commonwealth Financial Network®, as well as the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designation, and the Professional Plan Consultant® designation.
Joe is passionate about giving back to the community. He has been on the finance committee of the Lansing Community College Foundation, the board of the Lansing Symphony, the board of the Capital Area Humane Society, the Financial Counsel of a statewide political organization, an officer of the East Lansing Rotary Club, the treasurer of his church, and the chair of the State Officer’s Compensation Commission, which recommends the salaries of the governor and the other officers for the State of Michigan.
Managing Director, Retirement Plan Division
Kendra Osowski
Kendra Osowski, whose friends call her KO, is responsible for relationship management, service, and new client development for Smalley Investments when it comes to retirement plans. Kendra has more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, mostly dedicated to providing retirement plan solutions to 401(k), 457(b), 401(a), 403(b), Cash Balance, Non-Qualified and Defined Benefit Plans.
Prior to joining Smalley Investments, Kendra served as Smalley Investments’ trusted partner as a Regional Vice President for John Hancock Retirement Plan Services. For more than 15 years, Kendra worked closely with plan sponsors and plan participants to help them prepare for retirement. During that time, she implemented hundreds of plans ranging from start-ups to multi-million dollar plans, and served thousands of employees.
Though she bleeds Green and White, Kendra earned her degree in Business Administration with majors in Corporate Finance and Personal Financial Planning from Central Michigan University. She also has her Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® designation.
KO lives in Ada with her family, and is active in the business, social, and philanthropic circles of West Michigan.
Managing Director, Financial Planning Division
Ryan Balks
With an innate drive for solving problems and passion for working with numbers, Ryan found himself drawn to the world of finance. Ryan is one of our team’s financial advisors, focusing on planning and personal wealth. Since earning his management degree from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University, Ryan has spent the past 10 years in client service, insurance, and investment management.
Ryan provides an outstanding service experience by understanding client goals and needs and overseeing the behind-the-scenes magic that our clients rely upon to achieve those goals. This includes meeting clients at critical points in the year, building wealth plans, researching investments, and implementing investment portfolios. Ryan brings a can-do attitude and a strong work ethic to the office every day.
Ryan and his wife Bethany have two boys and are active members of their church. They are passionate Spartans, holding season tickets for football and basketball. Ryan also enjoys the outdoors, whether that means golfing, fishing, hunting, or perfecting his lawn.
Office Manager
Hannah Pollak
Hannah Pollak brings a unique blend of skills and experience to the Smalley Investments team as the Office Manager. She has an eye for detail and a passion for building meaningful relationships. Her unwavering compassion enhances her ability to support our staff and assist our clients.
Hannah holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University and has a professional background in business analysis and quality assurance.
She enjoys staying active, whether it be weightlifting, yoga, or functional training. Hannah is excited to put her skills to good use in the world of finance.
Chelsea Forr
Chelsea Forr is Smalley Investments’ manager for special projects. She helps us in many ways, including assisting clients, preparing for events and meetings, and coordinating projects with our home office. She has an aviation and HR background having attended Western Michigan University and Davenport University.
Chelsea has worked for small and large companies and brings a broad range of insight and skills to our office dynamic.
Chelsea loves to golf, travel, and read. She and her husband live in Grand Blanc with their one-year-old daughter.
Manager, Special Projects