Alaska Wealth Advisors

06/25/2026

We're proud to share that our own Dave M. Valdez, AIF®, CLU®, ChFC®, was recently featured by The American College of Financial Services alongside retirement planning expert Heather Welsh, CFP®, AEP®, MSFS — discussing how modern retirement has fundamentally changed.

From planning for 30-year retirements to the growing role of tax strategy, Dave's insights reflect exactly how we approach retirement planning at Alaska Wealth Advisors: as a long-term relationship, not a transaction.

A few things Dave touches on that we think every pre-retiree should hear:

- Longevity is no longer a tail risk — it's the baseline
- Tax planning isn't a separate conversation; it's woven into everything
- "The math is often the easy part."

Worth a read.

This material reflects the author’s opinion, is not intended to be investment, tax, or legal advice, and is provided for illustrative purposes only. Forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions and are subject to change. Alaska Wealth Advisors is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about Alaska Wealth Advisors’ investment advisory services can be found in its Form ADV Part 2 and/or Form CRS, which is available upon request.

Hear how some of our FinServe Network members view retirement planning, how it’s changing, and more.

06/23/2026

Leading the Next Generation: Celebrating Nikki Squires

We are honored to celebrate Nikki Squires’ 3rd anniversary with Alaska Wealth Advisors!

As a Senior Associate Financial Advisor, Nikki has proven to be an exceptional champion for our clients. She is widely recognized for her unwavering dedication to helping clients navigate complexity with an elite level of care.

Over the last three years, Nikki has brought tremendous enthusiasm to the role. She's always willing to step up, supporting colleagues, helping create professional development opportunities, and playing a key role in training our interns. She's built herself into a trusted, guiding voice for the next generation of professionals joining our team.

When she isn't busy advocating for our clients' futures or cheering on her teammates, Nikki is a passionate adventurer and traveler whose epic journeys constantly leave the office a little bit jealous!

Thank you, Nikki, for your dedication, your heart for mentorship, and the energy you bring to everything you do. Happy 3rd Anniversary!

06/17/2026

Seven Years of Stewardship: Celebrating Cally, Client Service Manager

We are incredibly excited to celebrate Cally’s 7th anniversary with Alaska Wealth Advisors!

As our Client Service Manager, Cally is truly the champion behind the scenes, working tirelessly to ensure our clients are always cared for at our highest standards. She is a powerful advocate for our clients, never hesitating to go the extra mile to ensure their paperwork, accounts, and onboarding are flawlessly aligned to suit their needs.

Over the last seven years, Cally has become a foundational fountain of knowledge for our team, especially when navigating our institutional technology and business partner networks. She is often the welcoming voice you hear when calling our main line, and the steady, guiding hand that walks new clients through their very first steps with our firm.

Thank you, Cally, for your unwavering stewardship, technical knowledge, and deep care for our clients every single day. Happy 7th Anniversary!

06/13/2026

For most investors, in most situations, the most effective way to build a portfolio has been through low-cost index funds, ETFs, and mutual funds. It is an approach we have favored for years, and for the large majority of situations, it is still the right one.

There are, however, certain circumstances in which owning individual stocks and bonds directly can accomplish something that a fund cannot.

For most investors, in most situations, the most effective way to build a portfolio has been through low-cost index funds, ETFs, and mutual funds. The reaso ...

06/08/2026

1,505.5 Miles, 1 Great Cause, and a Whole Lot of Fun!

Our toughest competition to date is officially in the books! Every year, the Alaska Wealth Advisors team laces up for the 100 Miles in May Challenge. This fantastic initiative raises funds for the Healthy Futures program, empowering Alaska’s youth to build lifelong habits of daily physical activity.

We love turning this statewide challenge into a friendly (but highly competitive) office rivalry. Participants track their steps, runs, hikes, paddles, and more on the leaderboard, competing for some coveted internal titles. This year, we even expanded our horizons by officially introducing hacky sack to the mileage converter!

Collectively, our office racked up a staggering 1,505.5 miles this month. Many on our team cleared the 100-mile mark, and a dedicated few smashed past 200 miles.

Huge congratulations to our official 2026 winners:
- Most Miles: Ben
- Most Creative (Widest variety of unique activities): Isaac
- (Best action photos): Trisha

What an incredible way to model healthy habits for the next generation of Alaskans, support a phenomenal cause, and officially kick off the summer season!

05/31/2026

"Having been with Alaska Wealth Advisors for over 25 years, we can say with total confidence that our finances are in the best possible hands. What truly sets this team apart is their integrity and the deeply personal attention they provide; it has never felt like just 'money management' to us. They consistently think outside the box to find solutions tailored to our specific investment needs and wants. We trust them implicitly and couldn't be happier with the relationship we’ve built over the years."

- Robert A.

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This is a genuine testimonial from a current client. This client was not paid or incentivized to share their experience. Testimonials are based on unique experiences from current clients and are not representative of all client experiences.

05/30/2026

Within every investment vehicle, there are hidden gems, strategies that only reveal themselves through careful research. The Health Savings Account (HSA) is one of them. It flies under the radar far too often, and that’s a missed opportunity.

Within every investment vehicle, there are hidden gems, strategies that only reveal themselves through careful research. The Health Savings Account (HSA) is ...

05/25/2026

Seven Years of Stewardship: Celebrating Nic Cohen, CFP®

Nic has been a vital part of the Alaska Wealth Advisors story for seven years now, and in that time, he has defined what it means to be a truly caring and sympathetic advisor.

Helping a family navigate life’s biggest transitions requires more than just technical skill; it requires a guiding hand and a genuine heart. The deep level of care Nic shows his clients never goes unnoticed, and his ability to provide clarity during complex changes has made him an invaluable partner to so many Alaskans.

But Nic’s leadership doesn't stop at the office door. He is also our undisputed "Champion Fisherman" and the mastermind behind our annual company fishing trips. Whether he’s navigating a client's financial roadmap or the local waters, Nic does it with patience, precision, and a true Alaskan spirit.

Happy 7th Anniversary, Nic! Thank you for the care you bring to our team and our clients every single day.

05/20/2026

There is nothing quite as rewarding as the Anchorage Citywide Cleanup. Each year, our team takes a break from the office to roll up our sleeves and give back to the community that sustains us.

This tradition is particularly meaningful to us because our efforts are focused on Dave Rose Park. This park holds a very special place in our company’s history, and caring for this space is a way for us to honor our roots while ensuring it remains a vibrant asset for our neighbors.

At Alaska Wealth Advisors, we believe stewardship starts at home. Thank you to everyone who is partaking in the efforts to keep Anchorage beautiful!

05/16/2026

This past Mother’s Day served as a beautiful, poignant reminder of what a privilege it is to walk alongside my husband John’s parents as they age. Now in their upper 80s, they continue to live independently—a feat that isn’t just due to luck, but to the power of intentional planning. Through a blend of foresight and gradually increasing support, we are working to ensure they can enjoy the comfort of their own home for many years to come.

This past Mother’s Day served as a beautiful, poignant reminder of what a privilege it is to walk alongside my husband John’s parents as they age. Now in th ...