Chris Bentley

Financial Advisor (Retired) | Veteran | Author | Speaker | Widow Advocate
Wings for Widows Founder | CEO

Chris is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a navy veteran. After a decade with Pepsi and Coca Cola, Chris turned his attention to the financial services industry. After a career as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with a full-service advisory and wealth management practice with Ameriprise Financial in the Twin Cities, Chris retired in June 2022 to lead Wings for Widows into the future.

As a financial advisor, Chris helped many clients put their financial house in order after the loss of a loved one. After working with Liane Laurion, widowed in 2017, and hearing about how many women like her were struggling after losing their husbands, Chris realized he could do more, and founded Wings for Widows. (Read Our History for the full story.)

Chris has considerable experience with public charities. He was a board member with Make-A-Wish Foundation of Minnesota for three years and an officer with the Minnesota Chapter of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association for more than eight years. For more than a decade he has been an advocate, donor, or volunteer for other charitable organizations including PEASE Academy, Fraser, Pinky Swear, Mobility Worldwide, Cornerstone, Feed My Starving Children, and 360 Communities.

In his spare time, Chris enjoys traveling, boating and sailing, music, craft beer and fine bourbon, and time with his wife Susie, his family, and friends.