Verity Wealth Team

A believer in life outcomes over returns, Keenan Blanchford is an experienced wealth management advisor who has helped clients protect, build, and gift wealth to future generations for 20-plus years. After understanding your goals, Keenan and the Verity team work with you to co-create a customized financial plan to implement your vision, modifying it as your life and priorities change.

Throughout his career, Keenan has been heavily involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Wabash College alumni association. He’s also on Northwestern Mutual’s Government Relationship team for the Indiana state legislature. In this role, Keenan serves as an advocate before lawmakers, helping provide effective public affairs strategies and identify, and respond to, emerging issues.

Keenan graduated from Wabash College with a bachelor's degree in economics. He and his wife, Beth, have two sons, Caden and Bo. They reside in the Meridian Kessler area of Indianapolis. In addition to spending time with his family and friends, Keenan loves to be outdoors.

Scott McDonald is a seasoned financial advisor who brings a wealth of experience to the Verity team. For over 30 years, Scott has helped families, charities, and businesses focus build and execute financial plans to achieve their most ambitious goals. He joined Northwestern Mutual in 1989, after completing an internship and graduating from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis with a bachelor’s degree in business.

Growing up on a farm in central Iowa, hard work and midwestern values are deeply rooted in Scott. He and his wife, Karen, have four children: Paul, Madeline, Blake, and Remy. They reside in the Williams Creek area of Indianapolis.

The McDonald family enjoys spending time with family and friends and being outdoors at every opportunity. Scott and his family are active members of Faith Church on the northside of Indianapolis, where Scott is currently serving as a Deacon. Scott has held many roles in Boy Scouts of America over the years. He also is very active on the Heritage Christian School campus, where all four of his children have attended. Scott has been an active supporter of Damar for the past four years.

As Verity’s Relationship Coordinator, Ruanne Ripley helps clients with all their scheduling needs. She loves getting to know the clients and checks in on them regularly.

Ruanne earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. Outside the office, she has an affinity for the outdoors. Ruanne enjoys hiking, riding bikes, playing tennis, and swimming. She also likes to travel and take historical tours in different cities—when she’s not spending time with family and her golden retrievers.

Kathy Stetler has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2008 and joined the Verity team in 2020. As the Communication and Marketing Assistant, Kathy helps direct clients to team members for insurance- or investment-related matters.

Kathy holds dual degrees from Purdue University in public relations and industrial illustration technology. She has an adult daughter, Alexis, and son-in-law, Ryan. Kathy has served on the Boards of her homeowners’ association, United Way, and the Crawfordsville Economic Development Commission.

Michael Nicolai brings 16 years of financial services experience to the team. He assists in the development and implementation of clients’ financial plans and provides service on small business retirement plans.

Michael earned an MBA from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management and an accounting degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. The next leg of his academic journey includes a master’s in accounting from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis.

Michael is married to Amber, and they have three children: Allison, Claire, and Liam. Currently residing near Pendleton, Ind., he enjoys making memories with family traveling and being outdoors.

As the Director of Investment Operations, Mark Merchant helps clients with portfolio management and account maintenance, serving as a resource for investment service requests. He earned an MBA from Ball State University and a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.

Many of Mark’s hobbies and interests came from his family. As an Eagle Scout, he spent many summers canoeing in the back waters of Canada or hiking in the Rocky Mountains. Mark really enjoys the outdoors. He’s an active hiker, gardener, and morel hunter in the spring. Mark is also an avid podcast listener and reader.

Angie Christie is an Insurance Operations Associate, helping clients with insurance- and annuity-related matters. Before joining Verity, Angie served as a professional fundraiser for 25 years, assisting multiple nonprofit organizations to advance their philanthropy and fulfill their missions to create positive outcomes for the communities they serve. During that time, she helped raise capital to: build or renovate five community centers; send young students to summer camp; provide development programs for inner-city kids; and deliver education and leadership programs for science and engineering college students.

Angie and her husband, Randy, have two adult daughters, Danyelle and Kaci, and a grandson. She loves to be outdoors gardening, boating, and walking. Angie treasures her time with family.