((L-R) Noah Ridlon, client service specialist; Alex Fitch, Wealth Management advisor and co-founder; Kristie Hill, Wealth Management advisor and co-founder; Matt Muralt, Financial advisor and co-founder; Travis Seinturier, director of Investments and Planning | Photo courtesy of Caldera Wealth Advisors)
On May 1, three Northwestern Mutual financial advisors announced the launch of Caldera Wealth Advisors LLC, offering Bend families and small businesses a values-driven wealth management experience. The strategic group — founded by wealth management advisors Kristie Hill and Alex Fitch and financial advisor Matt Muralt — is uniquely positioned to serve the Bend community with their strong local roots, and specialites in comprehensive financial planning, retirement planning and insurance strategies.
“We’ve built a team that highlights our diverse range of expertise, designed to create the best experience for our clients. We’re excited to have a meaningful impact here in Bend,” said Muralt. “Caldera Wealth Advisors is all about providing a team-based, boutique firm approach to truly be a trusted partner for our clients and help them feel confident about their financial future.”
Specializing in working with established families, pre-retirees/retirees, along with small business owners in Central Oregon, their expertise encompasses investment strategy (both with accumulation and distribution strategies), tax mitigation strategies, insurance planning, estate and retirement planning and overall comprehensive financial strategy.
By establishing a strategic group under Northwestern Mutual, they can draw on the support and resources of a Fortune 100 company, while providing a customized and personable experience for local residents in Bend.
“The way we approach business breaks from tradition,” said Fitch. “Because we’ve each built our lives here in Bend, we have a real understanding of what matters most to the families and business owners of this community. Caldera Wealth Advisors is about combining that local insight with a fresh, forward-thinking approach to supporting our client’s financial future.”
Putting clients first is what drove Hill, Fitch and Muralt to work together, especially in tight-knit Bend. As Caldera Wealth Advisors deepens its roots, the team plans to expand to be able to help more clients and invest in local relationships at a greater level.
“Each member of our team brings a unique perspective based on our different life stages and professional backgrounds, which allows us to deliver a personalized client experience with a high level of expertise,” said Hill. “I’m excited to join forces with Alex and Matt to build a united team our clients can rely on to be proactive, responsive and ready to support them every step of the way.”
The name Caldera Wealth Advisors was selected to reflect the deep connection the founders share with the Bend community. A caldera is a volcanic feature found throughout central Oregon that defines the region’s strength, diverse ecosystem and natural beauty. Selecting a name rooted in the area’s geological history and embraced by other local organizations, the founders aimed to represent not only their pride in calling Bend home, but also their commitment to serving the people and businesses that make this community so remarkable.
To contact the Caldera Wealth Advisors team:
550 NW Franklin Ave, Ste 258, Bend, OR 97703
Phone: 541-243-7005
About Northwestern Mutual:
Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important. With nearly $700 billion of total assets being managed across the company’s institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, more than $38 billion in revenues, and $2.4 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 110 on the 2024 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE as one of the “World’s Most Admired” life insurance companies in 2025.
Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.
[1] Includes investments and separate account assets of Northwestern Mutual as well as retail investment client assets held or managed by Northwestern Mutual.
Financial Representatives do not render tax advice. Consult with a tax professional for tax advice that is specific to your situation.
