Investing in Themselves

“I’ve always been a people person,” recalls Jessica Dillon, co-founder of Prairie Oak Wealth. “But my early work didn’t interact as much with people, and I knew I wanted to find that missing piece. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact we make in people's lives.” With shared value in working with people to make a difference in supporting their families, co-founders Jessica Dillon and Paige Carlson are reaching milestones.

Prairie Oak Wealth launched in January 2026 and is serving over 100 families in Grinnell and the central Iowa area, as well as across the United States. “Being local means a lot to us, supporting each other is how we all succeed and it's a natural fit to work with non-profit and local organizations within the community,” shared Dillon. At their core, Prairie Oak Wealth guides their clients to make informed financial decisions based on their clients’ goals to make informed decisions on how best they can support their goals.

“Many people have asked us about the name,” laughs Carlson. “Its name is a reflection of our community,” she shared. The prairie represents resilience, adaptability, and openness qualities we value in our relationships. The oak tree represents strength, stability, and longevity, the foundation we help you build your future on. “Together, Prairie Oak embodies our mission to create enduring financial strategies rooted in trust and growth.”

Aside from the name, what makes their firm different? For starters, fewer than 25% of certified financial planners nationally are women! Additionally, they both hold some of the industry's most respected credentials including Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA). “We’re always continually learning,” shared Carlson.

With backgrounds in professional institutions, they bring a unique set of qualifications and value to the community. Along with their professional standards, they hold the best interest of their clients and are committed to continual education to best support the community at large.

Financial planning is the practice of securing financial resources to align with short and long term goals. Prairie Oak Wealth provides guided strategies for financial management. By first hosting a complimentary consultation so both parties can learn more about their needs and what they have to offer, they will then decide the best course of action. At Prairie Oak Wealth, they recognize that not one size fits all. As a result, their fee structure is also unique and often based on complexity and time needs of the client’s portfolio.

Prairie Oak Wealth offers financial planning including estate, retirement, and wealth transfer as well as investment management which includes built in-house portfolios. They are committed to going above and beyond to meet the needs of their clients.

Get in touch with them by calling 641-659-6340 or emailing info@prairieoakwealth.com. Learn more about them by visiting the Chamber website.

Chamber Ambassadors:

Dedee Lehman – All in Real Estate

Dan McCue – McCue & Associates - American Family Insurance

Rachel Arseneault – Ramsey-Weeks Real Estate

Fran Conn

Karen Dillon – Grinnell Remodeling

Natalie Pavey – Cirks Financial Services

Blake Pearson – Converge Chiropractic

Haley Breeden – Poweshiek County Extension & Outreach

Erin Bustin – Grinnell School of Music

Monica St. Angelo – Grinnell Area Arts Council