Crystal Lake

Devon Hubbard Tessmer, Exemplar’s Executive Vice President and Vice President of Business Development, believes in living a life of purpose and servant leadership. Whether it’s working in her role at Exemplar or her community involvement, helping others is Devon’s passion.

After graduating with a degree in elementary education from Eureka College, Devon was fortunate to take a gap year to travel. Upon returning home with new perspective and growth, she was asked to fill in for a maternity leave for her Father’s wealth management firm. She then proceeded to work in multiple departments before landing on the business development team. She has worked in a variety of roles with Exemplar, and has a knack for project management and people.  Currently, Devon works in a pivotal role within Exemplar’s leadership team and wears many hats. She serves as the HR Solutions Manager, Strategic Relationship coordinator, and Events & Marketing Director. She loves what she does because of the countless lives that she is able to affect by supporting financial advisors.

Devon feels blessed to work in a job she loves for a firm that not only supports community involvement but encourages it.  A lifelong resident of Crystal Lake, Devon is extremely passionate about her community.  She feels it is her responsibility to contribute to the success of future generations and does so by volunteering with many organizations throughout McHenry County.  She has been involved with Leadership Greater McHenry County, the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, CASA of McHenry County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County, The United Way and many others in the past 20 years.  Devon was a recipient of the McHenry County “Best Under 40” award in 2015.  She also was honored with the Presidential Award of Excellence by the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce in 2012 for her tireless involvement in the community she loves.

Devon is equally passionate about her family.  A Crystal Lake native and the oldest of six children, she always felt a calling to stay in the community that was so good to her growing up.  She married her sweetheart, Shaun, and they have a daughter Cecelia, son Jenner, and dog Maverick. There is never a dull moment in the busy life of their family of four, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Her children are her life, and Devon believes that parenting is the most important and wonderful job she has ever been gifted.

One day she hopes to be remembered as someone who put others first, was kind to strangers, generous to those in need, and most importantly, honest and loyal to the people she loves.

Getting to know Devon:

• Favorite Quote:  Twenty Years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover ~Mark Twain
• Best Piece of advice Devon has received:  Treat others as you want to be treated
• Favorite holiday:  Halloween

Shaun has been a dedicated part of Exemplar Financial Network since 2006, bringing my friendly nature, outgoing personality, and strong work ethic to support Financial Advisors in building successful, sustainable financial planning businesses. With nearly two decades of experience in the Financial Services industry, Shaun understands the challenges advisors face and provides hands-on guidance to help them thrive.

At Exemplar, he plays a key role in delivering training, marketing, technology, and practice management tools—fostering a collaborative community where advisors share ideas and strategies. What sets Exemplar apart is its proactive partnership approach, allowing Financial Advisors and Financial Institutions to focus on their clients while seeking to maximize business value. Shaun leverages Exemplar’s 30+ years of expertise to provide coaching, implement time-tested systems, and offer business development insights tailored to each advisor’s unique needs.

A native of Crystal Lake, Shaun graduated from Crystal Lake South High School before attending Collins College in Tempe, AZ, where he studied computer animation. He still enjoys drawing cartoons and creating various art projects, from designing logos to crafting murals. Passionate about giving back, Shaun has volunteered as a mentor in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program in McHenry County for 8 years along with being on the board of directors for 9 years.

When he’s not assisting advisors or making a positive impact in his community, Shaun enjoys spending time with his wife, Devon, and their two children. An avid Chicago sports fan, he passionately cheers for the Blackhawks, Bears, and White Sox. In his free time, he loves the outdoors, boating, and enjoying the company of family and friends.

• Favorite Movie: Top Gun
• Favorite Quote: “May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face. And may the winds of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars.”
• Favorite food: Steak and Crab Legs

Trish Kaiser joined Exemplar in 2020 as the Director of First Impressions, where she welcomes each client with warmth, respect, and a smile. As the first point of contact, Trish embodies Exemplar’s values of family, trust, and prosperity, setting the tone for the client experience. Her role is integral to helping clients achieve personal success and prosperity, and she takes both her position and the happiness of others to heart, with genuine joy.

With a diverse background that spans police work, family business, customer service, and security, Trisha discovered her true passion: helping others. Beyond her professional role, she volunteers by delivering communion to the homebound at St. Thomas in Crystal Lake. She’s also been involved in coaching soccer, teaching religious education, chaperoning, participating in races, and cheering on her children at their sporting events.

When she’s not at work, Trish can be found by the lake, walking her dogs, biking, or tending to her garden while enjoying an audiobook. She feels incredibly fortunate to have a loving husband, children, a son-in-law, a grandson, and a circle of amazing family and friends.

• Favorite Quote: You judge yourself by your intentions, others judge you by your actions. -Stephen Covey
• Favorite Food: Dark Chocolate
• Favorite Movie: Pride & Prejudice (The version with Kiera Knightly)

Lauren Nikolić joined Exemplar Financial Network in 2018 after working several years in the finance and retail industries. Lauren believes that life is about people and making connections, and she always enjoys interacting with people. Lauren’s love of creativity and personable nature serve her well in her career and life.

Lauren is a graduate of Bradley University and holds a bachelors degree in History. Since graduation in 2009, she has traveled around the world, and lived in a few different countries including Germany and Tunisia. She came back to Chicago in 2013, living in the Bridgeport neighborhood, and enjoyed all that Chicago had to offer. In 2018, she finally left the big city to settle in the suburbs with her husband, Nikola, and their two dogs, (Olivia) Benson and Elliot (Stabler.)

When Lauren isn’t working, you can find her home with her husband, or spending time with her family that she adores. She loves gardening, crafting, swimming, playing with her dogs, and cooking.

Getting to know Lauren:

• Favorite food: Sushi and Thai
• Favorite quote: “You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt with. You have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones you’re holding.” –Cheryl Strayed
• Best Piece of Advice: Be Kind