Karie OConnor, CIMA®, CPFA®, AIFA®, QKA®
Wealth Advisor & Senior Retirement Plan Strategist
Karie OConnor is a Wealth Advisor – Senior Retirement Plan Strategist at Clearwater Capital Partners
With more than 30 years of progressive experience dedicated to Institutional Retirement Consulting and Individual Investor needs, Karie collaborates with business owners, executives, Plan Sponsors and Retirement Plan Committees of all sizes and levels of investment expertise. In her role at Clearwater Capital Partners, Karie specializes in developing strategies that maximize retirement plan outcomes and ensure that institutional leaders are well-versed in the ethical and legal responsibilities of being Retirement Plan fiduciaries. Her expertise extends to understanding ERISA standards, assisting employers in formalizing fiduciary functions, and providing education and financial wellness to employees.
Karie’s understanding of Institutional Retirement Plan regulations and extensive knowledge of fiduciary risk mitigation enable her to guide clients toward the highest level of compliance and operational efficiency within retirement plan structures. She delivers client services driven by a deep comprehension of business and individual goals, offering proactive solutions to achieve positive financial outcomes.
Her expertise encompasses ERISA, Department of Labor guidance, compliance testing, plan design and current industry trends, enhancing her ability to anticipate plan sponsor needs and provide well-informed guidance rooted in fiduciary best practices.
Throughout her career, Karie has successfully implemented financial wellness and employee educational campaigns for employers. Her long-standing relationships have bridged her Institutional Retirement Advisory expertise with her passion for delivering comprehensive individual retirement planning and investment strategies tailored to individual goals while empowering them with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions.
Before joining Clearwater Capital Partners, Karie held several prominent roles, including Vice President, Financial Advisor, Senior Retirement Benefit Consultant of Institutional Retirement at Merrill Lynch, Supervisory Principal at LPL Financial, Senior Vice President of Client Services at Plexus Financial Solutions, Small/Mid-Market Retirement Plan Development Lead at Northern Trust, and Liaison to the firm’s Retirement Committee at Baker and McKenzie, Attorneys at Law.
Karie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance. She is a graduate of the Certified Investment Management Analyst program, sponsored by the Investment and Wealth Institute in association with the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Karie earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designation through the Center for Fiduciary Studies in association with the University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business. She furthered her expertise by attaining the Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst® designation, recognized by the Center for Fiduciary Studies showcasing her understanding and implementation of fiduciary processes essential to assisting Corporate Retirement Plan clients with the documentation of their fiduciary obligations.
Karie’s qualifications also include the Qualified 401(k) Administrator® designation demonstrating advanced expertise in the administration, nondiscrimination testing and recordkeeping of Defined Contribution Plans. She has earned the Non-Qualified Plan Advisor® designation with advanced knowledge of non-qualified and executive compensation retirement plan administration and financing. Additionally, she holds the Certified Fiduciary Plan Advisor® credential through the National Association of Plan Advisors.
Karie has been recognized by the National Association of Plan Advisors as a Top Woman Retirement Plan Advisor for making significant contributions to the field, highlighting her commitment to improving retirement outcomes for those she serves.
Karie and her family reside in Geneva, Illinois. When not working, Karie enjoys golf, water sports, spending time with family and friends, and travel. She participates annually as a delegate for retirement plan efforts on Capitol Hill and works to promote awareness of the importance of Ride Share safety.