Our firm

After putting in almost 12 years with the national consulting chains, Jim Van Iwaarden established the firm in 1991 - with the idea that a completely flexible workplace would improve the lives of our people and our clients.

It's worked even better than he imagined.  Van Iwaarden Associates is now one of the largest independent actuarial firms in the country. 

Sometimes, nice guys finish first.

Our associates

Jim Van Iwaarden is a consulting actuary known for innovative retirement plan design.  He is a frequent speaker on retirement issues, and has over 25 years' experience in employee benefit consulting.  Jim is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, an Enrolled Actuary, a Fellow of the Conference of Consulting Actuaries (CCA), and former chair of the Minneapolis Pension Council.

Oh, and at CCA's 2004 annual meeting he teamed up with Jim Holland of the IRS to win the hotly contested "ERISA Jeopardy" tournament.  IRS regulations for $500 please....

email Jim...                                       612.596.5961

Sandra Bruns is a consulting actuary who works on retirement plan design and administration.  She has over 35 years of experience in retirement plans and investment products.  Sandi is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, an Enrolled Actuary, and a member of the Academy of Actuaries.

email Sandi...                                   612.596.5968

Brenda Hardy is a consulting actuary who works with employers to manage employee benefits, with special emphasis on retirement plans.  She has over 20 years of experience in employee benefits consulting with Van Iwaarden and national benefits consulting firms.  Brenda is an Associate of the Society of Actuaries and an Enrolled Actuary.

email Brenda...                                612.596.5962

Mark Meyer is a consulting actuary and attorney with over 20 years of experience in employee benefit consulting.  He assists clients in managing their employee benefits, with special emphasis on retirement plans.  Mark is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, an Enrolled Actuary, a member of the Minnesota State bar and a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist.

email Mark...                                     507.726.6279

Pete Cullen is a consulting actuary with 7 years of experience in the pension field.  Pete is an Enrolled Actuary, and he holds a B.A. in mathematics from the University of St. Thomas.

email Pete...                                       612.596.5964

Emily Knutson is an actuarial analyst with 7 years of experience in the pension field.  Emily holds a B.A. in mathematics with a specialization in actuarial science from the University of Minnesota.

email Emily...                                     612.596.5966   

Gina Ganab is an actuarial analyst who is applying her statistical skills in the pension field.  Gina holds a B.S. in mathematics and statistics from Winona State University, where she was honored as the math/stat department's 2006 outstanding graduate.

email Gina...                                      612.596.5965

Laura Pistotnik is an actuarial analyst who is applying her statistical skills in the pension field.  Laura holds a B.A. in mathematics with a specialization in actuarial science from the University of Minnesota.

email Laura...                                    612.596-5970

Carla Hinker is our office administrator.  She has 20 years' experience in employee benefit plan work and office administration.  

email Carla...                                     612.596.5972