About Sanford "Sandy" Schmidt

Sanford Schmidt—known as “Sandy” to clients and colleagues—is the Founder and Chairman of Schmidt Financial Group (SFG), a boutique financial planning firm headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. For over three decades, Sandy has been a trusted advisor to affluent families, entrepreneurs, and business executives, providing them with strategic, client-centric financial solutions to protect, transfer, and maximize their wealth.

Sandy’s expertise spans estate planning, insurance strategies, and wealth preservation, frequently in collaboration with top-tier legal and accounting professionals. He holds distinguished financial credentials including CFP®, ChFC, CLU, and maintains several securities registrations (Series 6, 63, 65, and 22).

He is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table (Top of the Table), AALU, and Forum 400, prestigious organizations that reflect his top-tier status in the industry. His leadership in the field is marked by his meticulous approach to client discovery, dedication to service, and reputation for guiding clients through both opportunity and uncertainty. 

Sandy’s work is powered by personal connection and continuous learning. Whether vetting insurance underwriting risks in advance or integrating cutting-edge CRM tools to enhance client service, Sandy adapts to the evolving financial landscape with clarity and care.

A proponent of mentorship and financial literacy, he believes that knowledge and thoughtful planning are key to not only individual success but community resilience. He credits much of his own growth to participation in industry study groups and national resource networks such as First Financial Resources.

Off the clock, Sandy is a lifelong student of leadership—his favorite book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, remains a guiding influence.