Craig Vander Leest is a Managing Director and Associate Branch Manager in Baird’s Cedar Rapids branch, having joined the firm in 2001. He is a detail-oriented advisor who is passionate about helping clients make informed financial decisions, and is especially skilled in asset management, retirement and estate planning.
Craig earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Iowa State University. He became a managing consultant in Chicago in 1993 before coming to Baird and starting the Vander Leest & Wenzel Group in 2001. With a strong commitment to continued education, Craig earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2007. He is also a graduate of the Cedar Rapids Chamber Leadership for Five Season Program; was named to the Corridor Business Journal 40 Under 40 in 2007 and to the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors for Iowa in 2018 through 2025*.
Craig is very active in his church, Parkview Evangelical Free Church of Iowa City, and in the community, where he has worked with the Trojans Baseball Club and United Way.
*Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors”, Multi-Year lists. Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year. 2025 Award Published on April 8rd, 2025. Data as of June 30, 2024.