Our Story
Built by a cop, for the people who get it.
15 years on patrol taught Ryan Skaggs things no finance textbook covers. That experience is the foundation of The Shield Finance.
Ryan Skaggs, Founder
IUPD Officer since 2011 · MS Finance, Kelley School (2025)
About Ryan
The Shield Finance was founded in 2026 by Ryan Skaggs.
Ryan has been a full-time police officer at the Indiana University Police Department since 2011. During that time he’s had incredible experiences — handling two explosive-detection K9s (Zeus and Cash), serving as Indiana Men’s Basketball team security since 2014, and spending the majority of his career as a field training officer shaping the next generation of officers.
And in all those years, he noticed the same pattern: officers finishing field training and immediately financing a $70,000 truck. First real job, finally making real money — and nobody ever taught them what to do with it.
That’s where the idea for The Shield Finance was born.
Ryan spent the better part of the last eight years building toward this moment. He earned a Master’s of Science in Adult Education from the IU School of Education, then a Master’s of Science in Finance from the Kelley School of Business (completed 2025).
“Money is a tool to support your life plan. Our job is to help you figure out what you want from your life — then build the financial system that gets you there.”
- MS Finance · Indiana University Kelley School of Business (2025)
- MS Adult Education · IU School of Education
- IUPD Officer since 2011
- K9 Handler — Zeus & Cash (Explosive Detection)
- IU Men’s Basketball Team Security since 2014
- Field Training Officer — majority of career
- Fee-only · Fiduciary · RIA registration pending via XY Planning Network (est. May 2026)
Our Mission
If you serve your community, you already carry enough stress. Your finances shouldn’t add to it.
The Shield Finance provides comprehensive financial coaching that strives to help clients not only plan their money, but plan their lives. We believe money is a tool — and our goal is to help you use it to move closer to your personal vision, every single day.
Transparency
Our current status & what it means for you
The Shield Finance is currently a fee-only educational coaching practice. We are in the process of registering as a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) via XY Planning Network, with an estimated completion of May 2026.
As a coaching client today, you receive financial education, cash flow planning, debt strategy, and goal-setting support. Investment advisory services will be added upon RIA registration and will comply fully with our fiduciary obligations.
Nothing shared in our sessions or on this website constitutes investment advice.
Get Started
Ready to take control of your financial future?
Book a free 30-minute discovery call. No commitment, no sales pitch — just an honest conversation.