Professionally

Nicolas (Nic) J. McLeod is a man of determination and competitive grit.  Whether in the gym, on the tennis court with his wife or at home teaching his children a new chord on the guitar,  Nic brings a high level of intensity and passion to the forefront.

Nic is a second-generation Wealth Preservation Specialist. He was fortunate to grow up having witnessed his father act as a trailblazer in an industry we refer to today as Wealth Preservation. This impacted him at an early age and it has now been over forty years since his father first started his practice in 1982. In 2005, Nic decided to launch his own firm and has now helped nearly 1000 families spread across the nation who have entrusted him with their financial wellbeing. Nic’s client base is diverse in both their professional backgrounds & financial needs. Nic has been actively serving his clients for nearly 20 years and proudly owns a record free of any consumer complaints. This is a direct result of the core values at NJM.

“Our job is to foster a relationship of trust, both legally and ethically. This is what drives us, so that our client and his or her best interests are always first. We then take it to the next level and employ full transparency for both our clients and the multitudes of financial institutions we work with. Many of our clients have become like family and we could not be more thankful for them.”

Personally

Nic’s relationship with God and his family are the driving force of his core. Nic’s best friend is his lovely wife Shayda. They have two wonderful young children together, ages 7 and 11. Following in their father’s footsteps, they are both academically and athletically gifted. Nic is a proud leader in his home and enjoys every opportunity to teach his children anything from playing a new chord on their own guitars to the mechanics of throwing a perfect spiral in the backyard. While Nic & Shayda spend weekdays working hard to ensure their clients remain financially secure, the family spends weekends enjoying their beautiful natural surroundings in Northwest Arkansas & of course cheering on the Hogs!

Among his many accomplishments, Nic is a classically trained musician and gifted athlete. As a musician, Nic was met with quick success on local and national radio and often performed at sold-out shows in the largest and most well-known regional and national venues throughout the United States. He studied at the prestigious Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, majoring in Lead Guitar Theory and single string improv. Music continues to be a major component in Nic’s life and one he enjoys sharing with his family. Downtime is often spent composing new songs as well as improving classics for his family and personal enjoyment.

As an athlete, Nic was a highly touted D1 football prospect throughout his high school years with collegiate aspirations cut short due to a severe arch injury. He turned his recovery time into yet another venture and entered into the world of bodybuilding as a top contender. He then sought to inspire and educate other athletes by consulting for the University of Arkansas strength coaches making lifelong friends in the process. Using his extensive experience in sports and life, Nic also enjoyed helping troubled adolescents and under-privileged youth in his community as a “Big Brother” at the local Boys & Girls Club which he fondly lists as one of his top passions.

Whether recreationally volunteering in his community or professionally helping his clients secure and preserve their wealth, Nic’s sincerity and passion for betterment is indisputable.

“I believe in daily goals and mine is to be a humble servant. This is what gives me my moral compass. Our relationships and our health must be prioritized and I am committed to helping create financial success for all of my clients so they can have and spend their free time on the things that matter most to them.” - Nic Mcleod

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Shayda has been an integral component to the growth, success and daily upkeep for NJM Consulting as well as parent company McLeod Consulting Group since 2009. Among her contributions to the company she has captained the marketing team, personalized interactions within our client base & helped oversee the launch of NJM into the national stage & virtual arena. In addition to executing her professional role as COO, Shayda is a proud wife & mom of two. She enjoys spending her time with her family on the tennis court and cooking delicious dishes for them.

Mary Margaret Lankford is an Arkansas native and a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where she earned her degree in marketing. As Director of Marketing and Media at NJM, she oversees all marketing efforts, guiding the company’s brand, digital strategy, and multimedia initiatives. She blends creative storytelling with strategic insight to produce engaging content that makes complex ideas approachable and supports NJM’s continued growth.

Outside the office, Mary Margaret enjoys spending time with her pup, working out, creating art, and playing music.

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As Director of AI Research and Integration, Cole leads the charge in evolving NJM’s operational DNA. He is dedicated to architecting and enhancing workflows by leveraging the world’s most sophisticated AI models. When he isn’t optimizing systems, Cole is a full-time student at the University of Arkansas. He balances his academic rigor with a passion for personal research and frequently explores the natural beauty of the Arkansas landscape.

Zachary Thomas Gardner is an Arkansas native and a student at the University of Arkansas, where he studies finance. As Director of AI Innovation, he leads the integration of artificial intelligence across operations, translating emerging technology into practical strategies that drive efficiency and growth. An Eagle Scout by achievement, he brings the same discipline and forward-thinking mindset to his professional work — blending analytical rigor with innovative thinking to solve complex problems and build for the future.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​