Please join us in welcoming Lauren Roux, Kell Benson, and Devon Borden to the Willow Street team.
Lauren Roux
Lauren is responsible for managing, leading, and supporting key operational functions related to professional development, physical facilities, records compliance, and firmwide operational initiatives. She fosters an environment in which the Willow Street team has the resources, systems, and physical spaces necessary to operate effectively, provide exceptional client service, and deliver consistently high-quality outcomes across the firm. Lauren also plays a key role in the strategic growth of the firm, aligning operational excellence with long-term vision and business objectives.
Lauren brings nearly twenty years of experience in education and nonprofit leadership to her role, where many of the same skills—developing people, building effective teams, managing complex priorities, and creating environments where others can succeed—are central to her work. Her background as an educator continues to shape her collaborative and people-focused approach, while informing her commitment to creating thoughtful processes that support both the team and the firm’s growth.
Lauren earned her M.Ed. and BA from the University of New Hampshire. Outside of work, she enjoys being active outdoors, primarily skiing, running, hiking, fishing, and camping, and spending time with her husband and two children. A longtime supporter of nonprofit organizations in the Jackson Hole community, Lauren currently serves on the board of the Children’s Learning Center.
What’s the favorite place you have traveled to and why?
Many years ago, I watched an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s “A Cook’s Tour” about Vietnam, which inspired my first trip to Southeast Asia. I traveled there with a roommate over spring break, and the experience completely opened my eyes to a new culture and way of life. I loved the sense of adventure that came with visiting local villages, trying new foods, and experiencing a place so different from anything I had known. Even when things didn’t go as planned, I found value in being pushed outside of my comfort zone. I hope to return one day with my husband and kids and share some of the experiences that made the trip so memorable for me.
If you could teach a course on any subject, what would it be?
If I could teach a course on any subject, it would be meal planning and everyday organization. Friends often joke that I should teach a class on creating weekly menus and simplifying routines. I enjoy helping others discover easy dinner ideas and practical ways to make everyday life feel more manageable.
Kell Benson
Kell serves as a primary point of contact for Willow Street clients, working closely with families and their advisors including legal, tax/accounting, investment, and banking leads. He is responsible for trust administration, financial reporting and analysis, cash flow management, and special projects. Kell brings a strong focus on client centricity and thoughtful judgment to his role.
Prior to joining Willow Street, Kell served as a Trust Officer at First Western Trust, where supported families in navigating complex estate planning needs and managed the day-to-day administration of client trusts. Earlier in his career, he held client service roles in hospitality, property management, and outdoor tourism. Kell is pursuing his certification as a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA).
Kell earned his BA in Economics from Colorado College. A Jackson resident for over twelve years, he enjoys fly fishing, traveling, photography, and skiing with his wife and daughter.
What’s something you’re passionate about outside of work?
I am passionate about viewing and photographing the Northern Lights. I have been fortunate to take multiple extended trips from Wyoming to Alaska to experience this incredible phenomenon. Witnessing the Northern Lights is captivating and makes me feel connected to the natural world in a way few other experiences can.
What’s something you’ve accomplished that you’re especially proud of?
I am a two-time finisher of the “LoToJa,” a one-day, 200+ mile bike race from Logan, Utah, to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Both the demanding training and the race itself have tested me mentally and physically, and I take pride in having successfully completed such an onerous event twice.
Devon Borden
Devon is responsible for managing bookkeeping and financial reporting for Willow Street client families, focusing on cash management, bill pay, and account reconciliations. She works closely with Relationship Managers to ensure our clients’ trust activity, no matter how unique or complex, is captured promptly and accurately, and distills their structures and investment data into actionable information. Devon brings over two decades of experience in financial management, operational efficiency, and collaboration to her role.
Prior to joining Willow Street, Devon spent the majority of her career in financial and operational roles at Leisure Gaming, Inc., a Nevada-based operator of gaming establishments. Most recently, she served as Chief Financial Officer, overseeing the financial management of a portfolio of ten properties across Nevada. In this role, she maintained compliance with Nevada Gaming Control Board regulations while supporting the company’s continued growth. Devon played an instrumental role in the organization’s expansion from a single property to ten locations prior to its sale in December 2024. Her experience navigating complex financial matters and upholding rigorous reporting standards informs the thoughtful, detail-oriented approach she brings to serving client families.
A Nevada native, Devon earned her BS from the University of Nevada, Reno with majors in Finance and Accounting. Outside of work, she is passionate about serving her community through Grace Church and the Junior League of Reno. Devon enjoys spending time with her friends and two sons, as well as hiking and walking outdoors.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
The best advice I’ve received is that for others to value and respect you, you must first value and respect yourself. To me, this means knowing who you are, staying grounded in your values and integrity, and being mindful of the impact you have on those around you. It’s about showing up with authenticity and self-awareness.
What’s something you’ve accomplished that you’re especially proud of?
I’m especially proud of raising my two sons and learning to persevere through challenging times along the way. As a single mother, there were difficult moments, but I leaned on my faith and remained committed to moving forward. Today, both of my sons have built lives filled with love, happiness, and stability. The journey has taught me resilience, strength, and the importance of staying grounded — qualities I carry with me both personally and professionally.
