We've assembled what we think is a group of the brightest and most caring financial planners and investment professionals in the country. They each have an interesting personal story and reason they got into this business. We thought you'd like to get to know them a little better. (take a look at our NAPFA financial planner interview)
My dad created and sold several large companies in the 70's, netting multi-millions of dollars. Through some bad financial advice and poor planning, he lost his fortune, and my family went from experiencing one financial extreme to the other. The financial ups and downs that I went through as the daughter of an entrepreneur had a profound impact on my money personality. I value creativity and innovation yet want to protect myself from the potential downsides of "betting the farm."
I became a financial advisor to help people make better-informed financial decisions, and help save others from experiencing the pain and suffering of financial uncertainty. I am a graduate of UC Berkeley as well as a Certified Financial Planner (TM).
The primary way I'm advancing my career knowledge
I subscribe to many financial publications, take continuing education classes through UCLA extension, attend Financial Planning Association (FPA) and NAPFA meetings, and am a DFA conference regular. I also have several mentor relationships that continue to help me grow as an advisor.
One thing I'm doing to help the planet
I support the individual entrepreneur in everyone by giving to Kiva.org, a non-profit dedicated to helping people pull themselves out of poverty through their own creative initiative.
Outside of work, my passions include
As a former NCAA athlete and Women's rowing all Pac-10 newcomer of the year (through UC Berkeley), I consider myself an avid athlete. I enjoy running, snowboarding, circuit training, basketball, and ultimate frisbee.
I also enjoy reading (primarily social sciences), cooking, traveling to new places, and crossword puzzles. I lived abroad in Madrid, Spain, so i'm always looking for a great Tapas restaurant, too!
One goal I'm saving for
A trip to Thailand and Southeast Asia.
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David DeWolf Financial Advisor and Partner Los Angeles
David provides wealth strategy for a select group of successful executives and business owners undergoing transitions; he ensures that the
Meet David >>
Darius Gagne Partner and CIO Los Angeles
As far back as I can remember I have been asking questions such as “who are we?”, “why are we
Meet Darius >>
Neela Bushnell Financial Advisor Los Angeles
My dad created and sold several large companies in the 70's, netting multi-millions of dollars. Through some bad financial advice
Meet Neela >>
Greg Aloia Financial Advisor Philadelphia
As a young lawyer, I found that the adversarial and confrontational nature of practice was neither in tune with my
Meet Greg >>
Zivia Beniflah Client Service Associate Philadelphia
As a wife and a mother of five children, my primary role for many years was that of nurturer, caretaker,
Meet Zivia >>
Barrett Porter Financial Advisor and Partner Los Angeles
One moment that I'll never forget from my childhood was when my mom suggested to my dad that a college
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Janine Sternleib New Client Steward Bay Area
In 1985, I graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in English literature. I knew nothing about business and
Meet Janine >>
Michael Heller CCO and Internal Counsel Los Angeles
I was four years out of law school (yes, I'm one of those) and, after
spending countless hours conducting research and
Meet Michael >>
Adam Salas Trader Los Angeles
I was very fortunate, and extremely grateful, that my parents were able to pay for my education and allow me
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Spencer Sherman Founder and Co-CEO Bay Area
I grew up in Queens, New York. About 90% of my classmates were Jewish. So when I took
Meet Spencer >>
Angela Spirrison Client Service Associate Los Angeles
As a very young single mother raising two girls, I didn’t know what to do, so I did anything and
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Brent Kessel Founder and Co-CEO Los Angeles
To understand why I founded Abacus, we need to travel back in time almost two decades. I’m 27 years old,
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Barbara Wolf Financial Advisor Philadelphia
During college, I gradually began to realize that I would be on my own financially very soon. Perhaps it
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Ericka Neagley Client Service Associate Philadelphia
Ever since I have been working, my jobs have revolved around finance. In high school I sat on the Native
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Michelle Dench Financial Advisor Bay Area
After nearly ten years in the world of corporate banking I felt drained and used up. There was no personal
Meet Michelle >>
J.D. Bruce President, CPA, PFS Los Angeles
My father was a hippie, so naturally I became a CPA. Being a hippie criminal defense attorney, my father fought
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Annemarie Happee Client Service Associate Los Angeles
I was raised by a very young, single father. When I was three, my father and I moved in
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Brian Canning Financial Advisor Los Angeles
I remember I was 9 years old and racing into my house, ready to open the case that held the
Meet Brian >>
Jason Cole Financial Advisor and Partner Philadelphia
I took my late grandpa Jesse's advice by majoring in accounting at
Penn State. He said "you will always be able
Meet Jason >>
Kari Jean Glosser Director of Advisor Support Los Angeles
As a young girl, I discovered that even smart people can make bad financial decisions.
My father is one of the
Meet Kari >>
