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Our Team

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)
Thanks for your interest in contacting Zivia!
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Zivia Beniflah
Contact Zivia
Client Service Associate

The reason I got into this profession:
As a wife and a mother of five children, my primary role for many years was that of nurturer, caretaker, Mom. A few years ago I reached the point in my life where I felt it was necessary to add “provider” to my list of roles. Private school tuition played a large part in my decision to add a paying job to my already hectic life. Another contributing factor was my need for adult interaction.

I started my family at a young age, and they were my complete focus. I hadn’t taken the necessary steps to have a career I could advance in. However, I knew that I would never be satisfied with the jobs available to me at the time – such as sales clerk in a retail store or my local supermarket. Therefore, I enrolled in an accelerated office technology course so that I could improve my computer skills and enter the business world. I graduated at the top of my class and discovered talents I was never aware of. Within a couple of weeks of completing my course, I was hired as the firm receptionist here at Abacus. A month later, a Client Service Associate position opened up and my mentor believed I would have no trouble transitioning to that position. With her encouragement, I started my journey on the path into my new career at Abacus.
One thing I'm doing to help the planet
With a family of 7, I do a lot of grocery shopping. I switched to reusable bags so as not to waste paper or plastic.
Outside of work, my passions include
Volunteering in my community by providing meals to families in need; spending quality time with my family; tribal belly dancing; crochet
One goal I'm saving for
My 3 older children have all expressed a desire to spend a year studying in Israel, after graduating from high school. I’m currently saving to help them achieve that goal and I have actually done it for my oldest child. Down the road, if my two youngest kids follow in the their sibling’s footsteps, I’d love to be able to do the same for them.
The primary way I'm advancing my career knowledge
I attend educational conferences through Schwab’s Advisor Services and TD Ameritrade. I am always communicating with my coworkers about best practices and continually read up on items I am interested in that relate to my career.
Essential Planning
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Sort Team by:
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Last Name
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Our Team :
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 Meet Barrett >>
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 Meet Adam >>
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 Meet Angela >>
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, Meet Brent >>
Barbara Wolf
Financial Advisor
Philadelphia
During college, I gradually began to realize that I would be on my own financially very soon. Perhaps it Meet Barbara >>
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 Meet Ericka >>
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 Meet J.D. >>
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 Meet Annemarie >>
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 >>
Kelly Acheson
Client Service Associate
Bay Area
Coming Soon! Meet Kelly >>
Charles Kochel
Financial Advisor
Los Angeles
I am a father, husband and friend.

My financial services practice opened in February 1999 managing a successful practice Meet Charles >>
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