My role at Wetherby combines my love of financial planning with a desire to build trust and rapport with my clients – it’s a perfect blend. I spent several years as “second chair” with various wealth managers, and that experience reinforced how much I love digging in and really understanding what our clients want and need. In that time, I also learned that my patience, listening skills and desire to help are key ingredients in working well with both clients and colleagues.

EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

After working with a marketing consulting firm in the technology sector for several years, Scott joined Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management, where he integrated his marketing education and work experience with an interest in economics. He supported the firm’s business development and branding activities, while working closely with its investment advisors. Analyzing the portfolios of prospective clients prompted him to enroll in the Personal Financial Planning program at the University of California, Berkeley, and this heightened his interest in the client service side of the business. He joined Wetherby in 2007 following five years at Atlantic Trust. His ability to wear two hats – working on teams to manage client portfolios, as well as contributing to Wetherby’s marketing and branding efforts – has been an invaluable asset for Wetherby.

While it would maybe be easy to assume that I was drawn to the finance industry because of a love of numbers or analysis, it’s the relationships with clients that have kept me in wealth management and driven me to devote myself to developing deep, trusted relationships with all of my clients. A lot of what means so much about my role in clients’ lives isn’t necessarily related to the specifics of my role as an advisor. It’s the milestones I’ve been honored to have some small part in as I watch clients move through their lives. Our clients come from so many different walks of life and each of them has an incredible life story to tell and I treasure the opportunity to know each of them.

Experience Summary

Bryan began his career at Alliance Bernstein in their fixed income portfolio management group. After gaining experience in project management and budgeting at an architecture firm, a desire to work with clients directly led him back to wealth management. He then spent seven years at BNY Mellon in various roles, most recently as a Senior Wealth Manager. Joining Wetherby provided him the chance to work in great depth with clients. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

My first introduction to the finance industry – working in public relations for a major retail bank – was perhaps unusual. But what I learned about communicating with clients and demystifying investing inspired me to step into financial planning and continues to guide my work. Financial security is something that had been on my mind from a young age (my first money memory is from when I was ten years young!), but I never considered it for a career until I was exposed to the industry and saw how deeply personal conversations around money can be. Personal financial management is so integral to being able to live the life you desire, and at this level of wealth, our clients’ financial situations are complex. Money is also emotional, and every level of wealth has its own stressors and concerns. The question I ask every client is, “How can we help you sleep well at night?” The best days are when clients express how much comfort they feel knowing they can fully trust not just me but the whole Wetherby team.

Experience Summary

After spending her early career in public relations and communications in the entertainment and consumer goods industries, Jennifer was introduced to the wealth management industry as a communications consultant for Wells Fargo. Her experience crafting client-friendly wealth management messaging for the bank spurred a transition to finance in 2014, when she began as an investment professional. Her work with Wells Fargo included constructing and rebalancing portfolios for high-net-worth clients. Jennifer then joined Wetherby in 2016. Her commitment to her clients and her financial acumen quickly endeared her to clients and colleagues alike. She was promoted to Wealth Manager in 2020 and also co-leads Wetherby’s multigenerational financial education efforts. She works with clients to manage their investment portfolios and wealth planning needs, helping them have peace of mind in achieving their unique financial goals. Jennifer holds a B.A. in Communications, cum laude, from University of Southern California, an MBA from Yale School of Management and is a Chartered Financial Analyst^® charterholder and a 21/64 Certified Advisor. She currently serves on the Advisory Committee for 21/64, a nonprofit providing multigenerational advising, facilitation and training for next generation engagement, especially within family philanthropy and other family enterprises.

When I joined Wetherby, I was one of just 12 employees. I was immediately won over by how my colleagues thought about the business as a whole and not just about “my clients” or “your clients.” My primary focus now is advising clients on their wealth planning and investment management needs, and I also participate in our investment strategy decisions. What made Wetherby unique when I joined is still the same today: we focus on what’s best for the client. By using this as our guide, we make decisions that earn our clients’ confidence and build their trust.

Experience summary

Christy started her career at Cambridge Associates, where she advised endowments and nonprofit institutions on investment portfolio strategy and management. Since her start at Wetherby in 2002, Christy has been helping clients navigate financial decisions across all stages of their lives, including transitions such as retirement, marriage and divorce. She always connects a client’s investment strategy to the client’s personal goals. Christy has served in key management positions at Wetherby for over a decade. In addition to her work at Wetherby, Christy has participated in a number of community organizations including serving on the Board of Directors for OnePurpose School, volunteering for the Burlingame Community for Education Foundation, and being a coach and referee for the American Youth Soccer Organization. Christy is also a member of the Financial Planning Association of San Francisco.

I don’t have a typical background for someone in the financial services industry, but I definitely feel I’ve been able to apply my client service background at Wetherby. I started my career in transportation at a global container shipping firm. But even before that, I drove a bus at the University of California, Davis, while I was in college. It helped me pay for college, plus one of my fellow bus drivers later became my wife! My experiences prior to joining Wetherby gave me the ability to talk comfortably with people who have varied backgrounds and interests, the chance to help build a startup into a major international operation and a deep understanding of what customer service really means. One of the most interesting experiences I’ve had here is to help one of our clients establish a charitable account funded with cows. I really love collaborating with our clients.

Experience summary

Before his start at Wetherby in 2007, David was Director of Global Operations for International Asset Systems. He built an international customer service team that served the container shipping industry from offices in the United States (Oakland, CA and Chicago, IL), as well as Hong Kong and Nice, France. He became a Wetherby shareholder in 2014.

Early in my career, I worked in marketing retail and institutional investment products. I learned a lot about different investment styles and vehicles during this part of my career. It was a valuable experience, but I also learned that I preferred to advise individuals and help them develop their financial plans. I decided to study for a Certificate in Financial Planning, and I worked during the day and took the courses at night. I love being a financial planner and investment advisor. I’m able to integrate what I learned in school with my life and work experiences. I’m happy when I can help find solutions that respond to a client’s unique circumstances and share ideas that the client may not have thought about.

Experience summary

Before her start at Wetherby in 2006, Holly worked at Wells Fargo Bank as marketing manager for mutual funds, and later at Wells Capital Management as marketing manager for institutional investments. At Wetherby, Holly is involved with firm-wide wealth planning strategies and participates in client communications activities. Holly previously served on the Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of San Francisco and edited its newsletter. A strong believer in financial literacy, Holly volunteers for the FPA’s annual Financial Planning Day and has taught financial literacy classes for Junior Achievement and EARN, one of the largest providers of goal-based savings accounts in the U.S.

I love being able to take a comprehensive view of my client’s financial picture – not only what is happening now but what could happen in the future. This ranges from charitable giving to retirement planning, from insurance to estate plans. I’m especially passionate about tax planning: creating tax-efficient investment portfolios and trying to achieve tax optimization over a multi-year time period. I also mentor some of our junior staff. There’s nothing more gratifying than seeing someone with drive, attention to detail and a passion to learn develop a successful career.

Experience summary

Following a four-year stint in the U.S. Air Force, Mike became a staff accountant at Given & Associates, a small CPA firm in Colorado. In that role, he prepared tax returns for individuals and compiled financial statements for small businesses. Subsequently, he moved to San Francisco and started at Wetherby in 2000. Although he was initially hired to work in the firm’s operations department, he gained new responsibilities and began serving clients in an advisory role three years later. He integrates tax planning with wealth management by focusing on efficient charitable giving using appreciated securities, thoughtful asset location and Roth conversions, as well as harvesting capital gains or losses depending on each client’s unique tax situation.

Outside of his work at Wetherby, Mike serves on the Planned Giving Advisory Committee for the Buck Institute for Research on Aging.

I was one of the earliest members of the Wetherby team. There were only about six of us when I joined, and what appealed to me was the firm’s independence. We were early pioneers of the concept, and we grew in a steady, purposeful way. We love it when prospective clients really want to dig in and learn about us – to do thorough due diligence and to ask tough questions. The best thing a client could say to us is, “I trust Wetherby completely.”

Experience summary

Chris has worn several different hats during his long tenure at Wetherby and is currently a Wealth Manager. As a Wealth Manager, Chris sees his role as reducing the complexities of the financial world and making it more digestible and understandable for his clients. He also supports Wetherby’s asset allocation and strategic investment process. Immediately prior to joining Wetherby in 1998, Chris co-founded and ran Hauswirth & Dunn Investment Management. Previously, he was vice president and head of the financial advisor division at Robertson Stephens & Co. in San Francisco. Chris has participated in number of community organizations including serving on the Board of Trustees and Investment Committee at the Katherine Delmar Burke School.

I have been lucky enough to travel, live, study, volunteer and work professionally in many regions of the world. I really enjoy taking what I’ve learned working with individuals and corporations in many different circumstances and cultures and applying it to help my clients solve problems. Here at Wetherby, I advise a number of large multi-generational families, and I partner closely with them to help them attain their personal, philanthropic and legacy goals.

Experience summary

Prior to joining Wetherby Asset Management in 2005, Steve ran his own hedge fund following an earlier stint as a hedge fund portfolio manager and analyst. Previously to that, Steve was a vice president at JP Morgan. There, he held a number of corporate finance and private client advisory roles in New York, London and San Francisco, advising corporate clients and wealthy families in the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Steve now provides customized portfolio management and advice on diversification, tax, trust and estate planning strategies for his clients. He serves on the firm’s Investment Committee and is a member of the Financial Planning Association of San Francisco. He is active in the community and most recently served on the Board of Directors for Environmental Traveling Companions, which provides outdoor adventures to people with disabilities and disadvantaged youth.

I thought I was going to be a professional volleyball player. I got a full scholarship to play at a Division I school, but an injury forced me to get a “real job.” Joining Wetherby Asset Management was the perfect opportunity, because what appealed to me about playing for a college team had many of the same ingredients as working here. Plus, the firm is led by a woman – Deb Wetherby – and she’s not only a role model but has cultivated the values that are important to me.

Experience summary

Jen was able to do internships with AG Edwards and a CPA firm prior to joining Wetherby in 2007, and these experiences were useful when she stepped into an Operations Associate role. Soon after, she began to work directly with clients and, after three years, she became an Investment Associate. Jen was promoted to Wealth Manager and became a Wetherby Shareholder in 2015. She views the best way to provide value is to think holistically, and her experiences in operations and investment planning are useful every day in her client interactions. Outside the office, Jen serves on the committee that plans the annual conference for the Financial Planning Association of Northern California, considered one of the premier financial planning events in the U.S.

I have devoted more than 20 years to advising multi-generational families. Much of my work is focused on customized investment strategies and complex financial planning.  My best client relationships are those where I have an opportunity to connect with them beyond their balance sheets and to focus on aspirational goals and legacy. I am grateful to have found a career that allows me to feel deeply connected both to our clients and to the team I am lucky to work with every day.

EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

Lyssa brings a wealth of experience across a variety of industries, all of which go into a deep understanding of how to communicate the nuanced and sometimes challenging choices surrounding personal wealth. She began her career at a small investment firm before transitioning to work as an education consultant to other investment advisors for a portfolio management software provider. She then took this knowledge on both sides of the investment management business to Merrill Lynch, where she assumed the role of assistant vice president for investments. Here, she provided investment advice to multi-generational families and foundations and served as a member of her team’s Investment Committee. After ten years at Merrill Lynch, Lyssa joined the Golub Group, serving as team lead and senior financial advisor for the next five years prior to joining Wetherby as a wealth manager. During this time, she advised high net worth families, as well as foundations and retirement plans, and mentored other financial advisors at the firm.

I’ve been a saver ever since I was a little kid, setting aside and tracking most everything from money in birthday cards to allowances. As I grew, so did my interest in finance. Venturing into my professional life, the world of investing and helping people manage their money felt like an immediate fit. Every person’s financial situation is unique, and the challenge and joy of working with clients to navigate those situations over many years is an incredible gift. It can be easy in our industry to get lost in the numbers, forgetting that those numbers represent someone’s life and plans, but those individual relationships are what mean so much to us and our clients.

Experience Summary

Nick came to Wetherby Asset Management after studying business at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, drawn to the unique challenges of working with individuals and families and the broad range of needs each new client represented. He began as an associate in 2016, supporting Wetherby’s team of advisors in implementing investment and financial planning solutions for clients. Nick was inspired to become a Certified Financial Planner^TM certificant, and successfully completed this designation in 2019. His financial acumen and passion for building relationships led him to quickly advance in the firm to his current position, where he enjoys helping clients feel comfortable and secure with their financial futures.

Deb Wetherby once asked me, “If you weren’t in this field, what would you do?” My answer: I’d be a teacher. I love helping people learn, and I get to do that every day here, either with our clients or with younger, newer staff. What I tell our associates is that the firm gives you every opportunity to achieve your career goals, as long as you’re willing to work hard and continue to learn. When I joined Wetherby, it was considered a pioneer, and it still is. This extends from the firm’s values to the opportunities for growth…from its early roots in impact investing to the central theme that clients always come first. If I had to choose three words to describe us, I’d say collegial, fun and principled.

EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

After beginning his career as a Research Analyst at Franklin Templeton Investments, Keon joined Charles Schwab Investment Management as a Performance Analyst. A year into his tenure he transitioned to the Product Development and Strategy group, where he assisted in the research, development and launch of 11 proprietary Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). His desire to work closely with clients led him to a new opportunity at Wetherby, and he began in 2011 as a Wealth Associate. His work in designing tailored investment strategies and offering individualized wealth management advice for the firm’s clients resulted in a promotion to Senior Wealth Associate in 2014. Two years later, he transitioned to the firm’s New York office, where he took on greater responsibilities as a Wealth Advisor. Keon was promoted to Wealth Manager in 2018, where he applies his experience and passion to supporting client goals through comprehensive financial planning and investment management strategies. In 2022, Keon relocated to the San Diego area to expand the firm’s Southern California presence.

I was initially drawn to the analytical side of finance, but I quickly learned that the true significance of what we do as advisors is about building relationships with clients. Every investment choice we help clients make represents a dream or goal that we’re helping them work towards fulfilling. Finance can often be a stressful topic and as trusted advisors, we’re here to walk our clients through every aspect of their investments and help them prepare for the future. I have had the opportunity to see firsthand how beneficial having someone in your corner can be as you go through life’s transitions, opportunities and challenges.

Experience Summary

Matthew began his career in finance early, majoring in finance and risk management at the University of South Carolina. His time at a larger retail financial services company led him to search for an opportunity with a strong client focus and the chance to build deeper relationships with clients. While at Connecticut Wealth Management, Matthew supported a team of advisors with client account maintenance and reporting. He then joined Wetherby in 2016, where he has been supporting clients and advising them on the full spectrum of wealth management. Matthew holds a B.A. in Finance and Risk Management and Insurance from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina and is a Certified Financial Planner™ certificant. 

Graduating college into the depths of a recession was not something I expected, even as an economics major. What I couldn’t have known at the time was that those circumstances would lead me to an incredibly fulfilling career. I started out coordinating conferences focused on financial education for private investors which introduced me to the needs and concerns of individuals and families of significant wealth. I realized that while each person has their own personal concerns about their money and solutions available to them, broadly speaking most simply want their money to work for them and support the life they want to lead – with as little worry as possible. Working with clients has not only allowed me to understand their financial goals and how to manage their portfolio, but a chance to be involved in the milestones of their lives.

Experience Summary

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics from University of California, Berkeley, Debra began her career at the Institute of Private Investors, where she helped coordinate private conferences between industry professionals and individual and family investors in an educational, non-sales environment. Inspired by a desire to help people and their families better understand their finances and investments, Debra pivoted to working directly in the wealth and financial planning sector. She joined Wetherby in 2013, beginning behind the scenes in operations before taking on work with clients directly, where a combination of a deep understanding of the intricacies of investments and a commitment to educating and empowering clients has led to a successful and fulfilling career at Wetherby. Now as a wealth advisor, Debra works directly with clients to manage their investment portfolios and partners with them in their overall financial planning.

How does a psychology major with an eye toward medical school end up as an investment advisor? For me, it began with a discussion with campus recruiters which led to a first job at an investment management firm. It was a great experience. I learned a lot; the people worked hard; I was hooked! I have found that my psychology background has come in very handy as a Wealth Advisor. Behavioral science and finance are a great combination. My job is centered on listening and understanding each client’s unique situation and objectives. I’m able to make an impact on someone’s life. When a client says, “Thanks for looking out for me,” that’s the ultimate reward.

EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

Wendy began her career at Franklin Templeton in its two-year management training program. She then joined Merrill Lynch’s Private Banking and Investment Group as a Financial Analyst and was subsequently promoted to Private Wealth Advisor. After eight years at Merrill Lynch, she spent a year at a small independent wealth advisory firm, followed by a stint at Citi Private Bank. In 2008, she joined Wetherby Asset Management. One of the firm’s subject matter experts in employee benefits planning, Wendy is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®. Wendy began serving on non-profit boards with the California Dragon Boat Association in 2006, and now serves on the board of trustees and investment committee for the Waldorf School of the Peninsula.

I see myself as a navigator, in a sense, guiding clients through the many different planning stages of their lives and making sure their investment strategies align with their personal goals. I provide caring, comfort and good advice through transitions like retirement, divorce and loss of a spouse. It’s important for me to stay on top of what’s going on in clients’ lives, to listen, to make sound recommendations and to be available when they need to talk. I also have a keen interest in finding ways to have a positive social impact, and I’ve worked with a number of clients to develop and implement an impact investment strategy.

Experience summary

Karen began her professional career in the United Kingdom, initially working with two big insurance companies and later as a financial advisor for Compton House Financial Management. Compton House originally had been part of a law firm before the law and financial segments were separated. The skills that were invaluable for a law firm, such as careful documentation and compliance, helped grow her capabilities as a wealth manager. After relocating to the United States, Karen soon found herself as one of Wetherby’s small but growing team of professionals. In 2004, three years after arriving at Wetherby, she became a Shareholder. Karen supports a core group of clients and combines her attention to detail with listening and problem-solving skills. She contributes to the firm’s client service and communications activities; she is also active in the Financial Planning Association of San Francisco, having previously served on the Board of Directors as its Treasurer. Karen currently serves as the Investment Committee Co-Chair for The Redwoods, a nonprofit senior retirement community in Mill Valley, and on the Board and the Investment Committee for the British Benevolent Society of California.

My role is to advise clients on customized investment strategies, portfolio construction, as well as complex retirement, trust and estate planning. What I love about my work is that it combines logic and problem-solving skills with a focus on helping people. Since moving to our New York office I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to share the Wetherby story with people unfamiliar with our culture and values. We have a uniquely client-centric and service-oriented approach relative to most wealth management firms, and I love to tell others about it.

Experience summary

John began his career as a Wetherby associate in its San Francisco office in 2004 where he worked with a variety of individual and non-profit clients. He was promoted to Wealth Manager three years later, in 2007. John moved to New York City in 2010 to work with the firm’s East Coast clients and to manage Wetherby’s office there. He’s a member of the New York Society of Security Analysts and the Financial Planning Association of New York, and was formerly board chair of Project Explorer.

After a fruitful career in the industry, I can say with certainty that the most meaningful part of my job is working hand in hand with clients to find solutions that support the life they want to lead. Financial decisions are rarely simply about money. They reflect a client’s priorities for every part of their lives. I consider myself an advocate for my clients first and foremost and appreciate the deep relationships we’re able to form with them as we guide them through life transitions of all kinds and help them ensure that they, and often future generations, are confident in their ability to sustain and manage their wealth.

EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

After beginning her career as a financial analyst with Jurika & Voyles, Laura spent a successful tenure at Seneca Capital Management. While there she excelled in a high-stress environment selecting investments for institutional client portfolios, and was made a partner thanks to her contributions building the firm from early in its life to $14B in assets under management. She joined Wetherby in 2017 and has relished working with individuals and often multiple generations, using a combination of sharp analysis and personal connection to help clients manage major life transitions. Laura is a member of the San Francisco Foundation’s Professional Advisors Council and serves on the conference committee for the Financial Planning Association of Northern California. She currently sits on the board for the Berkeley Athletic Fund at Berkeley High School and is a member of Posse Bay Area’s Advisory Board.

Our independence and our priority on nurturing a thoughtful, caring culture set us apart. There are so many things I love about my job. One of the highlights was coming to the realization that my value goes far beyond financial returns and extends to how much impact we can have on our clients’ lives. I’m so thankful that when I was considering a career in wealth management, a professor suggested that I reach out to Wetherby, because it was one of the few firms that he knew and respected. I think my master’s degree and the CFA studies helped get my foot in the door. And I’ve been really lucky to have had great mentors along the way. After starting in the “back office” in financial operations, several senior wealth managers encouraged me to break out of my comfort zone. I’ve had the opportunity to do as much as I wanted, and I felt incredibly supported and nurtured along the way.

Experience summary

Following a wealth management internship at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Maria began her career at Wetherby as a Client Service Associate in 2011. She advanced steadily within Wetherby, serving as a Wealth Associate before being promoted to Senior Wealth Associate. Her financial aptitude, organizational skills and empathetic approach led to the position of Wealth Advisor in 2018 and Wealth Manager two years later. Maria provides portfolio management and financial planning, partners with her clients’ tax and estate planning advisors, and emphasizes a holistic approach to her clients’ financial well-being. She also contributes to the firm’s investment strategies. Maria holds a B.S. in Business Administration, summa cum laude, from San Jose State University, an M.S. in Financial Analysis from the University of San Francisco and she is a Chartered Financial Analyst® charterholder.

My career arc has not necessarily been a straight line, but I wouldn’t change it. During law school, two different internship experiences really shaped my career path and helped me decide what I did and didn’t want to do. Working for a legal services office that helped low-income families and then for the Attorney General of Pennsylvania in its charitable trust and foundations division taught me that legal work is far more than paperwork; there’s a human connection, and that aspect is very important to me. After graduating from law school in one of the worst job markets in recent history, I decided to continue my education and got a Master of Laws degree in taxation.

Another career-defining moment was leaving a job I loved in Pittsburgh and traveling across the country to re-start my career. My girlfriend (and now wife) had accepted a job opportunity in the Bay Area, so I decided to go with her. The decision to leave my friends and family and head to California not only opened doors at UBS Financial Services but also brought me to Wetherby! I see my role here as twofold:  to help our clients understand their options in estate planning to benefit subsequent generations, and to educate the team here so they’re even more comfortable educating their clients about my world of estates and trusts.

EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

Brandon’s first full-time position was at the law firm, Williams Coulson, where he worked as trusts and estates associate for several years. After moving to California, he worked as a trusts and estates associate before joining a startup involved in patent research and reviews. His estate planning experience and his legal and taxation education were invaluable in his next position as Wealth Strategist at UBS Financial Services. There, he created custom, sophisticated financial plans and provided planning advice for the firm’s wealthiest clients. He advanced from an associated level to Director and Wealth Strategist of advanced planning during his five-year tenure. Some of the white papers he authored dealt with topics ranging from equity compensation to charitable remainder trusts to qualified small business stock. Brandon joined Wetherby in 2018, and he has brought a strong combination of legal, tax and estate planning skills to complement the firm’s existing staff and services.

I love quotes and started collecting them when I was in elementary school. One I’ve found particularly inspiring is: “If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s.” I believe success starts with finding out what is meaningful to you, and then centering your business, goals, plans and intentions around that. When I started our firm, “traditional” investment managers used a fee structure that incentivized selling, but I wanted to build a business with values centered on exceptional service. Objectivity, integrity and thoughtfulness are what I want to reward. What I’m most proud of is not the amount of money we manage or our profits – it’s our team, our culture and how we care for our clients.

Experience summary

Deb began her career as a Certified Public Accountant, working for Price Waterhouse in San Francisco in both its Audit and Management Consulting Departments. After she received her MBA, she joined Morgan Stanley and worked as a private client services broker for 3 years. After leaving the company to travel she decided to enter the investment advisory/wealth management business. Her experience at a small money management firm led Deb to create Wetherby Asset Management in 1990. Through the years, Deb has been recognized for her success, being named one of the Top 50 Women in Wealth Management with the firm being listed in the Top 50 Fee-Only RIAs, and Top 50 Wealth Management RIAs. She loves to teach and has spoken on topics ranging from impact investing to the collective power of women helping women. Deb’s community and board work reflects her belief in philanthropy and charitable service. Her current or prior service includes the Marin Community Foundation; the Advisory Board for the Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the Haas School at the University of California, Berkeley; BRAC USA, which works to improve the well-being of the poorest people in Africa and Asia; the National Endowment for Financial Education; and the UC San Francisco Foundation.

My grandfather was a stockbroker and a role model. He taught me about the stock market, and I thought I’d follow in his footsteps. When my roommate told me I should consider applying at Wetherby, I wasn’t sure because I’d always seen myself as a broker. But once I met the people here and started thinking about the opportunities, I decided it would be a good fit. I understood the financial markets but I had a lot to learn about wealth management. I listened, learned, earned others’ trust and got more and more responsibility. Joining Wetherby was one of the best decisions I ever made.

EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

Kyle started as an associate in client service operations in 2006. Over time, his role evolved and is now a “hybrid,” integrating his skills in investments and research with client service support.  The importance of this new role was acknowledged in 2015, when Kyle was named a Shareholder.  He coordinates between Wetherby’s operations group, wealth managers and clients, and he sees the mix of analytical work – collecting and interpreting data – and client service as a perfect blend.  He also contributes to many of Wetherby’s computer systems-based initiatives and enjoys training and mentoring new associates.

One of the reasons I was attracted to Wetherby was that “softer skills” weren’t fully appreciated in the equity research arena. I decided to make the transition from a large bank because I was attracted by the independence and client-first focus at Wetherby. Here, the analytical focus of my undergraduate and graduate studies – biomedical engineering and business – are valuable in the world of investment management. Equally important, I’m able to apply my skills of empathy and listening in my client relationships. Caring for clients and offering an unbiased, objective approach to their investment recommendations is the perfect combination. When I think about my future, I find impact investing particularly compelling.  I enjoy the additional challenge of seeking social and environmental returns that align with our clients’ values and passions.

Experience SUMMARY

Lauren’s investment and wealth management career began with an internship at MSD Capital prior to her first year in the MBA program at Columbia University. The following summer, she interned for Credit Suisse and was subsequently offered a full-time Associate position in equity research. After three years, she was hired by Wetherby as a Senior Wealth Associate for its New York office in 2015. She was promoted to Wealth Advisor in 2017 and then to Wealth Manager two years later. In 2020, Lauren relocated to launch and lead our firm’s newest office location in Los Angeles, California.