Who We Are - WealthArchitects (2024)

The community of Alameda, where I was born and raised, was especially instrumental in my growth as an individual, athlete and student. Most importantly, I learned the significance of giving back to the community I lived in through various groups and teams I was a part of. My childhood baseball team would hold camps for the local Special Olympics, which had a profound impact on my belief in caring for others and building bridges between communities.

In my final year of college, my parents were going through a divorce and my mother was diagnosed with cancer. I learned two important lessons during this time. First, wealth is much more than money – it truly is well-being. Second, I realized I wanted to help people like my mother achieve true comfort and peace of mind in their sometimes complex personal-financial situations. This led me to pursue a career in wealth management upon graduation and where I’ve been since.

I’m proud to call Wealth Architects my home and our clients an extension of my own family. It’s inspiring to work alongside such genuinely caring people to help clients build fulfilling and impactful lives.

Areas of Focus –

Investment planning, client service excellence

Experience –

7 years in wealth management

Education –

B.S., Business Administration, Saint Mary’s College of California

How I give back –

Volunteering at the Alameda County Food Bank

I grew up on the East Coast. My parents are hard working individuals who instilled a strong work ethic in me at a young age. I had my first job, a paper route, at 14. They taught me that hard work and service to others are the most important values in life. I strive to pass along these values to my young nephew and niece so I can be an important role model in their lives.

I attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. While at OU, I was involved with many programs that helped underprivileged children in local communities. I helped teachers in lower income school districts distribute coats, breakfast and lunches to students in need.

After college, circ*mstances found me on a different path and after relocating to California, I started my first position as an Executive Assistant for a commercial real estate firm. Throughout my experience there, I learned that my support role was an integral part of my team’s success. I spent 9 years with them and sadly had to part ways when I recently moved to the Bay Area. The Client Experience Coordinator position at Wealth Architects was the perfect fit. Being of service, helping the team and providing our clients with a warm, welcoming experience really appeals to me. Getting to know our clients personally and supporting the team is very fulfilling to me.

I always look forward to Monday because it is the start of a fresh week, with new opportunities to provide excellent service and make an impact.

Areas of focus —
Managing complex calendars, client service, office management

Experience —
15 years in Executive and Administrative Support

Education —
B.S., Education, University of Oklahoma

How I give back —
Volunteering with animal rescues and local food banks

My parents, both PhDs, raised me in the Midwest. My grandfather was a major influence in my life. He was a house-call doctor, and wherever we would go, people would recognize him and talk about how he delivered their children and grandchildren and how much he cared.

I began my career as an attorney and worked in finance law for 7 years. I enjoyed the finance, not the law, and wished that I could help people before the lawsuit, not after. All of the worst things occurred when financial advisors had monetary incentives to place trades with client money, which created conflicts of interest.

Transitioning to a brokerage firm, I worked with hundreds of clients, many self-directed. I realized I needed to leave after the 2008 financial crisis, when an elderly client with a multi-million portfolio comprised of one stock refused my advice to diversify and ended up with a small fraction. Working with self-directed investors was going to be too frustrating and heart-breaking, because they can’t be their own financial stewards.

I wanted to go to an independent Registered Investment Adviser where I could be the financial steward and provide objective advice.

What is most rewarding is getting to what matters to clients, then helping them understand why they are taking investment risk and how the investment portfolio will make their lives better.

Areas of focus —
Investment due diligence, monitoring of client assets, quantitative analysis

Experience —
25 years in wealth management and legal services

Education —
J.D., University of Michigan
M.P.P., Duke University
B.S., Political Science & Psychology, Eastern Michigan University

I am a native Bay Area Californian who grew up in two families because my parents divorced when I was two and remarried while I was young. Growing up in two different households with different rules and lifestyles had its own sets of challenges, yet both homes shared core values that were deeply instilled in me: the importance of family and a strong work ethic.

As I joined the workforce, I was looking for a career that would not only pay the bills, but also inspire me and bring me joy. I knew I was passionate about helping others, but wasn’t sure how exactly to do it. As soon as I accepted my first position with a wealth management company, I was drawn in as I saw how the work positively impacted others – not only in their day-to-day, but also along the trajectory of their lives. I had found a calling that brought me authentic gratification, and I have been in wealth management ever since.

I feel lucky to be on the Wealth Architects team. The ethos of the organization is rooted in thoughtfulness and care for both our clients and each other. It’s above and beyond anything I have experienced yet in my career.

Areas of Focus –

Assist with money movement, onboard new clients, provide exceptional client service

Experience –

16 years in Wealth Management. The past 10 years spent at Morgan Stanley.

Education –

A.A. in Liberal Arts, De Anza Community College

How I give back –

Volunteer at my daughter’s school and I volunteer with my daughter at Animal Assisted Happiness

I was born in Colorado and spent my childhood in Kansas and Georgia. I was geographically and culturally surrounded by traditional values and the belief that hard work pays off. The emphasis on hard work included adopting a mindset of serving others with care and treating others the way you want to be treated. My dad was in the local ministry, and our church community felt like an extension of my already large family. I believe my passion to help others came from seeing my parents genuinely enjoy selflessly serving others without limitations and without the expectation of receiving anything in return.

I graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Psychology and moved to the Bay Area in 2015. While I have not pursued a career in counseling, my education did further develop my curiosity in helping others. I have found fulfillment in hobbies like mentoring female middle and high school students and volunteering at a discipleship home for women recovering from addiction and homelessness.

I am thrilled to have joined Wealth Architects and to be a part of an organization that practices my values of creating wealthier lives – not just for ourselves, but for our clients and greater community as well.

Areas of Focus –
Providing high-touch support to executives of purpose-driven organizations

Experience –
13 years in the financial, e-commerce, and commercial development industries

Education –
B.S., Psychology, University of Georgia

How I give back –
Mentoring students from my previous church in Atlanta

I grew up in Santa Monica on a quiet, tree-lined street. As the youngest of four kids, my childhood consisted of going to the beach, playing sports and cheering on UCLA with my family. One of my most treasured memories is the ceremony where I was awarded Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. I’ll never forget the pride I felt in that moment. It taught me the value of setting long-term goals along with the dedication, perseverance and hard work necessary to complete goals that are many years in the future.

I attended UCLA, earned a degree in history, and received my Masters in Business Administration from San Diego State University with a focus on entrepreneurship. I’ve been involved in the formation of several startups, eventually landing as the Chief Operating Officer of a health and nutritional wellness company. I learned important lessons about effective management and the value of teamwork and clear communication.

I was drawn to Wealth Architects because of their commitment to defining wealth holistically, beyond just a financial perspective. The emphasis on building a life of meaning, where your values hold a central focus, is so different from how most of the world defines wealth. I love knowing that as I work behind the scenes to further the mission of Wealth Architects, I’m helping to encourage our clients to build lives that are filled with meaning and purpose.

Areas of Focus –
Implementing the vision and aligning strategic priorities across the firm

Experience –
29 years in business development and strategic implementation

Education –
Bachelor of Arts, History, UCLA
Masters in Business Administration, San Diego State University

How I give back-
Coaching youth sports; coordinating annual charity golf tournament to benefit local philanthropies; assisting with Adventure Guides outdoor program at Magdalena Ecke YMCA

When you are adopted at birth, there are a lot of ways it can go. I won the lottery with my parents, who gave me an idyllic middle-class childhood of playing in the woods and snow, growing up with strong Midwestern values. After my father lost his job, we moved to California. He died soon after we moved, and I had to grow up fast.

I was proud to be accepted at UCLA, to walk on to their soccer team and put myself through school, which was a huge challenge. After college, I joined a brokerage firm, married my college sweetheart, and started building a life. I was scheduled to fly to New York for a meeting in 7 World Trade Center when the towers came down. That same week I found out my wife was expecting our first child. The stock market was closed for the week and I noticed clients were not talking about their money — they were talking about what really mattered – their true wealth.

I started to think deeply about purpose and what I really wanted from life. After going through the boom and bust of the dot-com bubble, I saw there was a big difference between being rich and wealthy: I wanted to help people be wealthy.

I wanted to provide people with objective advice, not based on selling financial products, but based on really listening, helping them figure out what is most essential, architecting the dream they had for their lives, and building a plan to make it happen. I wanted to start a wealth advisory firm to do just that.

I had also been inspired by Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, who helped people do well by being transparent, telling the truth, and taking the long view. And I loved the idea of building a business that could do well by doing good and have a strong value system, like Hewlett-Packard. In that spirit, my colleague Lois Cole and I launched Wealth Architects.

Building this company and our team has been deeply fulfilling, and I feel a great sense of satisfaction when I have a meaningful impact on our clients’ lives.

Areas of focus —
Inspiring others to design and build wealthier lives;
Working with owners of concentrated financial wealth in privately held and public companies, as well as real estate

Experience —
29 years in wealth management

Education —
B.A., Political Science & Business Administration, UCLA

How I give back —
Serving on the board of directors of the YMCA of Silicon Valley (Chair Project Cornerstone) and Children Now (Treasurer)

My parents permanently relocated to the US from Mexico when I was 2 years old. I remember between the two of them they had 5 jobs. One was a paper route my little sister and I would tag along for most early mornings. My parents showed me the value of perseverance by allowing me to see how their struggles ultimately led to their success. At the age of 18, I became the first person in my family to graduate from high school and go to college. One of my mentors told me in order to be successful I needed to figure out my passions and how I could translate that into a career. Soon I discovered there were individuals whose role is to help individuals and families succeed in achieving their financial goals. I loved the idea! My family’s financial goals consisted of making sure the bills were paid on time and there was enough food on the table. Nobody in my immediate family had ever even thought about saving for larger goals like retirement. I hope I can have a positive impact on my family so that my parents and generations beyond them have the option of achieving greater financial goals like retirement. Beyond that, I wanted to join Wealth Architects because our work here has a positive impact in the lives of families and individuals by providing them with more options and flexibility from the initial stages of planning and as they grow into their futures and their finances increase in complexity.

I love being able to add to a client’s financial confidence and ultimately their well-being.

Areas of focus —
Planning involving real estate

Experience —
8 years in wealth management

Education —
B.A. Economics & Mathematics, Statistics Minor, University of California, Santa Barbara

How I give back —
With time by volunteering with Second Harvest Food bank and the Bay Area Financial Education Foundation

My parents emigrated to the US from India in the 1980s and worked hard to provide the best education for me and my twin sister. My father, a PhD, instilled in us his values of education and physical health at an early age. “Health is wealth” was a common saying in our household, and growing up in the Bay Area, weekend hikes were a regular activity. Early on, I learned that a wealthy life went far beyond financial well-being.

At the same time, I saw how money played a role in every factor of life, and how uncommon financial literacy was. I saw the effects of the 2008 financial crisis on families that did not have adequate financial planning, and it really drew me towards the finance industry. In college, I realized I had a penchant for finding efficiencies and improving processes in my work and everyday life which led to my interest in operations.

I am so appreciative to be at a firm like Wealth Architects, where the focus is on much more than financial success. It’s exciting to work with such a supportive team and play a part in building wealthier lives for our clients.

Areas of Focus —

Operational efficiencies, client portals, client reports

Experience —

8 years in Financial Services

Education —

B.B.A., University of Michigan

I immigrated to Houston, Texas from southern India with my parents when I was about a year old. At a young age, my younger sister and I witnessed the sacrifices our parents made for us. My dad worked early shifts as a machinist and I remember him lacing up his work boots as early as 2 am. My mom would prepare breakfast, go back to sleep, and wake up a few hours later for her morning shift at the hospital. Even now, those old memories give me mixed feelings of gratitude, pride, and inspiration.

I also look up to my godfather. He owned a business, gave back to those in need, and was very generous with his wealth. I loved hearing stories about my godfather around his resilience in cultivating his family business and how respected he was among his family, friends, and community.

After reflecting on my purpose in this industry, I realized that a way for me to give back and use my education would be to provide valuable guidance for hardworking people like my parents and my godfather.

I would do anything for my family and friends in a heartbeat. I am inspired to be among like-minded teammates—it makes the hard work easier.

Through their actions, the team at Wealth Architects encourages me to improve and challenge myself professionally and personally.

It’s a great opportunity to be a part of a bright, resilient and thoughtful team. Wealth Architects’ clients are treated like family.

Areas of focus —
Retirement planning, investment planning

Experience —
5 years in wealth management

Education —
B.S. Mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin
Masters of Science in Financial Analysis at the University of San Francisco

How I give back —
Coaching basketball for the Big Brothers Program in the Bay Area

I was born and raised just north of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County. As a kid, my father would occasionally take me to his office and I got to see just how passionate he was about his work. I think those experiences helped me understand the value of aligning your career with a deeper meaning that brings satisfaction. I also remember mentioning to my mother that I wanted to become a police officer when I got older because it was a way I could help others in my community. Plus, I would get to eat donuts all the time.

As I got older, I developed an interest in financial markets and investments, eventually going on to study economics at UC Berkeley, where I greatly enjoyed learning about financial markets. I was also introduced to a variety of career paths and realized that I wanted to work in wealth management because I could continue to learn more about investments, while also putting myself in the service of others.

I’m proud to be part of the Wealth Architects team. While I do enjoy being knee-deep in the technical aspects of investment research, I feel equally excited when I see our efforts increase overall well-being in peoples’ lives.

Areas of focus –

Investment research, trading, and portfolio monitoring

Experience –

4 years in wealth management

Education –

B.A., Economics, UC Berkeley

How I give back –

Volunteering at the annual “Things for Teens & Toys for Kids” gift drive.

I owe so much of who I am to my family. My mom taught me to work hard and be honest, my brother taught me to be curious, and my dad taught me to be kind without exception.

I was born and raised in Fresno before moving to the Bay Area for college. There, I took a personal finance course, which inspired me to combine my love of the technical with my desire to help people improve their lives.

I spent the first seven years of my career learning the “how” of wealth management – for example, how to develop a strong financial plan or how to build financial wealth. But, I always wondered if there was more that could be done for clients.

Joining the Wealth Architects team was a clear choice for me because of their focus on helping people get to the “why” behind their finances. Here, we dig in with their clients to learn about their lives, passions and goals…why they are building their holistic wealth in the first place.

I feel like I could send anybody in my life to Wealth Architects and they would be in great hands. I am proud to be part of a team that strives for that level of excellence.

Area of focus –
Retirement planning, equity compensation planning, strategic tax planning

Experience –
8 Years in Wealth Management

Education –
Bachelor of Arts, Economics, UC Berkeley

I was fortunate to be adopted by two loving parents at the age of two. Throughout most of my childhood, I never quite understood the concept of adoption; I saw no difference between my family and others. All I remember are the fond memories with my parents, from the car rides in my father’s 1996 green Toyota Corolla to watching America’s Funniest Videos every Sunday night.

My parents never completed high school due to sociopolitical events in their home country. When they immigrated to America, they worked labor intensive jobs to get by and attended community college to learn English. My parents always valued education and encouraged me to pursue my goals and aspirations. I developed an interest in finance when I learned about my parent’s story of coming to America and how, new to this country, they never explored savings, retirement, estate planning and other financial instruments.

This disconnect in financial education within my own family inspired me to pursue a degree and career in wealth management. I aspire to help others understand their financial situation and curate a plan that helps them achieve their goals and dreams.

Areas of focus –
Education planning and retirement planning

Experience –
4 years in wealth management

Education –
B.S., Business Administration, Finance, University of San Francisco

How I give back –
Volunteering at Habitat for Humanity

I moved from Hong Kong to New York when I was six. Growing up in an immigrant family, I overcame hardships and learned the importance of a strong work ethic. These formative experiences gave me the tenacity to put myself through Tufts University and Northeastern University School of Law.

After law school, I worked at Arthur Andersen assisting high-net-worth individuals with their tax and estate-planning needs, then for a prominent Boston law firm. I served my clients with great care and addressed their needs, but often did not see them again for many years. The transactional nature of the work didn’t fulfill me, so I returned to Tufts to help its fundraising efforts to raise $1 billion for need-blind admissions, working for an amazing president with a real vision.

In 2008, my husband, three kids, and I moved from Boston to California, where I ultimately found Wealth Architects and the visionary leadership I experienced at Tufts. Our team shares the same values, a really strong work ethic, and a desire to genuinely get to know and help people.

I hope that my clients have experienced care, compassion, and empathy — then I’ve done my job.

Areas of focus —
Wealth, estate, legacy, tax, charitable and retirement planning and helping individuals and families with life transitions

Experience —
25 years in wealth management, philanthropy, and law

Education —
J.D., Northeastern University School of Law
B.A., International Relations & Asian Studies, Tufts University

How I give back —
Helping children in my community grow to their fullest potential by being a volunteer for the YMCA

I am Michigan-born, Georgia-raised, and California-grown. My Dad gave me my work ethic and my Mom gave me positivity and warmth. Now my own family inspires and grounds me. My kids see that my spouse and I share household responsibilities and our professional goals have equal priority.

I studied economics and played varsity golf at Stanford. Golf is a sport about integrity and honesty: there is no rules official, you call the penalty on yourself. I had a golf instructor and mentor who would be the first to open the shop, but would park in the worst spot. This is how you handle yourself professionally.

After the 2008 financial crash, I saw the sense of insecurity people had about their wealth and their job prospects. The lesson is that we have to be independent and save.

I wanted to work someplace where I could make a difference. Wealth Architects was only a year old and there was so much passion and energy, and they seemed fun and kind. I wanted to work with people like that.

It’s rewarding to see the change when clients focus on what is core in their lives and have a better understanding of how the market works. I’ve had to tell a client not to take a friend’s financial advice that I knew was wrong. You have to be real, be compassionate, but also stand your ground.

Areas of focus —
Wealth planning, especially working with younger families; Silicon Valley professionals

Experience —
16 years in wealth management

Education —
B.A., Economics, Stanford University

How I give back —
Being a mentor for the Stanford men’s college golf team

My family has always been drawn to the medical field and I have an uncle I’m close to who is a doctor. As a kid, I wanted to be an anesthesiologist like him, getting the mixtures and measures just right. I was also inspired by his generosity — he spends time each year providing free medical services to the poor in the small Mexican town he came from.

I was attending University of California, Santa Barbara when the financial crisis hit during my junior year. I saw the effects of inadequate financial planning as some of my friends dropped out of school and my parents struggled. That’s when I decided I wanted to help people with their planning and investments.

For me, life is always a learning experience. I wanted to join Wealth Architects because of their continuous improvement culture and entrepreneurial spirit. I want to succeed here both to help my clients and to be able to give back to the community myself.

Areas of focus —
Stock concentration and executive compensation

Experience —
12 years in wealth management

Education —
B.A., Economics, University of California at Santa Barbara

How I give back —

Taking public transportation, donating to a children’s hospital, and volunteering for community service events

My parents shaped my values. They said respect others, be honest, and live within your means. I respected them so much that I never got out of bounds.

I also loved exploring the outdoors with my family while growing up – the challenge and beauty in it. It’s where I picked up my Midwestern sensibilities and realized that you don’t need much to be happy. If I could experience the outdoors every day for the rest of my life I probably would, but I enjoy great moments with my family even more.

I worked for many years at another wealth management firm and met Mark Johnsen while volunteering on a non-profit investment committee. When I left my position as a partner, Mark was my first call — I really wanted to work for him and was looking for more balance between investing and life planning.

I earn people’s trust with excellence. I want to help them think through and see the big picture, the higher level, where the power is in their lives, and what we are trying to do. Once they do, it’s awesome — they are able to let go and focus on the things that bring them joy.

I love working here. I always wanted to find a place I could call home and have really found it here. The leaders here are all so thoughtful — they make me want to be better.

Areas of Focus —
Wealth planning for high net-worth individuals, non-U.S. citizens, and nonprofit organizations

Experience —
28 years in wealth management

Education —
B.S., Finance, University of Colorado at Boulder

How I give back —
Volunteering my time to help children and promote education

As a toddler, I watched my dad graduate from Menlo College, in the heart of Silicon Valley just before the turn of the century. He worked as a contractor to many of the area’s growing tech firms and often brought me along to witness the growth of the industry firsthand. My mom balanced raising me and my younger sisters with working to make ends meet. She encouraged me to dream big, and I imagined a world where technological innovations could improve the quality of life for everyone.

We relocated frequently but mostly stayed within the Bay Area. Growing up during the dot com bubble and the 2008 financial crisis, I noticed many intelligent people in my life struggling to understand how financial markets worked. When the time came for me to attend college, I wanted to find a place where I could combine my interest in finance with my passion for tech. I found myself under the same giant oak tree at Menlo College where I had spent my early childhood dreaming, and I knew I had found home.

The more I learned about financial markets and economics, the more I wondered how I could use this knowledge to impact more than just a client’s portfolio. I had the opportunity to complete an internship with Wealth Architects, and there I found exactly what I had been looking for. The team taught me that wealth means more than a bottom line and values go beyond an account statement. They showed me how they work to deliver caring service and offer objective advice in order to impact our clients beyond their financial assets. They inspired me to foster relationships built on trust and authenticity and to seek true wealth and wellbeing.

The team at Wealth Architects inspires me to pursue my passion while driving impact and supporting a broader mission. My work feels purposeful and fulfilling.

Areas of focus –

Technology and operations

Experience –

7 years in wealth management and technology

Education –

B.S., Finance, Menlo College

I am a fourth-generation Japanese-American, born and raised in the Bay Area. My maternal grandparents and their journey made a big impact on my life. My grandmother and her family were uprooted from their California home and incarcerated in an internment camp in Utah during World War II. Meanwhile, never having left his home in Hawaii, my grandfather, a teenager at the time, volunteered for the Army and bravely fought for his country in Italy. They met each other in San Francisco after the war, married, and moved to Hawaii. Eventually, they returned to the Bay Area where they faced discrimination and hardship. Despite their circ*mstances, they built a business and raised a family, all the while demonstrating compassion, generosity, and empathy for everyone they met. Their path and outlook on life inspired me to work hard, always be kind to others, and help people in need.

I grew up thinking I wanted to be a lawyer but changed my mind once I was in law school at Santa Clara University. Although I finished my degree and passed the California bar exam, I wanted to find a non-legal career where I could make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. That’s when I discovered how incredibly fulfilled, I feel when providing clients with comfort, context, and clarity in their financial lives.

Fast forward 20 years later, I’m proud to be a part of Wealth Architects and am moved by the genuine care we have for each other and the way we help our clients feel not only financially secure, but that their overall well-being is top of mind. I think my grandparents would be proud.

I am thrilled to be part of a team that values diversity and life experiences in both their people and their clients.

Areas of focus —
Executive compensation, concentrated wealth

Experience —
23 years in wealth management

Education —
University of California, San Diego, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Santa Clara University, School of Law
Oxford University, Magdalen College, Certificate in Comparative Law

How I give back —
Teach financial literacy for disadvantaged youth; volunteer in professional organizations to promote and improve the financial planning profession

I grew up in a family of seven children in the Bay Area. My parents passed on a strong love of the arts and nature. We frequented museums and visited national parks, attended opera, ballet and theatrical performances. Although it was a stretch for a large family, they even sent us to private schools because they placed great importance on our education. I remember my mother worked night shifts and my father taught summer school to allow for these investments in our future.

Attending the theater as a child really lit a fire in me to develop my acting skills and perform in plays. Perhaps my favorite production I played a part in was Shakespeare’s The Tempest because that’s where I met my husband. Over the years, we performed together in various Bay Area theater venues. My greatest role, however, has been as a mother to our daughter Cassandra.

What attracted me to Wealth Architects were the intangible things you don’t typically read on a job listing in our industry. This concept that building wealth encompasses more than just money really resonated with me. I feel fortunate to have a career with Wealth Architects that involves capitalizing on my strengths to help clients invest in their lives, their families and causes which inspire them.

Area of Focus – Client onboarding, account opening and maintenance, incoming transfers.

Experience – 17 years in the financial services industry

Education – B.S., Organizational Behavior and Leadership, University of San Francisco

How I Give Back – Donating time and resources to favorite non-profit theater companies

I spent most of my childhood in Hong Kong and Sydney. Then my family took the opportunity to move to the Bay Area when I was 12 years old. Growing up around the world taught me the values of resilience and diligence. It also nurtured my love of travel and exploration. Considering everywhere I’ve been, I feel very lucky to live in Northern California, a place that’s rich in culture and full of adventures.

My interest in finance started while studying economics at USC. That led me to the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) Program and a deep appreciation of behavioral finance. It’s not all about the numbers — there’s always emotion at play. I was fascinated by that dynamic. And I saw a lot of room for helping people better understand how emotion can affect their financial decisions.

At Wealth Architects, I found a unique focus on serving both the financial wealth and overall well-being of clients. Every day I see how genuine and thoughtful our team is in helping clients work toward their life goals. Being a part of that is very fulfilling.

Areas of Focus —
Portfolio monitoring, investment research, and trading

Experience —
7 years in wealth management

Education —
B.A., Economics and International Relations, USC

How I give back —
Volunteering for Wealth Architects’ community service events

My parents emigrated from Korea to the states in the mid-1970’s. When they arrived, they knew very little English and had to assimilate into a new culture. They focused on raising three children with an abundance of love and strong family values. They taught us that no obstacle is insurmountable if you work hard and persist, and that the way to be happy is to be a bigger person.

Prior to Wealth Architects, I spent 10 years working for big banks, learning a lot but not feeling much purpose in my work. 2007 was a pivotal year for me: I met Mark Johnsen and Lois Cole and found a home that would allow me to serve others and contribute to the firm’s vision of building wealthier lives.

I see the positive ripple effect of our work. We provide our clients with peace of mind — often by simplifying complex financial situations for them — so they can focus on what really matters. Our clients are gracefully caring for parents and partners, helping children realize their dreams, and generously supporting philanthropy in their communities. Working with them is an incredible opportunity.

Areas of focus —
Service excellence, operational efficiency, cultural ambassador

Experience —
26 years in wealth management and banking

Education —
B.A., Business Administration, California State – Hayward