I stumbled into wealth management quite unexpectedly. After finishing college, I had a teaching job offer in high school history, but simultaneously, I possessed a background in programming. An opportunity came my way with a quantitative finance firm, and I ended up working in that field for almost a decade until the company folded.

When this happened, I found myself at a crossroads, uncertain about the next steps. Starting my own firm felt like a daunting prospect. However, I turned my attention to the private wealth management sector.

What I noticed was that the industry lacked alignment with the values I held. The fees were exorbitant, processes were unnecessarily convoluted, and transparency was lacking. This led me to establish my own Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm. My primary aim was to offer clients a more affordable and transparent way to plan for retirement, manage their investments, and have portfolios designed in an intelligible manner.

I firmly believe in simplicity, and I think excessive complexity often serves the interests of selling financial products rather than genuinely benefiting the client. So, my focus was on building a practice dedicated to what's best for the client.

I work with a diverse range of clients, and my areas of expertise are primarily centered around portfolio management, with a particular emphasis on environmentally conscious investing. My passion lies in crafting investment strategies that veer away from destructive industries and align with the evolving landscape of our economy, both from a technological and environmental standpoint. I'm dedicated to positioning clients to participate in exciting, environmentally friendly growth opportunities or even those with a positive environmental impact.

Additionally, I specialize in the realm of financial planning, with a focus on assisting non-profit organizations and endowments in effectively allocating their assets. This entails guiding them in selecting investments and actively stewarding portfolios designed to endure indefinitely, all while maintaining a mindful and socially responsible approach.

Socially conscious investing involves identifying companies that actively contribute to positive change on both a planetary and societal level while also pursuing profitability. This approach focuses on businesses that may, for instance, engage in environmentally beneficial projects such as constructing green infrastructure or remediating superfund sites while generating profits. It's a business model that not only benefits investors but also the environment and communities.

Furthermore, socially conscious investing extends to endeavors that make a positive impact within a specific region or among a particular population. For instance, consider the healthcare sector, where companies develop innovative technologies like heart monitoring devices designed to alert doctors when a patient's heart starts to deviate from a healthy rhythm, such as a heart arrhythmia. Such companies aim to save lives by providing healthcare professionals with better insights into their patients' conditions.

I provide guidance to clients on thematic investing in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, with a particular focus on institutions. My approach involves working closely with these organizations to establish a shared understanding of their core values. From there, we collaborate to craft customized portfolios that reflect those values while maintaining a risk-return profile comparable to that of conventional portfolios.

The needs and preferences of institutions in the nonprofit and endowment sector can significantly differ. My aim is to create adaptable portfolios that suit each organization's unique requirements, ensuring a tailored fit that aligns with their long-term goals.

I started my career in quantitative finance, where direct indexing was fundamental so I am particularly well-versed in this strategy. I incorporate direct indexing into the portfolios of as many clients as possible. While it may not require special emphasis from a marketing standpoint, it's an approach that carries several notable advantages.

Recently, Savvy introduced Savvy Direct Indexing as a product offering. For those unfamiliar, direct personalized indexing essentially involves replicating an index using individual stocks in a tax-efficient manner. The excitement lies in its ability to provide clients with returns akin to the S&P 500, while also capitalizing on the tax benefits associated with harvesting losses.

Furthermore, direct indexing  can aligns seamlessly with the principles of ethical and socially conscious investing. It empowers investors to construct portfolios that mirror the S&P 500 but also align with their individual values. For instance, investors can exclude industries like oil or mining if they are inconsistent with their beliefs, yet still maintain a risk-return profile similar to that of the broad index. This makes direct indexing a valuable fit not only for taxable investors but also for foundations, endowments, and institutions, enabling them to harmonize their investments with their core values. For instance, I work with a vegetarian school that advocates nonviolence. With direct indexing, they can abstain from investing in gun stocks or defense companies while achieving returns in line with the broader market and staying true to their beliefs.

My practice places a strong emphasis on client education. I'm passionate about ensuring that clients have a deep understanding of their investments: what they hold, the reasons behind their choices, and the potential benefits and risks involved. This approach fosters a sense of mutual understanding, ensuring that both the client and I are on the same page. In the event of unforeseen developments, such as the events of 2022, clients are better equipped to comprehend the situation, anticipate future outcomes, and feel at ease in their financial journey.

One common pain point among advisory clients is the lack of effective communication with their previous advisors. This communication gap can lead to a lack of confidence in their investments and a lack of understanding about their portfolios. My objective is to bridge this gap, forging a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship with clients. We work together as a team, striving for alignment rather than maintaining an adversarial dynamic, thus ensuring we are always on the same page.

When it comes to advising clients, I apply Occam's Razor, a principle that emphasizes simplicity. Instead of creating complex and convoluted portfolios, I opt for straightforward, easy-to-understand allocations. This approach is designed to make clients feel comfortable with their investments and financial strategies.

Moreover, I prioritize client education, ensuring that clients understand what they own, why they own it, and the potential risks and rewards associated with their investments. I believe that a well-informed client is an empowered client.

I also place a strong emphasis on maintaining open communication with my clients. I avoid being a "black box" in their financial planning process, always keeping them aware of what's happening and why it's happening. This approach allows for a close, collaborative relationship with clients, ensuring that we are on the same page as we work together to achieve their financial goals.

Working with Savvy has improved the experience for my clients. It has streamlined many operational aspects that were more cumbersome when I managed my own RIA. In the past, I had to handle various operational tasks such as distributions, new account setup, and sometimes encountered challenges in making these processes as smooth as they should be.

Savvy's technology and their proficient team have made these tasks much simpler for clients. Whether it's onboarding, handling typical client processes like transfers, distributions, or executing trades, their technology and team have significantly eased the burden.

What my clients particularly appreciate is the user-friendly portal. It provides them with a comprehensive view of their financial status. In the past, I found it cumbersome for clients to log into multiple platforms to track their investments and financial data. The portal's ability to aggregate all these details in one place has made it far more convenient for clients to gain a clear overview of their financial life.

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