Simon is chairman of our executive committee, a member of the investment committee and he sets the firm’s vision and development of strategies and services. He also has responsibility for the firm’s Family Office clients.

Before launching BakerAvenue in 2004, Simon was a Managing Director at Bank of America Securities, Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette (DLJ) and Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB).

Simon is a Trustee at Lycée Francais de San Francisco and an active member of the San Francisco chapter of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). Simon lives in Marin with his wife Emilie and children Barclay, Oscar & Juliette.

Making an Impact

Simon helped start the Baker/Simpson fellowship. Each year, the group gives five fully paid scholarships to students from Hartwick College, his alma mater. Students work at a San Francisco start-up and end the summer encouraged, uplifted and realizing anything is possible—with the only requirement they pay it forward with their own positive efforts

A Secret About Simon

For a summer job, Simon covered Wimbledon for HBO during a year that had constant rain delays. During one stormy stoppage, Simon challenged Chris Collinsworth, the famed sportscaster, to a live “slide off” down a muddy embankment. Chris literally jumped into the challenge while Simon, the instigator, held back. Simon’s response: “Those crazy Americans.”

Doug is a tested market specialist with multiple cycles under his belt. He leads the firm’s multi-disciplined (technical, macro, and fundamental) investment approach and is a partner and member of the firm’s executive committee. He is responsible for managing the investment team, the firm’s research process, risk control, due diligence, asset allocation, and the overall performance of BakerAvenue’s strategies.

He enjoys sharing the firm’s market view with clients and external media, pens the firm’s weekly and quarterly updates, and has responsibility for individual client accounts. Doug is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and has held analytical and managerial roles at PaineWebber, Seneca Capital, and Virtus Investment Partners.

Making an Impact

From volunteering time to the National Charities League, Sacred Heart Schools, The Presidio Stewards, and recreational sports, the Coudens maintain an energetic local presence. Doug also manages BakerAvenue’s Impact strategy, which adds a socially responsible overlay to our investment approach.

A Secret About Doug

Doug is quite proud of his former mullet. An avid soccer and basketball player, Doug is fond of saying his flowing locks “gave him wings back in the day.” It even helped him dunk in a high school basketball game once—so he says.

As Chief Strategist, King serves on the executive and investment committees of the firm and is responsible for managing, developing, and communicating our investment strategies and thought leadership, both internally and externally.

King leads the firm’s specialized strategies on Concentrated Stock management and Options. King is also a member of the S&P Dow Jones Indices U.S. Index Committee Advisory Panel and a member of BlackRock’s RIA Advisory Council. He is a regular commentator on CNBC and has been nominated as a Top 100 Independent Wealth Advisor in Barron’s magazine and the San Francisco Business Times. King was named as one of the Top 10 Rising Stars of ETF investing by ETF Report and was named as an expert ETF strategist in the book, “ETF Investment Strategies”.

Making an Impact

King is passionate about bettering the lives of our furry companions, especially dogs. He donates his time, money, and photography skills to animal shelters and sanctuaries finding new homes for animals. Unlike their human counterparts, animals don’t mind his lack of photographic abilities.

A Secret About King

Without reading the cooking instructions, King has an uncanny ability to know the exact microwave cook time of virtually any food item. Unfortunately, this party trick has failed to impress his friends and family.

Jerry is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of the firm including marketing, finance, and human resources as well as sitting on the investment committee.

Prior to joining BakerAvenue, Jerry served as vice president in the Global Wealth Management group at Bank of America Investments. He was also an institutional advisor at both Bear Stearns and Morgan Stanley. His primary responsibility involved fixed-income analysis and portfolio strategies to endowments, corporations, and municipalities, including General Motors, U.S. Steel, and the Regents of the University of California.

Jerry holds a B.A. in Finance from The University of Texas at Arlington and an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University.

Making an Impact

Jerry coaches Special Olympics and is also a member of the fundraising committee for Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, an innovative nonprofit program for people with disabilities and other special needs. Jerry also has led a project to fund and build a computer lab for Old First Reach, an afterschool mentoring program for inner-city youth.

A Secret About Jerry

Jerry experiments with spot and arc welding. After mastering a few more techniques, he plans to weld a metal sculpture for his home garden—assuming his wife Alison approves.

Tom chairs BakerAvenue’s Executive Committee, serves on the Investment Committee, and leads the firm’s strategic roadmap. He is closely engaged with several of the firm’s family office and wealth management relationships, and takes tremendous pride in making BakerAvenue the best company to work with — and to work at.

Before joining BakerAvenue, Tom held senior leadership and operating roles at wealth management firms and multi-family offices, including Chief Operating Officer at ICONiQ Capital and Chief Technology Officer and Head of Operations at Wetherby Asset Management. He also held leadership positions within Wells Fargo’s Wealth Management Group and Consumer Credit Group.

Tom’s career reflects a rare blend of entrepreneurship, technology, and wealth management. He co-founded MiFund, an international cloud-based FinTech company, raising $35 million in Series A and Series B funding. Earlier, he spent several years managing U.S. and international software development teams at SS&C/Advent, and began his career in management consulting — an experience he credits for the disciplined, creative approach he brings to solving problems today.

Tom holds a BA from UCLA and an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), a member of the Financial Planning Association of San Francisco, and a proud veteran who served in Psychological Operations (PSYOP) in the U.S. Army.

Making an Impact

Tom is proud of his work supporting Marin’s immigrant community. A former board member at Canal Alliance, he continues to champion the same organization that helped his own family when they immigrated to the United States in the 1970s.

A Secret About Tom

Not quite Doogie Howser, but close: Tom started kindergarten at age three. He’ll tell you it was because he was gifted. His parents stick to a different story — it was simply a chance to get one of their five kids out of the house.

Joanna is an Enrolled Agent with eighteen years of experience in tax preparation and tax planning. She grew up in Poland, where she worked for several financial institutions, including ING Bank.

Before joining BakerAvenue, Joanna worked at William Shine Company, preparing and reviewing complex tax returns. Her expertise lies in the preparation and analysis of individual, corporate, and partnership returns and tax resolution with the IRS. Joanna’s goal is to identify tax-saving opportunities for her clients.

Joanna holds a Master’s degree in Economics and has completed postgraduate studies in Marketing and Accounting.

Making an Impact

As an immigrant, Joanna understands the importance of community support. She gives back by sharing her experiences with various organizations, including the Polish Professional Women of Silicon Valley and The Expat Woman.

A Secret About Joanna

Joanna is passionate about scuba diving and has achieved a Dive Master certificate.

Nicole is a Sonoma County native with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Accounting and over fifteen years of accounting experience, including eight-plus years in public accounting at firms such as Mengali Accountancy, Moss Adams, and Baker Tilly. She has supported a diverse portfolio of clients across industries including high-net-worth individuals, real estate, financial advisory firms, wineries, and more. Nicole is known for her precision and ability to bring order to complex financial situations, serving as the go-to resource for clean-up work, file remediation, and payroll. She treats every client’s business with the same care she does her own.

Making an Impact

Nicole has a passion for giving back that has taken her across the globe. She has traveled throughout California visiting care homes, spending time with elderly residents and singing alongside a choir. In 2010, she spent three weeks in Kenya volunteering at all-girls schools and hospitals across the region.

A Secret About Nicole

Before becoming a mom of two (soon to be three!), Nicole was a passionate Olympic weightlifter - and she fully intends to get back under the barbell.

Jon has over twenty years of professional experience advising individuals, families, and businesses. He prides himself in providing customized financial advice specifically tailored to the needs of his clients. You will often hear Jon say to “go slower to go faster” as he believes spending time truly understanding a client’s concerns, family dynamic, and passions, are the cornerstone to a successful investment plan.

Prior to joining Baker Avenue, Jon worked as a Senior Wealth Consultant at Charles Schwab where he was a member of the ultra-high net worth team and maintained relationships that had over $5.5 billion with the firm. Jon also spent ten years at Fidelity Investments, both as a Financial Consultant as well as a Vice President on the Advanced Planning Team. Before Fidelity, Jon worked as an attorney in New York and New Jersey with a focus on tax law as well as representing financial services firms.

Jon holds a LL.M. in Taxation with a concentration in Estate Planning from Boston University, a JD from The Ohio State University, and doubled majored at Miami University (Ohio) with Bachelors of Science in Finance and Decision Science.

Making an Impact

Jon believes in giving to those who are less fortunate, both locally and abroad. He volunteers at a local community center. He also collects gently used goods and sends the goods to the less fortunate overseas. Jon is a father of two young girls. In his spare time, he loves coaching soccer and being involved in the community.

A Secret About Jon

Jon grew up on several naval bases as the son of an aviator. He remembers his youth having weekly dinners on an aircraft carrier to spending hours visiting Blue Angels pilots who shared the hanger with his dad’s squadron. In college Jon thought briefly about pursuing a career in aviation himself and became a certified private pilot.

Julia is a key member of BakerAvenue’s Wealth Advisory team in New York City, where she collaborates with clients to develop and implement tailored wealth management strategies. With a focus on aligning financial goals with long-term planning, she leverages her expertise to guide clients through complex financial decisions, ensuring they maximize their financial potential.

Before joining BakerAvenue, Julia was an Associate Wealth Planner at CISA Trust Company, an international trust firm, where she specialized in wealth planning, client relationship management, and trust administration. During her tenure, she earned the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation and became a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Additionally, she holds her Series 65 license and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Making an Impact

Before transitioning into the financial services industry, Julia worked for various nonprofits and foundations. Most notably, she worked for the Goñi and Rey Foundation based in Seville, Spain. The Foundation’s main goal is to accelerate technological development to face major global issues such as healthcare, education, and climate change. During her time at the Foundation, she organized Singularity University’s global summit on how to best utilize exponential technologies to solve humanity’s biggest challenges.

A Secret About Julia

Some may be surprised to know that Julia is from a tiny coastal town in Maine with only 8,500 residents. She even grew up on a farm…but sadly with no animals!

Kathryn is a member of the Growth & Experiences team, where she assists with strategic initiatives to drive growth, efficiency, and excellence throughout the firm. Her position focuses on project management, creating intuitive processes and impactful experiences for clients and colleagues that align with firm goals.

Before joining BakerAvenue, Kathryn worked as an educational consultant, assisting bright students across the Bay Area with applications to some of the most competitive high schools in the country. She holds a dual bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology and History from Santa Clara University and is excited to bring her varied experience to a firm that closely aligns with her desire to make an impact in her community.

Making an Impact

Kathryn is a big proponent of public history and volunteers her time and historical knowledge to the San Francisco Historical Society regularly. She is also an advocate for homeless outreach efforts and has supported her neighbors experiencing housing insecurity and addiction issues in Portland, San Jose, and San Francisco through street outreach efforts.

A Secret About Kathryn

Kathryn is an avid reader and aims to read 50 books a year! She considers herself to be a “print purist” and owns an expansive library containing over one thousand titles (and counting). She’s more than happy to lend you a book — if you return it within the due date, of course.

Brian has enjoyed eight years in the banking industry helping others achieve their financial goals and prioritizing client relationships to make their experience as real and human as possible. As part of the Client Service team, Brian works collaboratively with his colleagues to bring the highest level of service and satisfaction to our clients.

Brian earned a B.A. in Dance from San Francisco State University. He also earned an A.A. in Dance and Transfer Studies in addition to a Certificate of Achievement in Japanese from Diablo Valley College.

Making an Impact

Brian has donated to STAND! For Families Free of Violence which promotes safe, strong families and aims to eliminate family violence in our communities. He also volunteered at The Spahr Center to bring to life Marin County’s first ever Pride event to celebrate and manifest a future where every LGBTQ+ person and persons living with HIV can thrive.

A Secret About Brian

He danced semi-professionally for several years performing in several productions with the Benicia Ballet School—including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty. Additionally, he performed around the Bay Area with the Coterie Dance Company under artistic director, Kimberly Valmore, where he helped bring her many visions to life.

Dan is a Portfolio Manager at BakerAvenue and serves on the investment and financial planning committees. Dan has responsibility for investment strategies, implementations, tax and estate planning, as well as multigenerational/dynasty requisites that materialize across our client base.

Prior to joining BakerAvenue, Dan was a Portfolio Associate at Bingham, Osborn and Scarborough, LLC where he developed comprehensive wealth management solutions for affluent individuals, families, and institutions.

Dan graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in Finance. While at Santa Clara, he served on the financial committee that oversaw part of the school’s endowment. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and member of the CFA Society of San Francisco. He has also earned the CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing to further his knowledge about incorporating Environmental, Social and Governance factors into investment management.

Making an Impact

Dan volunteers with The Guardsmen, a group of young professionals volunteering their time to raise money to provide scholarships and send underprivileged youth to Bay Area camps. He’s also president of San Francisco Ballet Encore!, a group of young professionals supporting the ballet through social events and education.

A Secret About Dan

Dan can single-handedly cook for large groups, frequently preparing meals for 40-50 people all by himself. He even co-chairs an event that cooks a meal for 3,500 people with just fifteen assistants.

At BakerAvenue, David is an integral part of the operations team, primarily supporting processes related to alternative investments. He is responsible for booking and recording transactions and valuation changes among the various vehicles our clients are invested in.

Prior to joining BakerAvenue, David worked as a Senior Client Service Associate at Wetherby Asset Management and as a Credit Analyst with First Republic Bank, where he has built considerable experience in client service, financial analysis, and operations.

David graduated with a B.S. in Finance and a minor in Japanese from San Francisco State University. David has also completed the CFP program with UC Berkeley.

Making an Impact

David is a hobby photographer and enjoys sharing photos of his travels to unique destinations around the world. Through photography, he hopes to educate and share with others how beautiful the Earth is.

A Secret About David

David loves to travel and has been to 21 different countries! Within the U.S., David frequently travels between the East and West coast during the holidays. His most interesting travel story involves him diving the Great Barrier Reef at night and swimming by a shark and sea turtle on the ocean floor.

Howard is a Client Service Associate at BakerAvenue, where he works closely with our team of advisors and support staff to ensure every client feels supported and well-informed in their financial journey. He brings a calm, organized, and client-focused approach to his work, taking pride in making others’ lives a little easier.

Before joining BakerAvenue, Howard worked as an Admin and Client Support Specialist at Radex Markets — a Taiwan/UK-based forex trading platform. Over the past decade, he has gained diverse experience across industries ranging from sales to construction, and each role has reinforced the importance of clear communication, teamwork, and building genuine, lasting friendships.

Making an Impact

Howard is deeply passionate about arts and culture and enjoys supporting creative communities in meaningful ways — whether that be by attending local shows or purchasing pieces from emerging artists. He has also been an active blood donor and supporter of UNICEF, hoping to make a small but meaningful difference in the lives of people facing difficult or uncontrollable circumstances.

A Secret About Howard

He has a love for film photography and rarely travels without a camera in hand. Howard enjoys capturing everyday moments and hidden details around the city. One of his photographs even made it to the top ten of an annual competition hosted by Monster Children magazine.

​As Human Resources Manager at BakerAvenue, Annie partners across the firm to strengthen culture, streamline processes, and ensure that every employee’s experience reflects the firm’s values of care, collaboration, and excellence.

Annie is passionate about creating a workplace where people feel supported, connected, and inspired to do their best work. She brings over ten years of experience in HR and People Operations, most recently in the tech industry, where she focused on building thoughtful programs that helped teams grow and thrive.

Making an Impact

As an avid reader and advocate for public services, Annie enjoys volunteering with the Oakland Library in the summer, helping to provide free lunches to community members.

A Secret About Annie

Some might be surprised to learn that Annie was a certified archery instructor years ago, and since moving near a range in the beautiful Oakland Hills, she’s recently picked the hobby back up.

Michael’s day-to-day responsibilities include strengthening the client experience, as well as driving efficiency within the firm. He plays an active role in rolling out new software for BakerAvenue and enhancing our overall productivity.

Michael brings over 15 years of investment and technology experience to BakerAvenue. Prior to joining to joining the firm, Michael worked as a Director of Operations for a boutique wealth management RIA firm, responsible for client performance reporting, overseeing the portfolio management systems, trading and rebalancing, and workflow automation.

Michael graduated from California State University, Northridge with a B.A. in Business Finance and Economics.

Making an Impact

Michael studies herbs and their many functions to heal the human body. He has made a positive impact in helping family members and friends close to him with conditions including diabetes, migraines, digestion, circulation, and more. One of Michael’s favorite quotes is from Paracelsus: “The art of healing comes from nature and not from the physician. Therefore, the physician must start from nature with an open mind.”

A Secret About Michael

Michael has a passionate admiration for the art, philosophy, music, and traditions of Asian culture, influenced early in his career when he worked in Hong Kong.

Karen brings over 20 years of experience to the client service team at BakerAvenue, drawing on a diverse background in private investments and customer service. As part of the Client Service team in San Francisco, Karen partners closely with colleagues across the firm to ensure clients feel supported and connected.

While pursuing a degree in Biochemistry at the University of British Columbia, Karen took a job at a bank and discovered the world of wealth management. What started as a part-time role sparked a career devoted to helping individuals and families navigate financial decisions with care and confidence.

Making an Impact

Karen’s love for animals has led her to become a proud proponent of animal rescue operations, like her favorite advocate, Rocky Kanaka. Karen also volunteers with her children at Peninsula Food Runners, picking up excess perishable and prepared food from participating donors and delivering the surplus to community organizations that feed those in need around the Bay Area.

A Secret about Karen

Karen can be found laughing hysterically at videos or commercials where animals behave like humans. Although she would not be laughing if she ever found her 4-year-old, 100-pound Labrador retriever, Diogee, cooking dinner… She would be overjoyed!

Tom has over thirty years of experience in the financial services industry, after picking up the Wall Street Journal for the very first time and never putting it down. Based in Atlanta, he prides himself on being a “people person” and is happiest connecting with new families to help them achieve their goals.

Prior to BakerAvenue, Tom spent over 20 years at Fidelity Investments in high-net-worth client-facing advisory roles. He was most recently the Director of Subadvisory Services for Crawford Investment Counsel from 2020 to 2026. Tom is also a Certified Wealth Strategist®.

Making an Impact

During the spring and fall sports seasons, Tom volunteers as a coach for North Metro Miracle League. NMML is an organization that provides supportive programming for children, youth, and adults with disabilities. It’s a family affair that provides players with a team jersey, the chance to learn a new sport, and parents get some time off to make memories and cheer on their kids.

A Secret About Tom

Growing up in the Northeast with two working parents, Tom and his sister were the first “latchkey” kids in his neighborhood, left largely to their own devices. After a big snowstorm, he took the initiative to knock on neighbors’ doors to shovel driveways at just seven years old. He continued to do the same with a lawnmower in the summers, and this enterprising spirit taught him a strong work ethic at a very young age. His first investments with his earnings were baseball cards, not stocks and bonds, which he admits was a bad decision.

Michael is the Managing Director, Wealth Solutions for BakerAvenue and will be working with strategic partners, attorneys, CPAs, executives, and new clients referred to BakerAvenue to make sure we are a fit to work together. He will be working in states West of the Mississippi River to help match BakerAvenue’s capabilities with client needs, to ensure an exceptional experience for everyone working together.

Michael graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Webster University in Irvine, California and then completed an Executive MBA from the University of Colorado in Denver. Michael began his career in the financial services in the early 90’s after serving in the United States Marine Corps. He completed the Morgan Stanley new Financial Advisor training program in 1997 and was recruited to Wells Fargo Advisors in 1999 and spent almost 17 years at the firm with increasing responsibility, leaving in 2015 as a Senior Vice President and Area Sales Manager. Since that time Michael has been a Director at Fidelity Investments, Senior Director of Sales for a technology start-up, a Region Manager for US Bancorp Wealth Management and is now happy to call BakerAvenue his home.

Making an Impact

Michael’s career has had him moving coast to coast across the United States and back. He most recently returned to Southern California in October 2021 and he looks forward to finding local opportunities to serve his community. In the past he has been involved in projects with Habitat for Humanity, home renovation (and disaster cleanup) projects through his church in Florida, assisting with food backs in different states, and coaching and officiating youth sports.

A Secret About Michael

Michael is an adrenaline junkie. His favorite movie from the 90’s is Point Break so much that his oldest son is named Bodee after Patrick Swayze’s character Bodhi in the movie. Michael has been a skateboarder, surfer, motocross racer, snowboarder, has tried skydiving and paragliding, been cliff jumping and done many more exciting things. He continues to have a love of the outdoors but now does more surfing and the occasional triathlon. Michael completed a bucket list goal of completing a full Ironman race (2.4-mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 run for a total of 140.6 miles of fun) at elevation in Boulder Colorado in 2017.

With nearly 25 years of experience, Geoff specializes in helping clients build generational wealth through strategic retirement planning. He is dedicated to a philosophy of service and defines success by his ability to help clients reach their goals for financial independence and make their lifestyle dreams a reality.

Prior to BakerAvenue, Geoff served in regional management roles in Texas and Florida at Fidelity Investments and spearheaded mentoring programs for young consultants. He helped guide Texas’ Plano Investor Center in reaching the #1 spot at Fidelity nationally. Geoff’s niche understanding of market dynamics (especially during downturns) helped him tailor long-term relationships with hundreds of families over the years and he has been recognized as a company leader in client satisfaction scores.

Geoff received a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Production from Eastern New Mexico University. He is also a Certified Financial Planner™.

Making an Impact

As an advocate for helping others achieve security, Geoff cares deeply about making a difference for Dallas’ homeless. He volunteers his time at fundraising events for Operation Care International, an organization that has helped more than 300,000 local households since 1993. Geoff is also active with the NTX Community Food Pantry, including work on the annual ‘Soup & Bowl’ event that raises hundreds of thousands of dollars by teaming up with popular area restaurants.

A Secret About Geoff

As a left-handed pitcher with a 90 mile-per-hour fastball in college, Geoff set multiple records at Eastern New Mexico University including a highly-celebrated ‘no hitter’ against a tough division rival. He went on to play professional minor league ball in Clarksville, Tennessee and his love of athletics now carries over to mountain biking, kayaking, and eco-destination travel.

With 24 years of dedicated experience in financial services, Nick is passionate about enhancing the financial well-being of high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, small businesses, and private endowments. Drawing on extensive expertise, he guides clients through complex wealth management challenges, including wealth transfer strategies, tax and estate optimization, investments, and comprehensive planning, including a special focus on strategic philanthropy. Nick’s commitment is to deliver tailored and customized solutions, ensuring clients can feel confident and secure in their financial health, both now and as their needs evolve.

Prior to joining BakerAvenue, Nick was a VP – Sr. Financial Consultant at Charles Schwab where he served wealth management clients in a similar capacity as he does today. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in finance and is a current Certified Financial Planner professional.

Making an Impact

Nick is committed to the San Francisco community and participates in a mix of volunteer opportunities ranging from lending a hand to the homeless at the St. Anthony’s Dining Room to organizing holiday gift/fundraising events for families experiencing homelessness at Raphael House. In addition, Nick spends time educating his two young daughters on the importance of being good environmental stewards and fostering their desire to help their neighborhood by picking up trash and keeping their local storm drain clear.

A Secret About Nick

As a passionate outdoorsman, Nick has found himself with multiple, less than ideal, wild animal encounters including a bear, moose, wolf, and a mountain lion. The bear was the funniest, the moose the scariest, the wolf the sneakiest, and the mountain lion the coolest.

Brie is a Wealth Advisory Manager at BakerAvenue, where she provides comprehensive support to clients and collaborates closely with the advisory team. She began her career in financial services at First Republic Bank before joining Capital Advantage, a mid-sized Bay Area wealth management firm. During her time there, she earned her Series 65 license and the Certified Financial Planner™ designation.

Prior to BakerAvenue, Brie served as a Wealth Advisor at Conquis Financial, a boutique firm where she specialized in advising top-tier law firm partners on comprehensive financial planning and investment management strategies.

Originally from Orange County, Brie now lives in Berkeley with her husband and two daughters.

Making an Impact

Brie is actively involved with Financial Women of San Francisco, where she supports the organization’s mission by interviewing scholarship candidates and mentoring recipients as they begin their careers in financial services. She regularly attends FWSF events to connect with peers, learn from more tenured professionals, and help support and inspire the next generation of women in the industry.

A Secret About Brie

She starts each day with a workout—whether it’s Pilates, Peloton, or weightlifting—which she considers an essential part of her routine and a key driver of positive momentum for the day ahead. Her favorite Peloton instructor is Cody Rigsby, and you’ll often find her riding along in one of his pop rides.

Erik is an Enrolled Agent who brings eleven years of tax preparation and tax planning experience to the team.

Before joining BakerAvenue, Erik worked at Moskowitz LLP preparing and reviewing complex tax returns. His specialty is preparing and analyzing individual, entity, trust, and gift tax returns. Many of the returns Erik has prepared have been used in sensitive tax court cases and audits. Erik’s goal is to highlight your personal tax saving opportunities.

Erik has Master’s degrees in Taxation, Financial Analysis, Financial Planning, and Accounting Data & Analytics. He also has graduate certificates in Estate Planning and Accountancy and a Bachelor’s degree in Managerial Economics.

Making an Impact

To make an impact, Erik tries to make time to tutor students in need in their college courses, especially in business-related subjects. He enjoys seeing others learn.

A Secret About Erik

Erik is an avid fan of “The Office”.

Tim has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He works with our strategic referral partners east of the Mississippi River to make sure that BakerAvenue is a good fit for what their clients want to accomplish with their financial goals.

Tim graduated from Cabrini College with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Communications. Prior to joining BakerAvenue, Tim worked as the Head of Business Development at Crawford Investment Counsel. Throughout his career, he has worked in a variety of sales roles for Hartford Financial, JP Morgan, Invesco, and Prudential, and really enjoys seeing clients set and achieve their financial goals in life. He is happy to be at BakerAvenue and loves the boutique, family-friendly feel of the firm.

Making an Impact

Tim enjoys volunteering to help coach his three boys’ ice hockey, basketball, and baseball teams. He was fortunate to have some great coaches throughout his life and hopes to make the same impact for the next generation.

A Secret About Tim

Tim is the youngest of eight children and credits much of his success in life to getting beat up constantly by his older brothers. He played basketball in college and has a high score of 42 points in one game.

As an experienced tax preparer, Shayan brings eight years of tax planning and experience in both individual and business taxation to BakerAvenue. His background includes work on the partnership team at BPM, where he prepared real estate partnership returns and calculated partner basis.

Shayan holds a Master’s in Accounting from Saint Mary’s College, where he strengthened his technical tax knowledge through various roles in public accounting.

Making an Impact

As the son of small business owners, Shayan goes out of his way to support locally owned, small businesses in the Bay Area. His favorite thing to do is organize monthly hiking excursions he’s coined “Trail & Lunch Day” that conclude with a meal at a family-owned restaurant, reflecting his belief that strengthening community starts with supporting the small businesses that anchor it.

A Secret About Shayan

Shayan loves to spend his free time hiking around the Bay Area and is working towards a goal of visiting every National Park in California. He is also passionate about the art of making coffee and hopes to one day open his own small-town coffee shop — although he doesn’t particularly enjoy caffeine himself!

Terry brings over 20 years of client service experience in the financial industry. He plays an integral role on BakerAvenue’s client service team, primarily supporting the Southwest region.

With a design background from Otis Parsons School of Design, he relocated to the Bay Area to work with a hand painted fabric designer involved with the international interior design market. At that time, he realized he had an interest in finance as well and made the decision to transition to a financial services role.

Making an Impact

Terry enjoys anything nature-related and has participated in local park and neighborhood clean-ups to beautify and support the community. He provides support to an organization dedicated to Redwood Forest conservation efforts, and any chance he has to go on a hike and have a picnic is high on his list of activities, where he often picks up any litter on the trails when possible. He has also spent time volunteering for the local public television station.

A Secret About Terry

Terry is highly interested in the arts and frequents the local museums as often as possible, rarely missing a season of San Francisco’s world class ballet and opera performances, as well as attending many theatrical events throughout the year.

Amy Hepburn is a recognized Impact Investing expert and social entrepreneur who believes in pushing the boundaries of philanthropy. She accelerates social change by strategically leveraging resources, talent and amplifier platforms for maximum social impact.

She has spent 20 years driving social change in the public and private sectors with expertise in the advancement of women and girls globally and protection of children in crises. Amy is on faculty at Duke University and George Washington University and advises governments, philanthropists, corporations, and foundations on social impact strategies committed to finding new solutions to society’s most complex challenges.

Making an Impact

Amy was an appointed Delegate on the 2018 G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council and a current member of the Global Women’s Forum for Economy and Society. She co-founded the Duke University Global Governance and Policy Program on Human Rights and Humanitarian Action in Geneva, Switzerland.

A Secret About Amy

Looking for adventure two weeks after college graduation, Amy boarded a plane to Sarajevo at the conclusion of the Balkan war. What began as a 2-month volunteer commitment turned into a 20-year humanitarian career. Amy’s “adventure” has affirmed the most fundamental tenet to her social impact work – that we are all more similar than we are different.

James is a Director of Investment Management at BakerAvenue and has responsibilities in the firm’s specialized strategies on concentrated stock management and options. James primarily focuses on technical analysis to evaluate the trends and patterns of the markets. As a member of the Investment Committee, he also supports the team on research and analysis.

Prior to joining BakerAvenue, James was a Portfolio Manager at Cresset Capital where he was responsible for the construction and implementation of client portfolios.

James attended Cal State Fullerton and graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Finance. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) and a member of the CFA Society of San Francisco.

Making an Impact

James and his wife are passionate about education, donating funds to support local education initiatives in the Bay Area. Their financial contributions have provided art supplies, technology tools, and books to local elementary and middle school classrooms in the public school district where James’ wife works as a teacher. As a team, James and his wife are working to create a series of teachable units geared towards educating students on the real-world applications of math and developing basic financial literacy to better prepare children for their future.

A Secret About James

James is fluent in three languages: Korean, Spanish, and English. He is a Korean native and lived in Ecuador for six years before moving to the States when he was 12 years old.

Koji is an Enrolled Agent, the highest credential awarded by the Internal Revenue Service. As a valued member of our tax team, he specializes in tax return preparation and strategic tax planning, helping clients identify and maximize tax-saving opportunities.

Koji has worked with several tax accounting firms, most recently Smith & Company, CPAs. His primary expertise is in the preparation and analysis of individual income tax returns, where his detail-oriented approach ensures accuracy, compliance, and optimal outcomes for clients.

He holds a PhD in Physics and brings exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills to his tax practice, allowing him to navigate complex tax matters with precision.

Making an Impact

Koji is deeply committed to youth education and community involvement. He volunteers with the Japanese Bilingual-Bicultural Program at Rosa Parks Elementary School, where he draws on his Japanese heritage and prior experience as an educator to support students’ learning and cultural development.

A Secret About Koji

Koji’s professional journey is uniquely diverse. Before pursuing a career in taxation, he worked as both a scientist and an elementary school teacher. Outside of work, he enjoys surfing, cooking, and reading.

Cassandra graduated from high school a year early in Colorado and relocated to Texas, where she continued her education while launching her professional career. Over the past five years, she has worked directly with clients in the RV industry, guiding them through the buying and selling process while managing documentation and ensuring accuracy at every step. Supporting clients through complex transactions strengthened her client-focused approach and attention to detail — qualities she now brings to BakerAvenue as a Client Service Associate, with a passion for helping others navigate important decisions with care, clarity, and confidence.

Making an Impact

Cassandra is active in her community, where she co-leads a women’s bible study. She also enjoys encouraging others and finding meaningful ways to spread positivity, which often includes creating thoughtful, handmade gifts that she loves to share.

A Secret About Cassandra

Cassandra loves staying active in the CrossFit community and playing golf, but she’s also a homebody at heart who enjoys homestead-style activities and cozying up with a good book.

Terra supports the operations team as a Senior Client Service Associate in the San Francisco office. Prior to her work at BakerAvenue, over the course of four years, Terra earned both a B.A. in Economics and an M.S. in Applied Economics and Finance from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Making an Impact

In recent years, Terra has actively participated in various volunteer opportunities, including local trash clean-ups and food drives. During her college tenure, Terra took part in philanthropic initiatives benefiting her local CASA organization and has contributed to various fundraisers, including designing and selling sweatshirts to support the Step-Up Women’s Network.

A Secret About Terra

Beyond her professional endeavors, Terra finds joy in pottery, cooking, spending quality time with friends and family, and exploring new destinations.

Sonia is a Senior Wealth Associate at BakerAvenue, where she supports the Wealth Advisory team. After several years teaching high school seniors in Johannesburg, Sonia transitioned into finance, earning her CFA designation along the way. She brings a unique perspective, blending her passion for education with the analytical rigor of wealth management. Sonia is excited to apply her skills to help clients achieve their financial goals.

Making an Impact

Before moving to the U.S., Sonia led impact initiatives at her previous job, focusing on expanding educational access and addressing broader community needs. Now in the U.S., she’s excited to find new volunteer opportunities and has already begun leading community yoga classes for her neighbors in her building.

A Secret About Sonia

An avid amateur dancer, Sonia peaked during a spontaneous dance-off at a local hotspot in Johannesburg. Armed with a not-so-smooth moonwalk and a sprinkle of jazz hands, she left her opponents spinning and strutted off with a brand-new Blackberry as her prize. Now semi-retired from her dance floor glory, her shoes are hung up… but never too far from reach!

Hannah started at BakerAvenue in 2012. She has played an integral part in developing a strong client service and operations team and contributed to the tremendous growth and success of the firm. After a decade of working in client service and operations at BakerAvenue, Hannah parted with the firm. Two years later, however, upon finding a new calling, she has returned and is transitioning her career to explore a path in wealth management.

Before joining the firm, Hannah held roles with Ameriprise Financial Advisors and Northwestern Mutual followed by a role in retail banking with Citibank in San Francisco. Hannah was in a banking and wealth management position with Credit Suisse when she met Simon Baker and joined BakerAvenue.

Making an Impact

Hannah is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to raise her two children in San Francisco, a city that offers countless ways to teach them the value of community engagement. When she isn’t carpooling them across the Bay Area for their sports activities, you’ll find her volunteering at a local food bank with coworkers, running 5ks to support her children’s school, or finding other meaningful ways to give back to her community.

A Secret About Hannah

Hannah has two birthdays: a “real” one and a “fake” one. In South Korea where she was born, birth certificates used to be hand-written. Her parents got the day mixed up and wrote down the incorrect date by two days. Her identity is now tied to a wrong birthday, and even a different horoscope sign. The silver linings, however, were she turned 21 two days sooner, and now celebrates an entire birth week.

With 27 years in the Financial Services industry, Kris has extensive experience delivering integrated wealth and estate planning, retirement planning, and risk management solutions to clients. In addition to his advisory role at BakerAvenue, he focuses on working with strategic partners, such as attorneys and CPAs of clients, to develop lasting relationships.

Prior to joining BakerAvenue, he spent the first seven years of his career at two prominent wealth and estate planning firms in and around New York City. He later joined Fidelity Investments, where he worked for ten years as a Vice President, Financial Consultant in their Orlando Branch, and as a Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor for their Private Wealth Management division serving ultra-high-net-worth clients in northern Florida.

Kris holds a Bachelor of Science in Financial Management from Clemson University and currently belongs to the Financial Planning Association of Central Florida.

Making an Impact

As a former lacrosse player in the Northeast, Kris volunteered as a coach for both his daughters’ middle school lacrosse teams for nine years (18 seasons). He decided to hang up the whistle this past season and now volunteers his time to his youngest daughter’s Varsity high school lacrosse team and other activities in which she participates. He and his family also volunteer to assist in building homes with Habitat for Humanity at one of their local chapters in Orlando during the summer months.

A Secret About Kris

Adventurous by nature, Kris’s hobbies include fishing, boating, snow skiing, surfing, world travel, and taking trips on the family boat to the Bahamas and Florida Keys. He and his family even bought a piece of land on an island on the Caribbean side of Panama and built a small bungalow-style surf and fishing home on the property. The home was only accessible by boat as there were no roads or cars on the island. The area was called Bocas del Toro, and the inhabitants were primarily indigenous tribes.

Sanden joined the BakerAvenue team as a Wealth Associate and plays an integral role supporting advisors in the Dallas office.

Sanden graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a bachelor’s degree in international business and finance, where he focused on financial planning and investment management. He worked for the school’s financial advising office and as an analyst for the school investment fund.

Making an Impact

Sanden has been a longtime supporter and volunteer of the Appalachian Service Project (ASP), where he has served impoverished communities by raising money to do projects such as house remodeling.

A Secret About Sanden

Sanden grew up in Baltimore, MD and always enjoyed the snowy season.

Joe is a Wealth Associate at BakerAvenue, where he plays a key role in supporting advisors in the Dallas office. He brings a strong foundation in financial planning and a deep commitment to client success.

Joe earned his bachelor’s degree in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech University. During his time there, he was actively involved in student organizations dedicated to promoting financial literacy, including Red to Black and Knowledge Empowering You (KEY). Inspired by his grandmother, who worked in the financial services industry for over 20 years, Joe knew early on he wanted to help others make informed, confident financial decisions.

Prior to joining BakerAvenue, Joe began his career at Charles Schwab, where he cultivated his passion for delivering exceptional client experiences in a fast-paced brokerage environment.

Making an Impact

Joe is passionate about financial education and enjoys giving back to the community through Moneywise America in the Fort Worth area. He was also actively involved with local food drives, thrift stores, museums, and libraries in the Midland and Lubbock communities.

A Secret about Joe

Joe comes from a family of avid golfers and enjoys playing new courses whenever he gets a chance.

Edgar joins BakerAvenue as the Salesforce Administrator, bringing over 17 years of experience in the tech industry and more than 10 years of experience in Salesforce implementations, focusing on optimizing customer relationships. At BakerAvenue, he is responsible for troubleshooting Salesforce-related ticket requests and collaborating with team members on process improvement initiatives.

Before joining BakerAvenue, Edgar led the technology department at a middle school in San Francisco, where he designed and implemented case management and asset tracking systems on the Salesforce platform. He also led the development of an AI-driven chatbot to enhance the customer experience on public-facing websites and improved case management at a global enterprise legal tech company.

Edgar graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Master’s in Information Systems and holds a BS in Computer Engineering from San Jose State University.

Making an Impact

Edgar joined AmeriCorps for volunteer work and served at a high school in West Oakland, where he helped develop classroom tech integration and incorporate technology into curricula. He regularly takes his kids to volunteer at the SF Food Bank and the San Francisco Ronald McDonald House to emphasize the importance of giving back to the community.

A Secret About Edgar

In his free time, Edgar enjoys traveling with his family and exploring different cultures and cuisines. He likes cooking for family and friends. Ask him about his special crab dip recipe and refreshing blueberry gin and tonic recipe. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening in his small backyard.

Prior to BakerAvenue, Eddie worked in Human Resources for 3 years. He developed a passion for client-facing roles, while helping people navigate their career trajectory. At BakerAvenue, he plays a fundamental role in supporting the San Francisco Wealth Advisory team and looks forward to helping people navigate their finances.

Eddie discovered his enjoyment of learning about financial instruments and investment vehicles while he studied economics at San Diego State University.

Making an Impact

Eddie enjoys taking part in beach cleanups and supporting organizations that protect the ocean. During the pandemic, Eddie also volunteered as a dog walker and made many four-legged friends, with George the Mastiff being his favorite.

A Secret About Eddie

In his free time, Eddie likes to travel, go on road trips along the coast, and learn about nutrition/fitness.

As BakerAvenue’s Director of Estate Planning, Simon Mayali works with clients to identify their estate planning goals and options and helps them understand the complexities of estate and gift taxation. He began his career as an attorney in Chicago, where he developed a passion for helping clients plan for the future and navigate the intricacies of estate administration. He later obtained his LL.M in taxation with a focus on estate planning in order to work with clients on complex estate and gift tax issues.

Prior to joining BakerAvenue, Simon was an associate in the International Tax department at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Houston, and an attorney for several boutique trusts and estates firms in San Francisco. He holds a B.A. from UCLA, a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, and a Taxation LL.M from Northwestern School of Law. He is a member of the San Francisco Bar Association and is licensed to practice law in California, Illinois, Texas, and Washington D.C.

Making an Impact

As the former co-chair of The Bar Association of San Francisco Barristers Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Section, Simon helped put together a training session for attorneys to use when establishing pro bono estate plans for frontline workers when the pandemic first started.

A Secret About Simon

Simon loves to travel and has been stung by a jellyfish twice (likely not the same jellyfish but who knows), once in Miami and another time in Thailand. He’s not striving for a third sting but would probably take it if it meant he could be on a beach in the Seychelles.

Madeline is a Client Service Associate based in the San Francisco office. Before joining the team, she spent eight years in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, providing strategic operations support to mission-driven organizations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She brings strong organizational skills and a collaborative, solutions-focused mindset to her work and is excited to transition into the financial service space. Madeline takes a human-centered approach to client service and believes thoughtful, personalized support is key to helping clients manage their wealth and achieve their goals.

Madeline earned her BA from Connecticut College, where she majored in Sociology, minored in Dance, and completed a certificate in Public Policy and Community Action.

Making an Impact

Madeline is deeply committed to community engagement and social impact, particularly in housing, healthcare, and food access. Growing up in Seattle, she volunteered with Plymouth Housing, a nonprofit providing permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. She spent the last three years as a Volunteer Committee Member, organizing fundraising events and promoting the organization’s mission. Since relocating to San Francisco, she has continued her involvement in the community through Foodwise, a nonprofit that operates the Ferry Building Farmers Market and delivers food education programming and access throughout the Bay Area.

A Secret About Madeline

Madeline has 17 years of training in ballet and modern dance and has been practicing yoga for over 15 years. She became a certified yoga teacher in 2018 and stays connected to movement by taking classes regularly, attending dance performances, and advocating for arts programming.

At BakerAvenue, Nick has responsibility for executing equity and fixed income trades. Being a member of the Investment Committee, he supports the team on research and analysis. In addition, he coordinates portfolio implementation and strategy rebalancing with the Wealth Advisory team.

Nick grew up in Sonoma County where he attended Sonoma State University and graduated Cum Laude with a B.S. in both Accounting and Finance. From there, he pursued his MBA at St. Mary’s College of California in Moraga. He graduated with Honors with a Finance Concentration.

Making an Impact

Nick has pitched in with his local high school baseball team, helping the players learn from his experience playing in college. Nick was also a Eucharistic minister at his local church.

A Secret About Nick

Nick went to speech class until he was 10 when he discovered he had a hearing issue. Surprisingly, he cannot go to the movies because the theaters are too loud for him.

Antonio brings over 25 years of industry experience to BakerAvenue, working in Operations, as a Trader, and more recently as a Client Service Associate with various other RIA’s. He enjoys helping others achieve their financial goals by providing exceptional service so they can focus on the things that matter to them most.

Antonio has a B.A. in Economics from San Francisco State University.

Making an Impact

Antonio’s mantra in life is to make each day a better day than yesterday. He practices this not just in the workplace, but also every day in life, especially when there’s an opportunity to help and improve local communities like volunteering at Habitat for Humanity. He also enjoys volunteering as a basketball and volleyball coach at local elementary schools.

A Secret About Antonio

Antonio is an avid traveler, having been to Zurich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Rome, Barcelona, Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Palermo, London, Paris, and Manila. If he could have any superpower, he wishes to have the superpower to fly so he can travel the world wherever and whenever he wants. In the meantime, getting on an airplane will have to do.

Mike is Chief Compliance Officer at BakerAvenue, where he works closely with firm leadership, advisors, and business teams to foster a culture of integrity, accountability, and practical risk management. With more than 25 years of experience in financial services compliance, including leadership roles at Charles Schwab, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America, Mike has spent his career helping firms navigate complexity while maintaining the confidence and trust that are essential to strong client relationships.

He believes compliance is most effective when it protects clients, supports advisors, and helps preserve the trust placed in the firm every day.

Making an Impact

Beyond BakerAvenue, Mike has been actively involved in the San Mateo County community for many years. He has volunteered through his children’s schools, participated in local park cleanups, and helped deliver food to families during holiday food drives. He also enjoys taking part in community traditions and has spent time behind the microphone as an announcer for his hometown’s annual Fourth of July parade. Supporting the community where his family lives has always been important to him.

A Secret About Michael

Growing up in Colorado sparked Mike’s love of the outdoors, a passion he continues to enjoy today in California. Whether it’s skiing, hiking, fishing, or simply spending time outside with family and friends, he’s happiest when he’s out exploring.

Cheryl is a fifth-generation San Franciscan with over 16 years of experience across corporate and domestic operations. She has served as Chief of Staff and Business Operations lead for Bay Area startups and corporations, and as Director of Residences, Estate Manager, House Manager, and Personal & Executive Assistant in private households. Her deep local network and meticulous organizational skills make her a trusted resource for streamlining operations and elevating service standards.

Making an Impact

Cheryl has performed Chief of Staff duties for several Bay Area startups and corporations, including interfacing with senior leaders on strategic issues and leading philanthropy initiatives for public and private fundraising, as well as raising charitable donations.

A Secret About Cheryl

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Cheryl is a certified 200-hour Yoga Alliance instructor and an OSHA-certified Ergonomics Specialist. She’s performed workplace ergonomics assessments for some of the largest companies in the Bay Area and across the nation—helping teams stay healthy, productive, and aligned.

Charles joined the BakerAvenue team as a Wealth Associate and brings a unique perspective to the world of finance with a strong background in education. Before transitioning into wealth management, Charles spent 15 years teaching upper-level mathematics at Title I schools, where he was deeply committed to helping students build strong foundations for their futures. His experience in education cultivated his strengths in communication, problem-solving, and guiding others toward long-term success—skills that translate seamlessly into supporting clients and advisors in the financial world.

Charles holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of North Texas and is passionate about continuing to learn and grow in the financial planning space.

Making an Impact

Charles continues to support education by volunteering at Newman Smith High School, where he mentors students and advocates for academic opportunity and achievement.

A Secret About Charles

On weekends, Charles can often be found in his garage woodworking shop, where he enjoys designing and building furniture by hand.

Matt has over a decade of wealth management experience across Silicon Valley and New York City, specializing in high-net-worth wealth planning, concentrated stock management, and equity compensation. He believes in building deep, long-term relationships with clients to better understand their financial goals and develop comprehensive financial plans that provide a clear framework for achieving them.

Matt is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and earned his degree in Financial Counseling and Planning from Purdue University. The program is ranked by Financial Planning as one of the Top 25 Great Financial Planning programs within the United States.

Making an Impact
Matt is a member of the Emerging Advisors Network at the San Francisco Foundation, where he meets with peers throughout the year to exchange ideas and insights on philanthropy and issues impacting the Bay Area. Through this involvement, Matt is committed to deepening his understanding of philanthropy and how thoughtful giving can improve the quality of life across the region.

A Secret About Matt
An avid traveler, Matt studied abroad in Florence during college and continued traveling throughout Western Europe, visiting 16 countries and more than 26 cities. He has since expanded his travels to include Thailand, Mexico City, Japan, and Portugal.

Gerry brings 25 years of tax experience gained at public accounting firms KPMG and Deloitte, investment banks Lazard and Sociiete Generale, and most recently San Francisco tax law firm Moskowitz LLP. Gerry is an Enrolled Agent (EA) the premier tax accreditation recognized by the IRS. Areas of special interest include estate planning strategies, retirement planning, real estate tax minimization and US reporting of assets held overseas.

Making an Impact

Gerry supports the Northern California chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation after the genetic condition took a beloved brother and sister at a young age.

A Secret About Gerry

Growing up in Belfast, Ireland, Gerry was an All-Ireland Irish Dance Champion at the tender age of 14 - (think Riverdance) - although weekends are now devoted to the much more gentler pursuit of getting thrown off his surfboard by a 3-footer at Bolinas beach in Marin county..

Elena works closely with the BakerAvenue Wealth Advisory team based in San Francisco. She assists her team to deliver comprehensive financial solutions to our clients so they can reach both their short- and long-term financial goals. Elena is pursuing the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation and she has recently passed the CFP® exam. Prior to joining BakerAvenue, she interned with the Financial Planning Association of San Francisco. As part of their virtual financial planning program, Elena acquired both theoretical and technical skills in personal finance. While studying in college, she also had the opportunity to serve clients at Bank of America, and intern at First Republic Bank on the Private Equity Loan team.

Making an Impact

Elena believes financial literacy should be taught from a young age. Last year she volunteered with OrangeNote, a nonprofit that empowers students by teaching them what matters in the real world. During tax season, Elena also volunteers as a tax preparer with VITA, a tax program founded by the IRS to help low-income individuals and families file their taxes at no cost.

A Secret About Elena

Not many know that Elena grew up in a small village in Moldova, on a large farmland with many domestic animals- including a horse named Dusea. During her childhood, she and her family used a carriage to travel around her village. In Moldova, Elena received her degree in teaching, as she loves helping others. She is looking forward to the opportunity to once again ride a horse along a coastal beach.

Christina brings over 12 years of expertise to BakerAvenue’s Client Service Team, with a background spanning client success, consumer lending, and financial services at Goldman Sachs, OneMain Financial, and a fintech startup. Based in Dallas, she is passionate about delivering an exceptional client experience and serving as a trusted advocate. Christina’s strong problem-solving skills and professionalism enable her to anticipate client needs and provide solutions that foster confidence and long-term relationships.

Making an Impact

Christina is passionate about giving back to her community through donations and volunteering. She actively supports several Dallas-based organizations, such as Genesis Women’s Shelter and Modest Muse — the latter of which she previously served as a board member, empowering women through personal and business development resources and community support.

A Secret About Christina

Christina is extremely family-oriented and is the proud middle child of five sisters. On the weekends, you’ll often find her hosting gatherings for friends and family, riding her bike, or taking classes at a local yoga studio. Her guilty pleasure is watching cooking shows, and she’s currently learning to bake by creating new desserts every month.

With a diverse background spanning private equity, the mortgage industry, marketing, and customer service, Amy brings a well-rounded, relationship-focused approach to her role as Client Service Associate at BakerAvenue Wealth Management. Prior to joining BakerAvenue, she worked in investor relations within private equity, where she supported capital raising efforts, investor onboarding, SEC compliance, and event planning. Building and nurturing relationships with investors was at the core of her role. Amy’s varied professional journey has helped her to develop strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering excellent client service.

Making an Impact

Giving back to her community is something Amy holds dear to her heart. Alongside her daughters, she volunteers at her local humane society and the Tarrant County Food Bank. Amy is also actively involved at her children’s schools, supporting events and classroom activities whenever possible. Each year, Amy participates in a local initiative to distribute Thanksgiving meals to families in need, which continues to remind her of the importance of both service and compassion.

A Secret About Amy

Outside of work, you’ll often find Amy in the kitchen baking—especially cookies! She loves trying out new recipes and sharing homemade treats with family and neighbors. Amy also has a passion for travel and enjoys planning and taking adventures with her kids. Creating meaningful memories and experiences together is something she truly values, as Amy believes those shared moments are far more lasting than material possessions.

Sheila brings over 20 years of client management experience to BakerAvenue. She partners with her clients to help them envision, plan for, and create the lives that they desire. She co-chairs BakerAvenue’s Financial Feminism initiative with the goal of helping women reach their highest financial potential, both personally and professionally. She has served on the FPA of San Francisco Board since 2018 and most recently held the President role.

Sheila holds a B.A. in History and a Masters in Business Administration from Santa Clara University. She is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and serves on the board of the San Francisco Financial Planning Association.

Making an Impact

Sheila helps move women forward in economic empowerment and political participation in human rights by serving on the Vital Voices Bay Area Council. She also serves as Secretary and Treasurer for the Rabaut Family Foundation, which invests in organizations taking on the complicated issues around mental health.

A Secret About Sheila

Sheila’s family moved a lot growing up – about every three years. This instilled a curiosity in the energy and diversity of cultures and people from an early age, from exploring big cities like Istanbul to chilling under the stars on the shores of a Michigan lake.

Glen Rives has been helping clients plan their futures for over 25 years. He provides comprehensive wealth management, financial planning, and coordination of all aspects of a client’s financial life with strategic partners such as estate attorneys and CPAs.

Prior to BakerAvenue, Glen worked as a wealth advisor for both small RIAs and large financial institutions. He practiced estate and probate law in Texas for several years prior to becoming a wealth advisor and obtaining his CFP.

Glen holds his JD from South Texas College of Law, a Master of Science in Sports Studies from Miami University (Ohio), and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Texas in Austin. Glen and his wife, Adele, have two children, Luke who plays football and runs track at Dartmouth, and Haley, who is a student at the University of Texas in Austin.

Making an Impact

Glen helps families with athletes who are being recruited to college to play sports. When he was a practicing attorney, Glen organized and lead the ARC of Texas Guardianship project where he organized local attorneys to provide pro bono legal services for families with special needs children who were turning 18 years of age and needing a guardianship.

A Secret About Glen

Glen has his Masters in Sports Studies/Administration and should be an athletic director in the college ranks. Any talks on conference realignment, the role of the NCAA, the changing landscape of college athletics, and good ol’ football talk, Glen will more than happily join the discussion.

Tim Rizzuti brings a practical, client-focused approach to financial planning and wealth management at BakerAvenue. He began his career in the financial services industry at Bank of America before most recently working at an Ameriprise office in Walnut Creek, where he supported clients with financial planning and portfolio management. Tim recently earned his Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation and is excited to continue expanding his expertise. At BakerAvenue, he combines a strong planning foundation, retirement-focused experience, and a genuine passion for helping clients feel confident and informed about their financial decisions.

Making an Impact

Outside of work, Tim is actively involved in his community. He enjoys helping expand access to the arts in East Contra Costa County, with a special interest in poetry and spoken word, and he also gives back by coaching Little League, where he focuses on teaching young players the value of teamwork, communication, and working toward a shared goal.

A Secret About Tim

Tim loves heading up to Lake Tahoe to snowboard and has recently begun tackling bigger jumps and park features. He also enjoys sharing the mountain with his son and teaching him how to ride safely.

Ryan is BakerAvenue’s Senior Office Manager, responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations of the firm from our San Francisco office. He plays a key role in managing office logistics and creating an efficient and welcoming work environment. Before joining BakerAvenue, Ryan spent four years at a technology company as an Office Manager and Executive Assistant, providing high-level support to multiple executives.

Making an Impact

Ryan spends time assisting elderly and fixed-income members of his community with yard and home maintenance work. He also enjoys taking part in beach cleanups at Ocean Beach in San Francisco.

A Secret About Ryan

One of Ryan’s favorite weekend activities is visiting his local library with his wife and young daughter. Spending time together reading and playing with his daughter has made the library one of his favorite spaces — who knew it could be so fun?!

Austin is a Senior Wealth Advisory Manager based in Dallas, where he provides direct support to both clients and advisors in the Southwest region. He began his career at Ameriprise Financial and later joined Charles Schwab, where he gained valuable experience as a lead financial advisor. Austin is also a Certified Financial Planner© and is excited to use his communication and relationship management skills at BakerAvenue.

Originally from Wisconsin, Austin now calls Texas home. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a B.S. in Finance & Marketing.

Making an Impact

Austin is deeply involved in his local church community, where he fundraises for charitable initiatives such as Coats for Kids, homeless outreach programs, and programs for single mothers. He also plays an active role in the church’s youth group, mentoring and supporting young adults. In addition, Austin is a member of the local Financial Planning Network, where advisors collaborate to improve their craft and expand access to quality financial advice.

A Secret About Austin

Austin is a passionate sports fan and is highly competitive by nature. He has won numerous golf tournaments and has come within inches of a hole-in-one – more than once. Outside of work, he is working toward earning his private pilot’s license and enjoys traveling to attend concerts and performances, meeting new people along the way. Although Austin leads a very active and health-conscious lifestyle (filled with yoga, martial arts, and long walks), he’s never one to turn down a great cheeseburger, especially if it’s topped with Wisconsin cheese.

Tracy is dedicated to providing the highest level of professionalism and service to her clients and team. As Partner, Operations, Tracy works closely with executive level management to strategize and develop long-term operational plans. She brings over 10 years of client service and operations experience to BakerAvenue and is responsible for overseeing operational efficiency for the firm.

In addition to her operational functions, Tracy partners with the HR team to assist with policy design and development. She strives to create a culture that empowers quality, productivity, and ongoing development in workplace.

Making an Impact

Tracy volunteers once a month with One Brick, a non-profit organization that works to inspire and support a community of volunteers to take on important projects. She has also worked with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Second Harvest Food Bank, and the Homeless Prenatal Program.

A Secret About Tracy

Tracy has a 7-year old dachshund named Peanut and has a weakness for really cute animals.

As a Partner, Managing Director and Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) on the Central Wealth Advisory Team, Scott enjoys building lifelong relationships with friends, clients, and other business professionals in his community.

For the last 10 years, Scott has overseen the BakerAvenue Texas office where he has built relationships throughout Texas and Midwest locations. Over the last several years, Scott has focused his expertise in helping clients protect and divest large concentrated company stock exposure with customization tools and personal attention. Various companies include Texas Instruments, Exxon/Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, Lennox, AT&T and Oracle.

Prior to joining BakerAvenue, Scott was employed by Fidelity Investments for 13 years in both Boston and Dallas locations working as a Vice President and Senior Executive in various High Net Worth roles.

Making an Impact

Scott enjoys volunteer coaching for youth sports. He also sits on the board of the Positive Coach Alliance (PCA), North Texas Chapter. This non-profit organization transforms the youth sports culture into a Development Zone to help all youth and high school athletes have a positive, character-building experience.

A Secret About Scott

Scott has always had a romanticism with water and the ocean. This is a slight problem in his life since he lives in Texas. “Having a swimming pool in Texas does not substitute for the nature of a lake or ocean, but it does keep my kids happy.”

Brynne plays a key role in turning insights into strategic initiatives that drive growth, efficiency, and excellence across the firm. She focuses on aligning people with business goals to create intuitive processes and meaningful experiences that strengthen engagement, loyalty, and overall satisfaction for both clients and colleagues.

Prior to joining BakerAvenue, Brynne began her career in digital marketing before transitioning to occupational therapy, where she supported young adults in building balance and purpose into their daily lives. Her enduring passion for helping others thrive—both personally and professionally—continues to shape her human-centered approach to work.

Brynne holds a B.A. in Human Performance with a minor in Marketing from the University of Southern California (USC). She also completed her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at USC and her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Boston University.

Making an Impact

Brynne finds purpose in creating a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the community around her. She has coached dozens of individuals to facilitate behavior change in their habits and routines. She regularly created and contributed resources, from blog posts to podcasts, on various wellness-related topics.

A Secret About Brynne

Many are surprised to learn that Brynne spent six months during the pandemic experiencing the van life. During that time, she lived in Colorado, North Carolina, and Florida, visiting many states in between!

Maurissa collaborates and supports the Client Services team, primarily for our Dallas office. Before joining the BakerAvenue team, she worked as an auditor with an accounting firm in San Francisco. Maurissa found her true passion for assisting and serving others when she managed a team at Starbucks during and after college, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

Making an Impact

During the Covid pandemic, while the world was shut down around her, Maurissa began volunteering at the SF Marin Food Bank to help support families in need of food and resources. She prepared and distributed healthy meals for her local community.

A Secret About Maurissa

Maurissa has a preference for TV shows rather than movies, so is shockingly unfamiliar with the ‘classics’ that are always referenced around her (e.g. Star Wars, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Forrest Gump, E.T.). Her goal is to eventually catch up and watch some of them so she can finally understand their significance in pop culture history, and participate in the conversations.

Andrew leverages technology and process improvement to provide organizations with high level efficiency. Having worked in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, he brings 30 years of client service and operations experience to BakerAvenue. As Finance Director, he oversees accounting and financial reporting activities for the firm.

Andrew has an undergraduate degree in mathematics and a master’s in international affairs. He supplemented his educational background with real estate and computer programming courses.

Making an Impact

Andrew is a former SPCA volunteer and has worked for the Salvation Army and North Marin Community Services. He currently volunteers for school lunch distribution and chicken care at a private school in Marin County.

A Secret About Andrew

Andrew once authored a bill that went before the California legislature.

Michael has over 15 years of financial planning and investment management experience working with high-net-worth families, including advising on their charitable foundations and endowments. He is passionate about helping clients achieve their financial goals so they can focus on what matters most to them.

Michael graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of New Mexico, then completed his financial planning certification through Boston University. He was awarded the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation in 2011 and became a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charter-holder in 2019. He has also earned the CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing to further his knowledge about incorporating Environmental, Social and Governance factors into investment management.

Making an Impact
Michael has volunteered for many organizations, including San Francisco Financial Planning Day, where people receive free financial planning advice. This event is a valuable opportunity to help underserved communities learn about financial planning topics such as budgeting, getting out of debt, and paying for college - that can significantly impact their lives. Michael’s desire to help clients who want to align their investment portfolios with their ethical beliefs while realizing improved financial outcomes led him to pursue the Certificate in ESG Investing.

A Secret About Michael
Right after graduating from college, Michael toured the country playing the guitar in a rock band. They performed in over twenty cities from New York to Seattle and Portland. Sadly, after the tour, the band moved to San Francisco and never played another show. He blames the end of his Rock-star career on the decline in music sales due to streaming services and file sharing… as well as not being very good at the guitar.

Richard works with the Wealth Management team to support clients in planning and meeting their goals. Before joining BakerAvenue, Richard was a Senior Financial Planner at EP Wealth, delivering personalized, high-touch financial planning services to high-net-worth clients. His journey in the financial services industry started as an eMoney Advisor, where he helped advisors get up to speed with advanced financial planning software.

He earned his B.A. in Economics from the University of California, San Diego, and is a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®). Currently, he is also pursuing the Enrolled Agent (EA) designation with the IRS.

Making an Impact

Richard is passionate about giving back, and frequently volunteers at the Castro Country Club. A safe and welcoming community center for everyone, especially those in the LGBTQIA+ community.

A Secret About Richard

Richard is a bit of a meme connoisseur—no matter the situation, he can always pull up a meme that fits perfectly. It’s his go-to way to lighten the mood and share a laugh!

Prior to joining BakerAvenue, Tanya was the Director of Wealth Management for Polaris Wealth Advisers. In addition to advising some of the wealthiest clients at the firm, she was responsible for overseeing vision, training, and execution of the wealth management team. Prior to this, Tanya began her career in the financial services industry with UBS where she worked as a Financial Advisor.

Tanya graduated from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, with a B.S. in Economics. She is a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder and also an active member of the Financial Planning Association of San Francisco and CFA Society of San Francisco.

Making an Impact

Tanya is a board director of Friends of the Children – SF Bay Area. A nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty through professional mentors. Tanya also volunteered at an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya to discover how the AIDS epidemic had changed Africa and what was being done to make a difference. Tanya currently supports many organizations including the Salvation Army, International Justice Mission, San Francisco SPCA, and Youth Speaks.

A Secret About Tanya

Tanya loves to forage for mushrooms, inspired by a trip to the Mendocino Mushroom Festival. On Tanya’s first trip into the forest, a veteran forager commented on her “special connection” with mushrooms.

David works with the BakerAvenue team in San Francisco to help achieve clients’ financial goals. Prior to BakerAvenue, David spent several years teaching English as a second language in Spain before moving back to California. It was shortly after his return he got started in financial planning at North Capital. From there, David had stops at a few family-sized financial planning firms before joining BakerAvenue.

He received his B.A. in politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Making an Impact

David is avid fan of sports, and a big believer in how youth sports can teach important lessons about teamwork and leadership. He plans on coaching youth soccer to help the next generation learn these lessons.

A Secret About David

David has been playing the drums since he was eight years old. Even today, he continues playing in a rock band. The band plays shows and has even uploaded a couple albums to Spotify.