Christian Serena serves as Senior Resident Director at Merrill, where he leads a nine-person team delivering solutions for clients with complex financial needs. He advises on asset and liability management along with trust and estate planning strategies. In his role as Resident Director, he manages an office of ten advisors who deliver advisory services to their clients.
Christian focuses on working closely with ultra-high net worth individuals, families, and business owners across the United States to keep client priorities front and center while maintaining a market-focused approach. His team provides a comprehensive range of strategies including investment and risk management, concentrated stock strategies, credit and lending solutions, insurance, access to family office services and private banking, alternative investments, and philanthropy. He collaborates with attorneys, CPAs, valuation experts, and real estate specialists to build integrated strategies tailored for complexity.
Christian holds a Bachelor's degree from Western New Mexico University, an Accredited Certificate from New York University, and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He has earned several professional designations including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He resides in Scottsdale, AZ with his wife and three daughters. His personal interests include boating, cooking, horseback riding, reading, spending time with family, traveling, and yoga. He is involved in professional organizations such as the City of Scottsdale Planning Commission, Scottsdale ARTS AG2 (Young Professionals), Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and Scottsdale Prevention Institute.