Durga Shankar Boggavarapu is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been serving clients since 1993. He co-founded The Verschuur / Iyer Group in 1999 and focuses on helping a limited circle of clients and their families achieve financial security and fulfillment. Shankar’s approach emphasizes utilizing wealth as a tool to live a balanced life—supporting meaningful experiences and long-term security rather than just accumulation. He regularly engages with clients and their families to deliver comprehensive, goal-driven financial strategies.
Shankar specializes in legacy wealth planning, portfolio management, retirement planning, philanthropic planning, and tax-efficient investment strategies. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation and is also a Personal Investment Advisor and Sports & Entertainment specialist. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is fluent in English, German, and Tamil. Recognized by Forbes for eight consecutive years on the "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list, Shankar brings extensive experience and thought leadership in serving affluent clients.
Outside of his professional work, Shankar participates actively in community and fundraising efforts. He supports Chicago-based Spark Ventures and The Shelby Goldstein Memorial School in Zambia, which educates and feeds over 300 orphans. He also serves on the Buckingham Club Committee of Chicago under the University of Wisconsin Foundation, contributing to healthcare-related fundraising causes. Shankar enjoys boating, surfing, fishing, snowboarding, live music, traveling, and studying German with his family.