Heather Goodbody is a Private Wealth Advisor and Managing Director at Goodbody & Associates, Private Wealth Management at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in Rochester, New York. She oversees the financial management of a group of families alongside her team, focusing on family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, philanthropic planning, and portfolio management services. Heather specializes in advising ultra high net worth families, private foundations, endowments, closely held businesses regarding mergers and acquisitions, and executive benefits. She holds professional designations including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA).
Heather has been recognized by several industry organizations, being named to the Working Mother/SHOOK Research's "Top Wealth Adviser Moms" list from 2017 through 2021. She has also been named to the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list from 2018 to 2025, Forbes "Top Women Advisors" list in 2020 and 2021, and Forbes "Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State" list from 2022 to 2026. In her work, Heather collaborates with families and individuals to bring purpose to their wealth while helping to realize their hopes, dreams, and goals. She has a passion for preserving and maximizing wealth across generations and shares her expertise in areas such as exit planning, impact investing, next-generation development, and socially responsible investing.
Heather holds a Bachelor's degree from Daemen College and completed an Accredited Certificate Program at New York University. She has been actively involved in the community, including service as a Trustee for the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, former Chair of the Board of Trustees for Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women, former Trustee of the Rochester Museum & Science Center, and former board member of the United Way of Rochester and the Finger Lakes and the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong. Outside of her professional work, Heather enjoys boating, cooking, fishing, golfing, skiing, tennis, traveling, and spending time with her family. She resides in Rochester, New York with her husband John and their two sons.