Top advisors focused on work/life balance in California

Jared Fruth is a financial advisor at Northwest Asset Management with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Securities America, Inc., KMS Financial Services, Inc., Oppenheimer Funds, and John Paul Mitchell Systems. Northwest Asset Management is a registered investment adviser managing approximately $3.6 billion for nearly 3,000 clients, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporations. The firm employs a customized, fiduciary approach using Modern Portfolio Theory and strategic asset allocation, combining fundamental and technical analysis to build diversified portfolios with periodic rebalancing.

Scott Mahoney is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in New York, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, including roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with Giants Foot Cubed LLC. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a large SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by structured planning tools and broad investment resources.

Elizabeth Brown is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in New York, NY, where she has worked since 2012. She has 26 years of industry experience. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to clients such as corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

David Hart is a financial advisor with Safeguard Investment Advisory Group, LLC, holding a Series 65 credential and 15 years of industry experience. He has worked with Safeguard since 2020 and previously held roles at LifePro Asset Management, LLC, Martin and Associates Insurance Services, Inc., and Martin Wealth Management, LLC. Hart is also a Certified Financial Fiduciary and volunteers as an instructor with the Foundation for Fiduciary Education (NACFF), providing unbiased fiduciary financial education. Safeguard Investment Advisory Group, LLC serves individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and business clients, offering discretionary portfolio management, access to third-party sub-advisers, and fee-based financial planning. The firm employs a fundamental-analysis investment process with a preferred horizon of two to ten years and manages over $600 million across approximately 1,800 client relationships.

Alan Toman is a financial advisor with Regal Investment Advisors LLC in Los Angeles, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having nine years of industry experience. He has worked at Regal Investment Advisors since 2018 and has prior experience with Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation and Bankers Life. Outside of his advisory role, Toman is active in the insurance sector, offering accident and health insurance, fixed and indexed annuities, and traditional life insurance products through American Senior Benefits and as an insurance agent. Regal Investment Advisors LLC provides discretionary investment management services to independent advisers and other registered advisers, serving a diverse client base including individuals, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers proprietary and third-party model portfolios across various asset classes, with advisers selecting allocations and granting Regal authority to implement and manage strategies.

It is a myth that you need to be ultra-wealthy in order to live a life with impact. You can start living well and making an impact in your communities right HERE and right NOW. At Bridgelane Financial, our goals are to assist you in developing a financial plan to live out a life that reflects your values. Maureen Recker is CFP®, a philanthropist, a mother of two and a community educator. She graduated with a B.S. from Indiana University and an MBA from Duke University. Maureen started her career in corporate finance and institution banking. After taking some time off to raise two children, she re-entered into a career in financial planning to work with clients in a more intimate and personal level. Clients’ satisfaction gives her gratification and encourages her to further her professional development and personal growth.

Brian Kremer is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he has worked since 2023. In his role, he partners closely with clients to co-create personalized financial plans that align with their individual goals and values. He collaborates with his team to develop strategies tailored to each client's unique situation. Brian's experience at Fidelity Investments has focused on workplace planning, helping clients navigate their financial planning needs. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Brian enjoys attending concerts, engaging in family activities, participating in social events with friends, and traveling. He also has an interest in soccer and values his role as a parent.

As a true fiduciary and fee-only CFP®, Kristen provides unbiased, comprehensive financial planning with expertise in budgeting, retirement planning, investment strategies, tax planning, and major life transitions, including divorce. Her background in education - teaching middle school English in San Francisco and Maine- gives her a unique perspective on guiding career changers through financial transitions. Her passion lies in helping others make complicated financial decisions including whether to sell company stock, when to retire, and how to handle competing priorities such as funding kids' education, paying off debt, and saving for the future. She offers hourly financial advice for those seeking one-time guidance or a cost-effective option, divorce planning for clients managing the financial complexities of separation, and ongoing financial planning for those who want continuous support in achieving their goals. Whether you're changing careers, planning for retirement, building wealth, or facing complex financial decisions, Kristen provides knowledgeable, compassionate guidance to help you create a plan that aligns with your goals and values.

Ellaina Dibenedetto is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She is part of the Carmody-Turner Group, which provides customized wealth management and planning strategies to select clients, families, and organizations across the United States. The team focuses on connecting all aspects of clients' financial lives to help prioritize and pursue the goals that matter most to them, offering personalized service combined with the investment insights of Merrill and banking convenience of Bank of America. Clients typically served include physicians, serial entrepreneurs, college coaches, small business owners, executives, and other high-net-worth individuals and their families. The group works with clients face-to-face or virtually, depending on geographical and time constraints, to develop individualized plans aimed at achieving clients' financial goals with an emphasis on balancing risk and long-term success. Ellaina holds a bachelor's degree and a Master of Business Administration from Western Illinois University. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and holds the Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ designation. She actively contributes to the community through involvement with the Western Illinois University Foundation Board, Father's and Families Support Center, and the United Way Charmaine Chapman Society, and coaches youth sports within the Parkway West and Parkway-Rockwood school districts.

With over 18 years of experience in financial planning, estate management, and investment advisory services, I founded Vineyard Wealth Group to help families, individuals, and non-profits navigate their financial journeys with confidence. My approach combines personalized planning, trusted advice, and innovative strategies tailored to each client’s unique goals and values, with a particular emphasis on Social Security analysis and decision-making as a cornerstone of financial success. Prior to starting Vineyard Wealth Group, I spent nearly 14 years at Charles Schwab, managing a $15 billion complex with over 30 employees, and served as a Senior Financial Advisor at Martha's Vineyard Investment Advisors. These experiences honed my ability to deliver comprehensive and collaborative wealth management solutions. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, I bring advanced expertise in asset management, estate planning, tax strategies, and Social Security planning, along with credentials as an Accredited Asset Management Specialist® and Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor®. My Six Sigma Black Belt certification further reflects my commitment to efficiency and excellence in service delivery. Beyond the numbers, I’m deeply invested in my community. I serve on the board of the Martha’s Vineyard YMCA, actively support local initiatives, and completed the 2023 Boston Marathon, raising over $8,000 for the Doug Flutie Jr. Autism Foundation. Let’s connect and explore how I can help you achieve financial clarity, optimize your Social Security decisions, and enjoy lasting peace of mind.