Top startup equity planning financial advisors in Pleasanton, CA

The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.

If you have startup equity, like stock options or shares, coming your way, you need an advisor who understands how to plan around these assets. A common mistake is treating startup equity like regular investments, which can lead to unexpected tax bills or missed growth opportunities.

  • Equity type expertise. Confirm they know the difference between options, restricted stock units (RSUs), and other equity forms, as each has unique tax and exercise rules.
  • Tax timing strategies. Ask how they help you decide when to exercise or sell equity to manage your tax burden effectively.
  • Exit event planning. Ensure they consider your startup’s potential liquidity events, like IPOs or acquisitions, in your financial plan.
  • Integration with cash flow. Check how they balance your equity planning with your everyday expenses and savings goals to avoid cash crunches.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Robert D

CFP®, Series 63

Pleasanton, CA

Raymond James Financial

Robert Duncan Anderson is a CFP® with 19 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. He previously spent 14 years at Commonwealth Financial Network. In addition to his advisory work, he serves as Treasurer and Board Member for the Danville Oaks Rugby Club, overseeing its financial policies and reporting. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes tailored, non-discretionary planning using risk profiling and analytical modeling to support client goals.

Wealth management Tax strategies for small businesses Business succession planning General estate planning guidance Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Antonio A

Series 63, Series 65

Pleasanton, CA

Mass Mutual Investors Services

Antonio Accardo is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services in Pleasanton, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at MML Investors Services, Inc. and Mass Mutual Financial Group since 2008. Additionally, he has been involved with Villa Romana Inc. since 1992. Mass Mutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm emphasizes collaborative, annual financial planning relationships and offers specialized programs including divorce planning and event-driven services such as estate settlement and employer-sponsored planning.

Divorce financial planning General estate planning guidance Multi-generational wealth transfer Cash flow / budgeting Founder/Business Owner Attorney Executive Married/Couples/Partners Divorced
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Samah N

CFA®

Pleasanton, CA

Pleasanton Wealth

Samah Naguib is a CFA® charterholder with 12 years of industry experience. She has worked at Pleasanton Wealth LLC since 2018 and previously spent 11 years at Charles Schwab. Pleasanton Wealth provides comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management to individuals, families, trusts, estates, business entities, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a discovery-driven financial planning process and combines technical, fundamental, cyclical, quantitative, and qualitative analysis in portfolio construction.

General retirement planning Wealth management
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Eric M

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Pleasanton, CA

Commonwealth Financial Network

Eric Martin is a CFP® professional with 42 years of industry experience. He is affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network and has worked at Martin, Wardin & Eissner Financial Group since 1999. His background includes tax preparation services at Martin, Wardin & Eissner Financial Group and ownership involvement in fixed insurance sales. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser supporting a national network of approximately 2,900 advisors and managing over $200 billion in client assets. The firm offers a comprehensive adviser-support platform with discretionary and nondiscretionary managed-account programs, third-party asset manager access, and custodial services.

Passive / index investing Active portfolio management Tax-loss harvesting Wealth management Retirement income strategy Founder/Business Owner Executive Retired
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Lu H

Series 63, Series 65

Pleasanton, CA

J.P. Morgan Securities

Lu Hao is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with two years of industry experience and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He worked previously at China Merchants Bank for seven years before joining J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMC Bank NA in 2023. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors through a program that combines quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework when recommending strategies. The firm operates within the broader J.P. Morgan broker-dealer and banking organization, offering access to a wide range of products including security-based swaps and futures.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner

Kimberly H

CFP®, CRPC®

Troy, MI

Innermost Wealth Management, LLC

I founded Innermost™ Wealth Management to create a more personal, thoughtful approach to financial planning and wealth management. My background in both finance and psychology shaped my belief that money is not just about numbers. It is deeply personal and connected to your values, goals, and life experiences. I work with professionals who want to grow and simplify their wealth, with a special focus on women navigating career growth, equity compensation, and major life transitions such as divorce. Many of my clients are balancing busy lives and complex financial decisions, and they value having a long-term financial partner who truly understands their needs. My firm is centered on ongoing wealth management through investment advisory relationships. Clients work with me for comprehensive financial planning and investment management that evolves with them over time. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® Candidate, I provide technical expertise and strategic guidance, while also recognizing the emotional side of financial decisions. My approach is compassionate, judgment-free, and designed to reduce stress while helping you feel more confident in your choices. I operate a fully virtual firm, working with clients across the country who appreciate flexibility and convenience. My goal is to simplify your financial life, provide clear advice, and help you align your wealth with what matters most to you. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, photography, cooking, and spending quality time with my Beagle, Gracie.

General retirement planning General tax planning Wealth management Startup equity planning Divorce financial planning Women Professionals Life coaching / goal alignment Established Professionals Approaching retirement Dual Income Family

George S

Series 66

Hartford, CT

Merrill

George Silvester is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving as a member of the Boston Executive Services Team since 2017. He works primarily with founders, executives, and key associates at both privately held and publicly traded companies, focusing on the intricacies of equity ownership and equity compensation. George's approach begins with understanding what is most important to his clients and assessing their current position relative to their goals, ultimately developing customized financial strategies that align with their evolving life needs, resources, and aspirations. George began his career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as a Summer Analyst in 2016, where he developed an understanding of the client-advisor relationship and the collaborative pursuit of clients’ life goals. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Finance from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business. Additionally, George has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning, as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional work, George’s personal interests include biking, bowling, chess, cooking, golfing, hiking, and reading.

Exec comp design Startup equity planning Liquidity event planning Wealth management ESG / Sustainable investing Founder/Business Owner Executive

James V

Series 66

Stuart, FL

Fidelity

James Van Nice is a Benefits & Planning Consultant specializing in Executive Services. In this role, he partners with executives to help them understand their employer benefits and develop plans to work towards their financial goals. James has professional experience as an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments from 2023 to 2025 and as an Investment Solutions Representative II at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2023. Prior to that, he worked at Merrill Lynch as an Investment Solutions Representative I from 2021 to 2022 and as a Financial Advisor from 2018 to 2019. Outside of his professional work, James engages in fishing, fitness, golf, running, and volunteering.

Exec comp design Liquidity event planning Startup equity planning Executive

Adam N

CFP®, Series 66

Mankato, MN

Edward Jones

Adam Neubauer is a CFP® professional with 12 years of experience in financial advising, currently working at Edward Jones since 2014. He holds the Series 66 designation and is based in Mankato, MN. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee solutions, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Retirement income strategy Charitable giving & philanthropy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) General estate planning guidance Retirement withdrawal strategies Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Juan P

Series 66

San Francisco, CA

Optimo Capital

Juan Polanco is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Optimo Capital in San Francisco, CA, and has 11 years of industry experience. Before founding Optimo Capital, he worked at Carr & Ferrell LLP for two years. Outside of his advisory role, Mr. Polanco works full-time as an engineer at PacBio and mentors startups and founders at the Founder's Institute and LoyalVC. Optimo Capital advises founders of venture-backed companies, recently funded startups, and private investors on portfolio supervision and capital-raising. The firm uses a combined top‑down and bottom‑up analytical approach with a supervisory and consultative model, focusing on tailored services such as Investment Policy Statements, due diligence management, and pitch material preparation.

Business ownership considerations Wealth management Founder/Business Owner

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