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.

Want help finding the right advisor?

Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.

user avatar

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
user avatar

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
user avatar

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
user avatar

Eric M

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Pleasanton, CA

Commonwealth Financial Network

Eric Martin is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network located in Pleasanton, CA. He holds the CFP® designation and has 42 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, Martin operated Martin Tax Services for 19 years and has been with Commonwealth Financial Network since 2008. He is also co-owner of Martin, Wardin & Eissner Financial Group, Inc., which provides securities, advisory, and tax preparation services. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,900 advisors and managing about $212.7 billion in client assets. The firm offers a wide range of advisory support including managed-account programs, access to third-party asset managers, retirement consulting, and custody services.

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

Lu H

Series 65, Series 63

Pleasanton, CA

J.P. Morgan Securities

Lu Hao is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and two years of industry experience. He previously worked at China Merchants Bank for seven years and has been with J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMC Bank NA since 2023. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, utilizing quantitative asset-allocation modeling and a centralized due diligence process. The firm emphasizes an ESG eligibility framework and offers customized, non-discretionary advice through its Institutional Consulting Services program.

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® with 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2014 and is based in Mankato, MN. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a wide range of investment strategies and affiliated services through a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Retirement income strategy Business exit / sale strategy Charitable giving & philanthropy Startup equity planning General retirement planning Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
user avatar

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

Find advisors by type

Warmer team member

Not sure where to start?

We'll help you think it through—whether you ultimately need an advisor or not. Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly, so you can choose with confidence.

Find your advisor

For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Advisors are independent and may not have reviewed or updated this information. Please review an advisor's Form ADV and do your own diligence before deciding whether to work with them.

Advisor matching and referrals are provided by FinanceHQ LLC ("FHQ"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warmer and an SEC-registered investment adviser. We may be compensated by participating advisors. You pay no fee to use our matching service, and advisor fees are not increased because of a referral. We do not supervise advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.

By using our service, you agree to the Warmer Terms of Service and FHQ Advisory Agreement, and acknowledge Warmer's Privacy Policy. Please review FHQ's ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Logos provided by Logo.dev

© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. ("Warmer")