Large-firm, startup equity planning financial advisors in Seattle, WA

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 that could vest or be sold soon, you need an advisor who understands the unique tax and timing challenges involved. Without specialized knowledge, you might miss opportunities to reduce your federal and Washington state capital gains taxes or mishandle your equity's impact on your overall financial plan.

  • Equity tax nuances. Confirm how they navigate federal income tax alongside Washington's 7% capital gains tax on long-term gains, which can affect your net proceeds.
  • Vesting and liquidity timing. Ask how they plan around your equity vesting schedule and potential liquidity events to optimize tax outcomes.
  • Integration with broader finances. Look for advisors who consider your startup equity alongside other assets and liabilities, not in isolation.
  • Large-firm resources. These advisors can leverage extensive research and specialized teams to address complex startup equity scenarios.

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

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Charity A

Series 63, Series 66

Seattle, WA

J.P. Morgan Securities

Charity Atkinson is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with five years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and is based in Seattle, WA. Outside of her advisory role, she is an owner and partner of Hammer and Saw Local Carpentry, LLC, a carpentry business serving the Seattle area, where she handles administrative tasks including website design and vendor coordination. J.P. Morgan Securities primarily serves institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors by providing investment consulting and advisory services focused on asset allocation, manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm combines quantitative modeling with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework when recommending investment strategies.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
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William H

Series 65

Seattle, WA

Sapling Wealth Management

William Hicks is a financial advisor at Sapling Wealth Management with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Sapling Wealth Management since 2010. Sapling Wealth Management provides fee-based investment advisory, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and pension/profit-sharing plans. The firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, incorporating strategic and tactical asset allocation alongside fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor portfolios to client objectives and risk tolerances.

Private / alternative investments Tax-loss harvesting Wealth management
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Bruce H

Series 63

Seattle, WA

Newground Social Investment

Bruce Herbert is a financial advisor at Newground Social Investment with 25 years of industry experience. He has worked with Newground Investment Services since 1994. Herbert holds a Series 63 designation. Newground Social Investment provides values-aligned portfolio management and financial planning to individuals and institutions seeking to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their investments. The firm serves investors with $1.5 million or more in investable assets, offering customized portfolios that emphasize sustainable, responsible, and impact investing.

ESG / Sustainable investing Private / alternative investments Charitable giving & philanthropy
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Andrew H

Series 66

Seattle, WA

Commonwealth Financial Network

Andrew Harvey is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network in Seattle, WA, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. He has worked at Commonwealth Financial Network since 2021 and has additional experience with Opus 111 Group, Securities America Advisors, and Securities America, Inc. Outside of his advisory role, Harvey is a freelance sports broadcaster and writer. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients. The firm offers various advisory programs and support services, including wealth management and retirement plan consulting, while providing advisors discretion in portfolio construction alongside managed model portfolios and customized program options.

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

Leslie R

CFP®

Seattle, WA

Humanize Wealth

Hi, I’m Leslie. I co-founded Humanize Wealth out of my desire to create connections between clients and their communities that have a positive impact on social and economic equity, racial justice, and the environment. I have spent most of my 15+ year career in wealth management – from working with billionaires at a global Wall Street firm to tech entrepreneurs at an independent firm in Seattle. My work at Humanize Wealth combines my years of experience managing portfolios and building financial plans with my desire to help people realize the power of their wealth to make meaningful & systemic change. As a financial planner, I help people gain clarity around their situation, envision the life and impact they want to have, and serve as a guide to develop and implement solutions. Humanize Wealth's integrated offering combines detailed financial planning, thoughtful investment management and the opportunity to engage with community. Our clients are committed to using the power of their wealth to promote the well being of their families, communities and the planet. If this sounds like you, we'd love to connect!

Inherited wealth Founder/Business Owner LGBTQIA

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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Jeffrey P

Series 66

Dacula, GA

Merrill

Jeffrey Park is a financial advisor at Merrill with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill and affiliated firms since 2011, including roles at JPMorgan Chase Bank and J.P. Morgan Securities. Outside of his advisory work, he is a sole owner and co-owner of family rental properties in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management
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Scott M

Series 63, Series 65

New York, NY

Morgan Stanley

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.

General estate planning guidance
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Elizabeth B

Series 66

New York, NY

J.P. Morgan Securities

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.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
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Wesley P

Series 63, Series 66

Fort Worth, TX

Wells Fargo Clearing

Wesley Pool is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at JPMorgan Securities LLC for seven years. Outside of finance, he has been involved with #TagMeBro LLC and Fry Street Public House. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Retired Founder/Business Owner
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Willie M

Series 63, Series 66

Cary, NC

Equitable Advisors

Willie Myles is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Cary, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at Equitable Advisors since 2016, previously serving at Axa Advisors and MSI Financial Services. Outside of advising, he is a co-chairman of a fundraising campaign for Alpha Light Fund Inc., a nonprofit focused on renovating the House of Alpha. Equitable Advisors serves a range of clients including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management through a network of representatives and third-party managers. The firm offers various investment vehicles and ERISA fiduciary services, relying on third-party program sponsors and an affiliation with a publicly traded parent company.

Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business exit / sale strategy Concentrated stock management Equity Recipients (RS/RSU, SOP, ESPP) Long-term care insurance Founder/Business Owner Retired Executive Approaching retirement Sandwich Generation
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