Top startup equity planning financial advisors in Washington

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 a plan to handle the tax and timing complexities. Without careful planning, you might face unexpected tax bills or miss chances to maximize your gains. The advisors below work at large firms, which often means access to broad resources and teams.

  • Tax impact focus. Ask how they navigate Washington's unique tax setup, including the 7% capital gains tax on long-term gains, to minimize surprises.
  • Equity type expertise. Confirm they understand different equity forms, like incentive stock options versus restricted stock units, and their distinct tax treatments.
  • Exit strategy alignment. See how they integrate your equity plan with your startup's potential liquidity events, ensuring timing matches your financial goals.
  • Federal and state coordination. Make sure they balance federal tax rules with Washington's sales and property taxes for a full picture of your tax exposure.

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

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Pranam T

Series 66

Shoreline, WA

Merrill

Pranam Tamrakar is a financial advisor at Merrill with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at both Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by both internal and third-party managers.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management
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Ligaya C

Series 63, Series 66

Newcastle, WA

J.P. Morgan Securities

Ligaya Choo is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 5 years of industry experience. She has been with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities since 2021, following a 29-year tenure at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Prior to her current role, she accumulated extensive experience within the same organization. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm delivers advisory services alongside affiliated brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities, operating with a non-discretionary program that relies on an in-house manager solutions team and a centralized due-diligence framework.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
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Katheryne M

Series 63, Series 65

Shelton, WA

LPL Financial

Katheryne Mcmillan is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 29 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Securities America Advisors and OSAIC. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, using both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research from LPL Research and third-party subadvisors.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.)
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Matthew L

CFP®, CFA®, Series 66

Seattle, WA

Greene Wealth Management, LLC

Matthew Lowe is a CFP®, CFA®, and Series 66 credentialed advisor with 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Greene Wealth Management, LLC since 2014. The firm provides financial planning, consulting, and investment management services to individuals, trusts, qualified retirement plans, charitable organizations, and other business entities. Greene Wealth Management combines independent managers, mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, and options to create diversified portfolios tailored to clients' goals, using a process that includes forward-looking research, Monte Carlo stress-testing, and tax-sensitive strategies.

Active portfolio management Passive / index investing Options & derivatives strategies Tax-loss harvesting
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Saul H

Series 63, Series 65

Vancouver, WA

Fidelity

Saul Hernandez is a financial advisor at Fidelity with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at major firms including Bank of America, Merrill, Edward Jones, and JPMorgan. He is part of Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company that provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a blend of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction.

Charitable giving & philanthropy Active portfolio management

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
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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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