Los Gatos, CA N Santa Cruz Ave Office

Lauren Gray is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She works with a team of specialists to provide goals-based wealth management to affluent families, accomplished professionals, and successful business owners. Lauren focuses on fostering long-term relationships through customized advice, disciplined investing strategies, and exceptional service. Her expertise covers areas such as college education planning, executive and equity compensation services, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, socially responsible investing including ESG, women and wealth, sports and entertainment, tax minimization, and retirement income planning. Lauren offers clients a comprehensive approach by defining and prioritizing financial goals across health, home, family, leisure, giving, work, and finance. Lauren holds a Bachelor's Degree from San Jose State University and carries several professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). She is a member of professional organizations such as CREWSV and NAWBO, and contributes to the community through involvement with the Silicon Valley Humane Society and Soroptimist International of Santa Clara Silicon Valley. In her personal time, Lauren enjoys biking, scuba diving, spending time with her family, traveling, and practicing yoga.

Luvien Tran serves as a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, Tran focuses on helping clients develop personalized wealth management strategies that align with their comprehensive financial goals. Tran works to create flexible strategies adapted to changing market conditions, leveraging investment insights from Merrill and banking and lending solutions from Bank of America. Tran's expertise encompasses education planning, family wealth management, services for endowments, foundations, non-profits, defined benefit plans, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, women and wealth, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Tran holds professional designations including Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Tran earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California Berkeley. In addition to professional work, Tran participates in community service through volunteering with local organizations, reflecting a commitment to the communities served. Tran follows a philosophy centered on connecting all aspects of a client’s financial life to prioritize and pursue the most important goals.

Linhvien Tran is a Senior Financial Advisor with nearly two decades of experience in the financial industry. She began her career as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2006 and focuses on working with high net worth individuals, families, senior-level executives, business owners, and corporations. Linhvien specializes in areas such as college education planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and ESG investing, as well as women and wealth and retirement income planning. She holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside. Linhvien is committed to delivering customized advice and guidance tailored to her clients' specific situations and goals. She works alongside Merrill's team of financial professionals and analysts to provide a comprehensive approach to financial strategy. Outside of her professional role, Linhvien enjoys spending time with her husband, Thach, and their three sons in San Jose. Her personal interests include traveling and playing volleyball. She also participates in community involvement through supporting several charitable organizations associated with Merrill Lynch.

Sy Nguyen is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been advising clients since 2022. He assists clients in wealth accumulation and preservation by developing personalized financial strategies tailored to their long-term goals. Sy works closely with clients to understand their priorities and provides appropriate solutions to improve their financial situations. He also facilitates access to Merrill Lynch's resources and the banking services of Bank of America to address various financial aspects. Before joining Merrill Lynch, Sy accumulated over three years of experience as a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones. His expertise encompasses services for defined benefit and contribution plans, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, and retirement income. Sy holds several professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned his MBA in Finance from the Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University and completed his undergraduate studies in Finance and Accounting. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Sy enjoys hiking, running, and spending time with his family. He is also involved in community activities through organizations such as Second Harvest of Silicon Valley and the Vietnamese American Organization.

Mason Mckown is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) certification and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Mason earned his bachelor's degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a concentration in Ethics within his Philosophy major. Mason's expertise focuses on college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, socially responsible and ESG investing, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. He specializes in working with clients experiencing major life transitions, including retired rental property owners and those with concentrated employer stock. Mason emphasizes personalized planning that reflects each client's goals, values, and priorities, aiming to instill confidence in their financial future through trust and open communication. He has been involved in the Rotary Club of Campbell and served as its past president. Mason lives in Silicon Valley with his wife, two children, and their golden retriever. His personal interests include adventure sports, camping, hiking, music, pickleball, skiing, surfing, tennis, volleyball, and spending time with his family.

Michael Burns is a financial advisor with Merrill in San Jose, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 14 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith, Inc. since 2012 and also has over a decade of experience with Bank of America. Merrill, alongside its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Amy Mallo is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and 1 year of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2001, totaling 25 years at the firm. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a co-trustee of a fiduciary trust. 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. The firm offers both model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Kristopher Suhr is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role as a Financial Solutions Advisor, he works closely with individuals and families to understand their unique financial needs and provide guidance on investment strategies, retirement planning, and wealth management. Kristopher enjoys getting to know clients personally to develop tailored strategies that align with their financial goals. He offers assistance ranging from general investing to planning for retirement and preparing for unexpected events. His approach emphasizes ongoing advice and guidance to adapt to changing client needs. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Nevada - Reno and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Kristopher's personal interests include basketball, biking, boating, camping, and scuba diving.

Ruhi Mistry is a Financial Advisor based in San Jose, working with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She focuses on client areas including Corporate Benefits, LGBT Wealth Planning, Liquidity Management, Managing New Wealth, Personal Retirement Planning, Socially Responsible and ESG Investing, Women and Wealth, and Retirement Income. Ruhi is committed to helping individuals and families gain clarity around their finances and improve their financial well-being. Ruhi believes that financial health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being that is often overlooked. She works to empower clients by understanding their unique circumstances, enabling them to make informed decisions and achieve financial goals they may have thought unattainable. Her mission is to help clients build a solid financial foundation to live well today and create the future they envision. She holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned her education from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Outside of her professional work, Ruhi enjoys biking, music, and traveling.

Robert Wheeler is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on helping clients gain a clear understanding of their financial situation, both past and present, to develop personalized strategies aimed at pursuing their long-term goals. His approach is grounded in principles of respect, integrity, collaboration, honesty, and empathy. His areas of expertise include college education planning, retirement income, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, and small business strategies among others. Robert holds professional designations such as CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He is a member of the Financial Planning Association and the National Association of Plan Advisors. Robert earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Golden Gate University. He also holds two Associate's degrees from West Valley College and a High School Diploma from Los Gatos High School. Outside of his professional work, he dedicates time to volunteering within his community and enjoys activities such as biking, hiking, ice hockey, music, running, traveling, watching movies, and writing.

Sandra Kim Her is a financial advisor at Merrill with seven years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC and Wells Fargo Bank NA. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Genesis Renteria is a Financial Solutions Advisor (FSA) with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, she works closely with clients to create personalized investment strategies designed to pursue their financial goals. She provides investment advice and access to banking and lending services through Bank of America. With expertise in general investing, retirement planning, and preparing for unforeseen financial needs, Genesis takes the time to understand what matters most to her clients. She focuses on developing tailored strategies by uncovering the priorities and goals of individuals and families. Genesis holds a Bachelor's Degree from California State University of Dominguez Hills. She also maintains professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA).

Jeff Avancena is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Merrill, based in San Jose, CA. He has nine years of industry experience and has been with Merrill since 2015, concurrently working at Bank of America, N.A. since 2017. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Ngoc Thuy Linh Ngo is a financial advisor with Merrill based in San Jose, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill, Ngo held positions at Bank of America and engaged in educational roles at Evergreen Valley College and San Jose State University. Ngo has also been involved with Unidos US and Teasociety in prior years. 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. The firm offers a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

William Yates is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been working in the financial services industry since 1984 and joined Merrill Lynch in 2004. In his role, he collaborates closely with clients to design long-term strategies tailored to help achieve their individual life goals. William holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business/Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. His consultative process customizes solutions based on each client's risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, investment goals, and cost considerations. He supports clients in planning for retirement, education funding, home purchases, business growth, legacy building, and philanthropic efforts. Outside of his professional duties, William serves as Chair of the BACCV.