Palo Alto, CA Hansen Way Office

Lisa Hughes serves as a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has over 30 years of experience providing personalized wealth management services and strategies to a dynamic and accomplished group of clients. Lisa collaborates with a highly skilled professional team to address the long-term challenges and daily demands of substantial wealth. Her approach involves developing a deep understanding of clients' values and priorities before addressing investment needs. Lisa focuses on diversified portfolio development, alternative investments, and money manager selections. She addresses concentrated stock issues, liquidity creation, hedging, and risk reduction. Additionally, she helps clients explore estate planning techniques by coordinating with their outside advisors. Her client focus areas include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, and tax minimization. Lisa holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California at Berkeley. She has earned professional designations including Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Her personal interests include gardening, hiking, painting, and yoga.

Daniel Walsh is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He and his team provide customized advice and wealth management services for highly affluent families, focusing on concentrated stock issues, liquidity, hedging, risk reduction, diversified portfolio development, alternative investments, and money manager selection. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, Daniel served seven years as a U.S. Naval Aviator and two years as an institutional equities trader. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture from the University of California-Berkeley and an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business. He holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designation awarded by the Investments & Wealth Institute and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Daniel is a U.S. Soccer Federation licensed referee and has served as Vice President of the San Carlos United Soccer Club. He enjoys biking, hiking, music, photography, reading, refereeing, scuba diving, skiing, soccer, and spending time with his family.

Russell Blockhus is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in a goals-based wealth management approach that is holistic and proactive, emphasizing tax efficiency, multi-generational estate strategies, and securities-based lending solutions. Russell's practice focuses on guiding clients who hold concentrated stock positions, helping them diversify thoughtfully and tax-efficiently through systematic planning, hedging strategies, exchange funds, and customized lending solutions. Coming from a family with a background in real estate and accounting, Russell integrates these strengths to design wealth strategies that align with clients' tax sensitivities, evolving priorities, and long-term objectives. He partners closely with real estate professionals to identify tax-efficient lending options for various property types and delivers tailored financial education seminars to clients, real estate professionals, and businesses, including employee benefits optimization and sustainable investing topics. Russell holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Oregon and carries the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He is a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and participates in community involvement with the Ronald McDonald House. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, working out, spending time with family, and following sports teams such as the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants, and Manchester United.

Ka Man Au is a financial advisor at Merrill with six years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill since 2016. 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.

Elisabeth Lee is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at the Law Offices of Andrew B Shin and the University of Southern California. 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 investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Wooseok Chang is a financial advisor with Merrill based in Palo Alto, CA, holding a Series 66 designation. He has experience working at Bank of America and Merrill since 2026, along with prior roles in various industries including aviation, food service, and rideshare companies. His background includes entrepreneurial activities in the restaurant sector. 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 individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Dylan Crist is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked since 2014 as part of the RHR Group. He specializes in Goals Based Wealth Management, focusing on helping a select group of individuals manage their financial lives through personalized strategies. His client focus areas include college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, special needs planning strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. Dylan holds a Bachelor's Degree from Menlo College, where he attended on a soccer scholarship. He also holds the designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). A Bay Area native, Dylan maintains an active lifestyle and enjoys professional sports, boating, fishing, golfing, hiking, running, soccer, surfing, and spending time with his family. He also participates in community volunteer activities in line with Merrill’s tradition of community involvement.

Kenneth Seale is a financial advisor with Merrill in Palo Alto, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and 30 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 1999. 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, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Joseph Samuels is a Wealth Management Advisor and Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Palo Alto, CA. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®, Joseph specializes in working with clients to determine their long-term financial goals and implement comprehensive financial management strategies. His areas of expertise include asset management, liability strategies, education planning, retirement planning, and estate planning. He collaborates with clients' other advisors to support the development of their estate plans. Joseph has been in the financial services industry since 1990, with over two decades of experience at Merrill Lynch. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California system. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Joseph volunteers as a piano entertainer at local senior centers and is an avid jazz pianist. He is also committed to community involvement as part of Merrill's tradition of service.

Cyrus Chan is a financial advisor at Merrill with 17 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill Lynch and Merrill since 2007, with a brief tenure at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency in 2017. 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

George Lu is a Client Experience Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he collaborates with clients to understand their current financial situations and introduce suitable solutions offered through Merrill and Bank of America. His focus is on empowering clients with knowledge and tools to manage their financial lives effectively. George holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a bachelor's degree from Santa Clara University. He approaches his work with a philosophy centered on uncovering what matters to clients and their families in order to create strategies that pursue their financial goals.

Kin Chin is a financial advisor at Merrill with 11 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at both Bank of America and Merrill since 2014. 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 serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Mohammad Safariannematabad is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with executives, attorneys, physicians, family business owners, and families to help them navigate important financial decisions with confidence. Mohammad focuses on providing personalized wealth management guidance, emphasizing a relationship-centered approach to understand each client's unique needs. His expertise includes college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, socially responsible and ESG investing, and retirement income. Mohammad holds a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and has completed an Accredited Certificate Program from IVC. He communicates professionally in both English and Farsi. Mohammad's mission is to simplify complex financial matters and offer guidance that empowers clients to make informed choices. He aims to build lasting relationships based on trust and personalized advice, supporting clients in pursuing their long-term financial goals.

Michelle Chang is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She brings over 16 years of experience in the finance industry, focusing on simplifying and clarifying the complexities of investing for her clients. In her role, Michelle connects all aspects of a client's financial life to prioritize and pursue their most important goals. Her areas of expertise include customized wealth and retirement planning, fixed income investments such as CDs, bond laddering, preferred securities, and tax-free municipal bonds. She also specializes in education planning, including 529 plans and education analysis. Michelle's approach considers factors like risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity, and tax sensitivity to tailor strategies that meet clients' unique needs. Michelle holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of California System and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA).

Chuzhe Song is a Wealth Management Advisor affiliated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with clients to develop personalized financial strategies that align with their long-term goals, leveraging Merrill’s investment insights along with the banking and lending services of Bank of America. Chuzhe holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in finance from the University of Washington and an MBA from the University of Southern California. He has prior experience with UBS AG in New York and joined The Virnoche Group in 2012. Chuzhe holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He is committed to participating in community volunteer activities consistent with Merrill’s tradition of service.