Paula Gonzales leads a Merrill wealth management team that focuses on helping individuals, families, and businesses approach their wealth more thoughtfully and strategically. With more than 25 years of experience, Paula is skilled in really listening to clients, engaging with their priorities, and helping them create a path to pursue their goals more effectively.

 Clients from multiple states and various backgrounds engage Paula’s assistance. Many are weighing the timing of their retirement or have already attained that milestone. Others are actively building their wealth and want to know if they are on track for a smooth and secure future. And still others are the children, relatives, or friends of current clients, who appreciate the care that Paula invests in each relationship.

 Paula recognizes that wealth management is about more than investments. She spends significant time with clients, learning their stories, hearing their concerns, and demonstrating a genuine interest in their lives. She also takes the time to tackle relevant issues in their finances: creating a budget, consolidating assets, explaining options for trust and estate planning services, providing access to banking and lending opportunities from Bank of America, and designing a balanced portfolio. To each relationship, Paula brings her characteristic energy, empathy, and insight. Discreet and trustworthy, she is often welcomed as a member of a family’s inner circle, serving as a reliable friend during life’s key crossroads. Paula looks to a simple rule—treat others the way you would like to be treated—as the inspiration for her work ethic and responsiveness.

 Paula has worked at the firm since 1994. Over the course of her career, she has served as a Premier Banker as well as a Financial Advisor, providing her with valuable insights into the lending process. She earned her B.S.B.A. from the University of Arizona, where she majored in Finance and Real Estate. Committed to professional excellence, she holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor^® designation and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor^TM designation.

 Within the firm, Paula serves on the Leadership Team for the Merrill Women’s Exchange and is the dedicated Tucson liaison. She also serves as the Mentor Chair for the group. In this role, she helps to foster mentor/mentee relationships and serves as a mentor to promising new advisors.

 Outside the office, Paula loves to dote on her chihuahua, Izzy, and spend time with her family. A live music enthusiast, she likes to attend concerts with friends, sometimes in far-flung destinations. She also enjoys spoiling her nieces and nephews, whether taking them on trips, attending sporting events, or supporting their interests. Comfortable traveling internationally and domestically, Paula loves to trade ideas about great destinations. Her hobbies also include reading and photography.