Katie served as the Resident Director of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Arcadia office from 2014-2016 and is currently a Wealth Management Advisor. Her focus is on managing portfolios to enhance their return while controlling and maintaining the risk tolerance specifically tailored for each high net-worth client. She joined Merrill in 2010 after 14 years in the financial services and accounting industry, along with her team, are dedicated to providing clients with the finest individually tailored approach to financial and wealth management strategies. At the heart of Katie's philosophy is a passion to build enduring client relationships through her commitment to providing outstanding guidance and service.
Katie advises family foundations, medical doctors, business owners and high net-worth clients on wealth accumulation, preservation and transfer through the creation of individually customized wealth management strategies utilizing a defined process. Katie offers clients a wide range of services, including: portfolio development, foundation management, retirement and education planning, liability management, tax minimization, and asset preservation. She also provides sophisticated strategies pertaining to concentrated stock positions, company stock options, liquidity and alternative investment strategies.
Katie holds the designations of CIMA®, Certified Investment Management Analyst®, CRPC®, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, CRPS®, Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist, Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor, and brings a diverse business and finance background to clients. Katie began her professional career at a public accounting firm in Dallas in 1996, then a CFO for a telecommunication start-up company in Los Angeles, later as a financial consultant at a turnaround and crisis management firm. She founded Pan Pacific Realty & Investment, concentrated in the marketing of Chinese real estate investment opportunities in the U.S.
A native of China, Katie studied law at Peking University in Beijing and pursued her passion as a runner in track & field, then transferred to Baylor University in 1991 on a full track scholarship and held the Baylor woman’s 400m hurdle record for years. From Baylor she received a BBA and Master of Taxation. She was licensed in real estate and as a Certified Public Accountant. Katie was a board member of the Peking University Alumni Association of Southern California and served as its president from 2008-2010. Katie hosts seminar regularly for numerous organizations on the topic of investment, risk management and woman as an investor. Katie enjoys spin class, traveling, cooking, sci-fi movies, and weekends at Huntington Beach.
*Some or all alternative investment programs may not be in the best interest of certain investors. No assurance can be given that any alternative investment’s investment objectives will be achieved. *Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.
My mission, first and foremost, is to understand you and what matters most to you. Armed with that information I can ask thoughtful questions -- listening carefully, then understanding in detail where your wealth stands today and where you'd like it to be tomorrow. I help you design and implement a personalized planvintended to help you and your family pursue financial goals while helping manage investment risk. My approach is to focus on potential solutions that can help turn goals into reality.
Bringing fresh perspectives to your financial life
The financial decisions you make today can help determine the future you build for yourself and your family. Carving a clear path forward starts with connecting your life and finances. A Merrill advisor provides access to the investing insights of Merrill and banking capabilities of Bank of America to help you make informed decisions as you pursue your goals.
