Bera Dewhurst & Associates

Who We Work With

**Corporate Executives** Senior executives face unique complexity: concentrated equity exposure, evolving compensation structures, and significant demands on their time. We work closely with executives to bring clarity and coordination to these moving pieces. From managing the risks of concentrated stock and navigating trading restrictions to evaluating new compensation plans and aligning long\-term financial strategy, we design integrated approaches that adapt as your career evolves so your wealth strategy keeps pace with your success. **Multi\-Generational Families** For families of significant wealth, the challenge extends well beyond asset preservation. It involves aligning priorities, preparing the next generation, and ensuring wealth serves a lasting purpose. We help families design thoughtful wealth transfer strategies, foster financial education, and implement philanthropic initiatives that reflect shared values. Drawing on experience with other complex family structures, we bring perspective, structure, and discretion to support continuity, cohesion, and long\-term stewardship. **Founders, Business Owners \& Entrepreneurs** For business owners, personal wealth and enterprise value are closely intertwined and often create competing priorities. We advise founders and entrepreneurs on integrating business and personal financial decisions, from growth and liquidity planning to succession and legacy strategies. Acting as a coordinated advisor, we help bring structure to complexity so you can focus on building your business while positioning your wealth for long\-term success. **Nonprofit organizations** Mission\-driven organizations require thoughtful stewardship of capital to sustain and grow their impact. We work with nonprofit leaders and boards to develop disciplined investment strategies and governance frameworks that support long\-term objectives. With experience navigating fiduciary responsibilities, market volatility, and operational demands, we provide the insight and institutional resources needed to help organizations remain focused on their mission.

Our Investment Approach

We build portfolios with intention: grounded in rigorous research, customized to your objectives, and designed to perform across a range of market conditions. Our approach combines institutional insight with practical judgment, integrating both quantitative discipline and behavioral awareness. Rather than relying on static models, we focus on constructing portfolios that reflect how risk is experienced in real life, helping to protect against market uncertainty, personal liquidity needs, and evolving goals. The outcome is a strategy that is aligned, adaptable, and built to support your broader vision for wealth.

Our Strengths

We operate in many ways as a coordinated advisor across our clients' balance sheets bringing together investment strategy, liquidity, and planning into a cohesive approach. Our focus is on advising clients with complex financial lives, where thoughtful coordination and specialized expertise are essential. We bring experience and perspective across the following areas: * **Portfolio Strategy \& Investment Management**\* Customized asset allocation and disciplined portfolio construction aligned with your objectives * **Liquidity \& Balance Sheet Management** Structuring liquidity to support lifestyle needs, opportunities, and contingencies * **Alternative Investments**\*\* Accessing differentiated strategies to enhance diversification and return potential * **Concentrated Equity Strategies** Managing risk, liquidity, and tax implications of significant single\-stock exposure * **Philanthropic Planning** Designing and implementing charitable strategies that reflect your values and vision * **Credit \& Lending Solutions (through Bank of America, N.A.)** Integrating lending and banking strategies into your broader wealth plan * **Estate \& Wealth Transfer Planning** Structuring strategies to support multigenerational wealth preservation and intent \*Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. \*\*Some or all alternative investments may not be in the best interests for certain investors. Certain alternative investments carry significant risk and are not subject to the same regulatory oversight as mutual funds and other traditional investments. For these reasons, access to alternative investments may be limited to investors who are designated as sophisticated, high\-net\-worth investors.\*

A Commitment to Service

We are committed to serving a select group of clients with a level of attention that reflects the complexity of their financial lives. Our approach is grounded in building enduring relationships—developing a deep understanding of your priorities and providing continuity of advice over time. As your needs evolve, we proactively adapt your strategy, helping you navigate change with clarity and confidence. Through our relationship with Merrill and Bank of America, you also gain access to institutional insights, integrated banking capabilities, and ongoing technological innovation delivered in a cohesive and highly personalized manner. Our objective is simple: to provide a seamless, thoughtful experience that allows you to focus on the people and priorities that matter most.

Insight

**Insight** In a life with significant wealth, the financial decisions you make can often have a cascading effect — impacting you, your family, your business and even the greater community. We understand the nuances of these challenges and can help give you the insight you need to navigate important conversations and make more informed decisions. * Access [information and ideas](https://www.pbig.ml.com/latest\-thinking/research\-insights.html) to help you pursue your goals * Tap into the knowledge of specialists who work closely with your Merrill Private Wealth advisor

Simplicity

**Simplicity** Wealth should liberate you, freeing you to pursue passions and interests. Managing the ever\-increasing complexity of your financial life, however, can quickly become all\-consuming. At Merrill, we work to help transform the way you interact with your wealth by distilling that complexity into clear findings and thoughtful guidance, grounded in a personalized plan. What's more, as a Merrill Private Wealth Management client, you have access to a [full range of solutions and services](https://www.pbig.ml.com/solutions.html) designed to help you address the challenges and opportunities significant wealth can bring.

Perspective

**Perspective** Considerable wealth requires a much longer\-term vision — a commitment to maintaining your wealth throughout your lifetime and for generations to come. We're familiar with the demands that kind of time horizon puts on your needs. With our diverse knowledge and experience, we can help safeguard you against reactionary thinking while identifying opportunities in the future. Plus, as a client, you have access to our dedicated Private Wealth Services, including: * [Merrill Center for Family Wealth](https://www.pbig.ml.com/solutions/merrill\-center\-for\-family\-wealth.html)^®^ * [Strategic Wealth Advisory Group](https://www.pbig.ml.com/solutions/strategic\-wealth\-advisory\-group.html) * [Family Office Services](https://www.pbig.ml.com/solutions/family\-office.html)

Recognition