Client Service Associate
(818) 591 6203
19
B.S. in Finance, CSUN
CFP® in progress
As a child, pure happiness meant that I was running up and down the hills behind my grandmother’s house. As an adult, going on a pre-dawn trail run and watching the world slowly come to life has become the gift that keeps on giving. Nature, to me, is the equivalent of liquid gold. Being able to share this “green gold” with my husband, two boys, and our border collie has become the most rewarding experience I could have ever wished for.
I grew up in a small town where everybody knew each other. The saying “it takes a village” always rang true to me because that is how life happened, at least until I moved to the Greater Los Angeles area, where everything is sprawled and disconnected. Working at Morton is like being back in my small town. What is so inspiring about Morton is that in an industry where individualism prevails, quite the opposite is true of our culture and work ethic. The power of the collective and how well we collaborate to create a symbiotic environment is what most inspires me about working here. I am delighted to say that I found my village again.
I was born and raised in Transylvania, Romania.
Wealth Advisor
(818) 591 6201
45
ChFC®, CMFC®
To me, wealth means freedom and fulfillment. Freedom from worrying about not only being able to pay the bills but also to have great life experiences and still be able to help others. Fulfillment is looking at the numbers and knowing that the hard work all my life has paid off. I value peace of mind for myself and my family, but I also value being able to help provide clean water where there is none, or providing musical instruments to underprivileged, or scholarship money to those in need, or . . . well, the possibilities are endless.
I love knowing that every day I have the opportunity to help make someone’s life better. Sometimes that means calming an anxious client when the economy looks bad, when they’re worried about some investment, or even if they are facing a more personal crisis. As a musician, you learn to listen quietly and thoughtfully. And when something is not in harmony, you learn the importance of stopping and fixing it before it gets worse. Bringing a sense of calm and control into those conversations with my clients can help assure that they make sound decisions. I love educating clients about a wide variety of financial questions. I love the long-term relationships and being able to look back and know that hundreds of people are better because I was there for them.
I traveled for 4.5 years with an international musical group performing for royalty, popes, Super Bowl halftime, and hundreds of thousands of audience members.
Wealth Advisor, Partner
(818) 206 2924
13
B.S. in finance, CSUN
CFP®
Wealth to me means having the freedom to spend more time with my family. When the cash flow from your investments is enough to cover all your lifestyle expenses, you have the flexibility to spend your time the way that you want. For me, that means going on adventures with my wife and kids and experiencing a new hike, teaching the kids how to throw a spiral, or even just being present for Little League games. When you have the ability to do whatever drives you and energizes you without having to think about the financial impact of a particular decision, that is true wealth.
Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by investing and the markets. My mother joined an investment club when I was 13 years old, and I have been inundating myself with information ever since. I have a passion for investing and for teaching people about the markets. What I love about working at Morton is our outside-the-box investment philosophy and our willingness to create portfolios with a variety of investments, not just stocks and bonds. I get inspired by being able to share a new way of investing that many people have never experienced. I believe this empowers our clients and makes them better overall investors.
I enjoy hiking and traveling and try to visit at least one new national park every year. So far, I’ve been to 12 of the 63 national parks, so still lots more to see.
Client Experience Manager, Wealth Advisor
(818) 206 2958
3
B.S. in Business Administration, magna cum laude
CFP® in progress, Series 65
Wealth is not about what you have, but it is about how you experience life. When I look back on my childhood, I remember how much fun it was to have a lemonade stand, not how much money we made. I remember taking trips to the river and wakeboarding, not caring if the boat was ours, borrowed from a friend, or rented. As a mom, I hope to create a life full of memories for my children, instilling in them a love and a joy for the things we get to experience together. To me, wealth is living my life as fully as possible—the warm feeling of cuddling with my kids before bed, the crunch of homemade pizza crust, or even the relaxation associated with the first sip of wine after a long day.
I am inspired by breakthroughs. In my role, I have the opportunity to see these “aha” moments, both internally and externally. Whether it is an associate advisor finally figuring out how to model in an advanced scenario for a client’s financial plan or the client seeing that scenario and getting the peace of mind associated with knowing its impact, moments of realization that lead to relief are the moments that keep me excited about my role and career.
I have a disdain for the taste of cheese and most dairy products, but I cannot eat popcorn without copious amounts of freshly grated cheddar cheese on it.
Wealth Advisor, Partner
(818) 206 2954
12
B.A. in Economics, San Diego State University
When I was a kid, for the longest time my perception of wealth was money, real estate, cars, and material things. What I have come to realize as I have grown up, had success in my career, and accumulated a number of those things, is that none of this really brings you long-term happiness or the feeling of being wealthy. Time, relationships, and experiences have become the true meaning of wealth for me. I enjoy my family, friends, and experiences much more than a number in an account or a material possession that exists. I want to spend my time golfing, BBQing, going to the beach, drinking good wine, and experiencing different cultures around the world with my family. The people who I have come to learn from and work with who explore their passions and have meaningful relationships with family and friends are much happier than the ones who focus more on money.
Making an impact on my clients’ and colleagues’ lives. I love helping people learn, progress, and achieve their potential, which can be anything from helping clients execute on their “wish list” without fear to helping my coworkers have success, learn, and grow. Being a coach and a mentor to our clients and my colleagues is more fulfilling than individual accomplishments. I am inspired to help people achieve their goals.
I can do a really good Dr. Evil impression.
Client Service Associate
(818) 206-2935
8
Wealth to me means having the freedom to do the things I love to do. It means the possibility of creating meaningful experiences, seeing the world, and creating moments and memories that will bring my daughter and me happiness and joy.
The people. I am continually inspired by the kindness, integrity, and empathy of my colleagues. They inspire me by how they genuinely care about our clients and each other. Their work ethic, integrity, and commitment to collaboration and growth are inspiring.
In September 2019, I decided to take charge of my health and eating habits. I have gradually lost 42 pounds since then. I am a spin class aficionado and often take 2–3 spin classes a day. I enjoy staying physically active, going on hikes, and spending time at the beach and am now passionate about eating well and maintaining healthy habits for long-term health.
Wealth Advisor
(818) 591 6204
40
CFP®, CMFC
Wealth allows me to travel and enjoy my life. It also allows me to support the causes and charities I believe in.
All the smart people I have met while being at Morton and their expertise in various financial areas.
I fly people in need through the Angel Flight charitable organization.
Wealth Advisor, Partner
(818) 206 2927
14
B.S. in Finance and Logistics, Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland
CFP®, Certified notary public, Series 65 and CFT-ITM in progress
Wealth isn’t just about the money in the bank for me. It’s knowledge, it’s gratitude, it’s the life I live, and the values I hold. It’s the people I surround myself with, the partner I chose, the company I represent, the family I love. Sometimes we get so caught up in the numbers, we forget all the beautiful things wealth can actually represent. For me, ultimate wealth embodies all of my core values and allows me to live authentically for the purpose of making a positive ripple effect. Things break, items can get lost, stuff trends in and out. What will always remain is the way someone feels during and after an interaction; the goal for me being to empower and motivate—resulting in a shifted mindset in this concept of wealth, enjoying life beyond just the financial transactions.
For the first time in my career, I feel seen, heard, and trusted. It’s incredible to witness firsthand the amount of confidence, strength, and determination that has opened up inside of me, all because of the company I get to be a part of. To even be challenged with the question, “What is your vision or what fulfills you?” separates Morton from the rest. With this type of support, I am passionately working on an education channel focusing on financial health and behavioral finance. I believe incorporating financial therapy is an essential part of helping our clients achieve their goals. After all, everyone’s financial decisions are filtered through their personal relationship with money, where emotions are largely at play. I am taking steps to provide that knowledge and the necessary resources to empower better investors.
I am 100% Armenian. I didn’t believe my parents (100% is a bit extreme—perhaps they meant majority?), so I did genealogy testing to show them that is quite impossible. Sure enough, I am 100%, with not even small traces of .01% of any other ethnicity. With that said, English is my second language and I have many funny stories of me as a child attempting to communicate by directly translating Armenian to English (and failing miserably). Happy to share, if you ask me about it. And good news: I eventually got the hang of the English language.
Chief Operating Officer, Partner
(818) 591 6206
7
B.A. in Business Economics, UCSB
B.A. in Religious Studies, UCSB
CFP®, Series 65
For many people, wealth can be intimidating. It is difficult to make decisions about how to save, spend, and set goals. But what I have learned over my years in financial services is that it doesn’t have to be. Wealth is more than a number and my perspective on wealth has to be combined with values and a mindset shift to truly achieve my goals. I value time with family and friends, usually over a farm-to-table meal with craft cocktails or an outdoor adventure. This is what a “wealthy life” looks like for me—more time with the people I love.
I love to create environments where people can thrive—whether that results in our clients getting the most life out of their wealth or the team getting the most life out of their careers. We have a unique opportunity to make a big impact in the lives we serve and having that “sacred duty” inspires me.
My husband and I met on the playground in South Lake Tahoe at five years old. He is kind, thoughtful, creative, and talented, and I feel lucky that we have gotten to enjoy so much life together.
Wealth Advisor
(818) 591 6202
53
B.S. in Business Administration
ChFC®, ChFC®, CLU®, AIF®
Wealth to me means FREEDOM: the freedom to “upgrade.” It means being able to help your children buy a home or put in a swimming pool. It means being able to go to Africa and not have to fly coach; to have experiences like having lunch in the Eiffel Tower, like seeing the Parthenon from your hotel room in Athens, or enjoying a seven-day cruise after watching the finals of the French Open.
My inspiration—I know it sounds trite, but it is true—is getting the feedback from clients that you have made a significant difference in their lives. To be relied on, to be counted on to provide counsel and advice that is truly appreciated. To KNOW that you made a difference.
I’m going to have to give you two fun facts because I simply can’t choose between the two. When I was about 23, I was instrumental in bringing a lawsuit against the Department of Defense in federal court as a result of a breach of contract that occurred while I was enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. The government won the case. The second fun fact is that at age 72, I learned that I had a 49-year-old daughter whom I never knew about. Not only did I learn that I had this “new” daughter, but I also had six “new” grandsons and 5 (now 7) great-grandchildren!
Associate Wealth Advisor, Advisor Operations Specialist
(818) 206 2929
2
B.A. in communications with an emphasis in business, CSU Channel Islands
M.A. in American Studies, Pepperdine University
Series 65, CFP® in progress
Taking advantage of the opportunity to create lifelong memories through experiences with family and friends on a regular basis. The experiences that have created wonderful memories for me are traveling around the world with friends, passing on family traditions to my children and creating new ones, and having meaningful relationships that support, encourage, and challenge me.
The stories. The story behind how a couple first met, what inspired someone to start their own business, how they deal with challenges, or what their hobbies are. Our clients have amazing stories to share. When they open up, it provides a glimpse into what they value and how hard they have worked to create the life they want. That life they live creates memories that turn into stories. I get to be a small part in helping them get the most life out of their wealth.
As a kid, I would wake up in the middle of the night to build LEGOS because I had a dream that inspired something I wanted to build.
Associate Wealth Advisor
(818) 206 2918
2
Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia
CFP® in progress, Series 65
Wealth always seemed like an intimidating word to me. It was something that I aspired to reach, but always seemed somewhat out of grasp. However, rethinking my definition of wealth has been the most rewarding aspect of my twenties. Wealth, today, means enjoying time with my friends, my family, and my community. Engaging in work that truly matters. Embracing life and realizing that nothing is out of grasp. Perspective is everything and wealth is all the little things that add up to make my life so meaningful.
In early 2019, I felt as if I needed to make a change. I was working in an industry helping people but I didn’t feel as though I had many growth or learning opportunities. Morton's vision of empowering families to get the most life out of their wealth sounded too good to be true to me then, but it was what brought me into the world of finance. Today, I find myself in many conversations with clients about their biggest fears, or what keeps them up at night, or what they are most excited about in their next stage of life. This is what excites me and engages me in the work that I do because I’m participating in conversations that are important and I’m getting to assist clients in making decisions that guide them on their financial journey. It’s inspiring for a client to go through the financial planning process and come out the other side with peace of mind and a clear understanding of where they are at in life—to me, that is really getting the most life out of your wealth.
Despite living on my own for the past 10 years, I have yet to learn how to read an instruction manual about how to put together a piece of furniture without the help of my friends or family.
Chief Investment Officer, Partner
(818) 591 6211
16
B.A. in English, summa cum laude, UCLA
CFA®, CFP®
Wealth for me is measured in enjoyment. I am happiest when I’m spending time with my family and friends, whether that’s tickle-tackling my two little kids, fencing epee with my husband, or laughing over good food (preferably sushi) and wine with friends. I also enjoy quiet time to read a book (probably a Jane Austen novel) or learn about something new.
I love that we have created an environment that encourages constant learning and engagement. We approach everything, whether that’s investments, financial planning, or team dynamics, with an open mind and a drive to be better. This allows us to truly serve our clients’ best interest, even if doing so veers from more traditional paths taken by others in our industry. Our approach not only satisfies my own personal curiosity, but has also attracted a group of individuals with similar energy and passion with whom I am excited and grateful to work.
I met my husband on the fencing team when I was a freshman at UCLA. Over the years, I was his assistant coach and we now have our own fencing club: Ace Fencing Academy in Agoura Hills.
Wealth Advisor
(818) 206 2920
28
B.S. in Economics, California Polytechnic State University
ChFC®, CLU®
Wealth to me means living a passionate life and enjoying those around me—family, friends, and the spiritual essence of being free. Wealth is also being able to have options to do the things I love.
I find true inspiration working with everyone at Morton because we are all about integrity and offering the best investment experience to our clients. I was lucky enough to meet Lon Morton over 30 years ago as my father-in-law was one of his first clients. I looked up to him as a mentor and he was always there to provide support over the years. Over my last 28 years in financial services, I can truly say I am working with the best team in the business. I love to mentor and help aspiring youth and hope I am making a difference in creating a better world in the future.
I am an avid cyclist, love fresh air, and enjoy trying to stay young in body and mind.
Client Service Associate
(818) 206 2926
4
B.B.A. in Management, magna cum laude, CSU Long Beach
CA Life and Health License
CFP®
Wealth to me means surrounding myself with my beautiful family, lovely friends, and cute animals! Being outside in the sunshine and spreading good energy is my mantra. I love blasting tunes in long car rides, writing poetry at the beach, and cooking plant-based food!
Working closely with my incredibly motivating colleagues at Morton inspires me day in and day out. Being part of a like-minded organization of people who want the best for one another and who always keep the client’s best interest at heart is extremely special.
I’m obsessed with butterflies!
Wealth Advisor, Partner
(818) 206 2902
6
B.A. in biology, Cornell University
CFP®, Series 65
To me, wealth means experiencing life with those I Iove: skiing down a mountain in Utah, playing in the waves of Santa Barbara, or sitting around the firepit in my backyard telling stories and laughing. It means having the freedom to control my decisions and not have them be dictated by financial motivations, as well as the autonomy to be able leave an impact on the world through service and generosity.
I love the peace of mind that clients have when they experience financial freedom. By realizing that money is not the goal and that wealth is only a facilitator of living a fulfilled life, it strips away the stress and anxiety and gives power back to their daily decisions. This is only truly accomplished when someone is empowered through financial education and has true transparency into their fully comprehensive financial picture.
A fun fact that most people don’t know about me is that I am in Cornell’s oldest secret society, but shhhhh, don’t tell anyone. It’s a secret.
Wealth Advisor
(818) 206-2945
4
B.A. in Law, Society, and Justice; University of Washington, Seattle
MBA in financial planning, Cal Lutheran University
CFP®, AIF®, CFSTM, Series 7, Series 66
My definition of wealth goes well beyond the traditional meaning and what most people imagine when they think of being wealthy. I say that because wealth is usually defined by money or assets, and the more you have the wealthier you are. To me, money/assets are just one piece of the pie that makes up wealth because true wealth includes deep relationships, love, personal growth, exploring passions, and a profound meaning to life. When someone is wealthy, they have the ability to take in and enjoy all the small and ordinary pleasures in life and just having an abundance of money can’t provide that.
Change. Every day at Morton, I have the ability and unique opportunity to help create meaningful change in the lives of our clients. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that I can help provide clarity and peace of mind to families while helping them navigate the difficulties of life. I love helping people first and foremost, and with the financial planning, cash flow analysis, and investment consulting that I am able to provide at Morton, I get to empower clients to be better investors and get the most life out of their wealth.
I have lived in many different countries around the world working in fitness and performing/teaching flying trapeze and other aerial arts.
Wealth Advisor, Partner
(818) 591-6205
23
B.A. in journalism, USC
J.D., Loyola Law School
Wealth is such a personal thing and so different for so many people. The first non-monetary type of wealth I always think about is the amount of love that I have in the bank: from my wife and partner of 41 years, from my children, and now from my grandchildren. That’s wealth that money can’t buy. Wealth is also “time.” There’s an old saying: “You can’t buy time.” But spending monetary wealth, the product of my hard work, allows me to view it not as a value lost, but a value transferred.
I am inspired by my ability to use the vast resources and diverse teams at Morton to help our clients get more life out of their wealth. Having the MC teams as a foundation, I have the ability to share my financial and life experiences with clients and help them make informed financial decisions.
I am a private pilot who loves to fly to different airports for lunch, meet with friends, or vacation up and down the West Coast. When people ask me why I love to fly, I answer: “Just like the investments from Morton, it’s a whole different perspective from up there.”
Chief Executive Officer, Partner
(818) 591-6217
22
B.S. in Biology, Stanford University
M.B.A., Anderson School of Management, UCLA
CFA®, MBA
For me, a “wealthy life” comes down to spending time with the ones I love and appreciating the little moments. I love nothing more than spending time with my wife and three kids, whether it’s a beach vacation, making dinner together, or just watching a movie with them on a Saturday night. It also means being intellectually engaged and being afforded opportunities to learn something new on a regular basis.
I feel so lucky to be at a place in my career where the work that I do is engaging on so many levels. First of all, the responsibility we have to protect our clients’ nest eggs while helping them accomplish their lifelong goals is humbling and inspires me to always push myself toward the “pursuit of being better.” Secondly, our industry affords endless opportunities to learn something new, as investments and financial planning opportunities are always changing. Finally, I love the camaraderie and collaboration with my teammates. The energy in our hallways is fun and invigorating!
I actually have two fun facts: My wife and I foster kittens—the max number we had at one time was over 20! And I can say the alphabet backwards more easily than forwards.
Wealth Advisor, Partner
(818) 591 6219
22
B.A. degrees in Business/Economics and International Relations, magna cum laude, Randoph-Macon College
CFA®, CFP®, CEPA®, Applied Behavioral Finance certification
It means experiencing life to the fullest extent possible—unique experiences, positive impact in the community, deep and meaningful relationships, and being open to what life has to teach us.
Being part of and helping to build a company that puts people first above all else—both in respect to our teammates and our clients. Morton has always thought outside of the box when it comes to investments but expanding this philosophy to how we manage the company, hire staff, and interact with our clients inspires and challenges me to be open to formulating new ideas and embracing growth and change.
I completed SEALFIT KOKORO Camp 37 in June 2015, a three-day experience over the course of 50+ hours designed by Navy SEALs modeled on “hell week.” We started with 35 people and 17 of us finished. We endured many of the same challenges that Navy SEALs face during hell week, including many hours of pushups, long runs, no sleep, and “water therapy” in the ocean at 2:00 in the morning. I trained six days a week for five months, mostly by myself, to get prepared for that weekend.
Wealth Advisor
(818) 206-2942
5
B.S. in Business Administration with the Insurance and Financial Services option, CSUN
CFP®, Series 65
Wealth means I have the power to choose. My grandfather stressed the importance of education to his family and exemplified choosing a disciplined approach in order to move up the management track at Bell Telephone Company, the predecessor to AT&T. He completed his college education and then created a legacy that lives on through his children and grandchildren. The ability to work toward my life goals is something that feels more and more in my control as I make the choice to invest in myself. When you have options in life, that is true freedom and that is my definition of wealth.
Working at Morton inspires me to help others by prioritizing enjoyment, for them and myself. When I meet with clients, I am able to help them visualize past numbers to a bright picture of what their lives with their loved ones can be. Whether it is supporting a grandchild with their schooling or preparing for a tough discussion about how to assign roles in a family estate plan, there is always an opportunity to educate and help individuals feel in control. The extra bonus is working with a team that is always rowing in the boat together to bring our vision to life: helping families get the most life out of their wealth!
I was an active student in school but had the unusual combination of being a student-athlete who did both football and swimming. I love being in the water and I frequently find my way to the coast for a dip in the ocean, no matter what time of year.
Associate Wealth Advisor
(818) 206 2956
9
B.S. in finance and minor in economics, magma cum laude, University of New Hampshire
CFP®
To me, wealth means more than money. It is about having the privilege to live our life purpose with a joyful heart and enthusiasm—not stressing out about money, security, health, or relationships. It is about having the wisdom to understand what we can and cannot control. Having the resources and strength to focus our intentions into the right place to further grow ourselves and positively impact others. Wealth is not a destination but a lifelong journey.
As a first-generation immigrant who is on her own path to financial freedom, I understand the struggles that people face with money, especially women. My family was bankrupt shortly after I left my home country. I wanted to learn about the stock markets only with the hope of getting rich and being my family’s savior. But as my understanding of wealth changed, I learned how to manage my finances in a much healthier way. As a result, I am passionate about empowering others to gain more control of their financial life. I hope to inspire people to have a healthy relationship with money, make informed decisions through different transitions in their life, and get closer to their life goals and purposes. Morton allows me to fulfill my dream while keeping the clients’ best interest at heart.
At a certain point in my childhood, I had 12 dogs, four hamsters, two cats, a bear, and a monkey as my family pets (things were a little different in Vietnam).
Wealth Advisor, Partner
(818) 206 2922
43
B.A., Wesleyan University
Wealth is a home in which to raise my children, a large open kitchen in which to teach them how to cook and to share holiday traditions—and then, outside the home, a cache of airplane tickets to show my kids the world. I also particularly enjoy cooking, coffee, baguettes from Gjusta, and London’s Financial Times Weekend (and all the rabbit holes the FT’s articles and book reviews lead me to).
Having managed portfolios over the course of four wild decades, I serve as the company’s (unofficial) Chief Market-Memory Officer, a useful position for the Morton internal mentoring program, and also useful for not panicking during market volatility. Just as markets keep moving, so does the information flow; keeping abreast of it all makes the work both fun and challenging.
I have two daughters of varying ages and have been in continuous child-rearing mode since the Reagan Administration.
Director of Advisory Services
13
B.S. in Sociology, University of Washington
CFP®; Series 65
Wealth is about building a rewarding life full of lasting memories shared with the people I love and respect the most. It’s about spending your most precious resource–your time–wisely. For me, that is all about developing meaningful relationships with my colleagues, clients, friends and family and watching my two boys grow. True wealth is built through small acts of kindness, bettering the lives of others, and creating a legacy in the positive impact you have on those around you.
I am inspired by empowering talented people to achieve their goals. I love being part of a team that values every individual and supports both their career and their personal happiness. The collaboration and environment of trust allows us all to achieve more for our clients and for ourselves.
A fun fact about me is that I’m a bit of a wine nerd. I love learning about the winemaking process and some of my favorite travels have been to different wine regions around the world. I’m trying to grow pinot noir grapes in my backyard, though I have a feeling my kids will probably eat them before I get to them!
