Mary Sanchez

With over 18 years of experience in financial planning, estate management, and investment advisory services, I founded Vineyard Wealth Group to help families, individuals, and non-profits navigate their financial journeys with confidence. My approach combines personalized planning, trusted advice, and innovative strategies tailored to each client’s unique goals and values, with a particular emphasis on Social Security analysis and decision-making as a cornerstone of financial success. Prior to starting Vineyard Wealth Group, I spent nearly 14 years at Charles Schwab, managing a $15 billion complex with over 30 employees, and served as a Senior Financial Advisor at Martha's Vineyard Investment Advisors. These experiences honed my ability to deliver comprehensive and collaborative wealth management solutions. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, I bring advanced expertise in asset management, estate planning, tax strategies, and Social Security planning, along with credentials as an Accredited Asset Management Specialist® and Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor®. My Six Sigma Black Belt certification further reflects my commitment to efficiency and excellence in service delivery. Beyond the numbers, I’m deeply invested in my community. I serve on the board of the Martha’s Vineyard YMCA, actively support local initiatives, and completed the 2023 Boston Marathon, raising over $8,000 for the Doug Flutie Jr. Autism Foundation. Let’s connect and explore how I can help you achieve financial clarity, optimize your Social Security decisions, and enjoy lasting peace of mind.

James Simpkins is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. With 20 years of experience on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and a decade at Merrill, he utilizes his extensive industry background to help clients navigate financial markets and pursue their long-term goals. His areas of expertise include legacy planning, liquidity management, retirement income, portfolio management, and values-based investing, among others. James works closely with clients to develop personalized financial strategies based on their individual objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs. James holds a Bachelor's Degree from Colgate University and maintains professional designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Beyond his professional work, he is involved with the Marthas Vineyard Boys and Girls Club and enjoys golfing, skiing, and spending time with his family.

Alec Mc Leod is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in the Hyannis office. He works with clients to develop personalized wealth management strategies that align with their specific financial goals and positions. Alec's approach includes creating flexible financial plans that adapt to changing market conditions and leveraging the investment insights of Merrill alongside the banking and lending services of Bank of America. With four years of experience in the financial services industry at Merrill, Alec specializes in investment portfolios and financial planning. His expertise covers areas such as college education planning, retirement planning, tax minimization strategies, and divorce transition planning. Alec holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Alec graduated from Providence College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics, focusing on Finance. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys fishing, football, hiking, pickleball, racquetball, and spending time with his family.

Robert Santos is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in the Indian Wells office. He began his career with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in March 2020, having previously served as a Wealth Management Banking Specialist within the enterprise. In his current role as a Senior Portfolio Advisor, Robert manages and customizes investment strategies on a discretionary basis, selecting from a range of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management model portfolios and third-party investment strategies. He leverages investment insights from Merrill Lynch alongside banking resources from Bank of America to deliver comprehensive financial services. Robert’s experience includes assisting clients with managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, and retirement income. His approach centers on reviewing clients’ financial situations to provide solutions aligned with their liquidity, income, and growth expectations. He works primarily with active and retired professionals who appreciate direct communication delivered with kindness and an invested interest in their success. Robert earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Washington. Prior to his financial services career, he served seven years in the United States Army. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and is fluent in English and Spanish. Outside of work, Robert enjoys basketball, football, hiking, and pickleball.

Jill Spatola is a Wealth Management Advisor with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. She currently works with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, focusing on providing consistent performance, personalized guidance, and strategic portfolio tracking. Jill acts as the quarterback for her clients' Wealth Management Plans, collaborating closely with clients' attorneys, CPAs, and Medicare specialists to ensure all aspects of their financial plans are aligned. Her areas of expertise include managing personal and corporate retirement plans, income planning, personal wealth analysis, corporate actions, and small to mid-size company retirement plans and employee education workshops. She serves as a financial advisor for the retirement planning needs of real estate professionals and works with clients on a range of services such as legacy planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. Jill graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1996 and completed additional coursework through Bryant University. She holds multiple professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Jill is actively involved in her community, coaching for Girls on the Run, serving on the board for Animal Welfare of Charlotte County, and participating in organizations such as Women United of Charlotte County, Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, and Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. She previously served on the Board of Directors for School on Wheels of Massachusetts for seven years.

Timothy J. Willis, CRPC™, serves as a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 1998 and brings over 25 years of experience in business management and finance. Timothy provides clients with personalized wealth management strategies through a structured process that begins with comprehensive financial analysis to align investments with clients' short- and long-term goals. He collaborates with specialists across various fields to offer services including portfolio development, education planning, liability management, retirement planning, tax minimization, and asset preservation. Timothy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Bridgewater State University, where he graduated cum laude. His professional designations include Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Outside of his professional responsibilities, Timothy is involved with the Chatham Conservation Commission. In his personal time, he enjoys adventure sports, camping, cooking, fishing, hiking, music, photography, traveling, and spending time with his wife Josette and their children.