Ethan Pepper

Hi! I'm Stanley, a fee-only financial planner based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I founded DRS Financial Partners to help equity-compensated tech professionals steer through the complexities of their equity compensation and ever-changing lives, committing to an objective approach and fiduciary standard. Fascinated with the stock market since I was young, I began my career at a boutique wealth management firm in SF and quickly discovered how rewarding it is to help people gain clarity around their finances and make decisions with confidence. Whether it's preparing for a liquidity event or starting a family, seven years of helping tech executives and early employees with their complex situations helped me appreciate just how important it is to build a solid financial foundation. During my time there, I earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation and CFA® charter, sat on the investment committee, and led the firm's financial planning efforts. Adopted from Okinawa as a baby, I grew up in Hawaii and fell in love with the Bay Area during a high school summer program. I graduated Cum Laude from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in Economics (Mathematical Economics concentration) and a Math minor. Outside of work, you can find me on one of the Bay Area's many beautiful hiking trails, unwinding with some video games, or keeping up with an F1 race weekend.

About me: My journey in financial planning began at Cornell University, where I studied economics and finance as a recent immigrant from a post-Soviet state. Fascinated by capital markets and investing, I went on to work in investment banking advisory and corporate finance. These invaluable experiences inspired me to work in financial planning and pursue a career path at Charles Schwab. Why I founded my firm: Over the years, my friends and family often approached me for help with their finances. I found that guiding them through their financial challenges was incredibly satisfying on a personal level. It felt deeply rewarding to help a friend plan for home ownership, assist a neighbor with their Roth conversion, and kick-start my cousin’s retirement plan. These heartfelt experiences evolved into a true calling, inspiring me to launch my independent advisory firm. I'm not just a financial advisor – I'm a dedicated partner in my clients' financial journey, committed to nurturing their dreams with the same care and attention I'd give to my own family. Who do I work with and why: After working for five years at Charles Schwab, I realized that a vast majority of high-earning young professionals don’t have access to financial advice. They usually don’t meet the net worth requirements and often resort to bare-bones, impersonal, DIY robo-advisors. Recognizing that young professionals have tremendous wealth-building potential and deserve access to holistic, personalized expert advice, I launched my firm to exclusively serve them. My own background and experiences as a young professional give me a unique perspective and advantage in guiding my peers through their financial journey. What sets me apart from other firms? I purpose-built my firm to keep the costs low and pass these savings on to you. By charging a flat fee, I ensure you receive unbiased advice at a fair price. For a detailed comparison of the flat fee approach versus typical AUM fees, check out my blog here. As my practice grows, I deliberately limit my intake to 1-2 clients each month. Why? This approach allows me to dedicate ample time to each engagement, foster a long-term mindset, and build lasting advisor-client relationships. At my firm, you don't have to choose between quality and affordability. I'm committed to providing premium, personalized financial guidance that's both accessible and cost-effective, setting a new standard in the advisory industry.

I am committed to supporting individuals through life’s transitions—whether it’s a career shift, divorce, loss of a loved one, inheritance, or other major life events. Change can be overwhelming, and my mission is to help clients move through it with confidence, security, and a clear plan for what comes next. With a holistic and compassionate approach, I help simplify complex financial decisions—addressing everything from budgeting and cash flow to tax considerations, investment strategy, and estate planning. Each plan is personalized to reflect your goals, values, and unique circumstances. Since beginning my career in 2006, I’ve worked across wealth management, employee benefits, and financial education. Over the years, I’ve seen how empowering it can be when people gain control and understanding over their finances—especially during uncertain times. I’m particularly passionate about working with Solo Agers and women navigating life transitions. Having rebuilt my own financial foundation after becoming a single mom in 2010, I understand firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with starting over. Through persistence and smart financial choices, I achieved one of my proudest milestones—purchasing my own condo in 2021. I am based in the San Francisco Bay Area and work with clients all across the country. In my spare time, I enjoy nature walks, biking, learning about health and nutrition, painting, sewing, and spending time with my daughter and our two rescue cats, Turbo and Tyson. If you're ready to embark on your financial journey with a trusted partner by your side, I invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation with me at https://calendly.com/jenniferbush-iwp/intro-call. Together, we'll navigate life's financial transitions with confidence and purpose.

Jolon Staubli is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 2012, he has focused on delivering relationship-based financial advice tailored to affluent clients. His expertise encompasses retirement planning, estate and tax planning in collaboration with clients’ legal and accounting professionals, asset management, strategic lending through Bank of America, N.A., and managing liquidity events. Jolon’s approach aims to develop personalized wealth management strategies that support clients in achieving their long-term financial goals. With a career in financial services beginning in 2006, Jolon previously gained experience as an institutional trader and financial advisor. He holds a bachelor's degree in Economics and Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Services from St. Mary’s College of California. Jolon is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and has been recognized by Forbes on the “Top Next Gen Wealth Advisors” lists in 2018, 2020, and 2021, as well as on the Forbes Best in State Next Gen Advisors list in 2019. Jolon is an active member of the Greater Willow Glen Community and the Sacred Heart Community. He lives in San Jose with his wife, Nicole, their daughter, and two sons. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys spending time with his family through their schools and sporting activities, including tennis and baseball.

Brandon Picone serves as a Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill, specializing in collaborating with high net worth individuals and families. He designs customized, tax-efficient financial strategies tailored to clients' goals, time horizons, and risk profiles, with a particular emphasis on tax-efficient liquidity management including lending and cash flow solutions. Lending services are offered through Bank of America, N.A. Brandon’s expertise spans executive and equity compensation, family wealth management, legacy and philanthropic planning, as well as strategies for endowments, foundations, small businesses, and special needs planning. He holds multiple professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Brandon earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Pepperdine University, where he also played Division 1 water polo. Raised in San Jose, Brandon is fluent in English and Japanese. He maintains an active lifestyle, enjoying weight lifting, golfing, hiking, skiing, and spending time with his family. His community involvement includes supporting organizations such as Salvation Army Silicon Valley and participating in the President's Business Challenge at Valley Christian. Brandon is a member of professional organizations including the Santa Clara County Estate Planning Council and the Silicon Valley Bar Association.