Financial advisors in San Francisco for Executive & Equity Compensation

Rajiv Eluthesen is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has served for 15 years. Based in the Bay Area, Rajiv works closely with a select group of clients, many from technology and biotech industries, to develop personalized financial strategies that address retirement, college planning, stock options, and RSU management. His approach emphasizes balancing clients’ current lifestyle enjoyment with the pursuit of their long-term financial goals through step-by-step wealth planning designed to amplify strengths, minimize risks, and adapt to evolving circumstances. Rajiv graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 2010 and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP) certification as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Raised by immigrant parents who realized the American dream in one generation, he was inspired to pursue a career dedicated to helping families and individuals achieve their wealth management objectives. Rajiv has been recognized by Forbes on their “America’s Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list in 2018 and the “Best-in-State Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” lists in 2019 and 2022. Outside of his professional work, Rajiv leads an active lifestyle that includes bicycle racing with the Peninsula Velo team, skiing, backpacking, and traveling. He enjoys engaging in conversations on a broad range of topics and exploring global cultures through his travels.

Benjamin Garrison is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in serving affluent families, business owners, executives, and medical professionals. Since joining Merrill in 2021, he has focused on helping clients navigate complex financial decisions related to family wealth management, managing new wealth, and small business strategies. His work centers on guiding clients through important life transitions such as new executive roles, growing practices, and family-owned enterprise demands, utilizing a disciplined planning framework aimed at long-term outcomes. Benjamin structures retirement and investment strategies aligned with clients' multigenerational wealth goals, designs succession plans to protect business value and family legacy, and helps optimize cash management for liquidity and opportunity readiness. He also supports career transitions with clarity on equity compensation and employer benefits, while building tax-efficient wealth strategies intended to compound across generations. His approach emphasizes deep listening, customized strategy, and proactive service. Benjamin earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Oregon State University, where he was a four-year varsity letterman and team captain of the Men’s Rowing Team. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and is involved with professional organizations including the Oregon State Men’s Rowing Alumni, Oregon State University Alumni Association, and the Young Professionals Organization in San Francisco. Outside of work, Benjamin enjoys spending time with his family and engaging in outdoor activities such as fishing, skiing, hiking, and playing various sports.

Walton Brown, also known as Buzz Brown, is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in the Oakland, California office. He has been managing investments for individual and institutional clients since 1998, bringing over 10 years of experience both at Merrill and in the financial industry overall. Brown focuses on providing personalized wealth management strategies that address the changing market conditions and the unique financial circumstances of his clients. Brown’s expertise includes college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, retirement income, socially responsible and values-based investing, and helping clients manage new wealth or personal retirement planning. He is particularly attentive to working with women who are newly divorced or widowed. He helps clients navigate complex financial situations such as sudden wealth, approaching retirement, and those requiring stock option, tax minimization, and estate planning strategies. Brown holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Pepperdine University and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). A third-generation Californian with deep roots in Northern and Southern California, he lives in the Lincoln Highlands District of Oakland. Outside of work, Brown participates in community volunteer efforts and enjoys adventure sports such as biking, bungee jumping, hiking, rock climbing, skydiving, cooking, gardening, and spending time with his family.

Patrick Benson is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been a team member since 2014. With 11 years of experience in the financial industry and 10 years at Merrill, he specializes in offering personalized wealth management strategies tailored to clients' unique financial situations and goals. Patrick's approach integrates investment insights from Merrill and banking solutions from Bank of America to provide comprehensive financial services. Raised in a small community in the Sacramento River Delta, Patrick pursued his undergraduate studies at Amherst College. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and is proficient in English, German, and French. His expertise focuses on corporate executive services, equity compensation, family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, and managing new wealth. Beyond his professional work, Patrick maintains active involvement in his community. He referees local college and high school basketball and participates in volunteering and fundraising activities for organizations including Active 20-30 Club #1 and the Walnut Grove Fire Department. In his personal time, he enjoys basketball, football, golfing, and refereeing.

Alena Meeker is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been with the firm for 18 years and brings 13 years of experience in the financial services industry. Alena’s approach focuses on understanding each client's specific needs, concerns, and priorities to deliver personalized advice. Her expertise covers a range of client focus areas including college education planning, equity compensation services, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management, and socially responsible investing. She also provides services tailored to endowments, foundations, non-profits, and women and wealth. Alena holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of California, Berkeley. She has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) certification.

Kenny Heller is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he focuses on understanding clients' financial priorities to develop strategies aimed at achieving their short-, mid-, and long-term goals. He provides guidance on a range of services including equity compensation, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, liquidity management, tax minimization, retirement income, and LGBT wealth planning. Kenny also offers access to Bank of America specialists for banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Kenny holds a Bachelor's Degree from San Jose State University and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He has one year of experience at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and is new to the industry. His approach emphasizes working closely with clients to address their goals, concerns, and questions, providing ongoing advice as their needs evolve.

Wealth Script Advisors offers a wealth management experience unlike any other, designed specifically for tech professionals. With 12 years of experience in the financial advisory industry and certifications such as CFP®, CFA®, and Enrolled Agent, we bring a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges of equity compensation, concentrated investments, tax strategy, and real estate. Our expertise is rooted in a deep knowledge of the tech sector, allowing us to craft strategies that address the complexities of your financial world while simplifying the path forward. Three key pillars truly separate us from the rest: First, our deep expertise in working with tech professionals. We understand the intricacies of your compensation structures and have the experience to help you maximize wealth while managing the tax implications. Second is our personalized investment experience, which focuses on customization and driving utility. Third, we offer a white-glove boutique experience. Our firm combines the personalized attention of a small, exclusive practice with the expertise and resources of a much larger firm, ensuring that every interaction is seamless and tailored to your specific needs. At Wealth Script Advisors, we’re committed to delivering strategic, thoughtful advice with an unwavering focus on your long-term financial success. Whether you’re navigating equity compensation, building wealth through real estate, or looking for a partner to guide you through life’s financial milestones, we provide the kind of individualized attention that ensures you feel supported and confident every step of the way.

Sarah Liston is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she has been serving clients for two years. She offers tailored advice and guidance to individuals, families, and businesses, assisting them in implementing thoughtful wealth strategies aligned with their unique priorities. Sarah’s expertise encompasses pre- and post-retirement analysis, cash-flow modeling, portfolio design, liquidity event planning, next-generation wealth transfer, and higher-education savings. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and Personal Investment Advisor, Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Social Science from the University of Central Florida. She places an emphasis on understanding each client’s situation through attentive listening and integrated planning to help them achieve their personal and financial goals. Sarah is committed to enhancing financial literacy by communicating her approach clearly, enabling clients to make informed decisions regarding their wealth. Outside of her professional role, Sarah enjoys cooking, music, reading, spending time with her family, traveling, and watching movies.

Jeremy Yuster is a Managing Director and Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he leads a team serving ultra-high net worth clients. He specializes in helping these clients identify their financial priorities and develop tailored strategies to advance their wealth management goals. With 12 years at the firm and in the industry, Jeremy focuses on comprehensive wealth planning, investment management—including traditional and alternative investments—stock option strategies, trust and estate planning, and customized credit and business lending services. Jeremy has extensive experience in capital markets and the technology sector, having served as a director of diversified investment funds and as a financial analyst. This background supports his work with corporate executives, assisting them in assessing and pursuing appropriate financial strategies. His client focus areas include corporate executive services, executive compensation, philanthropic planning, special needs planning, women and wealth, tax minimization, retirement income, and services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Jeremy is active in his community, participating in activities such as interviewing incoming Northwestern University students, volunteering with the Kentfield School District and San Domenico School, and coaching youth sports. He lives in Marin County with his wife and two children and enjoys basketball, boating, football, music, tennis, and spending time with his family.

Kevin Cheeks is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional specializing in equity compensation, tax-efficient financial planning, direct indexing and socially conscious investing. With close to two decades of experience in wealth management, Kevin has worked at several of the largest financial services firms such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Charles Schwab. While at Schwab, Kevin was responsible for advising stock plan participants at some of the largest tech companies in the San Francisco Bay Area, such as Apple, Facebook (Meta), Google (Alphabet), Twitter, Uber, and many others. In 2020 Kevin joined forces with several colleagues to help launch ECHO45, a boutique Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), where he served as the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer and Director of Planning Services, in addition to continuing to serve as a Financial Advisor to his own book of clients. 2020 proved to be not only an interesting time to launch a new firm, but also a historically important period in our country and around the world. After 2 years of helping to build and grow ECHO45, Kevin felt a calling to be doing something more. Having been brought up in a home with parents who served in the Peace Core, participated in the civil rights demonstrations in the 1960’s and were active in grassroots political campaigns, Kevin felt it was time to align his work with his ethos. “ImpactFI was born from the idea of creating a platform where investors can make a difference in the world around them while simultaneously accomplishing their own financial goals. Making money and making an impact don’t have to be mutually exclusive.” In April of 2022, ImpactFI opened its virtual doors for business. When he’s not helping clients accomplish their financial and altruistic goals, Kevin and his partner, Sejal, enjoy taking advantage of life in the Bay Area with their dog, Nullah. An avid traveler and board sport enthusiast, from snowboarding in Canada to surfing in Sri Lanka, Kevin has visited 24 countries so far and looks forward to growing that list even longer. He’s also a self-proclaimed points and miles nerd. In 2019, he had the great fortune of being able to go on a surf and yoga themed sabbatical, during which he flew around the world, visiting 7 countries along the way, flying entirely in business class and almost entirely on points and miles! Read Kevin's blog here: https://impact-fi.com/blog