I’m John C. Pak, a Certified Financial Planner™ and founder of Otium Advisory Group. My mission is to help time-starved professionals—those who barely have time for lunch—cut through the noise and finally feel confident about their financial future. With a clear, no-fluff approach to retirement readiness, I create simple, effective strategies designed to fit real life—not a textbook. I believe financial planning shouldn’t feel like a second job, so I focus on what matters most, eliminating the jargon and complexity that gets in the way. Aside from my life-long devotion to personal finance, my other passion point is teaching. I've been presenting retirement literacy courses at select Southern California Universities since 2014. I believe… - If you are open to the idea of prioritizing, organizing, and purging, you will save time and money. - If you change the way you see things, you will change the way you do things. - If you find someone to go along with you on your financial journey, you will have more success. Take advantage of the complimentary consultation. I look forward to sharing my vision of how we can get you to the finish line.

Charley Edson founded Wealth Being Advisors with a simple yet powerful belief: true wealth isn’t just financial, it’s the alignment of your money, your health, and your purpose. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Charley combines deep technical expertise with a human-first approach to help busy professionals gain clarity, confidence, and calm across all areas of their financial lives. Whether it’s building a strong investment strategy, creating financial freedom through automation, or improving day-to-day decision-making, Charley’s work centers around helping clients live intentionally—on their terms. After nearly a decade in traditional wealth management, including managing over $250 million in client assets, Charley realized that most firms were missing the bigger picture. That insight led to the creation of Wealth Being Advisors: a firm that helps clients connect the dots between financial health, mental well-being, and physical vitality. With a coaching mindset and a passion for helping others grow, Charley partners with his clients to create personalized plans that align their values with their goals. Outside the office, you’ll find Charley playing hockey, spiking volleyballs on the beach, or enjoying the Southern California sun with his fiancée, Daniela. He’s deeply committed to his own growth whether through strength training, guitar, or mindfulness practices, which reflect his belief that lasting wealth is about more than numbers. It’s about showing up fully in life. At Wealth Being Advisors, that’s exactly what he helps his clients do.

Progressive Values, Progressive Planning. Together. Modern Assets helps progressives align their wealth with their deepest values. With impactful investing, straightforward fiduciary guidance, and a transparent, empathetic approach, we ensure your wealth mirrors your beliefs. We offer personalized fee-only financial planning and investment management services that empower you to navigate the complexities of wealth while making a positive impact on the world. Our commitment to an inclusive, holistic approach ensures stewardship that goes beyond the numbers. We ensure your finances echo your values, not just trends. Join us on a financial journey of purpose and passion, where your money does good and feels right, always.

South Bay Financial Partners was founded by Tara Unverzagt in 2014. Tara’s interest in financial planning was sparked at a young age as she watched her mother become a financial planner in the 1960s, a time before the development of the financial planning career. Now, with over 30 years of experience in financial planning, investment advice, and tax preparation, Tara is more dedicated than ever to walking with clients through their life's journey, navigating financial decisions at various stages along the way. Her clients range from young adults just embarking on their careers to business owners to couples going through post-retirement transitions to multi-generations of families. Much like her mother, Tara is a visionary within her industry, fueled by her active involvement in the Financial Therapy Association (FTA). The FTA places a strong emphasis on recognizing, addressing, and working through the emotional factors that intertwine with money, like fear, shame, and anxiety, which frequently impede individuals from making optimal financial choices. In 2019, Tara received her CFT-I in Financial Therapy and now utilizes those skills in every client interaction. Since founding South Bay Financial Partners, Tara has grown her team to now have three other planners who bring their own areas of expertise and extensive experience to the table. This collective knowledge ensures that clients receive a well-rounded approach to their financial planning needs. Tara and her team firmly believe that your finances should support your life, and not the other way around. You deserve to have a life plan that is unique to you and your dreams. A plan that helps you live by your values without shame, fear, or anxiety. Your budget should tell your story. “We believe it’s your day-to-day decisions that make the difference in achieving financial success.” – South Bay Financial Partners team Overall, South Bay Financial Partners offers a comprehensive range of financial planning tools and services for anyone with any budget, with a focus on supporting clients in their day-to-day decisions, aligning their finances with their life goals, and addressing the emotional aspects of money decisions to create a fulfilling financial journey. Tara and her team provide investment advice and management, tax preparation and planning, cash flow (aka budgeting), estate planning support, charitable giving, generational wealth transfer, career development, insurance/company benefits review, and student loan and debt management, with financial therapy tools woven in everything they do. Learn more about Tara, the rest of the team, and their services by visiting southbayfinancialpartners.com

I became a financial planner because of the lack of financial literacy in my community and I wanted to help change that. With over 12 years of industry experience, I specialize in helping Gen X, Millennial and Gen Z adults with their money. I support people as they navigate their financial decisions, offering guidance that’s rooted in empathy and simplicity. When I'm not working with clients, I'm at home with my wife, daughter, and two rescue dogs. I'm passionate about DIY projects—home improvement, woodworking, crafting cocktails, and modifying cars. Currently, I'm swapping the engine in a 1985 Pontiac Firebird, the car I drove in high school. My firm Casita incorporates a behavioral based approach to financial planning that blends the psychology of finance with traditional financial planning. We create financial plans that are aligned with your core values, emotions, and money behaviors to ensure effectiveness and impact.

Benjamin Norrie is the Resident Director at Merrill's Manhattan Beach office and leads The Lotus Group, where he serves as a Wealth Management Advisor. He focuses on helping individuals and families who have achieved financial success seek a more intentional and integrated approach to their financial lives. His work emphasizes creating clarity and confidence across clients’ complete financial picture, supporting their long-term goals with a steady and personal advisory style. With expertise in areas such as college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, and socially responsible investing, Benjamin aims to provide thoughtful financial guidance that fosters long-term stability and resilience. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Benjamin earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue University. Outside of his professional role, Benjamin is involved with Covenant House of California and enjoys biking, boating, cooking, hiking, spending time with his family, and traveling. His personal philosophy centers on delivering wealth management that supports a life of clarity and purpose, enabling clients to focus on what matters most.

Suzy Zeng is a Financial Solutions Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In her role, she works closely with clients to understand their financial priorities and develop strategies tailored to their short-, mid-, and long-term goals. She provides guidance on a range of financial matters including investing, retirement planning, and unexpected expenses, while also connecting clients to Bank of America specialists for banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. With expertise in addressing complex financial demands such as home buying, education funding, eldercare, and healthcare preparation, Suzy collaborates one-on-one with clients to define objectives and create portfolio strategies designed to meet those goals. She provides ongoing advice and adapts portfolio strategies as clients' situations evolve. Suzy holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a master's degree from the University of Minnesota System and a bachelor's degree from Beijing Normal University. She is fluent in both English and Chinese. Suzy is involved with the University of Colorado Boulder, Leeds School of Business, and the University of Denver, Daniels College of Business.

Nathan Lee serves as Senior Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch, where he leads portfolio management and asset allocation development for the Lee & Yodowitz Group. With over 21 years of industry experience, Nathan specializes in wealth planning, estate and legacy planning, money management, corporate retirement plans, and alternative investment strategies. He also provides financial guidance to business owners throughout their companies’ life cycles, including cash management, financing solutions, succession planning, and group benefit plans. Nathan began his career at UBS Financial Services in Lubbock, Texas, prior to joining Merrill Lynch in 2004 after relocating to Los Angeles. He holds a bachelor’s degree and an MBA in Finance from Texas Tech University, with a concentration in asset pricing models and option strategies. His professional designations include Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Nathan is fluent in English and Spanish. Outside of his professional work, Nathan is active in community organizations including the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach—where he serves on the board—Estate Planning and Trust Council of Long Beach, and the National Eagle Scout Association. He is married with three children and maintains personal interests in railroading, family activities, and community involvement.

Martha Cannady is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. She joined Merrill Lynch in 2008 after previously serving as Vice President and Assistant Branch Manager at Morgan Stanley's Long Beach Branch from 1995 to 2008. Martha specializes in family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. As a Portfolio Manager in the firm's Investment Advisory Program, she manages personalized and defined investment strategies to help clients pursue their financial objectives. Martha holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from California State University, Fullerton. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®), a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and a Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Martha has also taught Successful Money Management classes at several community colleges and is a member of the National Association of Plan Advisors. Fluent in Spanish, Martha resides in Cypress, California, with her husband Bruce and has two daughters. She serves as an Executive Board Member of Alzheimer’s Orange County and a Board Member of the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Outside of her professional work, Martha enjoys cooking, skiing, hiking, traveling, golf, and yoga.

Yuko Matsuo serves as a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, Yuko works with clients to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at pursuing their long-term goals. Her approach reflects a commitment to understanding each client’s unique financial situation and priorities. Yuko’s expertise includes family wealth management, international wealth management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. She emphasizes working collaboratively with clients to tailor strategies that align with their objectives. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Yuko enjoys fishing, hiking, music, reading, singing, and spending time with her family. She also values community involvement, continuing the Merrill tradition of active participation in the communities served.