Natalie draws on 20+ years of comprehensive financial planning experience, 10+ years in fintech, and more than a decade of professional speaking to share advice that works in real life, not just on paper. She founded The Goodland Group to serve mid-career professionals with significant equity compensation (stock options and RSUs) at both public and private VC-backed companies. Natalie and her team of financial planners help clients who are navigating the tradeoffs between saving for retirement, paying off debt, saving for college, buying homes, family vacations, supporting aging parents, and making decisions around equity compensation, taxes, investment strategy, insurance, and career changes. They’re often making more than they ever have before, and are looking for a thought partner to navigate all of the decisions ahead as they move beyond the basics of building an emergency fund, paying off high interest debt, and investing in their 401(k).

John Hepp is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has spent more than 42 years working with clients to help them pursue their financial goals, including 28 years with Merrill Lynch. John leads a team with diverse skills in wealth management disciplines, assisting clients in managing risk, planning for the future, and preparing for retirement. His team focuses on creating individualized asset and liability management, wealth transfer, and risk management strategies to simplify clients' complex financial situations. John began his career as a Wealth Management Advisor in 1994 after nearly 15 years as a Merrill Lynch client. In 1996, he co-founded The JJD Group by partnering with two other financial advisors. He emphasizes personalized care and treats clients as individuals, fostering relationships built on integrity, discipline, and professionalism that often extend across generations. John's expertise includes college education planning, family wealth management strategies, retirement income planning, tax minimization, liquidity management, and portfolio management services. John holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. He earned his High School Diploma from Greendale High School. Outside of work, John enjoys baseball, football, golfing, hiking, music, skiing, spending time with his family, swimming, tennis, and traveling.

Thomas Jackson is a Private Wealth Manager with Merrill Private Wealth Management. He joined Merrill in June 2015 and focuses on managing and developing business within the corporate cash management segment. Thomas has extensive experience in corporate cash management, having previously worked at Barclays, where he helped run the West Coast Corporate Cash business. Before that, from 2003 to 2013, he co-managed Deutsche Bank’s Corporate Cash Group. He began his finance career in 1997 at Donaldson, Lufkin, and Jenrette with a focus on institutional fixed income, continuing through its merger with Credit Suisse. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Vanderbilt University and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He resides in Santa Barbara, California with his wife and three sons.

Joshua Timpe is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on serving high-net-worth individuals and families, addressing complex financial situations that include equity compensation services, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. Joshua holds the CHARTERED FINANCIAL CONSULTANT (ChFC) designation and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned his High School Diploma/GED from Santa Barbara City College. His approach involves managing comprehensive financial needs beyond portfolio management, including tax mitigation strategies, unwinding concentrated positions, engineering retirement structures, mapping exit timelines, and designing estates in collaboration with attorneys. Outside of his professional work, Joshua is involved with the Santa Barbara Rugby Football Club. His personal interests include adventure sports, camping, hiking, music, pickleball, reading, running, spending time with family, traveling, and watching movies.

Chad Valchar is a Financial Consultant who works with clients to address complex financial goals, including risk management and investing strategies spanning short- to long-term horizons. He partners with both individuals and businesses to support their financial objectives at various stages of life. He has professional experience as a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones from 2019 to 2024. Chad holds a California Insurance License and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. Outside of his professional work, Chad has interests in comedy, cooking and baking, food, golf, motorcycles, and pets.

Clayton Gibson is a Wealth Management Advisor based in the Santa Barbara office of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since joining the firm in 1998, Clayton has developed expertise in asset strategy and liability management. He works closely with clients to create customized financial strategies that address a variety of needs, including college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, retirement income, and tax minimization. Clayton also provides access to Bank of America Private Bank trust and estate planning services as well as real estate financing. Clayton's experience at Merrill Lynch began in operations, compliance, and cashiering, and he now serves as a direct point-of-contact with clients' attorneys on estate-related matters. He tracks market conditions closely to keep clients and the team informed and strives to make every client interaction positive through professional and timely communication. Clayton earned a bachelor's degree in business finance from Oregon State University and holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. He is a member of the Investments & Wealth Institute™. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Clayton participates in community volunteering aligned with Merrill’s tradition of community involvement. His personal interests include biking, boating, and scuba diving.

Josh Macaluso is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he works one-on-one with clients to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at pursuing their long-term goals. He leverages insights from Merrill and banking solutions from Bank of America to create flexible wealth management plans tailored to individual needs. Josh holds a Bachelor's Degree from San Diego State and a Doctorate from Santa Barbara College of Law. He is also designated as a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Beyond his professional responsibilities, Josh participates in community volunteer activities, reflecting the Merrill tradition of community involvement.

Darin Mast is a Managing Director and Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, currently leading a team headquartered in Santa Barbara, California. With a career that began in 1998 at Merrill Lynch's downtown Houston office, he has maintained a consistent focus on managing personal wealth and financial strategies for families, retirees, business owners, and corporate executives nationwide. Darin is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and holds the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designations. As a founding partner of Vicknair Mast Taylor (VMT) Wealth Management, Darin has played a key role in elevating the team's national recognition. VMT has been ranked #1 on Forbes' "America's Top Wealth Management Teams High Net Worth" list from 2022 through 2025 and has appeared on Barron's "Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams" list during the same period. Darin himself has been named to Forbes' "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list every year from 2018 to 2025. His expertise includes family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, retirement income, philanthropic planning, tax minimization, and individual and corporate investment strategy. Darin graduated from Rice University in 1998, where he was a four-year letterman on the men's tennis team. He continues to enjoy tennis along with other activities such as biking, golfing, running, skiing, surfing, swimming, music, and adventure sports. Darin is also involved with the community organization Friends of Fleming Park. He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and three children.

Timothy Jou is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving as Vice President and an integral member of the JJD Group based in Santa Barbara. Since joining the team in 2018, Tim has contributed to providing personalized support to clients and assisting the advisor team in delivering comprehensive wealth management services. Tim's expertise encompasses areas including college education planning, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. As part of a multigenerational team with over 130 years of combined experience, Tim holds several professional designations such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of California System. Outside of his professional role, Tim enjoys cooking, golfing, music, running, soccer, spending time with his family, traveling, and volleyball. He is involved with various community organizations including the Foundation of Shared Impact, Impact Circles, OWN Academy, UCSB Investment Advisory Committee (previously held), UCSB Residence Hall Association, and UCSB Volunteer Income Tax Assistance.