Experience

John’s vision for Advocate Partners has been shaped by his experiences over the last 35 years guiding entrepreneurs and wealthy families through life-changing events. John started in the business in 1985 and has been advising clients through several business cycles, bringing a level of experience and temperament to the task of managing risk.

He has been intimately involved in the design of intergenerational wealth transfers, and understands the challenges of protecting, growing, and ultimately placing that wealth safely into the hands of future generations or committing it to philanthropic pursuits. John and his partners have taken the responsibility of imparting this skill and knowledge to all the members of the team, with the goal of offering a service model that is constantly evolving with the ever-changing needs of the families they serve.

John is among a select group of Financial Advisors who have earned the UBS business designation of Family Office Consultant (FOC).

The passion for investing began early in Chris’s life, as did his desire to be a business owner. By following and learning from some of the best long-term investors, it became apparent to Chris that a proper alignment of interests was essential to consistently producing successful results. As a founding partner of Advocate Partners, he works diligently to ensure that interests are aligned in all areas of his clients’ lives. Chris makes it his responsibility to dig deeply to uncover vulnerabilities that may go unnoticed in a family’s financial picture. His experience has proven that an attention to detail can make all the difference in achieving important financial goals. To that end, his focus within the team is investment due diligence, portfolio allocation and monitoring, financial planning and ongoing relationship management.

Chris is also among a select group of Financial Advisors who have earned the UBS business designation of Family Office Consultant (FOC). As a Private Wealth Advisor, an FOC and tireless advocate for his clients, Chris understands the complexities of intergenerational wealth and the challenges faced by clients. Working together, his mission is to align their specific needs to the full suite of UBS capabilities and help them pursue their most important goals. 

Jackie brings a unique dimension to Advocate Partners.   As the former head of a global derivatives desk for a major investment bank she provides a critical benefit in the management of risk and it is that insight that enables her to gauge our clients’ needs across multiple asset classes. 

Jackie offers discretionary portfolio management as well as hedging, diversification and income producing strategies making her a differentiator in the industry.  She is one of four professionals at UBS entrusted with futures trading and designs bespoke solutions for sophisticated clients of teams across the country enabling them to mitigate risk in equities,  interest rate exposure, foreign exchange and commodities.

Jackie has earned the UBS business designation of Family Office Consultant as well as Corporate Stock Benefit Consultant and Senior Portfolio Manager.  She has undergone rigorous training to strengthen her knowledge and proficiency essential for the investment, business and legacy challenges of the team’s exceptional clients.

“Integrity is at the core of our practice. Our clients' financial well-being guides every decisions.”

Joel has more than three decades of financial experience between private wealth management and investment banking.  Leveraging his extensive internal and external network, he develops and manages multifaceted client relationships to provide personalized and analytical investment and planning advice at an institutional level. 

Joel joined UBS in 2011 after spending 8 years in the Private Banking & Investment Group at Merrill Lynch.  Joel had previously worked in investment banking for a decade at Lehman Brothers, Credit Suisse and Dresdner Bank, in New York, Los Angeles, London and Frankfurt. 

Joel graduated from Phillips Academy Andover, Harvard College and earned an M.B.A from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.  He serves on the Boards and chairs the investment committees of the American Farm School (Greece), The Fly Club (Harvard), and Thomas Emery Sons, a family alternative investment fund.  Joel has UBS offices in New York and West Palm Beach, where he resides with his wife and son. 

Jennifer has more than 30 years of experience in financial services working with affluent clients. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, Jenn manages the development and implementation of our clients’ planning and investment related needs. She received a B.S. in finance from Fordham University and an M.B.A. from the Stern School of Business at NYU.  As a Rock the Street, Wall Street mentor, Jenn is dedicated to promoting early financial literacy and empowering high school girls to pursue careers in finance.  In her free time she enjoys running, travel, going to concerts and spending time with her family and friends.

Nicole has over 20 years of financial market experience in private wealth management working with affluent clients. She oversees the day-to-day administration as the chief operations manager of the team and chief problem-solver.  Nicole is dedicated to delivering comprehensive service to our valued clients by attending to their account management needs, essential to the white-glove tailored client experience our clients have become accustomed to. She leverages the firm’s capabilities with a commitment to delivering personalized unique solutions tailored to each client’s service needs.  Nicole’s attention to detail, pursuit of perfection and genuine passion for people have fostered her close relationships and trust with our clients.

She graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Rhode Island in 2000. She holds the Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses.

Michael has over 20 years of financial services experience addressing the needs of wealthy families. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®), Michael assists in the complex phases of planning and asset allocation. He is also well-versed in the intricacies of trust and estate planning and administration by working in close concert with planning attorneys. Instrumental in generational wealth planning, Michael specializes in the cultivation of investment knowledge and personal financial independence for our clients’ next-gen heirs and relatives.

Prior to beginning his career, Michael earned a B.A. in finance from Geneseo University at SUNY and holds the CFP® certification.  In his personal time, Michael enjoys playing hockey, golf, the outdoors and spending time with his wife and twin daughters.

Demetrios is a Senior Wealth Strategy Associate at UBS, bringing over 18 years of financial services experience to his role.  Known for his meticulous attention to detail and client-centric approach, Demetrios assists clients with their day-to-day operational needs, ensuring their financial lives are simplified and well-managed.  Demetrios excels in managing the opening of accounts with complex structures and specializes in facilitating intricate international transactions.

His extensive knowledge and skillset are backed by his BBA in Economics from Baruch College, as well as his Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses.

Outside of his professional life, Demetrios enjoys spending quality time with his wife and daughter.  He currently resides in Bronx, NY and is dedicated to giving back to his community through his active involvement in volunteering at his church.

Erik is a seasoned financial services professional with over 20 years of wealth management experience, including 17 years at UBS.  As a Senior Wealth Strategy Associate on the Advocate Partners team, Erik plays an integral role in client portfolio management, specializing in option strategies, municipal bonds, alternative investments and cash management.  Erik collaborates closely with senior portfolio managers in asset allocation and provides timely market updates as well as periodic performance reporting.  Additionally, he oversees the team’s trading operations to ensure efficiency and accuracy.

Erik holds an MBA in Finance from Fordham University and a B.A. in Communication from Rutgers University.  He is certified with Series 7, Series 63, and Series 65 securities licenses, as well as a New York Life and Health Insurance license. 

Outside of his professional commitments, Erik likes to stay active through fitness and outdoor activities, enjoys playing golf and is an avid supporter of New York sports teams.  Residing in Jersey City, NJ he successfully balances work and family life as a dedicated parent in a family of six.

Regina has a passion for investing and financial literacy. She joined the team in 2013 and has spent her entire career in Wealth Management. Regina works closely with clients on their complex financial pictures and spends time with the next generation of families to provide financial education, investing guidance, and preparation for their financial futures. Regina also works closely with Christopher Tolman on investment manager due diligence and portfolio management across our clients’ investments.

Regina is a CFA Charterholder (CFA®) and a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® Professional. As such, she offers a unique perspective to the team and our clients: only 18% of CFA Charterholders and 15% of CPWA Professionals are female, and she takes great pride in being included in such a small segment of the industry. These respected financial accreditations have provided her with extensive training in a broad range of topics including investment strategy, portfolio management, risk mitigation, tax optimization, trust and estate planning, and advanced wealth transfer.

Regina received her M.S. in Global Affairs, with a concentration in International Business and the Private Sector from NYU, and her B.S. in Finance from the University of Florida. She holds her Series 3, 7, and 66 Licenses. Regina is an active member of the CFA Society of New York and is proud to serve as the treasurer for the NextGen Advocates, the young professionals board of Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS.

She lives on the Upper West Side in Manhattan.

Troy is a Portfolio Associate responsible for assisting our clients with all aspects of their financial and operational needs. He holds the Certified Portfolio Manager™ designation administered by the Academy of Certified Portfolio Managers, ACPM and taught in conjunction with NYU Stern. Troy works closely with the team’s Senior Portfolio Managers developing customized solutions for client portfolios in order to meet their specific needs. Troy also holds the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor designation administered by the College for Financial Planning®.

As a Series 3 registered associate for the team’s Futures Consulting Service, Troy works closely with Jacqueline Bianco constructing unique hedging and risk management strategies across a variety of markets including commodities, currencies, interest rate and equity futures. Troy is also a Corporate Stock Benefit Consultant and provides support with corporate equity plans, 10b5-1 plans, and Rule 144 sales.

Troy earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Babson College with All-Academic Honors where he was Captain of the Varsity Hockey program. He serves as a mentor with 43Oak Foundation, a joint initiative with the New York Islanders National Hockey League (NHL) team and UBS to help underrepresented, diverse student athletes pursue their academic and hockey dreams. Troy holds his Series 3, 7, and 66 licenses.

Alec joined the team in 2018 and assists with any day-to-day needs, general client service, and alternative investments. He works closely with the Advocate Partners’ advisors to implement investment strategies and maintain relationships with clients. Alec graduated from Boston College with a B.S. in Management from the Carroll School of Management with a dual concentration in Finance and Marketing. He also played on the BC Men’s Lacrosse team, serving as a Captain his senior year. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Alec now lives in Manhattan with his wife and dog.

Benjamin joined Advocate Partners in the Summer of 2022. He supports the team with operational tasks such as onboarding of new clients, account maintenance and addressing client inquiries. Benjamin recognizes the paramount importance of providing excellent client services to our practice.  He works closely with clients to ensure their needs are met promptly and with meticulous attention to detail.

He currently holds his Series 7 and Series 66 Licenses.

Prior to his role at UBS, Benjamin was a Certified Public Accountant in New York City. He graduated from the University of Maryland where he earned his B.A. in Accounting.

Outside of the office, Benjamin enjoys cheering on the local New York sports teams, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. He currently resides in Manhattan.

Madeline Levin is a Client Associate for the Advocate Partners team at UBS. Madeline joined in 2023 and has proven to be an excellent resource. Madeline works closely with team members to ensure a seamless onboarding process for clients as well as account maintenance and document management.

Since graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts, she currently resides in Manhattan. A proud 2022 NYC Marathon finisher, you can find Madeline running on the West Side Highway or around Central Park on the weekends.