At Finnerty Partners, we understand the passion and vision that is necessary to build a successful company—and the concerns that often arise when transitioning your ownership role. Will Finnerty is a leader of entrepreneurship, having shared his knowledge and passion as an award-winning adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business for 16 years. Since 1995, our team has served entrepreneurs and their families across the country.

We recognize that when you have built a business from the bottom up, the decision to step away, whether through sale or family succession, is never easy. In fact, we have seen that it is often life-changing—for founders, owners, their families and those next in line.  From our experience working closely with business owners at varying stages of the selling process, we believe you can never begin preparing too early. Our early involvement in the planning process can add significant value to your strategy.

 

When it comes to managing your wealth our team has one simple rule: everything matters.

- William B. Finnerty Managing Director, Finnerty Partners

Plan strategically to exit confidently

For more than 25 years, our team has built lifelong relationships with entrepreneurs nationwide. We’ve addressed the full cycle of their goals—from start-up to growth to sale or succession—while also helping them pursue other critical planning and investment priorities.

Why exit planning?

Start early for long-term impact

Who acquires the business?

Your life post-transition

Experience that counts

As a distinguished UBS Private Wealth practice, we’re dedicated to bringing an informed business perspective, along with market insight, planning acumen and uncompromising service to your entrepreneurial vision. Working together, we’ll help ensure it creates the best outcomes for your family and your future.

Private Wealth Advisors

  • William Finnerty Profile Photo

    William Finnerty, CEPA, CIMA, CPWA

    Managing Director–Wealth Management

    Financial Advisor

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    “People hire us for three reasons: they like us, they trust us, and they believe we're really good at what we do."
    William B. Finnerty

    As the head of Finnerty Partners within Private Wealth Management in Washington, D.C., Will manages client relationships and leads all investment consulting, advanced planning, and relationship management efforts. His team consists of full time specialists that work with him in these areas to serve their clients with distinction.  

    Finnerty Partners is a boutique operation within UBS, only working with a few dozen ultra-high net worth families throughout the country, as well as internationally, the majority of which have $10 million or more in investable assets. More specifically, their sole focus is helping entrepreneurs and their families organize, plan, and manage all aspects of their wealth.

    Education
    Will was the top finance graduate at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business. Upon graduating, he received a finance award which ultimately led to his career in wealth management in 1995. In 2000, he began teaching Entrepreneurship for Georgetown's McDonough School of Business and remained an Adjunct Professor for 16 years. 

    Firm-wide Recognition
    Will has been exceptionally recognized within UBS as a national lecturer on financial advisor development and practice management. Additionally, from 2014 to 2016, he served as a member of UBS's Financial Advisor Advisory Committee (FAAC) to ensure UBS is the firm of choice for high net worth and ultra-high net worth investors along with the advisors that serve them.

    Licenses and certificates
    Will holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.

    Will holds the following designations:

    • Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA)
    • Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
    • CPWA®

     

    • Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
      The Barron's rating is awarded annually in March and is based on information from the prior year Q3. 
    • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2021, 2022, 2023The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in April based on information from a 12 month period ending June of the prior year.

    Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

    • Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, Finance
    • Certified Exit Planning Advisor
    • Certified Investment Management Analyst®
    • CA Life insurance #0G60062
    1501 K Street North West
    Suite 1100
    Washington, DC 20005
  • Carol Staniar Profile Photo

    Carol Staniar, CFP

    Director

    Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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    "Financial planning is a process, not a product” – Financial Planning Association

    Carol is the Advanced Planning specialist on the team and works to address complex financial issues using wealth management and risk mitigation strategies. Her mission is to simplify clients’ lives by helping them view their entire wealth picture and by providing integrated solutions that solve some of their most difficult financial challenges. She also works with clients’ executive team members (Attorneys, CPAs, Insurance Agents, etc.) to help ensure that their overall financial plan accurately reflects the individual’s and/or family’s philosophy, needs, and objectives.

    Carol has worked on the team since 2006. In 2016, she earned the title of Associate Director from UBS.

    Carol graduated Magna Cum Laude from Roanoke College with a B.A. in Business Administration. She later earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM designation from Georgetown University, a professional designation that requires rigorous education, examination, experience and ethics requirements. She holds the Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.

      Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

      • Roanoke College, B.A. in Business Administration
        1501 K Street North West
        Suite 1100
        Washington, DC 20005
      • Leighann Stamp Profile Photo

        Leighann Stamp

        Associate Director

        Team Administrator

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        "Teamwork: The ability to work together towards a common vision." – Andrew Carnegie

        The team’s success is dependent upon the individuals of the team working happily and efficiently together. As Team Administrator, Leighann is responsible for keeping the team organized and their final output coordinated. She accomplishes this through tracking the team’s collective and individual goals, monitoring performance and results, encouraging efficiency and excellence, assisting with business planning, and coordinating team meetings and events.

        Additionally, having worked with the team since 2006 and at UBS since 2004, Leighann has extensive experience in client operations and is dedicated to providing world-class service to our clients.

        In 2016, Leighann earned the title of Associate Director from UBS.

        Leighann earned a B.S. in economics with a minor in Spanish from John Carroll University. She holds the Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.

          Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

          • John Carroll University, B.S. in Economics with a Minor in Spanish
            250 Delaware Avenue
            Suite 610
            Buffalo, NY 14202
          • Foram Shah

            Foram Shah

            Associate Director

            Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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            As a young tax consultant, Foram enjoyed providing exceptional client service, yet realized something was missing—advising on investments. This realization prompted a series of decisions to position herself for a career in financial advisory and investment consulting.

            Today, she co-manages the asset management and investment consulting responsibilities of Finnerty Partners at UBS. The team’s prudent approach to portfolio construction focuses on capital growth and preservation as well as risk reduction. The team evaluates each client’s unique circumstances and strives to maximize the probability of realizing their long-term goals.

            In this role, Foram combines her years of corporate finance and tax consulting experience to execute trades, develop and dynamically review customized asset allocation strategies and investment solutions, oversee performance reporting and portfolio analysis, and conduct market and manager research. She sees this position as an opportunity to put her finance and investment acumen into practice and couple it with her love for client service.

            Experience
            -Senior Wealth Strategy Associate, UBS Private Wealth Management, Washington, DC branch office, 2021 – current
            -Financial Controller, UBS Group Treasuries Division, Americas region
            -Financial Controller, UBS Global Wealth Management, Swiss region
            -Deputy Manager, consulting, PwC, India
            -Senior Associate, consulting, BMR Advisors, India

            Education and Credentials
            -M.S., summa cum laude, Finance and Accounting, University of Mumbai, India
            -Chartered Accountant (equivalent of CPA), Institute of Chartered Accountants of India CFA® charterholder
            -Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses

            Life
            Foram lives in Nashville, TN with her husband. She enjoys cooking, baking, reading and spending time with close friends and family. She also loves to travel.

              Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

                  1501 K Street North West
                  Suite 1100
                  Washington, DC 20005
                • Meredith Wells Profile Photo

                  Meredith Wells

                  Client Associate Senior

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                    "Integrity and honesty are at the heart of our business. Integrity - we do what we say we're going to do, full disclosure and no surprises. Honesty means we give it to you straight, even if it means having a difficult conversation." - Finnerty Partners Principle

                    Meredith is a Client Service Associate, dedicated to Business Development, for Finnerty Partners. In her role, she ensures all internal and external marketing and communications represent the Finnerty Partners' brand, Core Values and Principles. She also oversees the marketing and execution of client events and forums, as well as non-investment related client requests surrounding gifting and concierge services.

                    Meredith came to UBS with ten years of sales and communications experience across multiple industries. Originally from Manteo, an island off of North Carolina's Outer Banks, Meredith attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She graduated in 2006 with honors from Lambda Pi Eta, the Communications Honors Society, with a B.A. in Communications Studies.

                      Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

                      • University of North Carolina at Wilmington, B.A. in Communications Studies
                        1501 K Street North West
                        Suite 1100
                        Washington, DC 20005
                      • Joseph McCarthy Profile Photo

                        Joseph McCarthy, CFP®

                        Team Administrator

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                        “ I want our clients to know that the financial advisor they have chosen is a knowledgeable, engaged professional, who genuinely values helping them pursue their financial goals. That’s what I strive to bring to my relationships every day.” - Joe McCarthy

                        Joseph has been in the financial services industry for many years, but his interest in investing began when he was a child who couldn’t wait to spend his birthday money on Series EE savings bonds. Today, as a Client Service Associate for the UBS Private Wealth Management team Finnerty Partners, he focuses on helping entrepreneurs and their families organize, plan and manage all aspects of their wealth. With an eye toward problem-solving combined with impeccable service, Joseph serves as the direct point of contact for clients and his team, working through every issue until it is resolved.

                        Joseph was born in the DC area and raised in a very large family that is still a big part of his life. Outside of work he loves flying and recently obtained his private pilot’s license, as well as restoring his 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle.

                          Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

                            • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
                            1501 K Street North West
                            Suite 1100
                            Washington, DC 20005
                          • Emily Baxter

                            Emily Baxter

                            Executive / Team Assistant

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                              Hospitality at heart
                              Having grown up in a Southern setting and worked in the hospitality industry after college, Emily finds hospitality is second nature. Today, as part of Finnerty Partners, she brings her passion for helping others to the team and the clients they collectively serve.

                              Highly responsive client service
                              In her role as Executive Team Assistant, Emily assists a team she considers “some of the most intelligent and capable professionals focused on helping entrepreneurs and their families thrive.” She leans in when it comes to project management, scheduling, event management and communications to help them deliver comprehensive financial planning and exceptional service.

                              Experience
                              -Executive Team Assistant, UBS Private Wealth Management, March 2022 – present
                              -Employer Relations Manager. George Washington University School of Business, 2019 –2022
                              Sales Manager, Modus Hotels, 2018, 2019
                              -Business Travel Sales Manager, Greensboro High Point Marriott Airport, 2017, 2018
                              -Sales Manager, Springhill Suites by Marriott Greensboro, 2016, 2017

                              Education and credentials
                              -Master of Tourism with Management Leadership Certificate, George Washington University School of Business
                              -B.A., University of North Carolina at Greensboro Bryan School of Business
                              -One-year internship in Taipei, Taiwan
                              -Past president of Tourism for Tomorrow, a student organization aimed at cultivating future leaders in hospitality and related fields

                              Life
                              From spending time with her niece and nephew, to hosting friends and family, to watching her favorite Carolina sports teams compete, Emily loves spending time with others. Some of her hobbies are reading, cooking and exercising, including long walks around Washington, D.C.

                                Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

                                    1501 K Street North West
                                    Suite 1100
                                    Washington, DC 20005

                                  Fresh perspectives

                                  Private Wealth Management

                                  Whether it’s helping you pursue a new business venture, a philanthropic passion or a purposeful legacy, the exceptional resources of UBS Private Wealth Management enable us to guide you and your family toward your most important goals.

                                  Private Wealth Management

                                  Advanced planning

                                  Advanced planning

                                  Investment management

                                  Investment management

                                  Boutique services

                                  Boutique services

                                  When it comes to reaching key business targets, you know the value of a strategic plan. We believe the same is true for your personal financial decisions.

                                  Our planning process focuses on understanding your priorities, so we can help you understand your choices and take the best path for pursuing them.

                                  By evaluating your family’s unique circumstances, we construct a portfolio that aims to maximize the probability of achieving your long-term goals.

                                  Our prudent approach incorporates asset allocation, product selection, manager selection, market research and performance tracking. We strive for risk reduction, capital growth and preservation.

                                  Our goal is to be your primary advisor, helping to simplify the complexity of your financial life and to educate you and your family on making the best decisions for today and tomorrow.

                                  You can expect consistent, transparent communication and that every team member is informed and ready to address your needs.

                                  Legacy—Wealth for others

                                  For needs that go beyond your own—to help you improve the lives of others

                                  What will your legacy be?
                                  It’s never too early to plan ahead. A Legacy strategy can help you gain more control over your financial future and what you leave behind, so you can move forward with confidence.

                                  Learn more at ubs.com/wealthway.

                                  Backed by the strength of UBS

                                  A global leader in wealth management

                                  $3.9 trillion

                                  In invested assets globally 
                                  As of 12/31/2022

                                  51 countries

                                  Our global footprint

                                  Global leader

                                  UBS is a world-leading wealth manager

                                  Insights