Success is only the beginning. Let’s build Significance.

Entrepreneurs approach us due to our passion to help steward them well beyond hard-earned financial success and expanding into a life of significance.

This significance includes living your life the way you’ve always imagined, making a profound impact on your community and the world around you, and shaping, on your terms, the legacy that one day you will leave behind.

We help you envision and achieve what is truly possible in life. This means there may be goals you can accomplish that you never thought of and are at risk of missing out on. The challenge is, how do you go from being merely successful, to significant?
 
We believe that with our guidance, you will realize what you are truly capable of in life - but it never happens by accident. It requires you to be intentional and devoted to your greatest ambitions, and this is when we step in to lead you.

 
Entrepreneurs and Business Owners: You want to be confident that when the right opportunity arises, you’re fully prepared to transition out of your business on your terms and at peak value. What decisions need to be made in advance to achieve this, and who can help me do it? How do I sell in the most tax-efficient manner to keep more of what I’ve built? And then what do I do with the rest my life to preserve meaning and impact?

Family-Owned Business: Succession planning can at times seem overwhelming, balancing the financial decisions that need to be made along with the delicate family dynamics involved. Every decision must be made with care to ensure the success of both the business and family legacy. How do I navigate these complexities? Am I actually capable of stepping away from leading this business?

Developed by Matt Geesman and inspired by his family’s legacy of leadership and coaching, our team implements our Significance Playbook™ to achieve your significance. 

  • Matthew Geesman Profile Photo

    C. Matthew Geesman, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, CEPA, CRPC®

    Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

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    • CA
    • CO
    • DC
    • DE
    • FL
    • GA
    • IL
    • IN
    • MI
    • MN
    • MT
    • NC
    • NV
    • NY
    • OH
    • PA
    • SC
    • TX
    • WA
    • WI

     If you’re devoted and intentional, you will realize your full potential. That’s not theory—that’s my own story. I was raised by incredible, passionate parents who showed me the roadmap not to just success, but more importantly, to significance. My mother was a science teacher who inspired driven kids to chase their calling. My father was a legendary high school football coach who knew how to get the best out of his players, even more than they ever thought possible. Their example and wisdom inspired so many of my friends and others in our community to see what was truly possible. They provided the leadership, encouragement, and tools to help you reach your full potential. That ignited a fire in me to serve my clients with that same chase for significance beyond financial success. For me, being a financial advisor isn’t a career - it’s my DNA. I’m called to serve those who need more out of life than a large account size. That’s who I choose to help realize what’s truly possible in life. It’s what we at The Geesman Group work to live out every day because life is too short to stop at financial success. If you’re capable of so much more, isn’t it worth it to see what’s truly possible?

    Matt lives in Chicago with his wife Tonya, two children and beloved French bulldog. He enjoys skiing, fishing, music, sports, contemporary art and the culinary arts. His civic involvements include mentorship of underrepresented founders through the UBS VC Pathways program, facilitating art acquisition as a member of the Collection Committee and chairing Emerge at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and aligning tuition support for children as Director of Corporate and Philanthropic Giving at Friends of Bennett Day School. He supports business owners through the Exit Planning Institute and works closely with UBS leadership to drive local culture through the Financial Advisor Advisory Committee. 

    • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2025The 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.
    • UBS Wealth Management Director’s Council, 2024UBS Financial Services Inc. Councils are a distinction held by UBS Financial Advisors based on criteria including evaluation of compliance with firm rules, standards & policies and revenue. Council membership is not representative of any one client's experience and is not indicative of the advisor’s future performance.

    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

    • Hillsdale College , B.A.
    • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
    • Certified Exit Planning Advisor
    • Certified Investment Management Analyst®
    • Certified Private Wealth Advisor®
    • Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor
    One North Wacker Drive
    Chicago, IL 60606
    matt.geesman@ubs.com
    C. Matthew Geesman, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, CEPA, CRPC®
    One North Wacker Drive,Chicago,IL,60606
  • Peter Headshot

    Peter Karalekas, CFA®

    Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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    • CA
    • CO
    • DC
    • DE
    • FL
    • GA
    • IL
    • IN
    • MI
    • MN
    • MT
    • NC
    • NV
    • NY
    • OH
    • PA
    • SC
    • TX
    • WA
    • WI

    Peter earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering and MBA focused in Financial Engineering and Risk Management from The University of Alabama. He is also a CFA Charterholder and a member of the CFA Society Chicago where he co-chairs the social advisory group. In his prior role, Peter was an Investment Analyst at an institutional investment consulting firm where he conducted investment research as well as managed rebalancing, restructuring, and liquidity operations of client portfolios. Peter is active in his community and serves on the Children’s Research Fund Junior Board which supports the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. Peter lives in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. In his free time, he enjoys staying active, watching college football, cooking, and playing golf with friends.

      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

      • The University of Alabama, Mechanical Engineering: 2016 - 2020
      • The University of Alabama, Master of Business Administration (MBA): 2019 - 2021
      • Chartered Financial Analyst®
      One North Wacker Drive
      Chicago, IL 60606
      peter.karalekas@ubs.com
      Peter Karalekas, CFA®
      One North Wacker Drive,Chicago,IL,60606
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      Clare Prendergast

      Registered Client Associate

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      • AZ
      • CA
      • CO
      • CT
      • DC
      • DE
      • FL
      • GA
      • IA
      • IL
      • IN
      • LA
      • MA
      • MD
      • ME
      • MI
      • MN
      • MO
      • MT
      • NC
      • NJ
      • NM
      • NV
      • NY
      • OH
      • OR
      • PA
      • SC
      • TN
      • TX
      • UT
      • VA
      • WA
      • WI
      • WY

      Clare joined UBS Financial Services, Inc. in 2017. She specializes in anticipating client needs, providing solutions, and delivering proactive concierge-level services tailored to our clients' individual wealth management situations. Clare graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a BS in Agriculture and Consumer Economics, with a concentration In Financial Planning. She holds the FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. When not in the office, she enjoys running, dance, and spending time with family.

        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

            One North Wacker Drive
            Chicago, IL 60606
            clare.prendergast@ubs.com
            Clare Prendergast
            One North Wacker Drive,Chicago,IL,60606
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            Joanna Morrison

            Executive Director

            Senior Wealth Strategist - Advanced Planning

          • Heather George

            Heather George

            Executive Director

            Senior Strategist, Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services Americas

          • Matthew Morris, CFA

            Executive Director

            Head, Portfolio Advisory Group Midwest, New York and Northeast Division

            Matthew Morris is the Midwest Division Head of the Portfolio Advisory Group (PAG), leading a regional team of experienced investment professionals dedicated to providing asset allocation, portfolio construction, and investment management guidance and education to UBS' Ultra High Net Worth clients. Matthew and his team specialize in developing multi-asset, customized investment strategies and portfolios for sophisticated individuals, families, and institutions.
          • Titus Song

            Executive Director

            Alternative Investments Consultant

            Titus Song is an Executive Director of Alternative Investments covering various markets in the Central and West Divisions for UBS Financial Services. His role is to oversee distribution of alternative investments (hedge funds, private equity and private real estate) by helping financial advisors and clients understand how these offerings function and their effect on investment portfolios.

            Professional History
            Titus joined UBS in 2007 working with the Structured Solutions group. In late 2008, Titus moved to the Alternative Investments group where he has covered a wide swath of the country helping clients and financial advisors understand alternative investments and how they can enhance portfolio efficiency and help clients reach their financial goals.

            In his 32-year career in financial services, Titus has worked at various large financial services firms and banks where he held roles in small and large cap equity trading, as well as in product management. Titus also served as the head of investments and product management at a large regional registered investment advisor prior to joining UBS.


            Education
            Titus earned a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Political Economy at Carleton College in Northfield MN. He also received an M.B.A. from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota.

            Licenses and Certifications
            Titus holds Series 7, 31 and 66 licenses.
          • Daniel

            Daniel DeMichael

            NMLS #947868

            Senior Wealth Management Banker, UBS Bank USA

            Current role and areas of expertise

            Daniel DeMichael joined UBS Bank USA in 2016. He currently a Senior Wealth Management Banker the Chicago area Wealth Management and Midwest Private Wealth markets.

            Daniel has an extensive background in relationship banking. He is focused on providing Financial Advisors and their clients a variety of cash management resources along with banking solutions that may complement their overall wealth management objectives.

            Professional history

            Daniel has over 22 years of experience in Financial and Real Estate services. In addition to his role as Senior Wealth Management Banker Dan has past experience as a Realtor®, Mortgage Originator, Private Banking Client Manager and UHNW Banking Advisor.

            Education and personal information

            In Daniel’s role as a Senior Wealth Management Banker his NMLS # is 652578. He holds his Series 7, 6 and 63 securities licenses and has his BA from Michigan State University.

            A lifelong Chicago resident, Daniel lives in the West Loop with his wife Sarah and their 2 children Marcus and Jolene. He enjoys traveling in his spare time.

            Senior Wealth Management Bankers are employees of UBS Bank USA. UBS Bank USA is a subsidiary of UBS Group AG. UBS Bank USA, Member FDIC, NMLS No. 947868. Equal Housing Lender.

          Private Wealth Management

          As a team within the exclusive Private Wealth Management division at UBS, we connect you to the dynamic presence of one of the world‘s leading wealth managers. Private Wealth Advisors serve many of the firm‘s largest relationships, providing extensive reach and the distinct advantage of the firm‘s global perspective, insights and resources.

          Three generations on beach

          From success to succession

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          Pre- and post-sale planning for business owners

          Insights

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          Ready to sell your business?

          The five hallmarks of a successful sale

          Move forward with confidence in possibly the biggest venture of your life. We can help advise and orchestrate your entire team of experts throughout the sale process and beyond.

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          UBS is a leading and truly global wealth manager

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