Experience

Makes all the difference

Honesty, Integrity, Commitment. These are the values that we consider essential to our business. The Johnston Group specializes in providing high-net-worth individuals and families with financial advice including investing, liability management, estate planning, tax optimization and philanthropic strategies.

Our advice is tailored to their circumstances and priorities to establish appropriate asset allocation, spending policies, investment, and risk management. We are honored to serve as members of our client's professional team and work closely with their trust and estate attorney and CPA to provide multi-generational wealth planning, implementation of wealth transfer strategies, and education for the next generation.

Deborah Johnston

Managing Director–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

Registered States:
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • FL
  • GA
  • HI
  • IA
  • IL
  • IN
  • KS
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • MT
  • NC
  • NE
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OR
  • PA
  • RI
  • SD
  • TN
  • TX
  • WI

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors, 2020, 2021The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in February based on information from a 12 month period ending September of the prior year.
  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026The 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.
  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.
  • Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in February based on information from a 12 month period ending September of the prior year.
  • UBS Wealth Management Chairman’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

Education

  • University of Rhode Island, Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics
  • University of Rhode Island, Master’s Degree in Economic Education
  • SIA Wharton School
80 South 8th Street
Suite 2900
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Email Me

deborah.johnston@ubs.com
Deborah Johnston
80 South 8th Street,Minneapolis,MN,55402

Zachary Johnston, CPWA, CFP, AWMA

First Vice President–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

Zach is a Financial Advisor and Vice President with the
Johnston Group. He joined the team in 2019, bringing
six years of experience in the financial services industry.
His UBS career began in 2017 when he accepted a
position as a Wealth Planning Associate. As an advisor,
Zach specializes in developing planning strategies for
high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families. He is
passionate about educating clients about their finances
and ensuring their balance sheets align with their goals
and values.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Zach's work is
helping the next generation and young entrepreneurs.
By encouraging them to focus on their long-term goals
and understand the importance of family legacy, he
helps young investors and families realize their
aspirations while preserving the values and legacies that
are important to them.

Zach graduated from Eckerd College in Florida with a
degree in Music, a passion that continues to play an
important role in his life. He has conducted orchestras,
bands, and choirs at all levels and still enjoys singing to
his daughter every night.

During his time with UBS Financial Services, Zach has
earned the CFP®, AWMA®, and CPWA® designations
and completed studies through the Yale School of
Management Executive Program.

Zach lives in St. Paul with his daughter. He enjoys
connecting with others and learning about their
ambitions and goals.

If you are interested in learning more about how our
team can help you utilize your wealth to achieve your
ambitions, or if you would like to talk about pipe organs
or American roots music, please do not hesitate to reach
out to Zach.

Minnesota Insurance License Number: 20321262

Registered States:
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • FL
  • GA
  • IA
  • IL
  • IN
  • KS
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • NC
  • NE
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OR
  • PA
  • SD
  • TN
  • TX
  • WI

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March 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

Education

  • Eckerd College in Florida, Music

Credentials

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
  • Accredited Wealth Management Advisor
  • Certified Private Wealth Advisor®
80 South 8th Street
Suite 2900
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Email Me

zachary.johnston@ubs.com
Zachary Johnston, CPWA, CFP, AWMA
80 South 8th Street,Minneapolis,MN,55402

Chris Soininen

Client Associate

Chris is a Team Administrator, Client Associate at UBS
Financial Services. Chris has spent her entire professional
career in the financial services industry. Beginning at
Shearson Lehman Brothers in 1992, she has held several
roles over the years in operations management, client
support and compliance surveillance.

Prior to joining the Johnston Group, Chris was a Market
Supervision Manager at Merrill Lynch, supporting the
Greater Minnesota Market. Chris uses her vast industry
knowledge and skills to provide clients with effective
solutions to their financial needs. Chris holds security
licenses Series 7, 9, 10 and 63.

Chris resides in Rosemount, with her 2 children. Chris
enjoys being outdoors, exercising, traveling, and
spending time with family and friends.

Registered States:
  • CT
  • ID
80 South 8th Street
Suite 2900
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Email Me

christine.soininen@ubs.com
Chris Soininen
80 South 8th Street,Minneapolis,MN,55402

Jen Nelson

Client Associate

Jen has been working in the financial services industry
for 30 years and started her career at Prudential
Securities. In 2001, Jen moved to Piper Jaffray's Private
Client Group, which was acquired by UBS Financial
Services in 2006. Jen holds securities licenses Series 7
and 63.

Her vast knowledge in the operational and the
administrative processes of securities and insurance
products help in focusing on creating a positive client
service experience. Jen is effective in applying her
industry knowledge towards client solutions and services.

Jen currently lives in Minneapolis with her husband
Tony, they have 2 daughters, and 2 granddaughters. Jen
enjoys traveling, crafting, and spending time with family
and friends.

Registered States:
  • CO
  • FL
  • MN
  • NY
  • PA
  • TX
  • WI
80 South 8th Street
Suite 2900
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Email Me

jennifer.e.nelson@ubs.com
Jen Nelson
80 South 8th Street,Minneapolis,MN,55402

Nancy Hopp

Senior Registered Client Associate

Nancy has over 45 years in the Financial Services
Industry, spending her entire career with the same firm.
Nancy has held several positions in Operations,
Administration, Institutional Sales and as a Client
Associate. With Nancy’s wide range of experience, it
gives her the knowledge to provide excellent client
service & support. Nancy holds security license Series 7
& 63.


Nancy lives in Brooklyn Park with her husband Mike and
dog Max, they have 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren, and
great grandson twins. Nancy enjoys being outdoors,
camping, swimming, watching the MN Vikings, and
spending time with her family.

Registered States:
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • FL
  • IA
  • IL
  • KY
  • MN
  • NJ
  • NY
  • OH
  • TX
  • WA
  • WI
80 South 8th Street
Suite 2900
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Email Me

nancy.hopp@ubs.com
Nancy Hopp
80 South 8th Street,Minneapolis,MN,55402

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