Steadiness

I've structured capital strategies for entrepreneurs, key executives, and affluent families for over two decades. After joining Merrill Lynch in 1999 and defining a Personal CFO approach to wealth management, I transitioned Ladner Franz Group to UBS in 2012 to enhance this offering. As Senior Vice President-Wealth Management and Senior Portfolio Manager, I direct wealth planning services, credit and lending strategies, and tactical, risk-managed, and income-focused portfolio solutions for my Group's wealth management clients.

I hold a Certified Investment Management Analyst designation (CIMA®) offered by Wharton, University of Pennsylvania, with the Investment Management Consultants Association, and a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation (CRPC®) offered by the College for Financial Planning. I earned my Bachelor of Science from W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University after relocating to Phoenix from Chicago in 1994.          

As co-head of Ladner Franz Group, I design and execute innovative business exit, wealth planning, and credit strategies, while leveraging both internal and third-party intellectual capital. My aim is to deliver an objective Personal CFO viewpoint to my Group's wealth management clients. Prior to joining Ladner Franz Group with Merrill Lynch in 2009, I served in operational roles as Division President for two of the largest homebuilders in the U.S., and as Vice-President and Controller for an S&P and Fortune 500 company. As a product of the knowledge and experience gained through my 20+ year career in homebuilding, I understand personally the unique and complex financial needs of owners, entrepreneurs, and key executives.

I'm an active member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants (tax advice not provided), and hold a Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation (CEPA®) offered by the Exit Planning Institute. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Accounting from California State University-Dominguez Hills prior to relocating to Phoenix from Southern California in 1988.

Susie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University in 1997. She began her career as a Consulting Group Analyst with Smith Barney in Phoenix, AZ and Menlo Park, CA focusing on portfolio construction, investment manager research, and performance attribution reporting. She then transferred overseas to join Citigroup Asset Management based in Hong Kong strengthening relationships with Asia's ultra-high net worth business owners and families. Later she became Director of Marketing & Communications for HSBC Private Bank further building the brand across Asia. 

After over a decade abroad and meeting her husband in Toyko, Japan, she returned to her native Scottsdale, AZ in 2011 to continue her financial services career. She enjoys cheering on local Valley sports teams, volunteering at pet shelters and long family walks with their two dogs.