Insight, perspective and confidence

Guiding institutional investors and private clients toward financial success

North Star Advisors

The North Star provides travelers with a steady light to navigate their journey. As an enduring symbol of guidance, clarity, and purpose, our name reflects our commitment to supporting and directing clients in achieving their financial goals.

For over 30 years, UBS Institutional Consulting - North Star Advisors have been providing trusted advice to the investment committees and governing bodies of diverse not-for-profit organizations, retirement plans, and private client investors. Our team understands the unique issues they face and we take a comprehensive approach to helping clients—hospitals and healthcare entities, faith-based organizations, foundations and endowments, as well as retirement plans—efficiently meet their fiduciary responsibilities and investment goals. They value our planning process, experience, investment approach, and commitment to their long-term financial success.

Accessing the deep global resources of UBS, one of the world’s preeminent wealth management firms, our team is also well-positioned to provide the insight and solutions our clients require to address their needs and pursue their organization’s goals. Our philosophy is straightforward: to deliver customized, proactive consulting advice on a continuous basis—with outstanding dedication to client service. This enables our clients to make more informed decisions about assets under their stewardship.

A focus on personalized access and service

Working with diverse clients with specific needs, our team sees it as our top responsibility to understand each aspect of your unique and often complicated financial life.

Not-for-profit consulting services

Not-for-profit consulting services

Retirement plan advisory services

Retirement plan advisory services

Private client services

Private client services

Pursuing your goals together

Our mission is to provide quality strategies customized to your needs. Our goal is to be your primary source of financial advice. To this end, we concentrate our efforts on developing long-term relationships through a commitment to quality client service.

  • Kathleen-Snodgrass

    Kathleen "Katie" Snodgrass, CIMA

    Senior Vice President–Investments

    Financial Advisor

    • image
    • image
    • image
    • AZ
    • CA
    • DC
    • FL
    • ID
    • MA
    • MI
    • NC
    • OH
    • OR
    • TX
    • VA
    • WA
    • WI
    • WY
    • Senior Institutional Consultant
    • Institutional Consulting team since 1991
    • BA—Psychology (Business minor), UCLA
    • MBA—Finance, Santa Clara University
    • CIMA®, Wharton School of Finance
    • Investment Committee Member – Mercy Investment Services, Hanna Boys Center, Avenidas, St. Mark's Endowment
    • Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors, 2010, 2011The Barron's rating is awarded annually in March and is based on information from the prior year Q3. 
    • Barron's Top 100 Institutional Consultants, 2021, 2022, 2024The Barron's rating is awarded annually in April and is based on information from the prior year Q4. 
    • Barron's Top 100 Women Advisors, 2009, 2010The Barron's rating is awarded annually in June and is based on information from the Q1 of the award year.
    • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2022, 2023, 2024The 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 Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State, 2022, 2023, 2024The 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.

    • Santa Clara University, M.B.A. Finance
    • University of California Los Angeles, B.A. Psychology; minor Business
      305 Lytton Ave
      Palo Alto, CA 94301
      kathleen.snodgrass@ubs.com
      Kathleen "Katie" Snodgrass, CIMA
      305 Lytton Ave,Palo Alto,CA,94301
    • Michael-Scandalios

      Michael "Mike" Scandalios, CIMA

      Senior Vice President–Investments

      Financial Advisor

      • image
      • image
      • image
      • AZ
      • CA
      • CO
      • ID
      • IN
      • MI
      • OR
      • TX
      • VA
      • WA
      • WI
      • WY
      • Senior Institutional Consultant
      • Institutional Consulting team since 2002
      • Institutional investment experience—over 30 years
      • BA—Political Science (Int'l Relations), UCLA
      • MBA—Finance and Accounting, University of Chicago
      • CIMA®, Wharton School of Finance
      • Barron's Top 100 Institutional Consultants, 2021, 2022, 2024The Barron's rating is awarded annually in April and is based on information from the prior year Q4. 

      • University of Chicago, M.B.A. Finance and Accounting
      • University of California Los Angeles, B.A. Political Science, International Relations
        305 Lytton Ave
        Palo Alto, CA 94301
        mike.scandalios@ubs.com
        Michael "Mike" Scandalios, CIMA
        305 Lytton Ave,Palo Alto,CA,94301
      • Christopher-Burke

        Christopher "Chris" Burke, CFA

        Vice President–Wealth Management

        Financial Advisor

        • image
        • image
        • image
        • AZ
        • CA
        • ID
        • MI
        • OR
        • TX
        • VA
        • WA
        • WI
        • WY
        • Joined UBS in 2017
        • Seven years investment experience
        • BA - Business (Economics minor), California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo
        • Chartered Financial Analyst
        • Board Member and Investment Committee Chair - Life Services Alternatives
        • Barron's Top 100 Institutional Consultants, 2024The Barron's rating is awarded annually in April and is based on information from the prior year Q4. 

        • California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, B.A. Business; minor Economics
          305 Lytton Ave
          Palo Alto, CA 94301
          christopher.burke@ubs.com
          Christopher "Chris" Burke, CFA
          305 Lytton Ave,Palo Alto,CA,94301
        • Heidi Crocker

          Heidi Crocker

          Team Administrator

          • image
          • image
          • image
          • AZ
          • CA
          • DC
          • FL
          • ID
          • IN
          • MA
          • MI
          • NC
          • OH
          • OR
          • TX
          • VA
          • WA
          • WI
          • WY
          • Senior Registered Client Service Associate
          • Institutional investment experience 5 years
          • B.S., Management Information Systems, California State University, Chico

            • California State University, Chico, B.S., Management Information Systems: 1998 - 2002
              305 Lytton Ave
              Palo Alto, CA 94301
              heidi.crocker@ubs.com
              Heidi Crocker
              305 Lytton Ave,Palo Alto,CA,94301
            • Emilio Siqueiros

              Emilio Siqueiros

              Client Associate

              • image
              • image

                  • University of California Santa Barbara, B.A., Economics: 2017 - 2021
                    305 Lytton Ave
                    Palo Alto, CA 94301
                    emilio.siqueiros@ubs.com
                    Emilio Siqueiros
                    305 Lytton Ave,Palo Alto,CA,94301

                  A leader in wealth management

                  Backed by the strength of our parent company, UBS AG

                  $5.9+ trn

                  UBS Group invested assets
                  As of 06/30/2024

                  51 countries

                  Our global footprint

                  Global leader

                  UBS is a leading and truly global wealth manager

                  Insights

                  UBS Year Ahead 2025

                  Roaring 20s: The next stage

                  Our Chief Investment Office (CIO) looks to what awaits investors in the next half of the decade with the 2025 edition of Year Ahead.

                  A dramatic change in US politics, Chinese economic stimulus, ongoing geopolitical developments and falling interest rates are all at play. How should you prepare your portfolio? Let’s talk about how you can move confidently forward in the new year and beyond.

                  Read the report

                  This website uses cookies to make sure you get the best experience on our website. You can find more information under the Privacy Statement. You are free to change your cookies' settings in the privacy settings.

                  Go to privacy settings