Experience

Makes all the difference

An experienced perspective and global resources to help anticipate the individual needs of you and your family

As your Ultra High Net Worth Wealth (UHNW) Advisor team, we are committed to the practice of wealth management in its truest form—a process defined by a deep and critical assessment of how all areas of your financial world intersect and impact one another. The advantage of working with UHNW Wealth Management is our ability to focus the global expertise of UBS exclusively on our clients. We work with a select number of individuals and families of substantial means and are well versed in current, sophisticated wealth management strategies. We begin by developing a shared understanding of family goals for "core wealth" (current lifestyle) and "surplus wealth" (legacy). We coordinate an elite group of highly trained consultants and specialists—locally and globally—including our Estate and Advanced Planning professionals and the Private Wealth Management Portfolio Advisory Group, which is dedicated to developing asset allocation strategies and best-in-class manager selections designed to meet the complex needs of investors with significant wealth.

Together, we will engage in rich discussion and analysis of what you’ve accomplished and where you see yourself in the future. Our discussions will likely focus on your needs and concerns about asset and liability management, legacy planning, charitable giving and tax efficiency, and over time will yield a uniquely integrated and customized strategy incorporating your objectives and intended purpose for your wealth.

Steve Kula

First Vice President–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that I am making a difference in my clients’ lives. As a Financial Advisor to successful multigenerational families, I help them pursue what matters most, protect against the unexpected, and leave a meaningful legacy.

My practice is built around comprehensive financial planning. I begin every relationship by getting to know my clients, learning about their dreams and their concerns. Many of my clients are active in a variety of professions and activities; or retired. Another segment of my client base consists of corporate executives, and equity compensation represents a significant portion of their wealth. My background handling corporate stock plans, in addition to Wealth Management, enables me to further help corporate executives diversify their holdings, sell shares as an insider and generate consistent cash flows.

I have nearly 25 years of experience—all with UBS—in offering a broad range of wealth management services. I work with an extended team of specialists inside and outside the firm, including estate planning attorneys and tax experts, to meet my clients’ needs. I earned my M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2009.

As a former Division I college swimmer, current triathlete, and Chicago resident, I am pioneering an effort through the Chicago Park District to teach swimming to lower-income individuals. I also volunteer at Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospital. Outside of the office, I enjoy playing guitar, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

I limit the number of families I work with in order to offer exceptional client service to each client household. I believe that trust is the foundation of every relationship, and nothing makes me happier than when a loyal client refers a colleague or family member to me.

Registered States:
  • AL
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • FL
  • GA
  • ID
  • IL
  • IN
  • KY
  • LA
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MN
  • MS
  • NC
  • NH
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • PA
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • VA
  • WA
  • WI

Education

  • Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, M.B.A
  • Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago, B.B.A., Finance

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Financial planning
Impact investing
Corporate executives
Estate planning strategies
Legacy planning
Custom portfolios
Business owners
Philanthropy
One North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

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David Bucci

Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

David works with high net worth individuals and their families to address their multi-faceted financial planning needs. He also focuses on the owners of privately held family businesses and middle market business executives. David understands that each client has unique goals and concerns. He enjoys gathering information, working through problems and designing sophisticated solutions to help clients pursue their future.

In his role as a Senior Wealth Strategy Associate, David is responsible for financial planning, asset allocation, portfolio construction and investment research. He serves as a relationship manager, forming close connections with multiple generations of his clients’ families. David has been with UBS since 2012. His knowledge of the firm’s global resources enables him to connect clients with specialists across UBS Asset Management and UBS Investment Bank, among other areas, to address their full financial picture.

David studied Art History and Economics in college, blending his passions for art and finance. The combination of those skill sets helped him expand his approach to analyzing any situation. Today, his clients benefit from the broader perspective he brings to their financial picture.

Registered States:
  • AR
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • FL
  • IA
  • IL
  • IN
  • KY
  • LA
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MN
  • MS
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • PA
  • SC
  • TX
  • VA
  • WA
  • WI

Education

  • Michigan State University, Art History

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Financial planning
Exit planning
Business succession
Asset allocation
Business owners
One North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

Email Me

Karen Gordon

Senior Client Associate

Coming from higher education, Karen previously worked in admissions for the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. She joined UBS PaineWebber in November 2001 as a Client Service Associate. In July 2002, she joined the team. Karen’s goal is to provide excellent service to clients with any transactional, operational and administrative support they need.


Karen lives in Chicago with her husband, Donzell and their daughters Alyssa and Alexandra. She enjoys traveling and is a lifelong learner.

Registered States:
  • AR
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • FL
  • GA
  • IA
  • IL
  • IN
  • KY
  • LA
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MN
  • MS
  • NC
  • NY
  • OH
  • PA
  • SC
  • VA
  • WA
  • WI

Education

  • Augustana College, B.A. in Political Science
One North Wacker Drive
Suite 3700
Chicago, IL 60606

Email Me