How can you pursue what matters most?

We believe that good financial planning advice is invaluable—it helps prepare you for whatever life brings. But it is especially important during times of major life change. Our process focuses on you and the priorities, goals, concerns and beliefs that will ultimately impact your financial well-being for years to come. We're here to help you tackle your concerns and embrace the opportunities that can enrich and empower you today and for years to come.

Understanding your life, your wealth and what you want to accomplish is at the core of our practice. We'll discuss your goals, the people who are most important in your life and your vision for the future.

Defining your priorities. Pursuing what matters.

Our experience and structured planning process drives a comprehensive financial plan and customized investment strategies. Depending on where you are in your life and the priorities that matter most, our planning conversations may focus on liquidity management, your cash flow needs, asset replacement solutions such as insurance, estate planning strategies, or tax and legal structures such as trusts and philanthropic vehicles.

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Comprehensive planning for significant wealth

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Retirement planning

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Estate planning strategies

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Empower your investments

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Philanthropy

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Are you ready for anything?

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.

  • Stephen Kula

    Steve Kula

    First Vice President–Wealth Management

    Financial Advisor

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    • AL
    • AZ
    • CA
    • CO
    • CT
    • FL
    • GA
    • ID
    • IL
    • IN
    • KS
    • KY
    • MA
    • MD
    • MI
    • MN
    • MS
    • MT
    • NC
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    • NH
    • NJ
    • NM
    • NV
    • NY
    • OH
    • PA
    • SC
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    • VA
    • WA
    • WI

    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.

      • Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, M.B.A
      • Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago, B.B.A., Finance
        Home Worker CA
        Home Worker CA, CA 000
        steve.kula@ubs.com
        Steve Kula
        Home Worker CA,Home Worker CA,CA,000
      • KG Headshot

        Karen Gordon

        Senior Registered Client Associate

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

        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.

          • Augustana College, B.A. in Political Science
            One North Wacker Drive
            Chicago, IL 60606
            karen.gordon@ubs.com
            Karen Gordon
            One North Wacker Drive,Chicago,IL,60606
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            Clare Flynn

            Registered Client Associate

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            • AZ
            • CA
            • CO
            • CT
            • DC
            • DE
            • FL
            • GA
            • IA
            • IL
            • IN
            • KS
            • 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.

              • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Bachelor’s Degree, Financial Planning and Services
                One North Wacker Drive
                Chicago, IL 60606
                clare.prendergast@ubs.com
                Clare Flynn
                One North Wacker Drive,Chicago,IL,60606

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              Discover strategies to make your savings last

              The latest Chief Global Investment Office Investment Management report outlines how families can thoughtfully balance living and giving by aligning spending, gifting, and legacy goals with long-term financial security. It explores the trade-offs between supporting lifestyle needs, maintaining flexibility, and making a meaningful impact over time.

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