Guiding generational wealth

Private Wealth Management

A legacy isn’t built overnight. It demands years of trusted collaboration focused on shared vision and purpose. We believe lasting legacies are often the result of well-informed choices and thoughtful decision-making. But given today’s many uncertainties and challenges, can you preserve all you’ve achieved and ensure that it endures for your family and their future?

For more than 20 years, exceptional families across the globe have chosen our team to help them manage their wealth for continuity. With decades of diverse experience combined with our forward thinking, we provide critical investment insight—especially in an industry that is constantly evolving. Accessing our broad network of large family offices and aligning the institutional expertise and solutions of the UBS Private Wealth Management, UBS Investment Bank, Family Office Services Group and the Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services team, we strive to deliver bespoke opportunities that embrace your family’s financial and human capital.

With our diverse credentials and collective perspectives and the full scope of resources from a global leader in Private Wealth Management, we are solely focused on helping you preserve your legacy and enhance its value for generations to come.

Start the conversation

Ajay Desai

Managing Director–Wealth Management

Private Wealth Advisor
View bio Industry recognition
- AL
- AZ
- CA
- CO
- FL
- GA
- IA
- IL
- IN
- KS
- LA
- MA
- MI
- MN
- MO
- MT
- NC
- NE
- NJ
- NM
- NY
- OH
- OR
- RI
- TN
- TX
- VA
- VI
- WA
- WY
Delivering the advice and solutions exceptional families seek
As the senior partner on his team, Ajay is lead Advisor and relationship manager for their most sophisticated clients and prospects. He is an architect of the team’s strategic vision and also advises on asset allocation and alternative investments, given his deep capital markets expertise.

As a Private Wealth Advisor and Family Office Consultant (FOC), Ajay has a particular focus on managing generational wealth and philanthropic planning. With access to the extensive global resources of UBS, he and the team provide solutions to challenging problems and concerns of ultra-high net worth clients, and more specifically to those facing exceptional families.

FOC is a UBS business designation reserved for Financial Advisors with a track record of understanding the investment, business, passion and legacy needs of sophisticated clients and aligning them to the full suite of UBS capabilities. FOCs undergo rigorous training to strengthen their industry knowledge.

Previous experience
- Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
- Merrill Lynch Private Bank
- Founded and operated hedge fund
- Co-founded cash management firm
- Consultant with Accenture (formerly Anderson Consulting)
FINRA registrations and designations
- Series 3, 7 and 66 securities licenses
Life
- Ajay has three children, all active in sports that he thoroughly enjoys watching.
- He is a fitness enthusiast who plays tennis regularly.
- Ajay supports his personal charity for education and mentors young entrepreneurs.
- He was elected and sits on the Board of Governors for Iowa State University, his alma mater, and is active with Pi Kappa Phi, his fraternity.
- Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
  The Barron's rating is awarded annually in March and is based on information from the prior year Q3.
- Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023The 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.
- Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, M.B.A.
- Iowa State University, B.B.A.
- Private Wealth Advisor
- Family Office Consultant
- Series 3, 7 and 66 securities licenses
Family Offices

Philanthropy

Alternative investments

Lending services

Estate planning strategies

Asset allocation

Sustainable investing

Multi-generational families

1 North Wacker Drive
Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60606
James Stirling

Financial Advisor

Chartered Financial Analyst®
View bio
- AL
- AZ
- CA
- CO
- DE
- FL
- GA
- IA
- ID
- IL
- IN
- KS
- LA
- MA
- MD
- MI
- MN
- MO
- MT
- NC
- NE
- NJ
- NM
- NY
- OH
- OR
- RI
- TN
- TX
- VA
- VI
- WA
- WI
- WY
Managing wealth with the experience and wisdom of five decades
Jim has been at the firm for more than 56 years, including positions at the UBS Investment Bank and Private Wealth Management, as well as serving as the chairman of the UBS Midwest Advisory Board. It’s in his Private Wealth career that Jim feels he truly delivers value to our clients. It brings him great satisfaction to work with his team of professional, caring Advisors who are completely committed to helping clients and their families achieve their goals, while delivering all aspects of the firm.

Previous experience
- UBS Private Wealth Management
- UBS Investment Bank (50 of 56 years at UBS)
- Assistant to US Secretary of Commerce, Elliot Richardson during the Ford Administration
FINRA registrations and designations
- Chartered Financial Analyst®
- Series 3, 7 and 66 securities licenses
Life
- Jim cares deeply about his community and is passionate about participating and staying involved in the issues that affect all of us.
- He is the founding chairman of the Northwestern Medicine Professional Council for Philanthropy and former Chairman at Northwestern Memorial Management Company.
- Jim is Vice Chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Council, and formerly the CFA Leadership Council of Chicago.
- He also served as Trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
- Stanford University, M.B.A.
- Princeton University, B.A.
- Chartered Financial Analyst®
Cash management

Philanthropy

Family Offices

1 North Wacker Drive
Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60606
Ross Siegel

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Private Wealth Advisor
View bio
- AZ
- CA
- CO
- FL
- GA
- IA
- ID
- IL
- IN
- KS
- LA
- MA
- MI
- MN
- MO
- MT
- NC
- NE
- NJ
- NM
- NY
- OH
- OR
- RI
- TN
- TX
- VA
- VI
- WA
- WI
- WY
Ross specializes in advising wealthy clients and their families with regard to their entire financial picture. He and the team leverage the resources of UBS while developing a deep understanding of the client’s needs and objectives. Each client requires a unique solution as all have their own individual circumstances in terms of family, liquidity, cash flow, goals, and more. This approach provides every client with the access and resources of a global wealth management firm while enjoying the benefits of a boutique relationship.

Previous experience
- Prior to joining UBS in 2020, Ross spent 12 years in private banking with J.P. Morgan and Citigroup in Chicago.
- That followed two years as a financial advisor with Edward Jones.
- Ross first entered the financial industry in 2002 when he traded futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange leading to the formation of a market neutral hedge fund which he managed until 2007.
- Previously Ross worked in business development for Transora Corporation, a business to business exchange in the consumer packaged goods industry, as well as a Global Business Analyst for Baxter Healthcare, where he had the opportunity to live in Vienna, Austria.
Education
- Ross has a BBA in both Accounting and Management from the University of Wisconsin School of Business in Madison.
Life
- Ross and his wife Heather reside in Deerfield, IL with their three children, Hayden, Isabelle, and Brenden and their dog, Badger.
- When not attending a hockey, dance, or volleyball activity, Ross attempts to play golf and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
- Wisconsin School of Business- Madison, B.B.A.
- Private Wealth Advisor
- Series 7 and 66 securities licenses
- Certified Exit Planning Advisor
Business owners

Estate planning strategies

Alternative investments

Family Offices

Corporate executives

Sustainable investing

1 North Wacker Drive
Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60606
Randy Bruns

Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

Chartered Financial Analyst®
View bio
- AZ
- CA
- CO
- DE
- FL
- GA
- IA
- ID
- IL
- IN
- LA
- MA
- MD
- MI
- MN
- MT
- NC
- NE
- NJ
- NY
- OH
- OR
- PR
- RI
- TX
- VA
- WA
- WI
- WY
Focus: Capital Markets Solutions & Trading, Cash Management and Analysis

Prior Roles: Registered Marketing Associate at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Trader on Municipal Bond Desk with Merrill Lynch

Education: B.S. in Finance, Miami of Ohio University
- Miami of Ohio University, B.S. in Finance
- Chartered Financial Analyst®
- Series 3, 7 and 66 securities licenses
One North Wacker Drive
Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60606
Allen Saffrahn

Director

Team Administrator
View bio
- AZ
- CA
- CO
- DE
- FL
- GA
- IA
- IL
- IN
- KS
- LA
- MD
- MI
- MN
- MT
- NE
- NJ
- NY
- OH
- OR
- RI
- TX
- WI
- WY
- B.A., Finance, B.A., Economics, North Central College
- Series 6, 7, 9/10, 63, and 66 licenses
One North Wacker Drive
Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60606

Ajay Desai

Managing Director–Wealth Management

Private Wealth Advisor
View bio Industry recognition
- AL
- AZ
- CA
- CO
- FL
- GA
- IA
- IL
- IN
- KS
- LA
- MA
- MI
- MN
- MO
- MT
- NC
- NE
- NJ
- NM
- NY
- OH
- OR
- RI
- TN
- TX
- VA
- VI
- WA
- WY
Delivering the advice and solutions exceptional families seek
As the senior partner on his team, Ajay is lead Advisor and relationship manager for their most sophisticated clients and prospects. He is an architect of the team’s strategic vision and also advises on asset allocation and alternative investments, given his deep capital markets expertise.

As a Private Wealth Advisor and Family Office Consultant (FOC), Ajay has a particular focus on managing generational wealth and philanthropic planning. With access to the extensive global resources of UBS, he and the team provide solutions to challenging problems and concerns of ultra-high net worth clients, and more specifically to those facing exceptional families.

FOC is a UBS business designation reserved for Financial Advisors with a track record of understanding the investment, business, passion and legacy needs of sophisticated clients and aligning them to the full suite of UBS capabilities. FOCs undergo rigorous training to strengthen their industry knowledge.

Previous experience
- Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
- Merrill Lynch Private Bank
- Founded and operated hedge fund
- Co-founded cash management firm
- Consultant with Accenture (formerly Anderson Consulting)
FINRA registrations and designations
- Series 3, 7 and 66 securities licenses
Life
- Ajay has three children, all active in sports that he thoroughly enjoys watching.
- He is a fitness enthusiast who plays tennis regularly.
- Ajay supports his personal charity for education and mentors young entrepreneurs.
- He was elected and sits on the Board of Governors for Iowa State University, his alma mater, and is active with Pi Kappa Phi, his fraternity.
- Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
  The Barron's rating is awarded annually in March and is based on information from the prior year Q3.
- Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023The 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.
- Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, M.B.A.
- Iowa State University, B.B.A.
- Private Wealth Advisor
- Family Office Consultant
- Series 3, 7 and 66 securities licenses
Family Offices

Philanthropy

Alternative investments

Lending services

Estate planning strategies

Asset allocation

Sustainable investing

Multi-generational families

1 North Wacker Drive
Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60606
James Stirling

Financial Advisor

Chartered Financial Analyst®
View bio
- AL
- AZ
- CA
- CO
- DE
- FL
- GA
- IA
- ID
- IL
- IN
- KS
- LA
- MA
- MD
- MI
- MN
- MO
- MT
- NC
- NE
- NJ
- NM
- NY
- OH
- OR
- RI
- TN
- TX
- VA
- VI
- WA
- WI
- WY
Managing wealth with the experience and wisdom of five decades
Jim has been at the firm for more than 56 years, including positions at the UBS Investment Bank and Private Wealth Management, as well as serving as the chairman of the UBS Midwest Advisory Board. It’s in his Private Wealth career that Jim feels he truly delivers value to our clients. It brings him great satisfaction to work with his team of professional, caring Advisors who are completely committed to helping clients and their families achieve their goals, while delivering all aspects of the firm.

Previous experience
- UBS Private Wealth Management
- UBS Investment Bank (50 of 56 years at UBS)
- Assistant to US Secretary of Commerce, Elliot Richardson during the Ford Administration
FINRA registrations and designations
- Chartered Financial Analyst®
- Series 3, 7 and 66 securities licenses
Life
- Jim cares deeply about his community and is passionate about participating and staying involved in the issues that affect all of us.
- He is the founding chairman of the Northwestern Medicine Professional Council for Philanthropy and former Chairman at Northwestern Memorial Management Company.
- Jim is Vice Chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Council, and formerly the CFA Leadership Council of Chicago.
- He also served as Trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
- Stanford University, M.B.A.
- Princeton University, B.A.
- Chartered Financial Analyst®
Cash management

Philanthropy

Family Offices

1 North Wacker Drive
Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60606
Ross Siegel

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Private Wealth Advisor
View bio
- AZ
- CA
- CO
- FL
- GA
- IA
- ID
- IL
- IN
- KS
- LA
- MA
- MI
- MN
- MO
- MT
- NC
- NE
- NJ
- NM
- NY
- OH
- OR
- RI
- TN
- TX
- VA
- VI
- WA
- WI
- WY
Ross specializes in advising wealthy clients and their families with regard to their entire financial picture. He and the team leverage the resources of UBS while developing a deep understanding of the client’s needs and objectives. Each client requires a unique solution as all have their own individual circumstances in terms of family, liquidity, cash flow, goals, and more. This approach provides every client with the access and resources of a global wealth management firm while enjoying the benefits of a boutique relationship.

Previous experience
- Prior to joining UBS in 2020, Ross spent 12 years in private banking with J.P. Morgan and Citigroup in Chicago.
- That followed two years as a financial advisor with Edward Jones.
- Ross first entered the financial industry in 2002 when he traded futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange leading to the formation of a market neutral hedge fund which he managed until 2007.
- Previously Ross worked in business development for Transora Corporation, a business to business exchange in the consumer packaged goods industry, as well as a Global Business Analyst for Baxter Healthcare, where he had the opportunity to live in Vienna, Austria.
Education
- Ross has a BBA in both Accounting and Management from the University of Wisconsin School of Business in Madison.
Life
- Ross and his wife Heather reside in Deerfield, IL with their three children, Hayden, Isabelle, and Brenden and their dog, Badger.
- When not attending a hockey, dance, or volleyball activity, Ross attempts to play golf and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
- Wisconsin School of Business- Madison, B.B.A.
- Private Wealth Advisor
- Series 7 and 66 securities licenses
- Certified Exit Planning Advisor
Business owners

Estate planning strategies

Alternative investments

Family Offices

Corporate executives

Sustainable investing

1 North Wacker Drive
Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60606
Randy Bruns

Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

Chartered Financial Analyst®
View bio
- AZ
- CA
- CO
- DE
- FL
- GA
- IA
- ID
- IL
- IN
- LA
- MA
- MD
- MI
- MN
- MT
- NC
- NE
- NJ
- NY
- OH
- OR
- PR
- RI
- TX
- VA
- WA
- WI
- WY
Focus: Capital Markets Solutions & Trading, Cash Management and Analysis

Prior Roles: Registered Marketing Associate at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Trader on Municipal Bond Desk with Merrill Lynch

Education: B.S. in Finance, Miami of Ohio University
- Miami of Ohio University, B.S. in Finance
- Chartered Financial Analyst®
- Series 3, 7 and 66 securities licenses
One North Wacker Drive
Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60606
Allen Saffrahn

Director

Team Administrator
View bio
- AZ
- CA
- CO
- DE
- FL
- GA
- IA
- IL
- IN
- KS
- LA
- MD
- MI
- MN
- MT
- NE
- NJ
- NY
- OH
- OR
- RI
- TX
- WI
- WY
- B.A., Finance, B.A., Economics, North Central College
- Series 6, 7, 9/10, 63, and 66 licenses
One North Wacker Drive
Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60606

A comprehensive approach

We do the sophisticated planning and analysis, take an integrated approach and deliver the solutions that align with your priorities and preferences—no matter how complex your family’s needs.

Advanced planning
We work with our Advanced Planning team to begin a comprehensive a Strategic Wealth Assessment that provides a balance sheet review, current estate overview, hypothetical estate tax calculations and suggested wealth transfer strategies.

Customized investment plan Your plan incorporates your Strategic Wealth Assessment to help ensure you are appropriately invested for tax efficiency and your goals, and well diversified across time horizon, risk level and liquidity needs. Strategic and tactical allocations consider forward-looking market views and expected return and risk metrics

Global research and strategy
UBS research establishes capital market assumptions to provide a base for our investment views. We use CIO Americas, Wealth Management as well as UBS Investment Bank Research, in partnership with our Portfolio Advisory Group, to set strategic and tactical asset allocations.

UBS Wealth Way
Understanding your life, your wealth and what you want to accomplish is important to how we work together at UBS. We start with questions and a discussion that helps us focus on what’s really important to you. Then, we can help you organize your financial life into three key strategies: Liquidity—to help provide cash flow for short-term expenses, Longevity—for longer-term needs and Legacy—for needs that go beyond your own.

^{Timeframes may vary. Strategies are subject to individual client goals, objectives and suitability. This approach is not a promise or guarantee that wealth, or any financial results, can or will be achieved.}

Connecting families to capabilities that matter

How do you facilitate intergenerational wealth management? Our team understands the dynamics of families working together to make important life decisions—for today and tomorrow. Collaborating with the Family Office Solutions Group, we bring UBS insight and experience to our family office clients, providing seamless access to bespoke solutions and holistic, institutionalized coverage across all areas of UBS.

In addition, for select clients, we can introduce you to the UBS Global Family Office Americas, a centralized platform that leverages the firm’s institutional and wealth management resources.

Ajay Desai is a Private Wealth Advisor, Family Office Consultant (FOC).

The Family Office Consultant (FOC) is a UBS business designation earned by a select group of Financial Advisors. They have undergone rigorous training to strengthen their knowledge and proficiency to help manage the investment, business, passion and legacy needs of sophisticated, ultra-high net worth (UHNW) clients and their families. Understanding the complexities of intergenerational wealth and the challenges faced by UHNW clients, Ajay aligns specific needs to the full suite of UBS capabilities. Working together, FOCs strive to help these clients address critical concerns to pursue their most important goals.

From meaningful lives to purposeful legacies

Together with our partners from Family Advisory, dedicated specialists, holistic wealth planners and philanthropy experts, we help you design a strategic and sustainable plan that focuses specifically on wealth transition, family governance and business succession. We begin our planning process with deep discovery conversations that will fully identify your passions, goals, concerns and values. Because family participation is critical to ensuring the success of your legacy plan, we facilitate conversations with your loved ones and help you develop a unified vision for all that you want to accomplish with your wealth.

In collaboration with Family Advisory, our team offers a number of resources, including wealth educational programs for the rising generation, family meeting engagement and participation strategies and a network of trusted third-party consultants for family office design and family business succession.

Global Philanthropy Report

Global philanthropy

Global philanthropy holds immense promise in the 21st century. Global giving is growing, gaining visibility and creating much-needed change around the world. With philanthropic institutions spanning the globe, comprising over 260,000 foundations,^₁ The opportunities to participate are vast. Read about how in the Global Philanthropy Report.

^{1 Global Philanthropy Report}

Global Philanthropy Report

Backed by the strength of UBS

A global leader in wealth management

^$3.9 trillion

In invested assets globally
As of 12/31/2022

Global leader

UBS is a world-leading wealth manager

51 countries

Our global footprint

Guiding generational wealth

Ajay Desai

James Stirling

Ross Siegel

Randy Bruns

Allen Saffrahn

Ajay Desai

James Stirling

Ross Siegel

Randy Bruns

Allen Saffrahn

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Education

Credentials

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Education

Credentials

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A comprehensive approach

Connecting families to capabilities that matter

From meaningful lives to purposeful legacies

Global Philanthropy Report

Backed by the strength of UBS

A global leader in wealth management

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