Sophisticated Solutions for Complex Wealth

Private Wealth Management

Why The Willens Group?

The uncertainties that frequently plague investors make it clear that it has never been more necessary to partner with professionals who have a sophisticated understanding of the markets. During our more than three decades together, the Willens Group, quite literally, has "seen it all” and has a track record of guiding our clients through market upheaval. In these times, the benefits of having a “steady hand on the tiller” cannot, and should not, be dismissed. 

The Willens Group pledges to leverage the vast resources of UBS Private Wealth Management for the benefit of our clients and their future generations. We are completely committed to providing exceptional service and we remain sensitive to our clients' unique situations. We create a tailored strategy that incorporates all your complex investing and planning priorities to help you pursue your goals.

Meet our team

Client satisfaction and well-being is our priority. Our team is dedicated to delivering impeccable client service, ensuring that every interaction is seamless and satisfying. 

We stay current with all facets of our business and the technological platforms our clients use, ensuring you have a knowledgeable resource for every financial instrument, service, and solution. We take pride in our responsiveness and commitment to providing accurate answers. If we don’t immediately have the answer, we know exactly where to find it.

  • Jacque

    Jacqueline Willens

    Managing Director–Wealth Management

    Financial Advisor

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    Jacqueline boldly did something extremely few women attempted in the early 80’s—she became a stockbroker in a man’s financial world. And then she surpassed most, building a reputation and a business few peers have built with more than $1.3B in private client assets and exceptional multi-generational families. Jacqueline is the senior team member of The Willens Group and she leads the team’s investment committee.

    Jacqueline is a member of the elite UBS Pinnacle Council– , the top echelon of Financial Advisors and a longtime member of Private Wealth Management, the top tier of UBS Financial Services for private clients. Jacqueline has been named to the Barron’s Hall of Fame, has been listed on Barron’s Top Financial Advisors list consistently from 2009-2023, Barron’s Top 100 Women Advisors all years 2009-2024, Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors years 2017-2023, and Forbes Best In State Advisors years 2018-2023.

    A 1970 graduate of Queens College, Jacqueline received a B.A. Degree in Early Education. She later matriculated at St. John's University where she earned, in 1972, an M.A. degree in the same field. She taught, for six years, in various elementary schools within the New York City school system. Once her teacher stint was completed, Jacqueline successfully combined her hobby, philately, with commerce, embarked on a career on Wall Street, as the Executive Vice-President of Metro Stamps, Inc. Jacqueline then became a stockbroker in 1984 by joining Drexel Burnham Lambert as an account executive which led to PaineWebber in 1989, and through the merger, it became UBS.

    Jacqueline is an active benefactor of several charitable, civic and educational causes. At Queens College, Jacqueline and her husband Robert established the Robert & Jacqueline Willens Queens College Scholarship Endowment in 2012, which awards two scholarships annually to outstanding undergraduate students majoring in Accounting, Economics or within the division of Education who are involved in campus life and volunteer service. She is also a patron of the National Down Syndrome Society, Sloan Kettering Hospital and several private elementary and high schools that her grandnieces and nephews attend. Together with her husband, who is an Adjunct Professor of Finance at Columbia University's Graduate School of Business and the president of Robert Willens LLC, a tax and accounting advisory firm, Jacqueline designed and funded the "Robert and Jacqueline Willens Award for Tax Research," an award presented each year at the Business School's Recognition Ceremony.

    • Barron's Hall of Fame, 2019
      The Barron's rating is awarded annually in June/July based on Barron's ratings received over the prior 10 years.
    • Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013The Barron's rating is awarded annually in March and is based on information from the prior year Q3. 
    • Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025
      The Barron's rating is awarded annually in March and is based on information from the prior year Q3. 
    • Barron's Top 100 Women Advisors, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024The Barron's rating is awarded annually in July and is based on information from the Q1 of the award year.
    • Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025The 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.
    • Forbes America's Top Wealth Advisors, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022The 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 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025The 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, 2024, 2025The 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.

    • Queens College, B.A. Early Education
    • St. John's University, M.A. Early Education
      1285 Avenue Of The Americas
      New York, NY 10019
      jacqueline.willens@ubs.com
      Jacqueline Willens
      1285 Avenue Of The Americas,New York,NY,10019
    • Gary

      Gary S. Snitow, CDFA

      Financial Advisor

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      Gary joined UBS and The Willens Group in July 2024 as a Financial Advisor. Gary brings a wealth of experience from his distinguished career as a commercial litigator and family law attorney.

      Prior to joining The Willens Group, Gary was a Principal at Offit Kurman, P.A., where he excelled in handling complex legal matters. His legal career began at the New York County District Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor, after which he transitioned into private practice at a mid-sized commercial litigation firm. Gary then went on to work at Snitow Kanfer & Holtzer, LLP and later became a partner at its successor firm, Snitow Kaminetsky Rosner & Snitow, LLP, a litigation and transactional boutique law firm. Gary holds a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and a B.S. in Accounting from Yeshiva University. He currently resides in Clifton, New Jersey, with his wife, Dina, and their five children. Deeply involved in his community, Gary serves as the President of the Board of Directors at YBH of Passaic, a private K-8 school with over 875 students, and volunteers as a dispatcher for Hatzolah of Passaic-Clifton, an all-volunteer ambulance service.

      Since joining UBS, Gary has earned his Series 7 and 66 securities licenses as well as obtaining his New Jersey life, accident and health insurance license and earned a designation as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. Gary brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of expertise to The Willens Group. Gary’s reputation as a practical problem solver, making himself available to his clients and looking out for their best interests fits well with The Willens Group business philosophy.

            1285 Avenue Of The Americas
            New York, NY 10019
            gary.snitow@ubs.com
            Gary S. Snitow, CDFA
            1285 Avenue Of The Americas,New York,NY,10019
          • Cheryl

            Cheryl Petrigliano

            Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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            Focused on holistic wealth planning, Cheryl has been a foundational member of The Willens Group for over 24 years. She brings together the team’s expertise into a cohesive strategy for each individual client.  She also utilizes her longstanding tenure at UBS to leverage the firms vast resources to address the unique needs and goals of our clients.  Cheryl is a pragmatic organizer and integrator, leading the team’s operational standards. Clients value her careful and compassionate guidance and active listening.

            Cheryl began her career with E.F. Hutton 42 years ago and joined UBS predecessor firm PaineWebber in 1993. Cheryl graduated in 1982 from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Hospital Administration and has earned her Series 7 and 66 securities licenses in 2001. Outside of work, she is dedicated to her family, traveling, photography and studying Italian.

              • Pennsylvania State University, B.S. Hospital Administration
                1285 Avenue Of The Americas
                New York, NY 10019
                cheryl.petrigliano@ubs.com
                Cheryl Petrigliano
                1285 Avenue Of The Americas,New York,NY,10019
              • Kirstin Photo

                Kirstin Bucci

                Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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                Kirstin joined The Willens Group in May 2025 serving as the team’s investment specialist having honed her skills on the Equity/Options Desk in Unified Global Markets at UBS. With a profound understanding of the industry and her strategic approach, she provides invaluable insights and solutions that significantly enhance the Willens’ Group’s capabilities.

                Prior to joining UBS, Kirstin covered healthcare and then agribusiness as an equity research analyst at several firms, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. After taking time away to raise her three children, Kirstin served a four-year term as city councilperson in her hometown of Rye, NY. She remains involved in her community in multiple ways including serving on the Board of Directors of Rye Library.  In her free time, Kirstin enjoys riding her bike, swimming, hiking and reading.  

                Kirstin received a B.A. from Bucknell University, with a double major in Economics and Psychology. Kirstin has earned the SIE, Series 7, 4, and 24 licenses. 

                      1285 Avenue Of The Americas
                      New York, NY 10019
                      kirstin.bucci@ubs.com
                      Kirstin Bucci
                      1285 Avenue Of The Americas,New York,NY,10019
                    • Lynn

                      Lynn Baker

                      Investment Associate

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                      Lynn is the team’s Swiss Army knife of Client Service support. She expertly handles financial planning, handling cash and stock transfers, and providing lending and insurance support. Lynn prides herself on efficiently delivering what clients need and anticipating what they may ask for even before they think of it.

                      Lynn started her career in 1978 with Toyobo America, Inc. rising from receptionist to General Manager of Administration over 26 years. Her participation in an investment club, The Women’s Club of Northern New Jersey, led to her desire to enter the financial services industry. Lynn joined UBS and The Willens Group in 2005. She has earned her Series 7 and 66 securities licenses as well as obtaining her New York life, accident and health insurance license.

                      Lynn and her husband Nick live in a 100-year-old Victorian home in Maywood NJ, and they recently built a country home in Masonville, NY. They have been married for more than 40 years and have three grown daughters and five grandchildren.

                            1285 Avenue Of The Americas
                            New York, NY 10019
                            lynn.baker@ubs.com
                            Lynn Baker
                            1285 Avenue Of The Americas,New York,NY,10019
                          • Janice

                            Janice Bosselman

                            Senior Client Associate

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                              Janice simply gets things done for clients— humbly, efficiently, and reliably. She is the whisper quiet Ninja of all things administrative, responsible for ongoing operational services such as new client orientation and onboarding, account maintenance and client requests. We are amazed at the volume of work she manages day in, day out. Janice joined UBS in 1996 and The Willens Group in 2017.

                              Janice was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York where she still resides with her two sons, Corey and Deven. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

                                    1285 Avenue Of The Americas
                                    New York, NY 10019
                                    janice.bosselman@ubs.com
                                    Janice Bosselman
                                    1285 Avenue Of The Americas,New York,NY,10019
                                  • Kara Headshot

                                    Kara Metzler

                                    Registered Client Associate

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                                    Kara is The Willens Group most recent recruit, having graduated from College of the Holy Cross as a full-time student athlete, playing D1 Women’s Lacrosse. She recently earned her Series 7 and 66 Securities licenses.

                                    Kara is a member of our Impeccable Client Service program, working alongside our highly capable team members, Lynn Baker and Janice Bosselman to handle all administrative responsibilities and client service requests.

                                          1285 Avenue Of The Americas
                                          New York, NY 10019
                                          kara.metzler@ubs.com
                                          Kara Metzler
                                          1285 Avenue Of The Americas,New York,NY,10019
                                        • Andrea Sanft

                                          Andrea Sanft

                                          Executive Director

                                          Senior Wealth Strategist

                                          Andrea works with ultra-high net worth clients of UBS and their financial advisors on issues involving domestic and international estate and tax planning, business succession, wealth transfer, international cross border issues and philanthropic objectives. She focuses on developing and helping clients implement comprehensive strategies to facilitate the preservation, transfer, and management of wealth. Andrea performs thorough reviews of clients' estate planning documents to ensure that each plan accurately reflects the family's goals and objectives in a tax-efficient manner.

                                          Prior to joining UBS in March of 2024, Andrea was a senior wealth strategist for Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. Prior to that, she practiced law in the Private Client department of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison, LLP for over 15 years.

                                          Education
                                          Andrea has an LL.M. in Tax from Boston University and J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law.
                                        • Gregg Arum Photo

                                          Gregg Arum, CFP

                                          Executive Director

                                          Structured Solutions Consultant

                                          Gregg serves as a Structured Solutions Consultant for the New York City and Northern New Jersey Market Areas, and Private Wealth Management; responsible for the positioning of Structured Products across all asset classes. Gregg works closely with Financial Advisors and their clients, helping them understand the risks and rewards of structured products, and how both portfolio and tactical ideas can fit into a client’s overall portfolio strategy.

                                          Professional History
                                          Gregg joined UBS in 1998 and has held a variety of positions in Capital Markets. In his previous role, he served as a Municipal Bond Portfolio Specialist on the Northeast Municipal Bond Desk. Prior to that, he worked in Unit Investment Trusts as a member of the Equity Advisory Group. He has also served as a Financial Advisor in New York City.

                                          Education

                                          Gregg holds a B.A from the University of Florida.

                                          Licenses and Certifications

                                          FINRA Series 7, 63 and 65
                                          CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
                                        • Elizabeth Cribbs Photo

                                          Elizabeth Cribbs

                                          Executive Director

                                          Senior Strategist - Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services

                                          Professional History
                                          As part of the UBS Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services team, Elizabeth serves as a thought partner to advisors and their client families on wealth transition, family governance, and philanthropy as families seek guidance on cohesive dialogue between generations to perpetuate their legacy.

                                          Prior to joining UBS, Elizabeth served in a dual capacity as President of the Neuberger Berman Foundation and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility from 2012 to 2019, leading all aspects of Neuberger Berman’s global philanthropic efforts, with a focus on education, workforce development and employee engagement. In 2018 she launched the firm’s client Philanthropic Advisory Services practice and co-chaired the firm’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Advisory committee from 2012 to 2016. She also served as a board member of the Neuberger Berman Foundation from 2009 – 2019.

                                          Prior to this, Elizabeth worked at Lehman Brothers as a Senior Vice President of Corporate Philanthropy with a focus on the arts and strategic community partnerships. Before this, Elizabeth spent ten years at HSBC North America, where she served in various leadership roles in strategic planning; internal consulting; and community and philanthropic services. Elizabeth began her career in the audit group at Coopers & Lybrand LLP as a Certified Public Accountant. Liz is also Series 7 and 63 licensed.

                                          Community Leadership
                                          Elizabeth serves as Vice Chair of the New York City Youth Board, which advises the Department of Youth and Community Development on its programs. She is also a member of the Executive Committee of Enterprise Community Partners New York Advisory Board, whose mission is helping families find safe, affordable housing, connected to opportunity.

                                          Education

                                          Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Master in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
                                        • david lefkowitz

                                          David Lefkowitz, CFA

                                          Head of US Equities in CIO Global Wealth Management

                                          David is currently Head of US Equities in CIO Global Wealth Management for UBS Wealth Management Research – Americas. Prior to joining UBS in 2006, David was a generalist equity analyst at hedge fund Thales Fund Management where he looked for investment opportunities across all sectors of the economy. Earlier, David managed Credit Suisse Asset Management’s global telecommunications fund and also covered the media, telecommunications and electric utility sectors. He began his professional career at Goldman Sachs covering the wireless communications industry and, later on, as a member of Goldman’s value investing team where he focused on the media and telecommunications sectors.
                                        • Chris Kanavos

                                          Chris Kanavos

                                          NMLS #947868

                                          Senior Wealth Management Banker, UBS Bank USA

                                          Current role and areas of expertise

                                          Chris Kanavos joined UBS Bank USA in 2015 and he is currently a Senior Wealth Management Banker covering the Manhattan Market.

                                          Chris has an extensive background in relationship banking. He is focused on providing Financial Advisors and their clients a variety of cash management resources along with banking solutions that may complement their overall wealth management objectives. 

                                          Professional history

                                          Chris worked as a Regional Credit Director and Resident Manager at Merrill Lynch, where he partnered with Executive and Divisional Leadership to drive a credit and lending strategy for the NYC and Long Island Market. He began his Banking career in 1991, where he joined Wells Fargo during his last two years of college. Starting as a Credit Analyst, he was promoted to management shortly after graduating. As a District Manager, he was responsible for managing all aspects of the consumer finance business for initially, all of New York State and then for New York City, growing the market exponentially, from a $50MM business to an $800MM business in a 4-year period. 

                                          Education and personal information

                                          In Chris’ role as a Senior Wealth Management Banker his NMLS # is 863109. He holds his Series 7, 24, 63 and 65 securities licenses. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree with a Double Major in Business and Economics from Stony Brook University.

                                          Chris grew up on the Eastern End of Long Island and has lived in Port Washington since 2002, with his wife Coleen and daughters Sarah and Gabrielle. In his free time, Chris enjoys being outdoors with his family camping, hiking, boating and skiing. He also enjoys exercising and running daily.

                                          Senior Wealth Management Bankers are employees of UBS Bank USA. UBS Bank USA is a subsidiary of UBS Group AG. UBS Bank USA, Member FDIC, NMLS No. 947868. Equal Housing Lender.

                                        • Maureen Mendoza

                                          Maureen Mendoza, CAIA®, CRPS™

                                          Senior Retirement Plan Consultant

                                          Account Vice President

                                          Based in our Dallas office, Maureen has a dual focus on both institutional and private clients. Her attention to alternative investment allocations and manager due diligence provides reasoned advice and reassurance to our private clients. Maureen's institutional work on Retirement Plans includes working with Hedge Funds and Private Equity Funds to maximize their plan design and retirement benefits both for sponsors and participants. Maureen has earned the Chartered Alternative Investment AnalystSM (CAIA®), and the Chartered Retirement Plans SpecialistSM designations (CRPS®). She is also in the firm's Financial Advisor Associate training program.

                                          Maureen graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science. She lives in Dallas with her husband Patrick, their Boston terrier Molly, and they are expecting their first child in early 2020. In her free time, Maureen enjoys yoga, traveling, and volunteering with Dallas Animal Services.

                                           At a glance:

                                          • B.S. in Political Science from Texas Christian University
                                          • Corporate Stock Benefit Consultant

                                        A leader in wealth management

                                        Our team’s relationship with global leader UBS Financial Services over the past 40 years is a reflection of our stability and commitment to delivering a complete solution to our multi-generation client relationships.

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                                        As of 12/31/2024

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                                        UBS is a leading and truly global wealth manager

                                        Fausto

                                        Tariffs, volatility and your portfolio

                                        Are you ready?

                                        In the first 100 days of a second Trump administration, policy uncertainty continues to dominate. Do you have questions about the impact of tariffs, inflation and geopolitical developments on your investment strategy?

                                        We’re here to help you make sense of it all and move forward with confidence. Make sure your portfolio is prepared for ongoing market volatility.

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