Experience

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.