We get you to think about money like you’ve never thought about it before
Has rolling up your sleeves, working hard, and building success always been part of your DNA? Then we believe Mercer Advisors is the wealth management firm for you.
Because we’re here to help you keep building on that success. But at the same time, we fundamentally believe there’s a point in life where the wealth-builder in you deserves to become the wealth-enjoyer of all you’ve attained.
Because to us, helping you protect and grow your wealth is about much more than just your investment portfolio
Of course, a well-managed investment portfolio is the cornerstone to building wealth. And we strive to do that exceptionally well.
But if returns are your sole focus, those returns can quickly be offset by what happens in the other parts of your financial life. Like not preparing for major taxable events, having an incomplete estate plan, a retirement plan that’s on autopilot, or a less than ideal business succession strategy.
So, unlike most firms, we have expertise across financial planning, investing strategy, tax and estate planning, trust services, insurance coverage, and more. With specialists across each of these areas communicating with each other about you, and with you.
Put simply, we help oversee and connect all the dots of your financial life.
They’re here to help you connect all your financial dots
Alice McDermott
Wealth Advisor
Alice McDermott
Wealth Advisor
Alice McDermott joined Mercer Advisors via the FIM Group acquisition in December 2018. Prior to the acquisition, she worked with FIM Group for almost 22 years, where she had the privilege of assisting clients with their financial, tax, retirement, college and estate planning. Among her professional accomplishments, Alice is authorized by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP® Board) to use the certification marks CFP® in accordance with CFP® Board certification and renewal requirements. These marks identify those individuals who have met the rigorous education, examination, experience and ethical requirements of the CFP® Board.
Alice earned an undergraduate degree from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where she studied finance and accounting.
Although raised on Oahu, Alice settled on the island of Maui in 1992. She and her husband Joe are blessed with four children – Matthew, Grady, Shannon and Jessica. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, paddling canoe, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking and traveling.
Danny Polyakov
Associate Financial Planner
Danny Polyakov
Associate Financial Planner
Danny began his financial career in 2008 as a licensed representative for a registered broker dealer. Prior to joining Mercer Advisors in 2021, Danny climbed the ranks in the entertainment industry, focusing on client representation, marketing, and advertising, before returning to personal finance. At Mercer Advisors, Danny focuses on elite client service and aspires to help clients simplify the path to achieving their financial goals. He graduated from Claremont McKenna College with a degree in Economics & Film Studies and was a NCAA Division III champion. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying physically active, traveling, and following LA sports teams. He speaks English and Russian. Danny lives in Westlake Village with his wife, their two children, and chocolate lab.
Brittany Doyle
Regional Service Manager
Brittany Doyle
Regional Service Manager
Brittany began her career in finance at Goldman Sachs and worked in Private Wealth Management in their Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York offices. There she was able to advance her client service skills providing elevated support to high-net-worth individuals and families with their financial management. She brings that same level of expertise to her clients at Mercer Advisors by providing proactive and efficient support. Brittany earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Special Education from California State University, Northridge. Brittany enjoys the beach, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and binging the latest Netflix series with her husband and their cat.
Krista-Arlene Palakiko
Client Service Specialist
Krista-Arlene Palakiko
Client Service Specialist
Krista is passionate about building and maintaining strong relationships and lifelong connections with both clients and colleagues. She joined Mercer Advisors with over 11 years of client service experience in the financial industry. Born and raised in Hawaii, Krista embraces her diverse ethnicity and warm personality to aide in providing exceptional client service with Aloha. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and has three children, Krislen, Alia and Keenan. During her free time, she loves traveling, baking, and crafting. Most of all, she loves spending time and making memories with her family and friends.
Matt Cook
Managing Director
Matt Cook
Managing Director
Matt started working at Mercer Advisors in 2002 and has been helping clients chart their financial future and make important decisions that affect all aspects of their wealth. As Managing Director for the Los Angeles and Central California region, he oversees 5 wealth management offices, serves on the Senior Leadership Team, and is an advisor to the firm's high net worth clients. Matt received his degree in Economics and Business from Westmont College. He is active in the local chapter of the Financial Planning Association, serves on the Board for the Page Youth Center, and is a volunteer for the local AYSO club. He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and their three children.
Jeff Katz
Regional Vice President
Jeff Katz
Regional Vice President
Jeff began his career in the financial services industry in 1979, serving institutional and high-net-worth clients. His past professional experiences include institutional securities sales, fixed income bond trading, and managing the institutional brokerage unit at Union Bank and UnionBanc Investment Services. Jeff graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Finance, earned his MBA from Pepperdine University, and holds the FINRA Series 65 License. He is the published author of “Investing in Money Market Securities”.
Nicholas Ladaga
Associate RVP
Nicholas Ladaga
Associate RVP
Nicholas began his career in the financial services industry in 2019 and brings 10 years of sales, marketing, and customer services experience to the team. He was born and raised in Michigan and earned his bachelor’s degree from Oakland University. Nicholas focuses on elite customer service and works every day to make sure you reach your financial goals. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, coaching basketball, and traveling. Nicholas holds the Series 65 License.
Susy Gibo
Sr. Regional Sales Associate
Susy Gibo
Sr. Regional Sales Associate
Susy started her financial career with TD Ameritrade and joined Mercer Advisors in 2019. Prior to that, she spent 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry in various sales and marketing roles. Susy was inspired to change careers after going through the planning process for her family and her parents. She has a deep desire to help change people’s lives by helping them plan for economic success. Susy grew up in Honolulu and now calls Arizona home with her husband and three children. She has an MBA from Arizona State University and holds the FINRA Series 66 License.
Paul Seidman
Senior Vice President, Institutional Sales
Paul Seidman
Senior Vice President, Institutional Sales
CFP®, CRPC®
Paul began his career in the financial services industry in 2003. Prior to joining Mercer Advisors, he was president at Empowerment Financial Group and a senior vice president at Alpha Cubed Investments. He was a high school football coach for 19 seasons and his foundation is built on teamwork and working together to achieve our client’s goals. Paul graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance major with an emphasis on portfolio management.
with one of our talented wealth advisors who’ll help you connect all your financial dots
We’ll touch base to discuss your individual needs so that we can connect you with a wealth advisor who’s right for you.
Please Note: The achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Mercer Advisors is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services.
with one of our talented wealth advisors who will help you connect all your financial dots
All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Portfolio management strategies such as diversification, asset allocation, and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will achieve its objectives. Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc. Mercer Advisors Inc. is a Delaware corporation and is in no way affiliated with Mercer LLC, Mercer Investments, or the Marsh & McLennan Companies. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and delivers all investment-related services. Mercer Advisors Inc. is the parent company of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. and is not involved with investment services. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
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