Anna is committed to helping clients achieve their financial goals with a strong passion for the financial planning process and creating strategies alongside clients to help them retire with confidence. Throughout her career Anna has led national training and development programs for advisors and managers. Anna earned a B.A. from The University of Texas at Arlington in Political Science and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. She is happily married and has a daughter attending Louisiana State University. Anna has full professional proficiency in English and Spanish.

Jake began his career as a financial advisor after graduating from Minnesota State University-Mankato, in 2003, with a Bachelor of Science degree in business management. He has worked with clients for almost two decades, and he earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2011. As a CFP® professional, Jake understands the six key areas of financial planning, focusing particularly on retirement planning, investment planning, deferred compensation, and equity compensation. Jake and his wife, both Minnesota natives, have now settled in McKinney, Texas, with their son. In his free time, Jake enjoys cooking, training in jujitsu, and being let down by Minnesota sports teams.

Sam focuses on helping our clients identify their specific financial objectives and implements customized strategies and comprehensive financial planning to help them reach their goals. As an undergraduate, Sam received a degree from the University of Southern Colorado where he was a four-year letter winner in track and field. He also holds a master’s degree from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Sam holds the Series 66 license as well as life and health insurance licenses. Born in Elkhart, Kansas and raised in southeastern Colorado, Sam enjoys spending time with family, watching his daughter play basketball and supporting TCU Athletics.

José is a seasoned entrepreneur and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional advocating for his client’s financial empowerment. His entrepreneurial journey began during college at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he established a successful moving company, demonstrating his innate drive and business acumen. Today, José channels his extensive financial expertise to help clients navigate the intricacies of comprehensive financial planning, ensuring that their long-term objectives are not only straightforward but also comfortably attainable. Outside of work, José enjoys traveling, exploring the culinary scene of Dallas alongside his wife, maintaining an active lifestyle at the gym, and supporting his alma mater, the CU Buffs.

Nicole strongly enjoys helping clients feel empowered on their path to financial freedom. She’s a passionate advocate for financial literacy and believes that everyone should have access to the information and resources they need for making sound financial decisions. She joined Mercer Advisors in 2018 as part of our Dallas team. Nicole has a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from the University of Texas at Dallas. She’s also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® professional. When not actively putting together financial puzzle pieces, Nicole enjoys traveling, reading, and the outdoors.

Sydney became devoted to helping people with their finances after seeing her own family members’ struggle. After graduating from Baylor University’s Business school, she started her career at Fidelity Investments. With years of experience, Sydney now contributes her expertise as a Client Service Specialist. Outside of her profession, she’s a food enthusiast exploring DFW’s culinary scene, loves walking her dog on trails, and finds her greatest passion fitness, attributing her work success to dedication and consistency.

Derek DeMars Client Service Specialist Derek is committed to meeting clients’ needs efficiently and ensuring they receive a personal level of care. Prior to joining Mercer Advisors in 2022, he spent five years working as a sales support specialist at LEAF Commercial Capital. With experience in customer service, administrative support, and education, Derek has a passion for clear communication, project follow-through, and teamwork. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and a master’s degree. In his spare time, Derek enjoys reading, watching movies, exploring Dallas, eating spicy food, and adventuring with his sons Declan and Felix.

Aleesha began her financial services career in 2011 as a Customer Service Specialist at a local broker-dealer. She dedicated her days to providing superb service to clients while obtaining industry licenses. Aleesha took a couple years off to raise her family before rejoining financial services as Client Service Representative at Lake Point Advisory Group in 2017. There, she gained a wealth of industry and RIA operational knowledge by supporting multiple advisors and colleagues. Aleesha became Client Services Manager in June 2020 and currently holds the Texas insurance license. She’s passionate about providing clients with first-class service and loves to collaborate with other departments to better anticipate and address client needs. In her free time, Aleesha enjoys being with friends and family, chauffeuring kids to sports, traveling, cooking, and live music.

Josh joined Mercer Advisors in 2010, after beginning his financial services career in 2007. He serves as managing director for the firm’s southern division, overseeing nearly 20 offices. Josh also manages large client relationships, providing customized financial planning, investment management, and estate planning to help meet their distinct objectives. Josh is a member of the firm’s executive leadership council and investment committee. He has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors (2021), the Best-In-State Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors (2023), and the Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (2024). Josh graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California with degrees in economics and Spanish. A native of Phoenix, he resides there with his wife and three boys and works out of our Scottsdale office.

The Forbes Next-Gen Wealth Advisors rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criterion—mostly gained through telephone, virtual, and in-person due diligence interviews—and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of four years’ experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass the highest standards of best practices. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings.

Forbes: Josh DeForest (forbes.com)

Laura began her career in the investment management industry in 2008. As a Managing Director, member of both the Investment Committee and Senior Leadership Team, Laura’s distinguished herself as an advisor and experienced leader with a passion for helping clients find their path to Economic Freedom™. She’s been recognized by the Thrive Awards, named a Top Woman Advisor by Forbes and a top 40 Under 40 Advisor by InvestmentNews. Laura sits on the steering committee for Mercer Advisors’ award-winning InvestHERs women’s initiative, is a member of the Financial Planning Association, mentors through Mercer’s Mentorship program and the Leeds Professional Mentorship Program at the University of Colorado. She has a degree in Communications from Wheaton College. Laura lives in Boulder with her husband and children.