Jessica Caruso - Executive Managing Director

Jessica Caruso

CFP®
Executive Managing Director

My role as an advisor and leader is to listen with empathy, lead with honesty and integrity, and keep my team relentlessly focused on putting clients first no matter what.

Meet Jessica

Video
00:00
Jessica Caruso
Video

Jess is an Executive Managing Director overseeing 20 offices in the firm’s west division while leading a national focus on client experience. She works to ensure Mercer Advisors delivers on its promise of a “family office for your family” to all its clients. In addition to her leadership roles, she continues to directly advise a number of families. One of the firm’s employee shareholders, she is a member of the firm’s investment committee and serves on the subcommittee focused on value-based investing strategies.

Since joining Mercer Advisors in 2007, Jessica has garnered experience across the firm’s operations, working as a client service specialist, financial planner, wealth advisor, director, and managing director. She was part of the group that founded InvestHERs, the Mercer Advisors initiative to make the firm a leading wealth manager of choice for female investors and one of the best workplaces for women in the financial services profession, where she particularly worked to create its mentorship program. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Jessica graduated cum laude from Westmont College with a degree in economics and business.

Her working style

Jessica is a deeply values-driven and growth-minded leader. While she is known for her data-driven and intellectually rigorous approach, she is motivated at her core by relationships and seeing her team and clients thrive personally and professionally. She fosters an environment of collaboration and mutual respect, where every advisor is inspired to serve clients with excellence and help every client be secure and empowered in their path to Economic Freedom™.

Jessica in real life

What keeps you busy outside of work?

My other job is as a mom to three boys. They are loud and exhausting and the absolute joy of my life.

Favorite thing about where you live?

It is such a gift to live and work in Santa Barbara. I love starting my mornings with a run through More Mesa and a dip in the Pacific Ocean, and spending my weekends exploring our local trails and connecting with friends and family in our community.

Why do you like working at Mercer Advisors?

The culture and people. At Mercer Advisors, we care for clients and care for each other, and that’s what keeps me here.

Jessica’s snapshots

The Forbes ranking of America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors and Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative data, learned through surveys and interviews conducting in-person, by telephone and virtually to evaluate best practices, level of service, investing models and compliance records as well as quantitative data, such as revenue trends and assets under management. All advisors have a minimum of seven years’ experience. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. The Forbes ranking of Top Next Gen Wealth Advisors developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criterion, mostly gained through telephone and inperson 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. 3,389 advisors were considered for the NextGen ranking. 500 advisors were named to the final Next-Gen advisors list. Neither rankings and/or recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Mercer Advisors is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Rankings published by magazines, and others, generally base their selections exclusively on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized adviser. Rankings are generally limited to participating advisers (see participation criteria/methodology). Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, Mercer Advisors did not pay a fee to be included on any such ranking. No ranking or recognition should be construed as a current or past endorsement of Mercer Advisors by any of its clients.

Read full disclosure +
Show less

Ready to learn more?

Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Best-In-State 2025: The rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria—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 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2025: The rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, gained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years’ experience, and the algorithm evaluates best practices, such as service models, investing models, compliance records as well as revenue trends, assets under management and industry experience. 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

The Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State 2025: The rankings developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative data, learned through surveys and interviews conducted by telephone, in-person and virtually to evaluate best practices, such as service models, investing models and compliance records as well as quantitative data, such as revenue trends and assets under management. All advisors have a minimum of seven years’ experience. 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.

Pacific Coast Time 40 Under 40, 2025 – In order to qualify, the individual must meet three criteria: 1) the person nominated must be under 40 on the date of publication, 2) the person must contribute to the Central Coast through professional or volunteer capacities, and 3) the person must not have been previously honored in an earlier 40 Under 40 class.  Pacific Coast Times received 120 nominations for this year’s class. To compile the final list of 40 honorees, the editorial team reviewed many factors including professional accomplishments, outside recognition, community involvement, and peer support.

Please Note: Limitations. Neither rankings and/or recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, membership in any professional organization, or any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if Mercer Advisors or its investment professionals are engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A fee was not paid by either Mercer Advisors or its investment professionals to receive the award or ranking. The award or ranking is based upon specific criteria and methodology. No ranking or recognition should be construed as an endorsement by any past or current client of Mercer Advisors or its investment professionals.