FT 300: Full 2017 list of top US registered investment advisers
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Financial Professional
Sandy Whicker is a seasoned professional with a rich background in information systems, finance, and business applications, underlined by a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. Sandy has showcased her leadership and expertise in a series of prominent roles; she served as the Director of Information Systems at Clif Bar, Inc., where she supervised a comprehensive range of IT systems infrastructures. Previously, she served as Vice President of Information Systems at Red Envelope Inc., steering the development and support for the firm’s retail website.
Her career journey also includes pivotal roles at Esprit Inc., where she spearheaded business applications and financial operations, managing everything from cost accounting to vendor payments. Throughout her journey, she has demonstrated an innate ability to lead teams to success, managing complex projects and strategies that drive business efficiencies and growth. Alongside her career, Sandy is a proud parent, nurturing and guiding her 15-year-old son with autism spectrum disorder through life’s adventures. With an aspiration to give back to the community, she is now seeking opportunities to leverage her rich professional experience with a non-profit organization and contribute her skills in a meaningful way.
With nearly two decades of financial experience, Matt has dedicated his career to upholding fiduciary responsibilities. He consistently emphasizes a duty of loyalty to the estate and beneficiaries, ensuring that he acts with reasonable care and exercises prudent judgment. His extensive expertise and unwavering dedication establish him as a trusted financial professional in his field.
Matt pursued his academic endeavors at the University of California, Berkeley, where he obtained his undergraduate degree in 2005. His career began at Callan, an institutional consulting firm in San Francisco, where he joined as a research analyst and rapidly progressed to the position of VP Non-US Investment Consultant within their manager research group. In this role, Matt’s primary responsibility involved conducting comprehensive research and analysis on non-US equity investment managers. Collaborating closely with institutional plan sponsors, he provided valuable insights to support their non-US equity manager searches and structures. Matt excelled in comprehending clients’ needs and regularly engaged with investment managers to evaluate the alignment of their strategies with his clients’ objectives. In 2008, he earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, and he is a member of both the CFA Institute and the CFA Society San Francisco.
Over the past decade, Matt has served in institutional business development roles, first at Delaware Investments and later at Frontier Partners in 2017. Frontier Partners operates as the business development division of MFG Asset Management, a prominent asset management firm headquartered in Australia. In both positions, Matt focused on advising plan sponsors, consultants, family offices, and registered investment advisors (RIAs) on the suitability of potential investments. He prioritized fostering enduring partnerships with clients, ensuring they possessed a comprehensive understanding of the risks and objectives associated with each investment strategy. Matt consistently aimed to provide clients with transparent and accountable insights into the predictability of each investment. Throughout his career, he has obtained several licenses, including the Series 7, 50, and 63 licenses.
Executive Administrative Assistant and Office Manager.
California Licensed Professional Fiduciary
Private Professional Fiduciary
With nearly two decades of financial experience, Matt has dedicated his career to upholding fiduciary responsibilities. He consistently emphasizes a duty of loyalty to the estate and beneficiaries, ensuring that he acts with reasonable care and exercises prudent judgment. His extensive expertise and unwavering dedication establish him as a trusted financial professional in his field.
Matt pursued his academic endeavors at the University of California, Berkeley, where he obtained his undergraduate degree in 2005. His career began at Callan, an institutional consulting firm in San Francisco, where he joined as a research analyst and rapidly progressed to the position of VP Non-US Investment Consultant within their manager research group. In this role, Matt’s primary responsibility involved conducting comprehensive research and analysis on non-US equity investment managers. Collaborating closely with institutional plan sponsors, he provided valuable insights to support their non-US equity manager searches and structures. Matt excelled in comprehending clients’ needs and regularly engaged with investment managers to evaluate the alignment of their strategies with his clients’ objectives. In 2008, he earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, and he is a member of both the CFA Institute and the CFA Society San Francisco.
Over the past decade, Matt has served in institutional business development roles, first at Delaware Investments and later at Frontier Partners in 2017. Frontier Partners operates as the business development division of MFG Asset Management, a prominent asset management firm headquartered in Australia. In both positions, Matt focused on advising plan sponsors, consultants, family offices, and registered investment advisors (RIAs) on the suitability of potential investments. He prioritized fostering enduring partnerships with clients, ensuring they possessed a comprehensive understanding of the risks and objectives associated with each investment strategy. Matt consistently aimed to provide clients with transparent and accountable insights into the predictability of each investment. Throughout his career, he has obtained several licenses, including the Series 7, 50, and 63 licenses.
Financial Professional
Laurie Schram is a seasoned finance and operations professional with over three decades of diverse industry experience, including retail, winemaking, and technology. She holds a BSC in Accounting from Golden Gate University School of Business and has a track record of driving innovative business solutions.
At the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Laurie led the Accounting team to successful year-end audits and implemented procedures to boost efficiency. As an Independent Consultant, she enhanced financial processes and systems for clients such as Wine Hooligans, RiskIQ, and Ren Acquisition. Her leadership roles include Codera Wine Group, managing due diligence for a multi-million dollar winery sale, and Esprit de Corp, serving as Corporate Controller. She streamlined operations and managed a 60-person team, cutting headcount by 55%, and reducing audit fees by 65% over six years.
Laurie’s operational prowess is proven, with achievements like process redesign, seasonal warehouse openings, and strategic retail planning. She notably turned around the Oakville Grocery Company’s fortunes, doubling revenues, reversing declining sales, and improving inventory management efficiency.
Her expertise extends to project management and M&A, showcased during her year as VP of Finance at Illuminations, where she led merger activities and software implementations for new manufacturing subsidiaries.
Laurie’s leadership abilities, with a focus on turning around challenging situations and meeting project deadlines, make her a valuable asset. Her skills in accounting, finance, operations, project management, team building, and communication mark her as a remarkable leader.
Laurie lists food as a passion and is often called upon to write reviews of local restaurants.
CPA
Vance R. Schram is a seasoned finance executive, serving in capacities ranging from Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Finance, Controller, to Board Member. His experience spans across start-ups, private and public entities, to multinational companies, showcasing expertise in strategy development, execution, and comprehensive administrative management. His portfolio includes successful stints at Wine Hooligans, Greenfield Winery, Matchbook Winery, Constellation Wines, Vincor USA, The Good Guys Inc., and Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Oakville Grocery, among others, where he successfully steered mergers, revitalized companies, managed finance departments, and oversaw comprehensive business functions.
Vance holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Finance from California State University in Hayward and an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. Currently, at MSU, he serves as the lead analyst for private and corporate trust clients. Beyond his professional endeavors, Vance’s passion for swimming, a remnant from his competitive swimming days, often draws him near water in his free time.
Private Professional Fiduciary
Personal Property Professional and Organizer