Our Team

Sonya Mughal, CFA

Since joining Bailard in 1994, Sonya has dedicated the entirety of her financial career to Bailard, where she currently serves as Bailard’s Chief Executive Officer. During her time at Bailard, she has served in numerous roles, notably as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Risk Officer, and Chief Investment Officer. She is also a portfolio manager for the Bailard Technology and Science Strategy.

Sonya is currently on the selection committee for the Philanthropic Venture Foundation’s Women of Courage Award, which is granted to young women who live, work, or serve others in San Mateo County and show outstanding courage in their efforts to make the world a better place. Previously, Sonya served on the Schwab Advisor Services Advisory Board from 2018 to 2020, on the Silicon Valley Community Foundation investment committee from 2012 to 2018, and on the board of The BASIC Fund, an organization whose mission is to advance education equity for low-income families by helping offset the cost of tuition at private schools in the Bay Area.

Sonya was recognized as a 100 Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business in 2021 by the San Francisco Business Times’ and is currently a member of the Forbes Finance Council. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Sonya received her BA in mathematics from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 1994. She earned her Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 1997 and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. Outside of Bailard, Sonya enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as traveling back to her home country, India, and other parts of the world.

Michael J. Faust, CFA

Michael re-joined Bailard in 2008. He oversees the activities and personnel of the Wealth Management Group. Michael is also responsible for developing and implementing investment policies for individual clients and for maintaining client relationships. His prior work experience includes starting several technology ventures and working as an exchange/treasury analyst for MMS International. He earned a BA from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. Michael is a member of the Security Analysts of San Francisco and lives in Marin with his wife and two children.

Eric P. Leve, CFA

Eric joined Bailard in 1987 and currently serves as the firm’s Chief Investment Officer and as a portfolio manager for Bailard’s international and emerging markets equity strategies. As Chief Investment Officer, Eric guides Bailard’s investment teams to hone, broaden and deepen the firm’s investment expertise across a range of asset areas.

During his more than 30-year investment career, Eric has led strategies ranging from global sovereign debt and broad non-U.S. equity to dedicated emerging markets. In all cases, his interest has been in appreciating the contribution that country selection makes on investment outcomes. His work focuses on the relationships between geopolitics and the investment markets and involves understanding near-term dynamics in markets as well as longer-term themes such as demographics; access to resources; political, economic and financial structure; and industrial composition.

Over the last several years, Eric has authored pieces on the hidden risks of apparently “good” demography, the changing face of Colombia, looking beyond China when considering the evolving global demand for raw materials, the flight of the wealthy from China and the evolution of the Japanese economy. He has also served as a contributor to The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg TV, InvestmentNews, CNBC and Bond Week.

Eric received his B.A. in quantitative economics from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1986 and his Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 1997. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. Away from the office, Eric enjoys photography, backpacking and Japanese ceramics.

Preston Sargent

Preston is an Executive Vice President and leads Bailard’s real estate investment efforts. His responsibilities include portfolio management, sourcing of acquisition opportunities, and overseeing the evaluation, due-diligence, and closing of new investments. Preston has been in the real estate investment and advisory business for over 35 years. Prior to joining Bailard, he was an Executive Vice President and Principal at Kennedy Associates (now Bentall GreenOak) where he was in charge of Asset Management and Portfolio Manager of Kennedy’s $8BN ODCE Fund. Before Kennedy, Preston was a Vice President and Regional Team Leader at GE Investments in Stamford, CT. And prior to GE, he held positions in acquisitions, asset management, and debt workout at Aetna Realty Investors, William Blair Realty, and LaSalle Partners.

Preston is an active member of the Urban Land Institute and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers (NAREIM). Over the past 25 years he has been a frequent speaker, moderator, and panelist at a variety of industry conferences. Preston holds a JD Degree from Case Western Reserve University and a BA Degree from Colorado College. He is married, has three grown children, and enjoys skiing, golf, hiking, and climbing.

Blaine Townsend, CIMC®, CIMA®

Blaine serves as an Executive Vice President and the Director of Bailard’s Sustainable, Responsible and Impact Investing (SRII) group. He also portfolio manager of Bailard’s Smart SRI US All Cap and ADR strategies, Broad Impact Strategy, and Small Cap Value Strategy. Blaine is on both Bailard’s fundamental and SRII investment committees, conducts social research, oversees corporate engagement efforts, and maintains client relationships.

Blaine began researching and writing about corporate social responsibility in the late 1980s. He started his career in Socially Responsible Investing in 1991 at the Muir Investment Trust, the nation’s first environmentally screened bond fund. In 1996, he opened the California office for Trillium Asset Management, which he led for thirteen years. While at Trillium, Blaine managed socially responsible and sustainably focused portfolios, served on the firm’s investment committee and worked on corporate engagement efforts on a host of social and environmental issues from deforestation to media reform. Blaine also led the effort to create the “Joan Bavaria Awards for Building Sustainability in the Capital Markets”, which are presented each year at the Ceres annual conference and was part of the working group that created OpenMic to address net neutrality and media reform. In 2009, he joined Nelson Capital Management, where he was a partner and a senior portfolio manager. He also served on the firm’s leadership team and investment committee. Blaine chaired the company’s corporate engagement committee and was on the Extraction-Free and Animal-Welfare model teams. Blaine joined Bailard in 2016.

Blaine currently serves as an Advisory Board member for The Journal of Impact and ESG Investing. He holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and CIMC® and CIMA® credentials. His writings and commentary on social investing have appeared in numerous publications including Reuters, the San Francisco Chronicle, Fast Company, MarketWatch, Real Leaders, American Banker, and the San Jose Mercury News. Blaine is married, and has three adult children.

Sonya Mughal, CFA

Since joining Bailard in 1994, Sonya has dedicated the entirety of her financial career to Bailard, where she currently serves as Bailard’s Chief Executive Officer. During her time at Bailard, she has served in numerous roles, notably as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Risk Officer, and Chief Investment Officer. She is also a portfolio manager for the Bailard Technology and Science Strategy.

Sonya is currently on the selection committee for the Philanthropic Venture Foundation’s Women of Courage Award, which is granted to young women who live, work, or serve others in San Mateo County and show outstanding courage in their efforts to make the world a better place. Previously, Sonya served on the Schwab Advisor Services Advisory Board from 2018 to 2020, on the Silicon Valley Community Foundation investment committee from 2012 to 2018, and on the board of The BASIC Fund, an organization whose mission is to advance education equity for low-income families by helping offset the cost of tuition at private schools in the Bay Area.

Sonya was recognized as a 100 Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business in 2021 by the San Francisco Business Times’ and is currently a member of the Forbes Finance Council. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Sonya received her BA in mathematics from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 1994. She earned her Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 1997 and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. Outside of Bailard, Sonya enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as traveling back to her home country, India, and other parts of the world.

Jeffrey Abell

Jeffrey joined Bailard in 2023 as a Senior Client Operations Associate. In this role, he focuses on the needs of our real estate investors and manages the client operations of Bailard’s private real estate vehicles. Prior to Bailard, Jeffrey worked as a financial analyst for a Registered Investment Advisor. Jeffrey holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Merced. In his free time, he enjoys board games, road trips, and escape rooms.

David Abramson

David joined the firm in 2000. As an Analyst, he assists with operations for Bailard’s private real estate investments. His duties include monitoring the portfolios, updating performance, and financial forecasting. David received a BA in history from the University of California at Berkeley in 1995. Prior to joining Bailard, he conducted research on investment managers for Cambridge Associates. In his spare time, David enjoys movies and 20th century history.

Osman Akgun, PhD, CFA

Osman serves as Senior Vice President of Domestic Equities and as a portfolio manager for the small cap value equity strategy. His primary focus is quantitative research, model building, and portfolio optimization. Osman joined Bailard in 2012 after receiving his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to his Ph.D. program, Osman received Masters’ Degrees in Statistics as well as in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, both from the University of California, Berkeley. During this time, Osman worked as a Research Assistant focusing on stochastic modeling and optimization, with applications to finance, service operations and computer communications. He was also a Teaching Assistant for Quantitative Methods for Business at the Presidio Graduate School. Prior to his graduate work, he received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Bogazici University, Turkey. Osman received his Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 2017 and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. His personal interests include independent movies, live music, and soccer.

Linda Beck, CFA

Linda joined the firm in 2012 and leads the firm’s fixed income investment strategies in addition to working directly with a select number of its clients. Prior to joining Bailard, she worked as a Senior Portfolio Manager in RCM’s Private Client Group and was responsible for managing all fixed income accounts in the San Francisco office. Linda joined RCM in 1994, serving RCM’s institutional fixed income department where she was responsible for over $2 billion in taxable institutional and high net worth fixed income portfolios. She received her Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 1991 and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. Linda’s industry career began in 1986, having earned a BS in mathematical economics from Pomona College and an MBA in international finance from the University of Chicago. She enjoys living in Marin.

Glenn Davis, CFA

Glenn joined the firm in 1991. As head trader, Glenn’s responsibilities include execution of all purchases and sales of domestic securities. He received his BS from Santa Clara University in 1988 and his Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 1995. Glenn’s interests include international travel, sports and reading.

Diana Dessonville

As Executive Vice President and Director of Institutional Client Services, Diana serves as the senior client officer for the firm’s institutional and sub-advisory clients. In her role she also serves as a liaison to investment consultants, plan sponsors, multi-family offices, and other financial institutions. Diana earned her AB in economics from Wellesley College prior to joining the firm in 1983.

Diana served two, three-year terms on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of the Mid-Peninsula Association (2001-2007) and served as Chairman of the Association’s Audit Committee for two years until completing her second term in 2007. Diana and her husband, Tom, were active parent volunteers throughout their children’s K-12 years at San Francisco Peninsula’s St. Matthew’s Episcopal School, the Nueva School, and Woodside Priory. Outside of the office, Diana enjoys adventure travel and cooking for family and friends.

Annalise Durante

Annalise rejoined Bailard in 2023 and serves as Vice President, Senior SRII Research Analyst, and Investment Counselor for the Sustainable, Responsible and Impact Investing (SRII) group. As a Senior SRII Research Analyst, Annalise contributes to SRI research, thought leadership, and corporate engagement. As an Investment Counselor, Annalise is responsible for managing client relationships and implementing investment strategies. Prior to originally joining Bailard in 2017, Annalise spent two years at Citi Private Bank working with ultra-high-net-worth clients. She also spent time volunteering for a microfinance organization in Cambodia. Annalise earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Miami. Annalise lives in Colorado and can be found snowboarding, hiking, and biking in her free time.

Geoff Esmail

Geoff joined Bailard in 2017. In his current role as an Senior Associate on the real estate team, Geoff’s responsibilities include supporting the team with asset management and acquisition duties. Prior to Bailard, he worked at CBRE in San Francisco on the Valuation and Advisory team where he assisted in appraisals, feasibility studies and due diligence consulting for institutional grade commercial real estate in the San Francisco Bay Area. His other prior real estate experience included research and property management. Geoff is an active member of the Urban Land Institute. He received a BA from the University of Arizona, as well as his MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. In Geoff’s free time, he enjoys traveling, hiking, Bay Area and PAC-12 sports, and is a regular volunteer with groups such as Habitat for Humanity.

Tess Gruenstein

Tess joined Bailard’s real estate team in 2015. As Senior Vice President, her responsibilities include acquisitions of new investments as well as portfolio and asset management to the real estate portfolio. Prior to Bailard, she was a Vice President at Allianz Real Estate in New York, providing portfolio and asset management for Allianz’s equity and debt investments as well as sourcing new fund investments. She began her career in the Asset Management group of Kennedy Associates. Tess received an MBA in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin School of Business and has a BA in Economics and Political Science from Beloit College. Outside of work, Tess enjoys traveling, hiking, running and cooking.

Joanne Howard, CFA

Joanne joined Bailard in 2021 as a Senior Vice President, Investment Counselor, and Portfolio Manager. In her role as an Investment Counselor, her responsibilities include developing and implementing investment strategies for individual clients and maintaining client relationships. In her role, Joanne manages her clients’ quality growth equity portfolios with attention to income tax consequences and ESG issues.

Prior to Bailard, Joanne was a Senior Vice President and a Managing Director with Allianz Global Investors, which she joined in 1992. At Allianz, she held portfolio management responsibilities with the U.S. Large Cap Core Equity team and was the Chief Investment Officer of the Private Client Group in San Francisco. Before Allianz, Joanne was also a managing director at Scudder, Stevens & Clark, where she was a senior member of the Scudder quality growth equity-management team. Before that, she was a Manager of the Equity Mutual Fund at American Express Investment Management and the Director of Research at ISI Corporation. She is a past president of the CFA Society of San Francisco and the Financial Women’s Association of San Francisco. Joanne holds a B.B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA in finance from the University of Wisconsin. In addition, she is a CFA charterholder. In her spare time, Joanne enjoys cheering on the Wisconsin Badger football and basketball teams, playing bridge, analyzing theatre, nurturing her grandchildren, and watching the Canadian television series, Heartland.

Xavier S. Jefferson

Xavier joined Bailard in 2024. In his current role as an Equity Research Associate, Xavier assists both the Technology and the Sustainable, Responsible and Impact Investing teams by performing research and analysis across many of the firm’s strategies. Xavier earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with a Finance Concentration from Northwestern State University and an MBA from the University of California Berkeley Haas School of Business. Prior to graduate school, Xavier worked for 8 years in private wealth management, where he performed many duties, including equity research, portfolio construction, and general product research on behalf of the firm. Xavier enjoys traveling with his wife, cooking, playing board games, and reading to explore his random curiosities in his free time.

Ben Lathrop

Ben joined Bailard in 2019. As Senior Vice President, Director of Business Development and Client Services, Ben is responsible for representing Bailard’s real estate platform and expanding relationships with institutional investors, investment consultants, and other financial institutions.

Before joining Bailard, Ben was a Managing Director of Business Development for NewOak Capital, where he developed a North America sales strategy focused on institutions and consultants. Previously, he served as Vice President, Product Manager for Real Estate and Infrastructure strategies at Franklin Templeton Investments. Prior to Franklin, Ben held senior roles with Apollo Global Management, Citi Property Investors, Bear Stearns Asset Management, U.S Trust, and State Street Research. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Hamilton College. Away from the office, Ben enjoys traveling, spending time with family and coaching his sons’ youth lacrosse teams.

Eric P. Leve, CFA

Eric joined Bailard in 1987 and currently serves as the firm’s Chief Investment Officer and as a portfolio manager for Bailard’s international and emerging markets equity strategies. As Chief Investment Officer, Eric guides Bailard’s investment teams to hone, broaden and deepen the firm’s investment expertise across a range of asset areas.

During his more than 30-year investment career, Eric has led strategies ranging from global sovereign debt and broad non-U.S. equity to dedicated emerging markets. In all cases, his interest has been in appreciating the contribution that country selection makes on investment outcomes. His work focuses on the relationships between geopolitics and the investment markets and involves understanding near-term dynamics in markets as well as longer-term themes such as demographics; access to resources; political, economic and financial structure; and industrial composition.

Over the last several years, Eric has authored pieces on the hidden risks of apparently “good” demography, the changing face of Colombia, looking beyond China when considering the evolving global demand for raw materials, the flight of the wealthy from China and the evolution of the Japanese economy. He has also served as a contributor to The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg TV, InvestmentNews, CNBC and Bond Week.

Eric received his B.A. in quantitative economics from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1986 and his Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 1997. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. Away from the office, Eric enjoys photography, backpacking and Japanese ceramics.

Irene Liando, CFA

Irene joined Bailard in 2023 as a Senior International Equity Analyst. In this role, Irene focuses on fundamental equity research and analysis, specializing in international equities. Prior to Bailard, Irene worked as a buy-side analyst for the Disruption and Asia funds at Evans & Partners in Sydney, Australia. Prior to that, Irene spent eight years as an equity analyst at Schroders in Indonesia and one year as a Trading Associate in Dimensional Fund Advisors in Southern California. Irene holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Financial Analysis and Valuation from the University of Southern California. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hosting for family and friends, and being outdoors.

Daniel McKellar, CFA

Daniel serves as Senior Vice President of International Equities and a portfolio manager for Bailard’s international and emerging markets equity strategies. His primary focus is quantitative research and model building to augment both country and security selection. Daniel’s career at Bailard began with a summer internship with the Quantitative Investment Research Group. After receiving his Master’s degree in financial mathematics from Stanford University, he joined Bailard full-time in 2011 as a quantitative analyst. Prior to Stanford, he earned Bachelor’s degrees in business administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and in mathematics from the University of Waterloo with high distinction. Daniel received his Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 2014 and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. Away from work, he enjoys time with his family, playing the piano, chess, and running.

Yuji Miwa

Yuji joined Bailard in 2022 as the firm’s Performance Analyst. In this role, Yuji contributes to the organization of account and index data; performance calculation and analysis, including attribution and benchmark comparisons; and the production of performance-related reports. Prior to Bailard, he was an accountant at Osaka Eiko Inc. Yuji holds a B.S. in Statistics from San Francisco State University. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, hiking, watching the NBA, and hanging out with friends.

Chris Moshy

Chris joined Bailard in 2015. As a member of the Technology investment team, he focuses his investment research on semiconductor and related industries and coordinates broadly on technology investment strategies.

Prior to Bailard, Chris founded Primary Funds, LLC, an investment firm specialized in low-volatility, long/short technology-biased equity strategies where fundamental research played an integral role in stock selection and portfolio construction. Chris and Bailard have a relationship that began in 2004, when Bailard became an institutional client of Primary Funds, LLC.

Before Primary Funds, Chris served as Director of Equity Research at RCM, at that time a $60 billion investment advisory firm best known for its fundamental research approach to investing in equities. (Today, RCM is part of Allianz Global Investors.) As the Director of Equity Research, Chris also led the research effort behind the management of $7.1 billion in research-driven sector funds. He served on that firm’s Executive Committee and Equity Management Group.

Chris holds an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, San Diego and an MBA from Cornell University. Outside of Bailard, Chris can often be found on the bike trails of Marin County or the ski slopes of Tahoe. Chris is married with two children and resides in Marin County, California.

Thomas J. Mudge III, CFA

Tom heads Bailard’s equity research and serves as a portfolio manager of the small cap value equity strategy. Tom earned his BA at Northern Michigan University in 1985 and the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 1994, and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. He has also completed the certificate program in Investment Decisions and Behavioral Finance at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. In his spare time, Tom is currently president of the Peninsula Orchid Society.

James Pinkerton

James joined Bailard’s real estate team in 2017. As Senior Vice President, his responsibilities include acquisitions of new investments as well as portfolio and asset management within the real estate portfolio. Prior to Bailard, he was a Senior Director at Tishman Speyer in New York and San Francisco, where he worked on the acquisition, disposition and recapitalization of investments and also acted as the portfolio manager for a core and core-plus investment fund. James began his investment career in Sydney, Australia with State Street Australia Limited. James received a bachelor’s in business with majors in finance and accounting from the University of Technology Sydney. Outside of the office, James enjoys traveling, cycling, cooking and spending time with his family.

Erin Randolph, PCM®

Erin joined Bailard in 2009. As Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications, she is responsible for developing and implementing marketing and client communication strategies in support of Bailard’s goals. Prior to joining Bailard, Erin served as an account manager with a branding and packaging graphic design studio in San Francisco. She graduated with honors from the University of California, Davis with a BS in Environmental Biology & Management. Erin earned her Professional Certified Marketer® (PCM®) Marketing Management certification from the American Marketing Association in 2022. She is also an active member of Financial Narrative as well as the Marketing & Communications committee with the National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers. Erin lives in north Atlanta, GA with her husband and son, where they work diligently to enjoy good music, good food, and good friends.

Juan Rascon-Borgia

Juan joined Bailard in 2021. In his current role as an Associate with the real estate team, Juan’s responsibilities include supporting the team with acquisition and asset management duties. Prior to joining Bailard, Juan was an Investment Analyst at PGIM Real Estate in San Francisco. While there, he was responsible for underwriting prospective real estate debt investments across all asset classes for the General Account, Agency, and high-yield platform. Juan received a BS in Commerce with a major in Finance from Santa Clara University. In his free time, Juan enjoys spending time outside, cooking, and playing basketball.

Preston Sargent

Preston is an Executive Vice President and leads Bailard’s real estate investment efforts. His responsibilities include portfolio management, sourcing of acquisition opportunities, and overseeing the evaluation, due-diligence, and closing of new investments. Preston has been in the real estate investment and advisory business for over 35 years. Prior to joining Bailard, he was an Executive Vice President and Principal at Kennedy Associates (now Bentall GreenOak) where he was in charge of Asset Management and Portfolio Manager of Kennedy’s $8BN ODCE Fund. Before Kennedy, Preston was a Vice President and Regional Team Leader at GE Investments in Stamford, CT. And prior to GE, he held positions in acquisitions, asset management, and debt workout at Aetna Realty Investors, William Blair Realty, and LaSalle Partners.

Preston is an active member of the Urban Land Institute and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers (NAREIM). Over the past 25 years he has been a frequent speaker, moderator, and panelist at a variety of industry conferences. Preston holds a JD Degree from Case Western Reserve University and a BA Degree from Colorado College. He is married, has three grown children, and enjoys skiing, golf, hiking, and climbing.

Dipika Shull, CPA

Dipika joined Bailard in 2017 as Chief Accounting Officer, Real Estate. Her responsibilities include all financial and operational functions for the real estate portfolio, including portfolio taxes, cash management, accounting and reporting, as well as management of the portfolio’s third-party fund and property accountants, tax advisors and auditors. Prior to Bailard, Dipika served as a Principal with Novogradac & Company LLP, a national certified public accounting and consulting firm headquartered in San Francisco. Dipika is a Certified Public Accountant and received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara with majors in business economics and accounting as well as law and society. In her spare time, Dipika enjoys traveling, reading and hiking.

Tom Sikora

Tom joined Bailard in 2013 and serves as a Vice President and Trader, with a focus on international equities. Before joining Bailard, Tom worked for Pzena Investment Management where he specialized in portfolio accounting and reporting, portfolio administration, performance calculation and trade operations. Prior to Pzena, he worked for The Bank of New York Mellon. Tom received his BS from St. John’s University in 2005. In his free time, Tom enjoys traveling, hiking, running, snowboarding and degustation of craft beers.

Dave Harrison Smith, CFA

Dave serves as a portfolio manager for the Bailard Technology and Science Strategy, where he specializes in technology sector research, and the portfolio manager of the Bailard Technology Opportunities Strategy. Dave graduated in 2008 from the University of California at Berkeley with a double major in business administration and economics. He received his Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 2012 and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. In 2016, he received his MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. Originally from Portland, Maine, he is an avid sailor and kayaker, and also enjoys distance running, traveling and all things outdoors.

Alex Spotswood

Alex joined Bailard’s real estate team in 2016. As Senior Vice President, his responsibilities include acquisitions of new investments as well as portfolio and asset management within the real estate portfolio. Prior to Bailard, he worked at Eastdil Secured in San Francisco on the Debt Capital Markets team where he assisted in sourcing and structuring commercial mortgage financings for all asset types nationally. Prior to Eastdil Secured, Alex served as a Portfolio Analyst for SunTrust Institutional Investment Solutions. He received an MBA in Real Estate Finance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School and a BS in Commerce from the University of Virginia. Outside of work, Alex enjoys hiking, snowboarding, golfing and Atlantic Coast Conference sports.

Blaine Townsend, CIMC®, CIMA®

Blaine serves as an Executive Vice President and the Director of Bailard’s Sustainable, Responsible and Impact Investing (SRII) group. He also portfolio manager of Bailard’s Smart SRI US All Cap and ADR strategies, Broad Impact Strategy, and Small Cap Value Strategy. Blaine is on both Bailard’s fundamental and SRII investment committees, conducts social research, oversees corporate engagement efforts, and maintains client relationships.

Blaine began researching and writing about corporate social responsibility in the late 1980s. He started his career in Socially Responsible Investing in 1991 at the Muir Investment Trust, the nation’s first environmentally screened bond fund. In 1996, he opened the California office for Trillium Asset Management, which he led for thirteen years. While at Trillium, Blaine managed socially responsible and sustainably focused portfolios, served on the firm’s investment committee and worked on corporate engagement efforts on a host of social and environmental issues from deforestation to media reform. Blaine also led the effort to create the “Joan Bavaria Awards for Building Sustainability in the Capital Markets”, which are presented each year at the Ceres annual conference and was part of the working group that created OpenMic to address net neutrality and media reform. In 2009, he joined Nelson Capital Management, where he was a partner and a senior portfolio manager. He also served on the firm’s leadership team and investment committee. Blaine chaired the company’s corporate engagement committee and was on the Extraction-Free and Animal-Welfare model teams. Blaine joined Bailard in 2016.

Blaine currently serves as an Advisory Board member for The Journal of Impact and ESG Investing. He holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and CIMC® and CIMA® credentials. His writings and commentary on social investing have appeared in numerous publications including Reuters, the San Francisco Chronicle, Fast Company, MarketWatch, Real Leaders, American Banker, and the San Jose Mercury News. Blaine is married, and has three adult children.

Ryan Vasilik, CFA

Ryan joined Bailard in 2022 as an Equity Analyst. In his role, Ryan assists the research group by performing equity research and analysis across multiple Bailard equity strategies, where he specializes in the healthcare industry. Prior to Bailard, Ryan worked as an Equity Analyst for Gardner Lewis Asset Management, where he covered technology and healthcare equities. Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Pennsylvania State University. He received his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2019 and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. In his free time, Ryan enjoys spending time with family, snowboarding, and watching Penn State football and wrestling.

Jeremy Wager-Smith

Jeremy joined Bailard’s Fixed Income team in 2022 as a Fixed Income Portfolio Associate. In this role, he works closely with the Director of Fixed Income to assist in the management of the firm’s bonds portfolios. Prior to Bailard, he worked as a private credit and ABS analyst at a boutique asset management firm in Irvine, California. Jeremy received his joint B.S. in Economics and Applied Mathematics from the University of California, San Diego in 2020. He is a CFA® Program participant, CFA Institute, and completed Level I in 2023. Outside of work, he enjoys fly fishing and spending time with family and friends.

Kimberly Aquino, CFP®

Kim joined Bailard in 1996. She received a BA in economics from Santa Clara University in 1995 and earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 1999.

As Director of Operations, Kim works on behalf of the Wealth Management team in numerous capacities including internal group operations, project management, compliance, strategic planning, budgeting, and hiring. She supports the team’s current initiatives while also helping to implement improvements that will drive future efficiency and growth.

Additionally, Kim works with a group of private clients, where she develops their investment strategies, advises them on financial planning, and manages their accounts. Included among her clients are some of the Firm’s largest wealth management relationships as well as a number of families with whom she has worked since her first day at Bailard.

One of the most rewarding parts of Kim’s job is also her role as a board member of the Bailard Foundation. Along with her fellow board members, she helps identify organizations in the community within the Foundation’s main focused giving areas and provide grants to meaningfully impact their missions.

Kim lives in Oakland with her husband and two sons. She enjoys spending time in the kitchen making jam and baking.

Donna T. Castillo, FPQP®, CRPC™

Donna joined Bailard in 2024 as a Senior Client Associate. In this role, Donna provides client services along with account administration and acts as a liaison between client and custodian. Prior to Bailard, she worked at a San Francisco-based registered investment advisor firm for 26 years.

Donna holds the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ designations from the College for Financial Planning. Donna is also a volunteer in her community and supports city programs, events, and local parks. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies, gardening, and hiking.

Ryan Chavez, CFP®, CPWA®

Ryan joined Bailard in 2024. As an Investment Counselor and member of the firm’s financial planning team, he is responsible for managing and developing client relationships, financial planning, and implementing investment strategies. Ryan brings ten years of financial planning experience to Bailard. Most recently, he served as an advisor at a San Francisco-based registered investment advisor firm, where he provided comprehensive financial planning and investment management to the firm’s clients.

Driven by a passion for understanding the intricate workings of financial markets and their broader implications, Ryan thrives in the financial industry as it offers the dual opportunity of continual learning and meaningful impact. His passion for ongoing professional development led him to earn his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2018 and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® certification in 2022.

Ryan holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Finance from the University of San Diego. Originally from Los Gatos, CA, he now resides in San Francisco, where he actively participates in the Financial Planning Association. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, and staying active with his golden retriever puppy.

Ryan Cole, CFP®, CTS™

Ryan re-joined Bailard in 2023 after spending the prior two years with a Private Wealth Management team at Morgan Stanley in Menlo Park. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Bailard Wealth Management, focusing on maintaining client relationships and developing strategic partnerships for the firm. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Ryan was with Bailard for 9 years, where he served as the firm’s Director of Financial Planning for the Wealth Management Group, and before Bailard, worked for Charles Schwab in Phoenix, Arizona. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Finance from the University of Arizona. Ryan earned the Executive Certificate of Financial Planning from San Francisco State University and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Tax Specialist™ designations.

Ryan grew up in—and currently resides in—San Mateo, California with his wife and daughter. He serves as a volunteer board member for the UMC School, a non-profit early-child development school in Burlingame. Away from work, Ryan enjoys time with family and friends, as well as a variety of outdoor activities.

Neither Bailard nor any employee of Bailard can give tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax or legal professional for such advice.

Stacy Pearl Dauber, CFP®

Stacy joined Bailard in 2017. As an Investment Counselor, Stacy is responsible for developing and implementing investment strategies, managing client relationships, providing financial planning, and business development efforts. One of Stacy’s primary areas of focus is working with clients interested in socially responsible investing. Similarly, she also serves on Bailard’s social impact committee and leads the firm’s B Corp Certification efforts (Bailard became a B Corp in 2023).

Stacy completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley and received a Master of Public Policy from Columbia University. Prior to Bailard, she spent eight years at Goldman Sachs within the Investment Management Division, serving high net worth clients from the Los Angeles and New York offices. She earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2021.

Stacy and her husband live in New York City, and in their spare time, you can find them enjoying the outdoors – hiking, cycling and playing tennis.

Annalise Durante

Annalise rejoined Bailard in 2023 and serves as Vice President, Senior SRII Research Analyst, and Investment Counselor for the Sustainable, Responsible and Impact Investing (SRII) group. As a Senior SRII Research Analyst, Annalise contributes to SRI research, thought leadership, and corporate engagement. As an Investment Counselor, Annalise is responsible for managing client relationships and implementing investment strategies. Prior to originally joining Bailard in 2017, Annalise spent two years at Citi Private Bank working with ultra-high-net-worth clients. She also spent time volunteering for a microfinance organization in Cambodia. Annalise earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Miami. Annalise lives in Colorado and can be found snowboarding, hiking, and biking in her free time.

Michael J. Faust, CFA

Michael re-joined Bailard in 2008. He oversees the activities and personnel of the Wealth Management Group. Michael is also responsible for developing and implementing investment policies for individual clients and for maintaining client relationships. His prior work experience includes starting several technology ventures and working as an exchange/treasury analyst for MMS International. He earned a BA from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. Michael is a member of the Security Analysts of San Francisco and lives in Marin with his wife and two children.

Rick Fermin, CFP®, RICP®

Rick is responsible for developing and implementing investment strategies for individual clients, developing financial plans and managing client relationships. Rick earned his BS in business administration in 1981 and his MBA in 1991, both from California State University, San Francisco. He received his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 1997 and his Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designation in 2019. Prior to joining Bailard in 1985, Rick was an accountant with the Robert MacNeil Corporation. He enjoys travel and tennis and is an avid fan of track and field. He also likes the cinema with a special interest in films from the 1970s.

Andrea Mohr Gandolfo

Andrea Mohr Gandolfo joined Bailard in 1981 after receiving her BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from California State University, Chico. Andrea began her current role as an Investment Counselor in 1985, and has held additional roles, such as working on firm-wide initiatives and organizing client events.

Andrea works with a broad range of clients, and in several cases, with the third generation of families. Andrea is passionate about helping her clients, and along with her colleagues, has navigated the complexities of their financial lives with an individualized and responsive approach. Her long tenure with Bailard has provided her with extensive experience and valuable life lessons that have served her both personally and professionally.

Andrea has also been involved in her community over the years. She currently serves as Board President for Palo Alto Humane. Andrea is also a volunteer at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula (BGCP) where in the past she served as a Director (beginning in 2004), Development Committee Chair (2008-2011), and Board President (2011-2013). She is currently on the BGCP Emeritus Board.

Now an empty nester, Andrea lives in Los Gatos. In her spare time can be found hiking around Los Gatos, concocting savory condiments in her kitchen and preparing meals for family and friends.

Isabel Gonzalez-Velarde

Isabel joined Bailard in 2019. As a Senior Client Associate, Isabel she provides client services along with account administration, and serves as a custodian liaison. Prior to Bailard, Isabel worked in the real estate industry with four years of experience. She is a licensed Notary Public, Real Estate Agent, and Mortgage Loan Originator. Well versed in the real estate industry, she has worked all angles from title and escrow, to marketing manager and originating home loans. She was a student athlete throughout college and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Social Interaction from San Jose State University. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, staying active, drawing or painting, playing instruments, and spending time with her family.

Clayton Hagy

Clayton joined Bailard in 2022 as a Client Associate. In this role, he provides client services and account administration, and acts as a liaison between clients and custodians. Prior to Bailard, Clayton worked as a financial analyst for a Bay Area multifamily real estate broker. Clayton earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Saint Mary’s College of California in 2019, where he was also Vice President of the Economics Society and a founding member of the Philosophy Club. Outside of work, he enjoys attempting to make pizza, hiking, watching Formula 1, and spending time with friends.

Jenifer Harvey

Jenifer joined Bailard in 2023 as a Senior Client Associate. In this role, Jen liaises with custodians and clients, and assists with establishing and maintaining client accounts. Prior to Bailard, she was employed with Polaris Wealth Advisory Group in Marin. Jen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and a minor in Women’s Gender Studies from Sonoma State University. In her free time, she enjoys attending her son’s baseball games, going to concerts, and paddle boarding on the lagoon in Bel Marin Keys.

Noah Holmes

Noah joined Bailard in 2021, and now serves as a Portfolio Associate, implementing investment strategies and cultivating client relationship. Prior to Bailard, Noah interned with a Registered Investment Advisor in Southern California and a commercial bank in Eugene, OR. Noah earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Finance concentration from the University of Oregon in 2021, where he was also a student athlete. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, spending time with friends, and staying active.

Dave Jones, JD, LLM, CFP®

Dave Jones officially joined Bailard in 2020 after several years of consulting with the firm, starting in 2017. He leads the estate and philanthropic strategy activities of the Wealth Management Group. His prior work experience has focused on helping ultra high net worth families on estate, philanthropic, and family governance planning. He practiced as an estate planning attorney in San Diego before joining a multi-billion dollar family office at Merrill Lynch PBIG in San Francisco. Most recently, he was a consultant and philanthropic advisor to high-level donors at The University of Texas at Austin. He earned his BS at Brigham Young University, and his JD and LL.M. in Taxation at The University of San Diego School of Law. He also holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. Dave lives in Austin with his wife and three children.

Neither Bailard nor any employee of Bailard can give tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax or legal professional for such advice.

Scott Kidd, CFP®

Scott joined Bailard’s Wealth Management Group in 1998. He is responsible for developing and implementing investment strategies, providing financial planning, managing client relationships, and participating in sales efforts. Scott received his BA in economics and communication from the University of California, San Diego, in 1997 and earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2003. He lives in Redwood City with his wife and three children. In his free time, Scott enjoys coaching his children’s sports teams, traveling, and playing golf and tennis.

Michele Klosky

Michele joined Bailard in 2016. As a Senior Client Associate, her responsibilities include account administration, serving as a custodian liaison and providing client service. Prior to Bailard, Michele worked with Nelson Capital Management where she spent over 20 years in various roles within the operations group. In her spare time, Michele enjoys hiking, the ocean and sketching. Passionate about animals, she is also actively involved with several animal rescue organizations.

Alexandra Labagh

Alexandra joined Bailard in 2024. As a Portfolio Associate, she implements investment strategies and cultivates client relationships. Prior to Bailard, Alexandra was a Director of Relationship Management at First Republic Bank where she worked for 12 years. In this role she provided holistic banking solutions and developed lasting relationships with clients as a trusted advisor through personalized service. Alexandra graduated with a BA in Communications and Media Studies from Fordham University in New York City and lives in Brooklyn. She grew up in San Francisco and travels to the Bay Area often. In her free time, Alexandra enjoys immersing herself in the world of storytelling through film and literature, volunteering with New York Cares, and exploring diverse cultures and flavors around the world.

Bradley Larson, CFP®, CPWA®

Bradley joined Bailard in 2014. As a Bailard Wealth Management Investment Counselor, Bradley is responsible for implementing investment strategies, managing client relationships, client financial planning needs, and new business development. Prior to his current role, Bradley served as Portfolio Associate. He received his Bachelor’s degree in business administration with finance and economics concentrations from Carroll College in Helena, Montana. Bradley earned a Master of Science in Financial Analysis and Investment Management at Saint Mary’s College of California in 2015, his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2017, and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® in 2022. Prior to Bailard, Bradley worked as an Accounting Technician at Opportunity Bank of Montana in Helena, Montana. Bradley lives in Burlingame and is an active member of the Financial Planning Association of Silicon Valley. Outside of Bailard, Bradley enjoys traveling, the outdoors, and researching economic and political topics.

Austin Lastinger, CFP®

Austin joined Bailard in 2016. As a Bailard Wealth Management Investment Counselor, Austin is responsible for managing client relationships, implementing investment strategies, client financial planning needs, and new business development. Prior to his current role, Austin served as Portfolio Associate and Financial Planner. Growing up, Austin was fascinated with generational wealth transfer, after witnessing his grandfather start a successful corporation and pass away unexpectedly, leaving his mother and uncle with a business they weren’t involved in. The trusted advisors that helped his family navigate through that difficult situation ultimately became an extension of his family. This experience led him to pursue a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Finance with a minor in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego; connecting his knack for investments with his understanding of interpersonal relationships. Austin earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2018. After studying abroad in college through Semester at Sea, Austin gained a passion for traveling and giving back. He currently sits on the Semester at Sea Alumni Association, working with young alumni to increase engagement. Away from work, you’ll find Austin either on the golf course, on the ocean fishing, or on a plane traveling somewhere new.

Jon Manchester, CFA, CFP®

Jon serves on Bailard’s fundamental investment committee and co-manages the firm’s U.S. large-cap equity portfolios. He also leads the team responsible for investment strategy within the wealth management group. Prior to Bailard, Jon spent fifteen years at Nelson Capital Management (NCM). While at NCM, Jon was a senior portfolio manager, member of the leadership team, the investment committee, and the corporate engagement committee. Jon was also the model team leader for the Extraction Free and Animal Welfare equity strategies and captained Nelson Capital’s fixed income strategy.

Jon holds a BA in economics from Stanford University, a Chartered Financial Analyst designation and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. He is a Past President and current member of the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club. Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, playing tennis, golf, and backyard soccer, and reading.

Frank Marcoux, CFA

Frank serves on Bailard’s fundamental investment committee and on the investment committee for Bailard Wealth Management’s Sustainable, Responsible and Impact Investing group. Prior to joining Bailard, Frank was a partner and senior portfolio manager at Nelson Capital Management. At Nelson, Frank was on the leadership team and investment committee. Frank was the model team leader for the Faith Based strategy, oversaw the asset allocation committee, and managed the firm’s portfolio managers. Prior to Nelson Capital Management, Frank served as a research analyst at YCMNET advisors (now Destination Wealth Management) and as a research analyst at Willamette Management Associates and Franklin Templeton. Frank holds a BA in business administration from Sacramento State University and is a CFA charterholder. Frank has three daughters and lives in Pleasanton with his wife. When not in the office, Frank can typically be found at sport fields and basketball courts watching his children’s sporting events. Frank also enjoys spending time with his family, snow skiing, camping and racquetball.

Lena McQuillen, CFP®

Lena joined Bailard in 2020 and serves as Vice President, Director of Financial Planning. In this role she implements investment strategies, maintains client relationships, and handles client financial planning needs. Prior to joining the firm, Lena spent 13 years at Wells Fargo as an Investment Manager implementing its Social Impact Investment strategies across client portfolios. Nine of those years were spent at Nelson Capital Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, as both an investment manager and financial planner. She has also worked as a Client Service Specialist at Charles Schwab and at a family-owned investment advisory firm.

Lena is a member of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group, an exclusive group of advisors for expertise in IRAs, tax planning and retirement distribution planning.

Lena received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting, at California State University Dominguez Hills in 2001, and earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2004. In her spare time, Lena enjoys reading (her favorite author is Dean Koontz), sewing, making different types of handmade crafts, and barre workouts.

Neither Bailard nor any employee of Bailard can give tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax or legal professional for such advice.

Robert J. Mendoza

Robert joined the Wealth Management Group as a Senior Client Associate in 2023. In this role, he provides client services along with account administration, and serves as a custodian liaison. Prior to Bailard, Robert worked at a multinational investment bank and financial services company in San Francisco. Robert earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 2019, he graduated from Saint Mary’s College of California with a Master of Business Administration. In his spare time, Robert enjoys cooking barbecue, traveling to new places, and sharing new experiences with family and friends.

Louise Model

Louise joined Bailard in 2017. As Vice President and Business Development Officer, Louise focuses on expanding and deepening the firm’s existing partnerships within the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Schwab Advisor Network® and the TD Ameritrade Institutional AdvisorDirect® referral programs, and the development of other new business sources for Bailard Wealth Management. Formerly, Louise held business development roles in the real estate securities industry and as a Financial Consultant. Louise earned a BS in business administration from San Francisco State University. She lives with her husband in San Francisco, where she is a financial literacy education volunteer. She enjoys cooking, hiking and all different types of music.

Romy Pavolotsky, CFP®, CDFA®

Having joined Bailard in 1997, Romy works with many clients and families to help them achieve their financial goals while providing them with peace of mind. She is passionate about educating her clients on all matters of wealth management and views herself as their financial quarterback. She handles the implementation of investment strategies, the development of an appropriate asset allocation, financial planning, and the ongoing management of the client relationship. Romy received her BA in Sociology from the University of Washington and after living in Seattle for four years, she realized she missed the sunshine and wanted to come back to the Bay Area where she was born and raised. She earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2002 and her Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) certification in 2018. When she’s not in the office, Romy enjoys spending time with her family, walking her labradoodle, volunteering on the PTA, and helping the Children’s Tumor Foundation raise funds and awareness.

Stephanie Roncal

Stephanie joined Bailard in 2021 as a Portfolio Associate and a member of the Financial Planning Team. In this role, she implements investment strategies, and manages client relationships and client financial planning needs. Prior to joining the firm, Stephanie spent eighteen years at Wells Fargo as an investment manager implementing its Social Impact Investment strategies across client portfolios. Prior to Wells Fargo, she worked at Nelson Capital Management as an investment manager and financial planner. Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree, graduating magna cum laude from San Francisco State University. She holds a personal financial planning certification from University of California Berkeley and is a member of the Financial Planning Association. Stephanie lives in San Ramon with her husband and three children. When not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. Stephanie also enjoys volunteering at her children’s schools, on their sports teams and with Girl Scouts.

Mikhail Saliba, CFP®

Mikhail joined Bailard first in 2021 as a Wealth Management intern, before transitioning to a Client Associate in 2022. In this role, he provides client services and account administration, and acts as a liaison between clients and custodians. Mikhail earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in finance and a specialization in personal financial planning from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2022, and his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2024. Outside of work he likes to play basketball, spend time in nature, and play the drums.

Dana M. Scheer, CFA, CFP®

Dana joined Bailard in 1994. As a Senior Investment Counselor in the Wealth Management Group, Dana splits her time between focusing on business development efforts and maintaining deep relationships with some affluent families and individuals that Bailard has been advising for decades.

Dana’s business development efforts concentrate on developing and maintaining the strategic partnership with Charles Schwab and their Schwab Advisor Network® referral program. This includes continually striving to better understand the needs of Charles Schwab clients and identifying appropriate existing strategies or building new strategies to meet those needs.

With over 20 years in the business, Dana is committed to providing a high level of service plus customized and comprehensive wealth management to her clients. This includes helping them navigate the many different financial stages of their lives by developing and implementing personalized investment strategies, retirement transition plans, individual income tax plans and issue spotting on various estate planning matters.

Dana earned her Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 1997 and her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2010. She is a member of the Security Analysts of San Francisco and the CFA Institute. As an active member of the CFA Institute, she often spends time each year giving back to the financial community by volunteering at the Institute’s Charlottesville headquarters office.

Prior to joining Bailard, Dana worked in the investment banking division at Morgan Stanley. She received her BA in economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1991.

When she is not in the office Dana enjoys spending time with her family in Marin.

Blaine Townsend, CIMC®, CIMA®

Blaine serves as an Executive Vice President and the Director of Bailard’s Sustainable, Responsible and Impact Investing (SRII) group. He also portfolio manager of Bailard’s Smart SRI US All Cap and ADR strategies, Broad Impact Strategy, and Small Cap Value Strategy. Blaine is on both Bailard’s fundamental and SRII investment committees, conducts social research, oversees corporate engagement efforts, and maintains client relationships.

Blaine began researching and writing about corporate social responsibility in the late 1980s. He started his career in Socially Responsible Investing in 1991 at the Muir Investment Trust, the nation’s first environmentally screened bond fund. In 1996, he opened the California office for Trillium Asset Management, which he led for thirteen years. While at Trillium, Blaine managed socially responsible and sustainably focused portfolios, served on the firm’s investment committee and worked on corporate engagement efforts on a host of social and environmental issues from deforestation to media reform. Blaine also led the effort to create the “Joan Bavaria Awards for Building Sustainability in the Capital Markets”, which are presented each year at the Ceres annual conference and was part of the working group that created OpenMic to address net neutrality and media reform. In 2009, he joined Nelson Capital Management, where he was a partner and a senior portfolio manager. He also served on the firm’s leadership team and investment committee. Blaine chaired the company’s corporate engagement committee and was on the Extraction-Free and Animal-Welfare model teams. Blaine joined Bailard in 2016.

Blaine currently serves as an Advisory Board member for The Journal of Impact and ESG Investing. He holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and CIMC® and CIMA® credentials. His writings and commentary on social investing have appeared in numerous publications including Reuters, the San Francisco Chronicle, Fast Company, MarketWatch, Real Leaders, American Banker, and the San Jose Mercury News. Blaine is married, and has three adult children.

Susan Barrett

Susan became Bailard’s afternoon Receptionist in 2006. In addition to working the front desk, she also assists with data entry, mailroom management and petty cash management. Prior to joining Bailard, she was a Sales Associate at Nordstrom, and an office manager for a San Francisco firm for nearly 10 years. When time allows, she enjoys biking, hiking and attending live music events.

Gary Benmour

Gary has over 20 years of investment and banking experience and joined the Wealth Management Group as an Operations Associate in 2013. He focuses on reconciliation processes, report proofing, onboarding accounts and alternative asset transactions. Prior to Bailard, Gary worked for Union Bank’s Trust & Custody Services unit, Bank of New York Mellon and RCM in their outsourcing and operations units. Gary received a business degree from Indiana University. Away from work, Gary enjoys volunteering, genealogy and spending time with his dogs.

Raj Dutta

Raj joined Bailard in 2018 after receiving his Masters in Computer Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology. In his current role as a Senior Data Engineer, Raj creates and manages data pipelines and develops processes for data modeling, mining, and production. During his Illinois Institute of Technology courses, Raj worked on data engineering and machine learning projects, and contributed to open source projects. Prior to his Master’s program, Raj served as a Software Engineer at CGI Group, Inc. where he was tasked with data engineering/analytics and software development projects. Raj’s personal interests include traveling, listening to music, and playing guitar.

Janine Fabel

Janine joined Bailard in 2017 to serve as the afternoon Receptionist. Prior to Bailard, she spent 23 years with AT&T (previously, Pacific Telephone, Pacific Bell and SBC) and also worked with two Private aircraft charter companies. In her spare time, Janine enjoys spending time with her family, traveling (especially to her birthplace Sri Lanka), cooking and walking her dog.

Pavita Fleischer, CFA

Pavita joined Bailard in 2019 and currently serves as the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer. Prior to joining the firm, Pavita held senior compliance positions at various firms, including Hall Capital Partners, WHV Investment Management, Hirayama Investments, TIAA-CREF, and Kaspick & Co. She has also worked as a consultant for ACA Compliance Group. Pavita began her career as a Securities Compliance Examiner with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission where she spent more than six years.

Pavita earned a B.A. in Politics & International Relations from Scripps College. She received her Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 2006 and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of San Francisco. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering at her son’s preschool.

Ciara Hatfield

Ciara joined Bailard in 2023. As a Marketing Associate, she supports marketing and business development initiatives across Bailard’s wealth and asset management groups. Prior to Bailard, Ciara worked in Brand Marketing with Graco Car Seats at Newell Brands. She graduated with honors from The University of Alabama (Roll Tide!), earning her B.S. in Business Administration, with a double minor in Marketing and Communications. Additionally, Ciara attained her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University, specializing in Marketing.

Based in Atlanta, Ciara is actively involved in her community, currently serving as a Board Member and Secretary for Refuse to Do Nothing, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing basic human rights globally to those in need. She is passionate about sustainability and conservation, and is involved in organizations including The Ocean Cleanup, Greenpeace, and 350.org.

In her free time, she loves cheering on the Crimson Tide, enjoying local coffee shops and eateries, and adventuring with friends and family!

Steven Hibshman

Steve, who joined Bailard in 1980, oversees the firm’s information technology and facilities management. He earned his MBA from Santa Clara University in 1988 and his bachelor of general studies degree from the University of Michigan in 1976. In his spare time, Steve has taken improvisational comedy classes but isn’t quite ready to quit his day job.

Kit Lau

Kit joined Bailard in 2013 and serves as an Operations Analyst within the asset management team. Her responsibilities include the investment operations of daily reconciliations, month-end reporting and trade settlements. Prior to joining Bailard, Kit worked in investment operations for firms including Franklin Templeton, Wells Fargo and The Bank of New York Mellon. Kit graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a degree in fashion merchandising. She enjoys spending time with her son, traveling, backpacking and movies.

Robin Maschewski

Robin started at Bailard in 1988 to aid in real estate and corporate operations and currently serves as Payroll & Billing Associate. Prior to Bailard, Robin worked as a Sales Associate for Mervyns Department Store. In her spare time, Robin enjoys camping and boating with her family, and walking her dogs.

Reana Meiri

Reana Meiri joined Bailard in 2018. As a Senior Compliance Officer, she works closely with the Chief Compliance Officer on compliance programs and regulatory matters. Reana has more than a decade of working experience in compliance and finance, having previously worked at Franklin Templeton Investments, WHV Investments, Inc., and most recently, at Hall Capital Partners LLC as a Senior Compliance Associate. Reana graduated from University of California, Davis, with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a minor in political science. She enjoys spending time with her family and her rescue dog, weekend road trips, and energy healing.

Anna Palmiery, CPA

Anna joined Bailard in 2015. She has over 20 years of combined auditing and finance experience, including experience with Ernst and Young, LLP. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is a member in good standing with the AICPA and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. Outside of Bailard, Anna enjoys watching movies and traveling with her family.

Jennifer Pierre, MALM

Jennifer joined Bailard in 2022 as the firm’s Vice President – Head of Human Resources. Jennifer’s focus is to support Bailard’s human capital in driving for desired business results, where she leverages her distinctly strong communication skills to implement and execute success in change management, organizational design, emotional intelligence, talent acquisition, talent development, workers compensation, diversity & inclusion, benefits, strategic development and leadership and employee relations.

Jennifer brings with her over 23 years of human resource experience, 20 years of which focused in the financial services industry. Jennifer holds a BA in Sociology from Sacramento State University and earned a Master of Applied Leadership and Management degree from Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management in 2023.

Outside of Bailard, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family which includes her husband, children, and two fur babies. Jennifer has a passion for cooking, hiking, exercising, and traveling.

Shielah Ramos

Shielah joined Bailard in 2023. In her role as Administrative Assistant, her duties include supporting Bailard’s executives, program management, and office management. Prior to Bailard, Shielah served as an Executive Assistant and Events Specialist with an engineering firm for two years, and a Sales, Events and Operations Manager for 15 years for a transportation company. She earned a BS in Commerce, with a major in accounting, from the University of Santo Tomas. Outside of work, Shielah enjoys traveling and cooking, playing video games, and spending time with her family.

Erin Randolph, PCM®

Erin joined Bailard in 2009. As Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications, she is responsible for developing and implementing marketing and client communication strategies in support of Bailard’s goals. Prior to joining Bailard, Erin served as an account manager with a branding and packaging graphic design studio in San Francisco. She graduated with honors from the University of California, Davis with a BS in Environmental Biology & Management. Erin earned her Professional Certified Marketer® (PCM®) Marketing Management certification from the American Marketing Association in 2022. She is also an active member of Financial Narrative as well as the Marketing & Communications committee with the National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers. Erin lives in north Atlanta, GA with her husband and son, where they work diligently to enjoy good music, good food, and good friends.

Paul Shin

Paul joined Bailard in 2022 as a Data Analyst. In his current role, Paul helps provide solutions for the Wealth Management Group in data extraction, automation, and reporting needs. In addition, he works on various projects that align with the Research team. Prior to Bailard, Paul was a consultant in the gas and utilities sector for a consulting firm located in Los Angeles, California. He received his B.S. in Mathematics at Chapman University in 2018. In his free time, Paul enjoys cooking, finding new restaurants, watching the NFL and NBA, and playing basketball.

Debbie Tanguay

Debbie joined Bailard in 2014. In her role as Senior Marketing Program Manager, Debbie helps develop and manage the firm’s marketing and communications, as well as company events. Prior to Bailard, she spent four years in marketing communications at an Internet of Things (IoT) startup. She received a bachelor of science in economics with a marketing concentration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Outside of Bailard, Debbie enjoys hiking, dancing, yoga, drinking too much coffee, spending time with family, friends, and her pets, and being involved with type 1 diabetes causes.

Les Timé

Les joined Bailard in 2024 as a Technology Support Analyst. In this role, he’s responsible for maintaining Bailard’s company network and security infrastructure. Prior to Bailard, Les served as a contractor for Managed Services Providers, where he provided technical support to clients across various industries.

Les holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology from New Jersey Institute of Technology. Outside of work, Les enjoys traveling, learning about other cultures, and watching sports (specifically the Boston Celtics and Dallas Cowboys!)

Amit Valia, CFA

Amit focuses on data management, creation and maintenance of the Bailard quantitative platform and on programming needs for Bailard’s investment management team. In addition, Amit is a firm-wide resource for managing and monitoring the firm’s SQL based portfolio accounting system. Prior to joining Bailard in 2008, Amit worked at Symantec in its global marketing automation team. Amit also worked at Starmine Corporation as a data analyst from 2004 to 2007. He received his Bachelors of Engineering degree with Honors from Mumbai University, India in 1999; MS in Information Management from Syracuse University in 2002; and his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2012. Amit’s personal interests include listening to music and playing cricket, volleyball, tennis and chess.

Leon Vigdorchik

Leon is responsible for maintaining the firm’s computer systems and networks. He received his BS in electromechanical engineering from Riga Polytechnic Institute, Latvia, in 1979. Prior to joining Bailard in 1997, Leon worked as a vice president of networking at ICS and a systems administrator at Computer Access Design. In his spare time, he enjoys hockey and fishing.

Lily Wu

Lily holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from USC’s Leventhal School of Accounting. After spending five years in public accounting, primarily with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, she moved to the private sector. As Bailard’s Senior Vice President, Finance and Operations, Lily’s responsibilities span the accounting function from month-end close to year-end audit for several entities. Away from work, Lily enjoys cooking, yoga and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Thomas E. Bailard

“Thomas Edwards Bailard, loving and beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on Monday, December 11th, 2017. Born on November 20th, 1942, Tom was a fourth-generation Californian, whose ancestors traveled to California on a covered wagon and helped settle the Southern California town of Carpinteria. Tom grew up on his family’s lemon (later avocado) orchard, which was managed by his father, Robert Edwards Bailard. Tom and his sister, Gwynne Bailard Christison, often played hide-and-seek in the orchard on horseback and, after bedtime, passed notes back-and-forth through a secret hole drilled into the wall connecting their bedrooms. He attended Carpinteria High School (at least, on those days he didn’t find a way to sneak out of class to surf), and could be seen driving his Chevy around town, a bit too fast for his mother, Martha Jayne Bailard’s comfort.

Tom spent his undergraduate years at Stanford University, Class of 1964. During his college years, a self-taught pianist, he was a member of a rock-and-roll band named The Lancers, playing gigs all over Northern California. A member of the ROTC program at Stanford, Tom deployed to Vietnam after graduation as a member of the Brownwater Navy. He served as First Lieutenant on the U.S.S. Summit County, an LST-542-class tank landing ship responsible for delivering supplies and troops upriver. It was during these years that Tom discovered his love of sunrises and his natural talent as a leader.

After completing his service, Tom enrolled in Stanford Business School. Upon graduation, he joined with classmates, Ron Kaiser and Larry Biehl, to found the wealth management company Bailard, Biehl, & Kaiser (BB&K), in 1969. In 1973, they co-authored the first of six editions of one of the original college textbooks published on the subject of personal money management, aptly titled Personal Money Management, which sold more than half of a million copies.

A descendant of pioneers, it is not surprising that Tom was also an innovator in the financial sector, with BB&K set up as one of the first fee-only financial planning practices. He was also directly responsible for the formation of the Bailard, Biehl & Kaiser International Fund, Real Estate Investment Trust, and other investment vehicles.

After the retirement of his partners, Tom took sole leadership of BB&K, which was later renamed Bailard to reflect the evolution and growth of the firm. As a leader, he cultivated and sustained a company culture of trust, community, and commitment. He thought of Bailard as a family, and it is this quality that helped propel Bailard to be named one of Wall Street Journal’s Top Small Workplaces in 2009. Even after his retirement, he remained an active member of the firm, as a consultant and chairman of the Bailard REal Estate Fund board.

Tom was a life-long believer in community service. He was a Big Brother from 1971 through 1981. He and his wife, Terri, took his then “”little”” brother, Mark, to the first Star Wars Movie in 1977 and followed up with a reunion, of sorts, when they all attended “”Star Wars: The Force Awakens”” together in 2015.
Tom first started fundraising for his alma mater as an undergraduate. That commitment led to becoming the Chair of Stanford’s Annual Fund from 1984 through 1988. In 1985 he received the Alumni Association’s highest award for volunteer service, the Gold Spike. Tom was also an active volunteer for Stanford’s highly successful Centennial Campaign which began in 1987. In 1989 Tom joined the board of Stanford University Hospital for a 5-year term.

Tom’s volunteer career reached far beyond Stanford University, however. He was a member of the Peninsula Community Foundation board from 1992 through 2002, chairing that board in 1998 and 1999. In the mid-1990’s he served on the board of Menlo School in Atherton and was honored to deliver the commencement address in 1999, the topic: “”Giving Back to Your Community.”” In 2007, Tom joined the board of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and has served on that board ever since. In 2008 and 2009 he spearheaded an effort to “”bring the voice of the informed public into housing policy decisions in San Mateo County,”” a program called Threshold. Finally, upon his diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease, he joined the board of the Parkinson’s Institute in Sunnyvale. He once said that, in some ways, getting Parkinson’s and joining that board was a blessing, as it gave him purpose after his retirement from his life’s work at Bailard.

Most importantly, Tom was a deeply loved husband, father, and grandfather. He loved little more in life than to make his wife, Terri Snow Bailard, laugh. They met in 1974 when Terri walked into his office looking for financial advice. He called her the next day and told her that he would like to take her on a date; but, he also warned that, if she agreed, she would have to find another financial adviser because it would be inappropriate for him to both advise and date her at the same time. He liked to joke that her response was that she would rather keep him as a financial adviser. But, in actuality, she chose to go on the date, for which their children are grateful.

After a brief courtship, Tom and Terri married in 1975 and had two children, Catie and Rob. Catie married David Schneider this past May at the family home; at which Tom momentarily ditched his cane to put on a show-stopping father-daughter dance. Rob married Rhiannon Pregitzer Bailard in 2009. Their three-year old son, Brixton Bailard, shared a very special bond with his grandfather, whom he called Doodah. It is difficult to encapsulate in words what Tom meant to his family—he was a moral compass, he was a model of hard work and initiative, he was a provider, he was a jokester and story-teller, he was a protector, he was a dispenser of wisdom, and he was a hero.”

Peter M. Hill

Peter served as Bailard’s Chief Executive Officer from 2008 to 2021, and Executive Chairman from 2021-2023. Prior to his time as CEO, Peter was Bailard’s Chief Investment Officer for 13 years. During his tenure at Bailard, he served on the firm’s management team from1992 to 2023, and as a portfolio manager for Bailard’s international and emerging markets equity strategies. Before joining Bailard in 1985, Peter worked in the United Kingdom as the Deputy Investment Manager for the Royal London Insurance Society, Ltd. where he managed international equities and unit trust portfolios. currently serves s. Peter currently serves on the Board of Directors of BB&K Holdings, Inc. (the parent of Bailard, Inc.). Peter received his BA in 1972 from Leeds University and was a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, U.K. from 1982 – 2019. Peter currently serves on the Board of Governors of The Commonwealth Club, the nation’s oldest and largest public affairs forum, and as President of the North American Foundation for the University of Leeds. His published works include a chapter in Global Asset Allocation, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Ronald W. Kaiser, CRE

Ron co-founded the company that is presently known as Bailard, Inc. in 1969. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of BB&K Holdings, Inc. (the parent of Bailard, Inc.), he conducts and composes comprehensive research on the role of real estate in investment portfolios. Ron frequently presents his work at client, industry and academic conferences and has published papers in publications including the Journal of Portfolio Management, Institutional Real Estate Letter, PREA Quarterly, the Journal of Real Estate Research and the Journal of Real Estate Portfolio Management. Ron also consults on Bailard investment advisory client matters.

Two of Ron’s papers have received American Real Estate Society (ARES) Manuscript Awards. His paper, “The Long Cycle in Real Estate,” published by the Journal of Real Estate Research in 1997, received the ARES Manuscript Award for “Best Paper Presented on Real Estate Investment/Portfolio Management.” In April 2003, his paper “When and Why Real Estate Could Be a Surrogate for Bonds: A Dynamic Asset Allocation View,” received the 2003 ARES Manuscript Award for “Best Research Paper Presented by a Practicing Real Estate Professional.” It was published by the Journal of Real Estate Portfolio Management in 2004.

Ron earned his BS in 1966 and his MBA in 1969, both at Stanford University. He has been an active member of National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF) since 2004. In 2009, he was elected to the NCREIF Board of Directors and served as its Chairman in 2013. He also held the role of Vice Chairman in 2012 and outgoing Chair in 2014. Ron is an active member of the American Real Estate Society (ARES) and through 2011, served two consecutive five-year terms on the ARES Board. In 2001, the Homer Hoyt Institute inducted Ron as a Hoyt Fellow. He is also a member of The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) and the Pension Real Estate Association (PREA).

Ron and his wife Pam have three children and four grandchildren.

Burnie Sparks, CFA

Burnie served as Bailard’s President from 2008 to 2021 and on Bailard’s Management Team from 1992 to 2021. Prior to 2008, he was President of Bailard’s Wealth Management Group. Burnie currently is on the Board of Directors of BB&K Holdings, Inc. (the parent of Bailard, Inc.). Before joining Bailard in 1981, he managed institutional and high-net-worth investment portfolios in Bankamerica Corporation’s Capital Counseling Division and Trust Department.

Burnie served on the Executive Committee and as Treasurer of and on the Board of Governors for the national Investment Adviser Association. He hadbeen a member of the investment committee of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation as well as a member of the Hillsborough Schools Foundation Board, where he held positions on the finance and underwriting committees. He was a member of the Business Advisory Council and, for seven years, the worldwide TEC (The Executive Committee) organization (now known as Vistage), for which he served as a resource speaker. Burnie is well known for his work as the keynote speaker of Bailard’s Personal Money Management seminars.

Burnie earned his BS from Stanford University in 1970 and performed his graduate work at San Francisco State University. He earned his Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 1981.