William Blair Expands Private Wealth Teams in San Francisco, Denver

CHICAGO & SAN FRANCISCO & DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--William Blair, the premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management, announced today the expansion of the firm’s Private Wealth Management offices in San Francisco and Denver. Laura Harrison Ward joins as managing director, wealth advisor in San Francisco, and Mark N. Warren and John D. Warren join as managing directors, wealth advisors in Denver.

“The addition of Laura, Mark, John, and their teams continues our expansion with tremendous advisors and people in important markets for us,” said Ryan DeVore, head of Private Wealth Management at William Blair. “Both teams showcase incredible dedication to client service and delivering the highest-caliber of investment guidance and financial planning expertise.”

Led by Ward, Team Ward is a four-person wealth management team that includes senior investment specialist John Cella, senior client relationship associate Lisa Kwong, and client relationship associate Josh McDaniel. The group joins from First Republic Investment Management, where they had more than $2 billion in client assets. Ward draws on nearly 40 years of experience advising clients on sophisticated wealth planning solutions and customized tax-efficient investment strategies. In addition to First Republic, Ward has served at Smith Barney and E.F. Hutton.

“We are thrilled to join William Blair’s Private Wealth team, a group with a long-standing reputation for unique investment solutions, a strong balance sheet, and a staunch commitment to advisor-led management of their business,” Ward said. “Our clients will benefit greatly from the vision and collective resources the firm offers.”

A three-person team including Mark, John, and senior client relationship associate Cindy Rosendale, the Warren Group offers clients nearly 70 years of combined experience in wealth management, with $425 million in client assets at their previous firm. The group joins from Morgan Stanley, and both advisors were previously with Citigroup (Smith Barney). John and Mark are both Certified Financial Planner accredited (CFPs).

“With our move to William Blair we join a team that shares our commitment to client service and offers a robust, independent platform,” the Warrens said in a joint statement. “The firm’s partnership model and boutique culture builds upon its holistic resources and growth-oriented investment outlook.”

With approximately $58 billion in private wealth assets as of March 31, 2023, William Blair’s wealth management business has substantially expanded in the past decade and combines the resources of a large firm with the hands-on approach and culture of a boutique, offering clients and advisors alike the ability to customize their investment strategy, risk tolerance, and holistic portfolios.

About William Blair

William Blair is the premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet our clients’ evolving needs. As an independent and employee-owned firm, together with our strategic partners, we operate in more than 20 offices worldwide.*

*Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Capital Markets.