Our Team

Eduardo Alfaro plays a vital role in implementing Brio’s compliance, regulatory, and brand standards, ensuring that clients receive the care and attention they deserve. By collaborating closely with advisors and staff, Eduardo gains a deep understanding of each client’s unique priorities and develops systems within Brio to support those needs.

Focusing on client integration, technology solutions, and data management, Eduardo helps Brio operate with thoughtful efficiency. His innovative approaches to resolving in-house logistical challenges contribute to a culture where every client experience matters.  

Eduardo brings extensive project management and marketing expertise to his role at Brio, including significant experience working throughout Latin America. 

EDUCATION & ACCREDITATIONS 

• B.A., Integrated Marketing Communications, Escuela de Comunicaciones Monica Herrera, San Salvador, El Salvador 

LIFE PASSIONS 

Eduardo is a proud father of four. In his free time, he enjoys taking his son to watch Golden State Warriors games and spending time watching soccer. 

Jamie combines his methodical, problem-solving abilities with a people-loving nature in his role as a Financial Planner at Brio. Earning both the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and a master's degree in financial planning, Jamie exhibits a high level of technical skill and drive to lead clients to financial success in all areas of the financial planning spectrum. He is now leveraging his technical acumen by taking the lead at the firm as the tax planning specialist.

A U.S. Navy veteran with six years of service, Jamie had the opportunity to be stationed in Pearl Harbor and Italy. He quickly climbed the ranks to Petty Officer First Class (E-6), leading his ships' Combat Systems departments in multiple roles, such as Combat Systems Officer of the Watch, Duty Combat Systems and Leading Petty Officer.  

After the Navy, Jamie's professional journey led him to work as a pension benefit analyst and an actuarial analyst at firms in Minnesota. These experiences highlighted his desire for a more client-facing career. Fortunately, Brio has provided the ideal environment for Jamie to pursue his aspirations.  

EDUCATION & ACCREDITATIONS  

• B.S., Economics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• M.S., Financial Planning, Golden Gate University 
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification 
• Series 65 Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam – FINRA 
• Passed the P, FM and IFM actuarial exams  

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT  

• Member of Financial Planning Association, San Diego Chapter  

LIFE PASSIONS  

After a few years in the Bay area, Jamie moved south to warm and sunny San Diego with his girlfriend Julia and their two cats. They love to travel, but deciding whether to go somewhere new or back to Italy is always a challenge. Jamie is very active, playing golf, tennis, volleyball and the now-trendy pickleball. 

If Gerald could have a mansion of dogs he would. His love for dogs is similar for tennis, it has no bounds! Through this love, he met the love of his life partner Jeff. Talk about doubles tennis!

With over 15 years of experience in the finance industry, Gerald is a seasoned professional who joined Brio in 2023 as an Associate Financial Planner. Prior to his role at Brio, he served as a Senior Account Manager at Northern Trust and as a Senior Trust & Estate Associate at Merrill Lynch Bank of America. Gerald is drawn to Brio’s collaborative team culture and fully aligns with the firm’s core values, particularly its strong commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. 

EDUCATION & ACCREDITATIONS 

M.S., Financial Planning, Magna Cum Laude, Golden Gate University 

MBA, Magna Cum Laude, Pfeiffer University 

B.S, Biology, with Honors, The University of North Carolina, Charlotte 

Series 65 Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam – FINRA 2021 

CTFA^®, Certified Trust & Fiduciary Advisor   

LIFE PASSIONS 

Gerald is a passionate tennis player who thrives on both the competition and camaraderie of the court. His ultimate dream is to experience all four Grand Slam tournaments: the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and to revisit the US Open, where he’s already made unforgettable memories. 

When he's not hitting the ball, Gerald can be found exploring new restaurants or experimenting with recipes at home. A true foodie at heart, he loves savoring diverse cuisines, discovering unique flavors, and sharing meals with friends and family. Whether serving up an ace or serving a delicious dish, Gerald brings enthusiasm and creativity to everything he does! 

Matt is happy that his career journey led him to Brio, where he can share his vast industry knowledge to help the firm reach new heights and continue his mission to make the world better for others.

Prior to joining Brio, Matt spent 20+ years in the financial services industry, in roles that had him advising financial professionals and independent advisory firms about ways to enhance their practice.  

As a Sr. Financial Planner, Matt focuses on the listening, empathy and coaching skills he learned over the years to help individuals and families become financially independent. 

As Chief Partnership Officer, Matt is also charged with building partnerships with Estate Planning Attorneys, CPAs/Tax Professionals, Real Estate partners & various other business owners to bring services to help our clients reach their financial goals.  

Having worked with and consulted numerous financial advisory firms in his career, Matt knows that Brio’s culture of friendly, white-glove service with a commitment to client success is unique. It was one of the main reasons he joined Brio. 

EDUCATION & ACCREDITATIONS 

• Dual B.A., Political Science & American Studies, St. Olaf College
• Executive MBA, University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Business
• FINRA Series 7, 63 & 24
• Former Chair/Board Member FPA NorCal Conference
• Recipient of Charles Schwab Community Service Award 1999 

LIFE PASSIONS 

Matt is extremely passionate about making a difference. Raised to give back and help others, his volunteer activities range from preparing meals at homeless shelters to sitting on boards for youth groups, and chairing one of the largest conferences for financial planners in the country.  Matt was also honored to be hand-selected by Chuck Schwab himself for the first-ever Charles Schwab Community Service Award. 

When he’s not volunteering, Matt can be found spending time with his better half, Mary, and with his parents, brothers and two Yorkies, Ana and Ole. He also has a passion for cross training, playing golf, and perusing his collections of rare coins and miniature stadiums. 

Michelle joined Brio as an Administrative Assistant, where her flexibility in tackling new projects led her to a new role as a Client Service Specialist. She helps keep the paperwork and other to-do's on track while engaging in various ways across the firm, including wrangling calendars that are in constant flux.

Prior to joining Brio, Michelle wrote for her college magazine, worked as a freelance blogger, and penned blogs, social media and more in addition to her administrative duties for a virtual assistant company. 

EDUCATION & ACCREDITATIONS  

B.A., Literature/Creative Writing, University of California, Santa Cruz 

LIFE PASSIONS 

A creative writing class in high school helped Michelle discover her love of writing, which quickly upended her STEM-focused career plans. Michelle continues to love everything about poetry. Reading it, writing it and listening to others perform their work are all high on her list of favorite things to do. 

When she’s ready to take a break from the world of words, Michelle can be found tracking down new and fun places to eat or have coffee. 

Fresh out of school and working as an investments analyst in 2008, Jon had a front-row seat for the financial crisis. This humbling experience taught him that he was dealing with real people, not “clients.” This set him on a path to dive deeper into investments to be able to interpret what was going on and build products that offered the value investors deserved.

Each subsequent job on Jon’s path has brought him to his role at Brio, where he is involved in everything from improving our investment strategy to streamlining processes to implementing the best practices for trading and wealth management that he has picked up over the years. Jon is also our go-to source for technical investment questions, whether from clients or the Brio team. (He did build out an algorithm for a hedge fund, after all.) 

EDUCATION & ACCREDITATIONS 

B.S, Finance, University of Idaho 
CAIA Candidate  

APMA®     Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor 

Bloomberg Certification: Fixed Income, Equity Analysis 

LIFE PASSIONS 

When he and his wife Hannah are not traveling, Jon loves to cook. He particularly enjoys going to Asian markets and choosing fish he’s never heard of to see what he can make out of it. Hannah is reported to be a very good sport about his culinary experiments. 

Jon is also passionate about golf and sharing this passion. That’s why he’s a board member of the local chapter of First Tee, an organization that introduces golf to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity, as well as providing mentorship, college prep, scholarships and more.  

For over 25 years, Gene Elliott has helped individuals and families pursue their greatest financial goals. From estate planning to employee stock options, Gene focuses on simplifying complex endeavors and helping clients find solutions that genuinely fit their needs.

Throughout every relationship, Gene is dedicated to not only providing sophisticated, strategic guidance, but also to bringing warmth and comfort to clients’ lives. His motto: Treat every client like you treat your mother. He will work with you to help ensure your financial life today matches your lifestyle tomorrow. 

Industry Focus 

• Cash Flow Management Strategies
• Domestic Partner Planning
• Employee Stock Options
• Estate Planning Strategies
• Investments
• Retirement Income Strategies
• Retirement Plan Distribution
• Saving for Education
• Social Security Retirement Benefits
• Wealth Preservation Strategies  

LIFE PASSIONS 

Gene enjoys traveling — everywhere from his native Wisconsin to Vienna. Gene also loves art, architecture, theater, and classical music. In his free time, Gene reads, spends time with friends and enjoys the outdoors of Palm Springs. 

Yerim and her pup Mika are the ultimate duo—they road-tripped across the country together to their new home in Seattle. If stranded on a deserted island, all they’d need is each other… and a tennis ball.

Yerim made the leap to Brio—welcoming the challenge and growth that comes with joining a fast-paced, people-first RIA. She was drawn to Brio’s collaborative spirit and deep-rooted love for what they do. With a passion for behavioral finance and a future goal of becoming a financial therapist (CFT® designation, here she comes!) in addition to a Financial Advisor, Yerim is on a mission to learn everything she can. She’s got a fire in her belly and a sponge-like appetite for knowledge. Brio’s glad to have her! 

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS & ACCREDITATIONS  

• CFP® Certification Program - Boston University
• Bachelor of Science in Financial Mathematics – Ohio State University
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification
• Series 65 Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam - NASAA 2022 

LIFE PASSIONS 

Outside the office, you’ll find her soaking up the beauty of the natural world—hiking, backpacking, and camping with her husband Nathan and their rough-and-tumble border collie, Mika. Her dream trip? Iceland—for its sweeping landscapes and all that cozy cold. And if she could be on any TV show? It’d be The Amazing Race—adventure, strategy, and bonding time with Nathan? Sign her up. 

If judgment—and budget—weren’t a factor, Shane’s dream garage would include a Porsche GT3 RS, a Triumph Bonneville T120, a classic OBS Ford, and of course, a practical daily driver to balance it all out. Efficiency meets adrenaline in true Shane style.

With a strong foundation in hospitality and customer service, Shane brings a refined attention to detail and a commitment to excellence to his role. Known for thriving in dynamic environments, Brio is a natural fit!  

At Brio, Shane supports the firm’s operational, investment, and back-office needs—ensuring that the systems behind the scenes run smoothly and efficiently. He takes pride in contributing to projects where he can see clear development and growth, both in outcomes and in his own skill set. His ability to wear many hats with a smile is a boon to Brio. 

LIFE PASSIONS 

Born and raised in Santa Rosa, Shane is a studying business with plans to become a financial advisor. When he’s not researching stocks—a passion he’s had since he was 15—you’ll find him cruising through Healdsburg on his motorcycle. He’s learning poker one hand at a time (weekly sessions help!), and swears nothing beats his mom’s homemade chili.  

To Shannon Kennedy, treating clients to exceptional service that goes above and beyond isn’t a job—it’s a passion. Her focus is on scrutinizing all aspects of our marketing efforts to ensure that every thing we do upholds the Brio promise of putting clients front and center. That can entail hosting educational webinars for our clients, providing more options for connecting with the community, building partnerships that give clients access to a broad network of professionals and other tactics that help optimize the Brio client experience. 

Prior to joining Brio, Shannon perfected her considerable customer-relations skills as Vice President of Client Services at PBA Galleries, where she loved helping people build their collections. She has also served as the Director of Marketing for a San Francisco-based fine art gallery and as a consultant for a custom framing production facility.  

Shannon can often be found dancing—at a class or just solo in her living room. She also loves word play, particularly Scrabble, and cheese, any kind from the stinkiest blues to Kraft American singles. 

EDUCATION & ACCREDITATIONS  

• B.S. Broadcasting and Film; Minor in English Literature, Magna Cum Laude, Boston University
• Entrepreneurial Management, School of Management, Boston University
• Photography, The Art Institute of Boston 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 

 Shannon is a Board Member for the Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly. LBFE is a local San Francisco non-profit that works to reduce isolation and loneliness among older adults. In addition, she supports the following organizations: 

• W.O.M.A.N., INC. Bay Area Women’s and Children’s Center
• Reading Partners Friends of the San Francisco Public Library 

LIFE PASSIONS 

A connoisseur of the arts in all forms, Shannon particularly enjoys the ballet and film. At home she may have her nose buried in a book, mostly mysteries, but a voracious reader across genres. Shannon likes throwing things like horseshoes, bocce balls and small get togethers with signature cocktails. 

Mariana has a passion for helping others discover how powerful a tool money can be and is excited to be joining the Brio team. She was drawn to Brio because of the people and client-centric approach. 

Planning comes naturally to Mariana and one of her financial mantras that she loves to share is “You can spend your money on anything but not everything.” She’s worked in the financial services realm both managing the client experience and developing financial plans for client delivery.  

Right now, Mariana lives with her partner Joe and two cats, Pablo and Patricia, in Austin. When she’s not empowering folks with financial insights she’s exploring her surrounds including frequent visits to Barton Springs where she bravely dips in the water that the locals wouldn’t dare. 

EDUCATION & ACCREDITATIONS  

• B.S., International Business, West Chester University
• Series 65 Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam – FINRA 2021
• Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) - FINRA 2020
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 

Mariana enjoys sharing her financial literacy with communities in need and the next generation. No one is spared from this, as she encourages her sister, currently in high school, to start saving now. She is a member of the NexGen Advisory Task Force at The American College of Financial Services. 

LIFE PASSIONS 

Mariana is a devout plant lover and has a standing reputation as a green thumb to uphold. Were it not for her cats she would surround herself with even more. Her faves are cacti and succulents. 

As Brio’s founder, much of our team’s culture comes from Brandon. His commitment to clients’ best interests — and focus on building a firm where people can feel comfortable and have fun — drives how our team operates each day.

Brandon specializes in supporting the unique needs of non-traditional families, and he is proud to serve our region in all its diversity. He develops financial plans unique to his clients’ specific values and dreams, and works to ensure that they are responsibly managing and protecting their assets. Brandon understands that both life and wealth can be complex, and he is passionate about helping clients navigate whatever paths they walk down. 

Deeply analytical and truly open-minded, Brandon’s work as a wealth advisor covers all areas of client’s financial lives. From addressing concentrated stock positions and planning for retirement to managing family dynamics and beyond, Brandon offers each client the attention and care they need.

EDUCATION & ACCREDITATIONS 

• M.S., Biochemical Nutrition, University of Kentucky
• B.A., Biology, University of Colorado
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification
• Chartered Life Underwriter designation (CLU®)
• Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM designation (CRPC®)
• Chartered Financial Consultant designation (ChFC®)
• Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor designation (ADPA®) 

Industry Focus 

• Charitable Giving
• Domestic Partner Planning
• Employee Stock Options
• Estate Planning Strategies
• Retirement Planning Strategies
• Small Business 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 

Brandon moved to San Francisco in 1999 to experience the unique culture and lifestyle that the Bay Area provides. Over the years, he has been able to contribute to and create a community that he cares deeply about. Whether he is hosting a nonprofit fundraiser, campaigning for a cause, or simply picking up the litter on the street, Brandon is always searching for new ways to give back. In particular, he regularly supports: 

• Horizons Foundation
• Human Rights Campaign Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
• National Center for Lesbian Rights
• SF-Marin Food Bank 

LIFE PASSIONS 

Family is incredibly important to Brandon, and his greatest passion lies in being the best possible parent to his twin boys. When he’s not spending time with his sons, nieces, and nephew, Brandon is always seeking the next great adventure. Whether he’s hiking and skiing in Tahoe, enjoying a day in wine country, or stepping on other people’s toes on a dance floor, Brandon lives his life full of brio!