Lisette Smith

SENIOR ADVISOR

EDUCATION

  • MBA, Boston University
  • Harvard University, Program on Negotiation (PON)
    Certificate in Mediation & Conflict Resolution
  • University of Massachusetts, McCormack School of Policy and Global Studies
    Graduate Certificate, Mediation and Conflict Studies
  • Fairfield University, BS Finance

HIGHLIGHTS

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional
  • Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, CDFA®
  • Arbitrator, Financial Industry Regulation Authority (FINRA)

Lisette Smith is a senior advisor to The Advisory Group of San Francisco’s personal wealth clients. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional she provides comprehensive financial planning and investment advice to business owners and leaders to help them make meaningful decisions in their lives.  In addition to over 20 years of experience as an advisor, Lisette also spent several years as a consultant to business partnerships and family-owned businesses, including conflict resolution, merger and succession planning.

I am inspired by the trust that clients place in me to help them plan for their future. I do not take that lightly and because every situation is different, and the financial landscape changes frequently, there are always new ways to apply my experience and new things to learn.

The best part of my job is getting to know clients and helping them think through what’s possible in their financial lives and then, over time, seeing that the analysis and advice I have given has made a difference to them. It is so satisfying to help clients achieve their vision for their lives.

I am from Massachusetts and lived there most of my life until moving to the Bay Area in 2016.  I’m still very connected to New England but am happily adjusted to the Bay Area lifestyle. I live in Marin now.

Professionally I like to support women in their careers, by mentoring and volunteering for organizations that provide education and support. In my community, I served for over 10 years as a volunteer and board member for an organization providing care for people in substance abuse recovery and at-risk teens. We also served as a foster family for children in need.

I like to be outdoors, especially road biking or hiking. It’s so easy to enjoy Mt. Tam and the Marin Headlands from where we live. I love to ride my bike through Sonoma and Napa, and planning longer excursions. I’m more about distance than speed.

Showing visiting friends and family around the Bay Area is one of my favorite things to do. I always try to get to Point Reyes National Seashore and specifically the Elk Preserve.  The view from Tomales trail there is stunning, especially late in the day.

Lisette regularly shares her expertise for midlife business owners and leaders as a guest on podcasts and a contributor to our Insights & Observations blog.