Laura Berra began her career as an independent Financial Advisor with Wheat First Butcher Singer Inc. and has 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Laura and Geoff Griffin, Managing Director – Investments, became a business team in early 2006.  We added to our team in 2019 when Willie Griffin joined us as a Financial Advisor.

Though the Berra-Griffin Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors shares a common discipline, Laura appreciates the opportunity to work as part of a team of individuals with diverse views and backgrounds. This allows them to take a more holistic and balanced approach when it comes to serving the needs of their clients and navigating the ever-changing markets and economy. Each of her clients has a written plan, which allows the team to have a better understanding of how all the pieces fit together. As a result, they can provide effective resources and advice when life brings change, risk, or opportunity.

Laura earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from the University of Arizona. She holds a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional designation from the College of Financial Planning, as well as Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations and Life, Health, and Long-Term Care insurance licenses.  She has been named to the following lists*:

• 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
• 2023 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State
• 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
• 2021 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors
• 2020 Working Mother’s Top Wealth Advisor Moms

Laura was born and raised in a family of six children in Tucson, Arizona. After graduating from the University of Arizona, she moved to Raleigh where she met her husband, Brett (a Virginia Tech Hokie). They have been blessed with two children, Elena and Brady. Laura and Brett enjoy fitness and being outdoors, as well as traveling to see their families in Arizona and Pennsylvania, to catch a Virginia Tech game in Blacksburg, or to explore new places. 

Laura believes that to be a true member of a community, you need to be involved and give back. She volunteers and supports organizations such as NCFC Youth, Rise Against Hunger, Young Life, and Midtown Kiwanis.  Laura is a long-time supporter and fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (her niece, Amber, is a leukemia survivor).  

*2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded April 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/21 - 6/30/22 (Source: Forbes.com).The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
*2023 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State: Awarded February 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 9/30/21 - 9/30/22 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
*2023 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/21 - 3/31/22 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
*2021 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors: Awarded March 2021; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 9/30/19 - 9/30/20 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
*2020 Working Mother’s Top Wealth Advisor Moms: Awarded September 2020; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/19 - 3/31/20 (Source: Workingmother.com). The Working Mother’s Top Wealth Advisor Moms rating algorithm based on industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion.

Willie looks forward to building healthy and trusting relationships with individuals, families, and business owners. Willie believes that the multi-generational aspect of the Berra-Griffin Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors allows the team to develop long term relationships and engage clients across their many life stages. Willie works with you and your family to assist in preparing for critical life events so that you can expand, preserve, and transfer your wealth as efficiently as possible.

Prior to joining the Berra-Griffin Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, Willie was a Director for an institutional asset management company in Charlotte focusing on sales distribution and marketing throughout the entire country.  Additionally, Willie has worked at Wells Fargo Advisors’ headquarters in St. Louis, MO in the Business Development Group providing consultative services to the firm's financial advisors.  He also has experience within Wells Fargo's Alternative Investment Strategies Group.

Willie is a graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  While there, he was a member of the men's soccer team for two years. Through his experience of playing competitive soccer, the values of teamwork and accountability were instilled in Willie and he continues to apply these attributes when he collaborates with clients and the other members of his team. Their dedicated teamwork was recognized when the team was named to the 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams*.


Willie and his wife, Ginny, live in Raleigh and have a daughter, Alice, a son, Freddie, and a goldendoodle, Rooney. Outside of the office, Willie enjoys playing golf, racquet sports, and cheering on the Tar Heels.


*2023 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/21 - 3/31/22 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.

Angie Yates is a Senior Registered Client Associate with Wells Fargo Advisors and has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Her primary roles at Berra-Griffin Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors are to provide distinguished service to their clients and manage the operations of the practice.

Angie graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. Prior to beginning her career in finance, she was a high school math teacher.

Born and raised in Chapel Hill, Angie is a loyal Tar Heel. She and her husband, Paul, live in Clayton and have two children: Sloane is in flight training for the US Marine Corps and Hogan is attending North Carolina Wesleyan University.

Robin Gardner is a Senior Registered Client Associate on the Berra-Griffin Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors and has been working in the financial services industry for 10 years. Robin’s focus is to provide exceptional service to clients and strengthen the team’s relationships with them.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Florida. Prior to returning to the financial industry, Robin was a special education teacher. She and her family relocated to North Carolina in 2012 to be closer to extended family. Robin and her husband, Chad, live in Wake Forest with their two daughters, Kaitlyn and Maisie.  Robin enjoys pilates, reading and travelling with the family to eventually visit all of the US National Parks.