Get to Know Us

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 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 was named to Forbes 2021 list of America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors, Forbes 2021 Best in State Wealth Advisors, and Shook Research’s Top Wealth Advisor Moms in 2020.*

Laura was born and raised in a family of six children in Tucson, AZ. 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 AZ and PA, to catch a VT 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, Midtown Kiwanis and Gigi’s Playhouse.  Laura is a long-time supporter and fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (her niece, Amber, is a leukemia survivor).  

*The Forbes ranking algorithm is based on industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC, which does not receive compensation from the advisors or their firms in exchange for placement on a ranking.  Investment performance is not a criterion.

With more than 30 years of financial services industry experience as a Financial Advisor and Branch Manager, Geoff Griffin is dedicated to helping family, friends, and members of the community meet their financial goals, especially as they relate to critical life events. He practices a thoughtful, genuine, and ethical investment planning process and strives to provide unparalleled professional service. Geoff is supported by the vast resources of Wells Fargo Advisors and a committed team that includes four seasoned professionals. Our group’s primary goal is to make a significant difference in the ongoing financial well-being of our clients.

Geoff earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Education, Master of Education, and Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional designation from the College of Financial Planning.

Geoff and his wife, Sandra, have been married for more than 35 years and have lived in Raleigh since 1990. On weekends, they enjoy traveling and spending time on the North Carolina coast at Pine Knoll Shores. Geoff and Sandra have two happily married sons. Jay works in the wine industry in Charleston, SC, and Willie works with the practice as a Financial Advisor. Geoff is a former player, coach, board member, and Chairman of the Capital Area Soccer League and member of the CASL Hall of Fame.

Away from the office, he is deeply engaged in the Raleigh community and a passionate supporter of numerous organizations. This includes supporting Special Olympics and Orphan Outreach, serving as a former member of RISE Against Hunger and being a member of the Christ Episcopal Church Investment Committee.

Willie Griffin has been interested in the financial services industry from a young age because of his family’s background in the business for four generations. Willie got started in the financial services industry when he interned with Wachovia Securities (a predecessor firm of Wells Fargo Advisors) during high school, but he officially started his financial career almost a decade ago at Wells Fargo Advisors’ headquarters in St. Louis, MO, in the Business Development Group, providing consultative services to the firm’s top financial advisors. Willie has worked for the firm’s Alternative Investment Strategies Group in Charlotte, NC, where he gained exposure to all different types of investment asset classes. Prior to joining the Berra-Griffin Wealth Management Group, Willie was a Director for WestEnd Advisors, an institutional asset management company.

He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2010. While there, Willie was a member of the men’s soccer team for two years, and through the experience of playing competitive soccer, he embraced the values of teamwork and accountability. Willie enjoys applying these attributes when he collaborates with the other members of the Berra-Griffin Wealth Management Group. He appreciates the opportunity to build healthy and trusting relationships with individuals, families, and small businesses as the team grows to better meet the needs of all generations of its clients. 

Willie and his wife, Ginny, met when they were in college and were married in Pinehurst in 2016. They have a daughter, Alice, and a Goldendoodle, Rooney. Outside the office, Willie enjoys fitness classes, playing golf, pickleball, cheering on the Tar Heels, and trying out new restaurants in Raleigh.

Angie Yates is a Senior Registered Client Associate with Wells Fargo Advisors and has almost 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Her primary roles at Berra-Griffin Wealth Management Group 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 a Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, and Hogan is attending Clayton High School.

Robin Gardner is a Registered Client Associate on the Berra-Griffin Wealth Management Group team and has been working in the financial services industry for 8 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 beginning her career in finance, 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.