Meet Our Team

Jonathan’s passion for investing was ignited at an early age watching his stockbroker father chart stocks. He later had the good fortune to join his father in business in 1976, and together they advised individuals, corporate executives and non-profit institutions for decades. Today Jonathan leverages his deep financial experience to craft personalized financial strategies focused on helping a select group of clients grow and preserve their wealth. Using a client-first approach, he designs intelligent financial strategies that carefully consider each client’s unique goals, priorities, risk tolerance, responsibilities, and business and family dynamics. He takes pride in proactively managing financial strategies to evolve with changes in the markets and his clients’ lives and businesses.

A highly credentialed advisor, Jonathan is a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® and PIM Portfolio Manager, helping clients achieve their financial objectives through portfolios incorporating individual stocks and bonds, mutual funds, Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) and alternative investments.

He works with a select group of clients and specializes in multi-generational families and family business owners. Known for his sincerity, integrity and commitment to transparency, the fact that Jonathan is often asked by clients to advise them on matters beyond investing and finances is a testament to the level of trust his clients place in him and his guidance. He has been recognized as a Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Council Advisor 1 every year from 2007 to 2023.

In 2018 Jonathan combined businesses with Financial Advisors Elway Le and Brandon Saito to form the Le Saito Tanaka Private Wealth Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. The practice was founded on the common purpose to provide the resources and experience sophisticated clients need to prepare for and react to critical financial events as they strive to achieve their financial and lifestyle goals.

Jonathan is a South Pasadena native. Deeply connected to his ancestry, he actively researches 5 generations of Tanaka family history beginning with his great-granduncle’s and grandparents’ immigration to Los Angeles to build the Japanese Union Church 5 years before the iconic Los Angeles City Hall was built. Jonathan’s grandfather, Chikashi Tanaka owned and operated a photo studio and photo mart on historical landmark streets overseen by the Little Tokyo Historical Society. His father, Yasuo “Clifford” Tanaka, was the first Nisei stockbroker. Jonathan is also a member of Seeds of Life Church in Alhambra.  He loves to travel with his wife and daughter to Hawaii and Japan. They have also traveled to Thailand, Cambodia and Italy. In his spare time he enjoys following the Los Angeles Lakers and watching Korean dramas with his wife.



Credentials and Education:

• PIM Portfolio Manager
• Certified Private Wealth Advisor®
• Series 7, 8, 63 and 65 Registered
• Resident State [CA]
• California Insurance License #0A59192
• Wells Fargo Platinum Council Advisor – 20 years1
• Forbes® 2024 Best-in-State Wealth Management Team2
• Brown University, B.A. Civil Engineering, 1976

<sub>* The Platinum Council (previously known as Premier Advisor) distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors as measured by completion of educational components, business production based on the past year, and professionalism. Additional criteria, best practices and team structure, may also be used to determine recipients.

*2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams:  Awarded January 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/22 – 3/31/23 (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.</sub>

For more than 20 years Elway’s priority as a financial advisor has been to bring order to his clients’ broad and often complex wealth management needs, and to give them the confidence to make smart, informed financial decisions for themselves, their families and their businesses. Given the uncertainty around the globe today, Elway is dedicated to taking the time to educate his clients about their options and opportunities as well as help them understand changes in economies, markets and businesses and the potential impact on their financial strategies. As an immigrant, his experiences catalyzed his commitment to the values of hard work, integrity and personal responsibility at a young age, values that still hold true and on which his clients depend every day.

Elway leverages his expertise as a financial advisor, his accounting background and the breadth of solutions available through Wells Fargo Advisors to help a select group of individuals and families make life-changing financial decisions as they strive to build, manage, preserve and transfer their wealth. His high-touch, intuitive and holistic approach begins with listening to and understanding each client’s unique situation, experiences and goals. He then designs strategic financial solutions to address a wide range of personal financial needs, including family legacy planning, life’s unexpected events, philanthropic giving and more. He takes pride in building long-term relationships with clients grounded in mutual trust and respect. He is driven by a deep desire to help make a difference in his clients’ lives, families and futures through the pursuit of financial security and success.

In 2018 Elway combined businesses with Financial Advisors Jonathan Tanaka and Brandon Saito to form the Le Saito Tanaka Private Wealth Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. The firm was founded on the common purpose to provide the resources and experience sophisticated clients need to prepare for and react to critical financial events as they strive to achieve their financial and lifestyle goals.

Elway immigrated to the United States from Vietnam as a teenager and became a citizen in 1999. Today he, his wife and their three children call Huntington Beach home. Elway and his wife are involved parents and stay busy supporting their children at home, in school and in their many enriching extracurricular activities, including ballet, martial arts, Russian classes, and ice skating. An avid traveler, Elway has visited Sweden, Russia, Ukraine, Holland and Germany, and he and his family love traveling to Hawaii together. In addition to spending time with his wife and children, Elway enjoys fishing, music and classic cars.



Credentials and Education:

• Chartered Retirement Planning Specialist®
• Series 7, 66 and 31 Registered
• Resident State [CA]
• California Insurance License #0C23873
• Forbes® 2024 Best-in-State Wealth Management Team*
• Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, Woodbury University,
   1994-1997 – Treasurer/Member
• Woodbury University, B.S. Accounting, 1997
• Speaks Vietnamese

 

*2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams:  Awarded January 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/22 – 3/31/23 (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

Brandon is a seasoned professional, serving as Vice President of Investments, with an emphasis on philanthropic services for high net worth clients. With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, he prioritizes personalized service and innovative solutions in guiding clients towards holistic success. Brandon adeptly assembles tailored teams and leverages the firm's resources, providing access to services through Wells Fargo affiliates including commercial bank, investment bank, fintech, and venture capital departments, to empower clients towards financial success. His hands-on approach helps ensure each client feels uniquely valued and prioritized.

His loyal clientele, spanning individuals, families, business owners, and sports/entertainment professionals, benefit from his commitment to personalized service and creative problem-solving. Brandon excels in finding innovative strategic solutions to assist his clients in achieving their goals, often collaborating with other professionals, with client consent, to address a wide range of matters.

Furthermore, Brandon plays a pivotal role in enhancing the firm's outreach within the AAPI community, focusing on service and raising awareness about the firm’s potential to effect change through philanthropy and support of AAPI initiatives. His commitment to these efforts not only showcases his dedication to diversity and inclusion but also emphasizes the firm's contribution to creating a more inclusive financial environment. Brandon’s genuine passion for making a difference extends beyond finances; he views his clients as an extension of his own family, aiming to maximize their resources and encourage them to live proactively.

Born and raised in Studio City, Brandon has called Pasadena home since 2010. He holds a diverse range of interests and talents, from holding a 2nd degree black belt in judo to acting and film production. As a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild, Brandon carries on the legacy of his father, Bill Saito, the first Japanese American actor in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

A devoted family man, Brandon treasures moments spent with his wife and two daughters, indulging in their shared love for culinary delights and global exploration. Their favorite destinations include Prague, Thailand, and Fiji, where they immerse themselves in new experiences together. Active in his church community, Brandon previously served as a youth pastor and continues to contribute to its activities. Additionally, he finds solace and exhilaration in surfing, having conquered many of the world's most renowned breaks.

 

Credentials and Education:

 • Series 7 and 63 Registered
•Resident State [CA]
• California Insurance License #0K60830
• Forbes® 2024 Best-in-State Wealth Management Team*
•Screen Actors Guild – Member
• Gospel Music Association – Member
•Asian Hall of Fame – Board of Governors
• Azusa Pacific University, B.A. Business Administration, 2005
• Azusa Pacific University, M.B.A. – Entrepreneurship, 2012

 
*2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams:  Awarded January 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/22 – 3/31/23 (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

Liza epitomizes what it means to give 100 percent. She balances grace with tenacity while masterfully managing multiple responsibilities for our clients and our team, often from behind the scenes. A master problem-solver, she specializes in promptly and proactively seeking resolutions to our clients’ complex needs and challenges. She reliably navigates systems and processes in an effort to ensure the efficient, effective function of our operations so our team is able to deliver on our promise to provide excellence in service, communication and responsiveness to our clients.

She leverages her strengths in organization and attention to detail to support our team’s business activities and keep everyone moving forward. And, finally, she takes command of the team’s day-to-day administrative responsibilities, handily tackling everything from overseeing trading and compliance, to new account processing, to preparing portfolio and performance reports.

With more than 30 years of financial industry experience in administration, operations and compliance, it’s no wonder Liza is a dynamo in the office. Beyond her remarkable range of skills and capabilities, Liza is highly respected for her unflagging dedication to service, to our clients as well as to her colleagues. Our financial advisors rely her professionalism, her moxie, and her shared commitment to always putting our clients first.

Liza grew up in Manila in the Philippines and lived in Honolulu and Glendale. She and her husband have now called Pasadena home for more than 15 years. She has a daughter who works in information technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. An avid traveler, Liza is proud to have experienced different cultures and traditions around the world in Asia, Europe, Australia and North America. In her free time she enjoys photography and memory keeping projects, and is an active parishioner at her church.

 

Credentials and Education:

• Series 7, 63 and 65 Registrations
• California Insurance License #0E76673
• Resident State [CA]
• Notary Public
• CA Advisory Council Point of Contact – 2006 to 2023
• De La Salle University, BA Psychology and
  BS Marketing Management, 1986
• Speaks Tagalog, Hokkien and Mandarin