Meet our Team

Helping Clients Achieve Financial Breakthroughs—and Live with More Joy
Scott Poland is known for his humility, dedication, and deeply personal approach to financial advising. With over 25 years of experience, Scott’s mission is simple yet powerful: to help people experience financial clarity, make confident decisions, and ultimately live with more freedom, joy, and purpose.

Scott believes that true wealth isn't just about money—it's about meaningful relationships, life experiences, and the ability to focus on what matters most. He views his role not just as a financial advisor, but as a guide helping clients navigate life’s transitions and unlock the breakthroughs that bring confidence and lasting impact.

A Global Journey with a Personal Purpose
Scott is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, where he earned both an MBA and a B.A. in Political Economics. His journey into the world of finance began in 1990, but not in the typical way. Seeking new perspectives, Scott left the Bay Area to teach English in Taiwan—a transformative experience that sparked a global career in finance. His work in real estate development and commercial lending took him from Citibank offices in San Francisco and New York to London and Tokyo.

Over time, Scott observed how even the most successful individuals could be deeply impacted by financial missteps or unforeseen economic changes. When he returned to Silicon Valley during the tech boom, he served entrepreneurs and venture capitalists just as the dot-com bubble was forming—and bursting. These real-world experiences shaped his belief in the power of investment planning rooted in wisdom, resilience, and purpose.

A Career Built on Trust, Clarity, and Human Connection
Since transitioning to financial advising in the late 1990s, Scott has worked with individuals, families, and niche investors who often value a conservative, thoughtful approach to wealth management. He takes pride in helping clients gain clarity about their goals, understand their current financial landscape, and chart a path toward lasting financial independence.

While financial outcomes matter, Scott finds the greatest reward in the relationships he builds. Many clients turn to him not just for investment guidance but also for support in navigating sensitive family dynamics, long-term care decisions, and legacy planning. His clients often say he’s not just their advisor—but their trusted sounding board and confidant.

A Proven, Personalized Planning Approach
Scott begins by helping clients identify and clarify their financial goals, then builds tailored investment strategies using advanced planning software and research from respected sources like Wells Fargo Investment Institute, ISI Evercore, and Morningstar. His portfolios are thoughtfully diversified using a mix of stocks, bonds, REITs, MLPs, and alternative investments, all designed to balance growth, income, and risk.

For Scott, success is not measured solely in numbers—it’s about helping people gain financial freedom so they can enjoy life on their own terms.

Life Beyond Finance
Outside the office, Scott lives in Richmond, CA with his wife, Angela, and their two spirited rescue dogs—Odie, a bold little Chihuahua, and T-Jay, a social collie who never meets a stranger. They are active members of their church and love exploring the outdoors, with favorite travel destinations including Taiwan, Yellowstone, and Folsom.

Scott enjoys hosting dinners with friends, watching classic '70s TV shows and movies, playing basketball, and diving into a good book. Whether he's walking the dogs along Point Isabel or mentoring a client through a life-changing decision, Scott lives his mission every day: helping others find clarity, confidence, and more joy in the journey.

With nearly two decades in the financial services industry, I bring over 17 years of experience helping individuals and families make informed, confident financial decisions. My career has been deeply rooted in client-focused financial strategy—particularly in mortgage lending, where I have guided clients through complex real estate transactions that align with long-term financial planning goals.

My journey in financial services began in 2007 and has included roles such as Residential Loan Officer at Sterling Bank & Trust, Mortgage Loan Originator at Umpqua Bank, Senior Home Mortgage Consultant at Wells Fargo, and Vice President of Mortgage Lending at Guaranteed Rate Affinity. Through each role, I have honed my skills in listening deeply, educating clients, and helping them navigate financial milestones with clarity.

Before entering financial services, I built a multifaceted career as a performing artist and business development professional. I have performed as a tenor with the Grammy-winning San Francisco Symphony Chorus since 2005 and continue to be active with ensembles including Arete Singers and the Mistletoe Carolers. My entrepreneurial drive also led me to serve as Business Development Lead for Arete Singers and, more recently, to take on the role of Insurance Inspector as an independent contractor.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Italian from San Francisco State University (1999), and I’ve earned a Project Management Certificate from PMI (2024). These skills complement my current focus areas as a financial consultant, which include; retirement planning and income strategy, college funding solutions, multi-generational wealth planning, and estate planning strategies.

I work with a broad spectrum of clients—individuals, families, retirees, and small business owners—especially those approaching retirement or facing significant life transitions.
What drives me in this profession is the opportunity to expand my impact beyond transactional support. I aim to build long-term relationships that empower clients with the tools, insights, and confidence to achieve lasting financial well-being.

Outside the office, I am an avid cyclist and soccer enthusiast. I also dedicate time to social justice initiatives through the SURJ Marin chapter, where I support efforts to advance racial and economic equity in our community.

Background
I am a Senior Registered Client Associate with more than 20 years of financial services experience. I value each client deeply and respect the trust they place in our team to help achieve their goals.

Responsibilities
Having worked in a range of operations and client service roles, I have developed in-depth knowledge of the firm’s processes and procedures and am able to deliver exceptional client service by applying my skills to handle client requests and service needs. I am responsible for handling all operational and client service items including new account setups, account maintenance, money transfers and check requests.

Outside Interests
In my spare time I enjoy traveling, reading, gardening and cooking.