A Team You Can Trust

Sean McGowan is a Private Wealth Financial Advisor and Senior Financial Advisor at The Denali Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, where he works with clients who have highly complex and demanding wealth management needs. To address the full spectrum of challenges faced by individuals and families with significant wealth, Sean takes a coordinated, team-based approach—collaborating with specialized professionals and leveraging the extensive resources of Wells Fargo & Company to deliver thoughtful investment planning and comprehensive wealth strategies.

Sean is proud to be named to as one of Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2023-2025¹ and Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams 2023-2026² (as part of Meydenbauer Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors). These accolades are a direct reflection of the trust clients have placed in the team over the past years.

Sean began his career in financial services in 1998 with Merrill Lynch in Bellevue, Washington. During his tenure there, he earned the distinction of Wealth Management Advisor, recognizing his extensive experience working with affluent clients on sophisticated investment strategies and long-term wealth planning.

Committed to continuous education and professional excellence, Sean expanded his investment expertise through advanced studies at the Wharton School of Business, where he earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst^® (CIMA^®) designation. This training sharpened his focus on risk-managed portfolio construction, implementation, and ongoing oversight—core elements of the investment discipline he brings to client relationships today.

Sean is a graduate of Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he was a four-year member of the university’s football team. After graduation, he continued his athletic career in the European Football League in Germany—an experience that helped shape the discipline, teamwork, and resilience he carries into his professional life.

Outside of the office, Sean enjoys staying active and spending time with his family. He is an avid downhill and water skier, loves mountain biking the many trails of the Pacific Northwest, and values time at home in Sammamish, Washington, with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Ragen, Kieran, and Kenedi.


CA Insurance License Number: 0H29969. Resident State: WA

<sup>1  2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors; Awarded April 2025; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/23- 6/30/24 (Source: Forbes.com). 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors; Awarded April 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/22 - 6/30/23. 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. See additional award disclosures.

2  2026 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2026; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/24 - 3/31/25 (Source: Forbes.com). 12,787 wealth management teams were considered for the rating; 6,149 (48% of candidates) were named 2026 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams. 2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2025; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/23 - 3/31/24 (Source: Forbes.com). 11,674 wealth management teams were considered for the rating; 5,331 (45.66% of candidates) were named 2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams. 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. 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 See additional award disclosures.</sup>

Nicole Christian
Practice Coordinator
nicole.christian@wfa.com
(425)646-4871

Nicole brings over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry to our team, most of those years spent as an Operations Manager and Administrative Manager supervising staff and compliance audits. Nicole oversees our staff, special projects and overall team coordination.

With a background of internal and external audits while managing people and projects, Nicole brings to the group unique skills in researching complex issues with a focus on problem solving and finding practical solutions. She is proactive in addressing client needs and dedicated to providing consistency within our premier client services. Her behind the scenes implementation of systems and processes helps to enhance the overall client experience and provide best-in-class service.

Nicole enjoys playing golf, corks and canvas wine painting events and spending time with her five children and three grandkids Kayson, Easton and Ava. Nicole and her husband, Doug, live in Monroe, WA.

Diane Manterola
Senior Registered Client Associate
diane.manterola@wfa.com
(425) 646-4871

Diane brings more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, complemented by a service-driven background that includes working with Disney and as a flight attendant. These experiences have shaped her natural dedication to delivering exceptional client service.

As the first point of contact for The Denali Group, Diane plays a vital role in creating a welcoming and seamless client experience. She is known for her enthusiastic approach and commitment to assisting clients with questions, online navigation, and appointment scheduling.

Emily Christian
Client Associate
emily.christian@wfa.com
(425) 450-4380

After exploring a successful career as a certified Medical Assistant at the UW Emergency Department, UW Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Swedish Sports Medicine, Emily decided to pursue her long-time goal of working in financial services. Emily is continuously looking for ways to further her knowledge and skills and will be pursuing her Series 7 exam while working with The Denali Group. She has always worked in a customer facing roles
and strives to give each client the best possible experience.

Emily lives in Lake Stevens with her husband, young daughter and infant son. When she’s not playing at the park or visiting the zoo with the children, she loves baking and hanging out with her family and exploring Woodinville with her family.