Patricia has spent the majority of her 40-year career at Merrill – serving ambitious individuals she describes as “fascinating and inspiring.” Many clients are well-known track-and-field athletes, directors, writers, Broadway actors and successful women in media and entertainment. Patricia also assists generations of extended families for whom her care, consideration and consistent attention are at the heart of each trusted relationship.

Rather than make assumptions about clients, Patricia makes time – to ask questions, as part of a thoughtful, planning-based approach that continues over time. “What’s important to you? Who are you responsible for? What are your fears – about investing and life? And what’s on your bucket list? Do you want to go back to school, take a course, travel the world, send your child to college or leave a legacy?”

Only after having meaningful dialogue does Patricia encourage “dollars and cents” discussions. She recognizes that clients are driven by life events they often cannot control.  For this reason, she helps clients plan and prepare for circumstances they anticipate and those they don’t. Providing emotional and personal guidance whenever possible, she feels the greatest reward helping clients address their life’s greatest challenges – the loss a loved one, illness, divorce, or a career change.

When it comes to investing, Patricia is equity-driven – given the long-term performance of the markets and the long-term philosophy she shares with clients. In building each client’s portfolio, she typically includes growth and income-oriented investments – and in some cases, alternative investments* she deems attractive, affordable and likely to offer reduced volatility. In all cases, her decisions are based on a client’s risk tolerance, investment timeline, liquidity needs, overall investment goals and other personal preferences.


While Patricia launched her “professional” career after college, she began her financial education at nine years old. At the time, her parents were members of an investment club and – attracted to the meetings for the peppermints and peanuts – she would listen and learn. One day, after asking her father the meanings of the up-and-down arrows on their newspaper’s investment page, she began to track stocks and she continued through her teen years until meeting a mentor who happened to be a client of Merrill Lynch client. As Patricia says, “The rest was history.”


A graduate of Kean University with dual degrees in Finance and Economics, Patricia also holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor^SM designation through the College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. She also completed the Merrill Financial Advisors Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business.

Patricia is a member of the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment, former board member for Kean University Foundation, where she was Chair of Board Development, former Kean University College of Business and Public Management advisory board member and currently serves on the New Jersey Theatre Alliance Board. She was named one of the 2007 Women of Influence in Finance, Honoree of the Women's History Celebration by the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, recipient of the 2014 Kean University Distinguished Alumni Award, 2017 David Brady Award** recipient and 2018 Kean University Women of Achievement Honoree. An avid sports fan, Patricia enjoys going to the theater, playing golf, listening to music, and is a strong advocate for teaching financial education with various organizations.
 

*Some or all alternative investment programs may not be in the best interest of certain investors. No assurance can be given that any alternative investment’s objectives will be achieved.

**Bank of America Corporation’s David Brady Community Service Award is named for David Brady, a Merrill financial advisor who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He was highly respected for putting the client first and giving back to his community. The award that bears his name was created in 2007 and seeks to honor individuals within Bank of America Corporation Global Wealth & Investment Management who continue to emulate David’s ethos.