We look forward to
getting to know you
And we encourage you to get to know us too
Chief Executive Officer, Partner
Jeff Sarti
Jeff Sarti
Jeff Sarti

Chief Executive Officer, Partner

(818) 591-6217

Years of Experience

24

Education and Credentials

B.S. in Biology, Stanford University

M.B.A., Anderson School of Management, UCLA

CFA®, MBA

Origin Story
1. What does wealth mean to you?

For me, a “wealthy life” comes down to spending time with the ones I love and appreciating the little moments. I love nothing more than spending time with my wife and three kids, whether it’s a beach vacation, making dinner together, or just watching a movie with them on a Saturday night. It also means being intellectually engaged and being afforded opportunities to learn something new on a regular basis.

2. What inspires you about the work you do?

I feel so lucky to be at a place in my career where the work that I do is engaging on so many levels. First of all, the responsibility we have to protect our clients’ nest eggs while helping them accomplish their lifelong goals is humbling and inspires me to always push myself toward the “pursuit of being better.” Secondly, our industry affords endless opportunities to learn something new, as investments and financial planning opportunities are always changing. Finally, I love the camaraderie and collaboration with my teammates. The energy in our hallways is fun and invigorating!

3. What’s a fun fact that most people may not know about you?

I actually have two fun facts: My wife and I foster kittens—the max number we had at one time was over 20! And I can say the alphabet backwards more easily than forwards.

Chief Investment Officer, Partner
Meghan Pinchuk
Meghan  Pinchuk
Meghan Pinchuk

Chief Investment Officer, Partner

(818) 591 6211

Years of Experience

18

Education and Credentials

B.A. in English, summa cum laude, UCLA

CFA®, CFP®

Origin Story
1. What does wealth mean to you?

Wealth for me is measured in enjoyment. I am happiest when I’m spending time with my family and friends, whether that’s tickle-tackling my two little kids, fencing epee with my husband, or laughing over good food (preferably sushi) and wine with friends. I also enjoy quiet time to read a book (probably a Jane Austen novel) or learn about something new.

2. What inspires you about the work you do?

I love that we have created an environment that encourages constant learning and engagement. We approach everything, whether that’s investments, financial planning, or team dynamics, with an open mind and a drive to be better. This allows us to truly serve our clients’ best interest, even if doing so veers from more traditional paths taken by others in our industry. Our approach not only satisfies my own personal curiosity, but has also attracted a group of individuals with similar energy and passion with whom I am excited and grateful to work.

3. What’s a fun fact that most people may not know about you?

I met my husband on the fencing team when I was a freshman at UCLA. Over the years, I was his assistant coach and we now have our own fencing club: Ace Fencing Academy in Agoura Hills.

Chief Operating Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Partner
Stacey McKinnon
Stacey McKinnon
Stacey McKinnon

Chief Operating Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Partner

(818) 591 6206

Years of Experience

10

Education and Credentials

B.A. in Business Economics, UCSB

B.A. in Religious Studies, UCSB

CFP®, Series 65

Origin Story
1. What does wealth mean to you?

For many people, wealth can be intimidating. It is difficult to make decisions about how to save, spend, and set goals. But what I have learned over my years in financial services is that it doesn’t have to be. Wealth is more than a number and my perspective on wealth has to be combined with values and a mindset shift to truly achieve my goals. I value time with family and friends, usually over a farm-to-table meal with craft cocktails or an outdoor adventure. This is what a “wealthy life” looks like for me—more time with the people I love.

2. What inspires you about the work you do?

I love to create environments where people can thrive—whether that results in our clients getting the most life out of their wealth or the team getting the most life out of their careers. We have a unique opportunity to make a big impact in the lives we serve and having that “sacred duty” inspires me.

3. What’s a fun fact that most people may not know about you?

My husband and I met on the playground in South Lake Tahoe at five years old. He is kind, thoughtful, creative, and talented, and I feel lucky that we have gotten to enjoy so much life together.

Chief Compliance Officer, Partner
Menachem Striks
Menachem Striks
Menachem Striks

Chief Compliance Officer, Partner

(818) 591 6214

Years of Experience

8

Education and Credentials

B.S. in Business Administration, Touro University International

J.D., Southwestern Law School

Origin Story
1. What does wealth mean to you?

To me, wealth is the ability to do the things that give our lives meaning, such as spending time with family or involvement in our community. So many people get caught up on the “hedonic treadmill” in their pursuit of wealth and ultimately find that their goal isn’t achieved by seeing a certain balance reflected on their portfolio statement. Focusing on meaningful experiences can make us truly wealthy, regardless of our net worth.

2. What inspires you about the work you do?

As a risk management professional, I take pride in building a resilient firm that can support our clients and their future generations. By working “behind the scenes” to maintain a strong and compliant firm infrastructure, I’m able to ensure that our advisors can provide the highest possible level of service to our clients.

3. What’s a fun fact that most people may not know about you?

I’m the oldest of twelve siblings. Things weren’t quiet growing up with nine brothers and two sisters, but I could always count on having enough players for a full-court basketball game at any time!

Director of Human Capital, Partner
Dan Charoenrath
Dan Charoenrath
Dan Charoenrath

Director of Human Capital, Partner

(818) 206 2917

Years of Experience

6

Education and Credentials

B.A. in philosophy, UCSB

Origin Story
1. What does wealth mean to you?

To me, wealth is the ability to fully enjoy the parts of my life that are most meaningful to me—family, friends, community, and place of work. It’s spending time with loved ones, trips to the beach, and coaching my son’s baseball team.

2. What inspires you about the work you do?

What inspires me the most about the work I do is having the opportunity to help our team members fulfill their career/life goals and, in some cases, bring further clarity on what those goals are. Whether it be through working with them on further development of technical skills, discussions on how to deal with challenging conversations, or even the recruitment of new team members to add to the Morton family, seeing our people grow personally and professionally is what fills my cup.

3. What’s a fun fact that most people may not know about you?

In 2010, I traveled to Costa Rica to tour five different coffee farms and had an opportunity to pick cherries along with the farmers. Before MC, I worked for Peet’s Coffee and Tea for 15 years, so my love of coffee runs deep!

Director of Finance and HR, Partner
Adam Bartkoski
Adam Bartkoski
Adam Bartkoski

Director of Finance and HR, Partner

(818) 206 2930

Years of Experience

22

Education and Credentials

B.A. in history, Texas A&M University

Origin Story
1. What does wealth mean to you?

Wealth is having the ability and flexibility to accomplish any specific goals I might have across all facets of life. In some cases, it might mean having the money to travel abroad but I’ve found that, in most cases, money has very little to do with it. Wealth is mostly associated with family, friends, and a career that allows you the space to spend time doing the things you want in life with the people you care for the most. Time may be the most important piece of wealth because if you don’t have it or cannot create more time for the truly important things in life, I just don’t see how you can truly live a life full of wealth.

2. What inspires you about the work you do?

I think being surrounded by incredibly smart and gifted colleagues not only makes everyone else better at what they do, but also generally leads to strong relationships at work, where people genuinely care about people they may work with for many years. Being submerged in that environment makes me want to keep up with everyone else and not be a person who holds anyone back.

3. What’s a fun fact that most people may not know about you?

During my Peace Corps service in eastern Ukraine, I learned to speak Russian. It’s debatable how solid my language skills are but I could find my way home if dropped off in a random Ukrainian village. I thought about using those skills upon returning to the U.S. but quickly realized that there were some business conversations/concepts I could not describe in Russian. For example, there is no way I could describe SPACs in Russian, but, in my defense, I may not be able to in English either!

Director of Growth and Advice, Partner
Chris Galeski
Chris Galeski
Chris Galeski

Director of Growth and Advice, Partner

(818) 206 2954

Years of Experience

14

Education and Credentials

B.A. in Economics, San Diego State University

Origin Story
1. What does wealth mean to you?

When I was a kid, for the longest time my perception of wealth was money, real estate, cars, and material things. What I have come to realize as I have grown up, had success in my career, and accumulated a number of those things, is that none of this really brings you long-term happiness or the feeling of being wealthy. Time, relationships, and experiences have become the true meaning of wealth for me. I enjoy my family, friends, and experiences much more than a number in an account or a material possession that exists. I want to spend my time golfing, BBQing, going to the beach, drinking good wine, and experiencing different cultures around the world with my family. The people who I have come to learn from and work with who explore their passions and have meaningful relationships with family and friends are much happier than the ones who focus more on money.

2. What inspires you about the work you do?

Making an impact on my clients’ and colleagues’ lives. I love helping people learn, progress, and achieve their potential, which can be anything from helping clients execute on their “wish list” without fear to helping my coworkers have success, learn, and grow. Being a coach and a mentor to our clients and my colleagues is more fulfilling than individual accomplishments. I am inspired to help people achieve their goals.

3. What’s a fun fact that most people may not know about you?

I can do a really good Dr. Evil impression.

Wealth Advisor, Partner
Joe Seetoo
Joe  Seetoo
Joe Seetoo

Wealth Advisor, Partner

(818) 591 6219

Years of Experience

24

Education and Credentials

B.A. degrees in Business/Economics and International Relations, magna cum laude, Randoph-Macon College

CFA®, CFP®, CEPA®, Applied Behavioral Finance certification

Origin Story
1. What does wealth mean to you?

It means experiencing life to the fullest extent possible—unique experiences, positive impact in the community, deep and meaningful relationships, and being open to what life has to teach us.

2. What inspires you about the work you do?

Being part of and helping to build a company that puts people first above all else—both in respect to our teammates and our clients. Morton has always thought outside of the box when it comes to investments but expanding this philosophy to how we manage the company, hire staff, and interact with our clients inspires and challenges me to be open to formulating new ideas and embracing growth and change.

3. What’s a fun fact that most people may not know about you?

I completed SEALFIT KOKORO Camp 37 in June 2015, a three-day experience over the course of 50+ hours designed by Navy SEALs modeled on “hell week.” We started with 35 people and 17 of us finished. We endured many of the same challenges that Navy SEALs face during hell week, including many hours of pushups, long runs, no sleep, and “water therapy” in the ocean at 2:00 in the morning. I trained six days a week for five months, mostly by myself, to get prepared for that weekend.

Wealth Advisor, Partner
Kevin Rex
Kevin Rex
Kevin Rex

Wealth Advisor, Partner

(818) 206 2902

Years of Experience

9

Education and Credentials

B.A. in biology, Cornell University

CFP®, Series 65

Origin Story
1. What does wealth mean to you?

To me, wealth means experiencing life with those I Iove: skiing down a mountain in Utah, playing in the waves of Santa Barbara, or sitting around the firepit in my backyard telling stories and laughing. It means having the freedom to control my decisions and not have them be dictated by financial motivations, as well as the autonomy to be able leave an impact on the world through service and generosity.

2. What inspires you about the work you do?

I love the peace of mind that clients have when they experience financial freedom. By realizing that money is not the goal and that wealth is only a facilitator of living a fulfilled life, it strips away the stress and anxiety and gives power back to their daily decisions. This is only truly accomplished when someone is empowered through financial education and has true transparency into their fully comprehensive financial picture.

3. What’s a fun fact that most people may not know about you?

A fun fact that most people don’t know about me is that I am in Cornell’s oldest secret society, but shhhhh, don’t tell anyone. It’s a secret.

Financial Planning Advisor, Education and Learning Manager
Brittany Yudkowsky
Brittany Yudkowsky
Brittany Yudkowsky

Financial Planning Advisor, Education and Learning Manager

(818) 206 2937

Years of Experience

12

Education and Credentials

B.A. in English, magna cum laude, UCLA

CFP®

Origin Story
1. What does wealth mean to you?

Friends, family, and my dog, Henrietta, are the foundation of what true wealth means to me. On top of that foundation, the ability to explore the world and experience different cultures is essential, not only to feed my natural curiosity but also so that I can grow and evolve as a person.

2. What inspires you about the work you do?

I think financial planning is incredibly fascinating, and it’s such a powerful service we offer at Morton. Being part of a service that empowers clients to make financial decisions with confidence and clarity is extremely rewarding. As lead for the Financial Planning Team (and its inaugural team member back in 2016), I love seeing team members get excited about financial planning, dedicating their time and energy to growing their knowledge. Supporting and encouraging them through that process—and seeing their forward progress because of their hard work—makes me proud and inspires me every day. With my background in book publishing, I love getting to work with our amazing marketing team to craft financial planning content that will get our clients excited about the financial planning process too. I also get to put my copyediting skills to work on our newsletters, marketing material, and client communications.

3. What’s a fun fact that most people may not know about you?

Growing up on the East Coast, I played field hockey in middle school. I played the fullback position and had a pretty powerful drive! Sadly, field hockey wasn’t as popular on the West Coast when I moved here for high school, but I still have my field hockey stick to this day.

Director of Marketing
Clarisse Sullivan
Clarisse Sullivan
Clarisse Sullivan

Director of Marketing

(818) 209-2953

Years of Experience

10

Education and Credentials

B.S. in Business, CSU Channel Islands

Professional designation in Merchandising and Marketing, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising

Origin Story
1. What does wealth mean to you?

To me, the true meaning of wealth is being able to enjoy every experience life has to offer. It can be found celebrating those unpredictable moments, such as tackling a house project for the first time, falling off a paddleboard but getting right back on, or going on an afternoon walk and later witnessing the most incredible sky while the sun is setting. Wealth is in the love I share with my husband, my family, and my friends, and in the kindness I spread to others.

2. What inspires you about the work you do?

I’m inspired by the client stories I get to hear from our advisory teams and the impact we have on their lives through the services we provide. Growing up, financial education was a topic that was rarely discussed. I’m grateful to be part of a team of individuals who are passionate about educating the people they serve, leaving them more knowledgeable and empowered by the financial decisions they’re making.

3. What’s a fun fact that most people may not know about you?

My great-grandmother opened the first pizzeria in Marseille, France, in 1939, and it’s still run by my family to this day. This might explain why I could eat a fresh pizza or plate of pasta any day of the week.

Private Investments Operations Manager
Kaizer Gillispie
Kaizer Gillispie
Kaizer Gillispie

Private Investments Operations Manager

(818) 206 2955

Years of Experience

3

Education and Credentials

B.A. degrees in Spanish and Modern Language Business, University of Idaho

B.S. in marketing, University of Idaho

Origin Story
1. What does wealth mean to you?

Wealth to me is not only being financially stable but also being able to feel fulfilled in the life that I have built for myself and the life that I will be able to build for a future family. If you feel a sense of belonging and purpose in where you are at in your life, then that is true wealth to me.

What inspires you about the work you do?

Knowing that the work I am doing is going to help a greater cause that I can stand by and feel fulfilled by. Also having amazing, kind-hearted people around me who want to help with my success and me wanting to get to a point in my career where I can help them, and Morton Capital, succeed as well.

What’s a fun fact that most people may not know about you?

I am six feet and six inches tall and still afraid of heights.

Client Experience Manager
Nick Valaika
Nick Valaika
Nick Valaika

Client Experience Manager

Years of Experience

1

Education and Credentials

B.A. in history, UCLA

CFP®

Origin Story
What does wealth mean to you?

I believe wealth is not exclusively tied to finance or assets. A wealthy life is a result of serving others before yourself, loving your family and friends well, and chasing the things money can’t buy. True wealth is when your happiness and passion for life are not tied to material things.

What inspires you about the work you do at Morton?

Working at Morton means I get to be a small part of helping families meet their financial goals and live out their idea of wealth. I have the privilege to be a part of a culture that not only takes care of their clients, but also encourages personal development and growth for their employees.

What’s a fun fact that most people may not know about you?

I’m a former baseball player and one of four brothers to all be drafted to play professionally.