Shawn Sladek is the founder and leader of the Sladek Thompson Group, a distinguished wealth management team based in The San Francisco Bay Area. He began his Merrill Lynch Wealth Management career in 1997 and has garnered national recognition as a leading financial advisor. He has been named on Forbes “America’s Top Wealth Advisors State by State” list for five years running - 2018-2022 (Published annually Jan – April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year).

Drawing on his extensive experience, Shawn develops personalized, strategic advice and guidance to address the complex needs of individuals with substantial wealth. Together with specialists from Merrill's global team of resources, The Sladek Thompson Group offers clients a range of services, including discretionary portfolio management; stock option analysis; sophisticated retirement planning services; hedging and monetization of concentrated equity positions; life insurance analysis and funding; and wealth preservation and transfer services. He is a regular speaker for Merrill's advanced training programs on wealth planning services, asset allocation, trusts and estate planning services, and financial services industry.

Shawn holds an Economics and Business degree from The University of Arizona and holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation (CIMA® ), administered by the Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) and taught in conjunction with The Wharton School of Business from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He, his wife Raymie, and two sons are actively philanthropic, dedicating significant time in particular to The Food Bank of Contra Costa County, where they reside.

*Source: The Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list, published annually Jan - April. Rankings based on data as of June 30 of prior year. 

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual, and telephone due diligence meetings to measure best practices; also considered are: client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

*Asset allocation, diversification and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

*Merrill Life Agency's California License Number 0522776

*Trust, fiduciary, and investment management services[, including assets managed by the Specialty Asset Management Team,] are provided by Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”), and its agents.

Megan Thompson provides tailored financial advice and focused attention to an accomplished group of individuals, families, and businesses, helping them do more with their wealth. As a co-leader of the Sladek Thompson Group at Merrill, Megan looks to guide, inspire, and support clients in pursuing their best lives possible. She combines integrity and enthusiasm with technical knowledge and practical insight, developing long-term relationships that demonstrate how much she values each person or family.
 

A deeply experienced Advisor, Megan has earned national accolades for her work:

 ·         Forbes: America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State: 2022.


Published on February 4, 2022.  Rankings based on data as of September 30, 2021.
 
·         Forbes: America's Top Women Wealth Advisors: 2020.

                Published on April 21, 2020.  Rankings based on data as of September 30, 2019. 

 

A resolute problem solver, Megan is skilled in addressing the complexities that significant wealth can pose. She works closely with clients to analyze multiple facets of their wealth, identifying areas for improvement, such as long-term planning, tax-sensitive investing, legacy design, wealth transfer, and business structuring. She believes that finances, health, and happiness are closely intertwined. As a result, she looks to make clients’ financial lives easier and less stressful, so that people can enjoy greater security and confidence in pursuing their goals.

 
Energized by others, Megan is genuine in her desire to be helpful to people in any way she can. Curious by nature, she spends significant time with people, learning about their families, professions, and interests, as well as their long-term aspirations. She listens closely to clients, remembering the distinctive aspects of their circumstances. One of her greatest satisfactions is connecting good people with each other, serving as a trusted advisor for matters large or small.

 
Megan began her career as a Financial Advisor in 2006 and joined Merrill in 2012. Originally from Cincinnati, she earned her B.A. in Resource Management and Economics from The Ohio State University.

 
Within Merrill, Megan is a member of the Women’s Exchange and previously served as Vice President of its East Bay Chapter. She is also a member of LAGN, the Local Advisor Growth Network. In her free time, she serves on the board of Teneral Cellars and is a member of the Women’s Presidents Association.

 
Megan and her husband Chris enjoy doting on their two French bulldogs, Otis and Mo. An adventurer at heart, Megan loves to travel and try new experiences, from surf camp to skiing. She welcomes the opportunity to trade ideas about great destinations, close to home or far off the beaten path.

 

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Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

 

*Source: The Forbes “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list, published on February 4, 2022. Rankings based on data as of
Sept 30, 2021.

 

Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC. Forbes.com America’s Top Women Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client impact, industry experience, review of best practices and compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience and should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information, please see www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

 

*Source: The Forbes “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors” list, published on April 21, 2020. Rankings based on data as of Sept 30, 2019.

 

Data provided by SHOOKTM Research, LLC. The Forbes “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors” ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Rankings and recognition from Forbes are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results, and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. Forbes is a trademark of Forbes Media LLC. All rights reserved.

Ray has been in the finance industry since obtaining his MBA in 1998.  He joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2008 as a Financial Advisor, and currently holds the title of Investment Management Specialist.  Following a disciplined wealth management process, his focus is on helping clients achieve their personal and financial goals. He incorporates wealth management strategies that are consistent with client’s unique objectives.  Ray holds a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER CFP®; certification, awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.  Ray lives in Pleasanton with his wife, Dawn, and their two children – Jordan and Brady. Ray enjoys coaching his children’s teams, triathlons and surfing.