Guiding generational wealth

Private Wealth Management

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A legacy isn’t built overnight. It demands years of trusted collaboration focused on shared vision and purpose. We believe lasting legacies are often the result of well-informed choices and thoughtful decision-making. But given today’s many uncertainties and challenges, can you preserve all you’ve achieved and ensure that it endures for your family and their future?

For more than 20 years, exceptional families across the globe have chosen our team to help them manage their wealth for continuity. With decades of diverse experience combined with our forward thinking, we provide critical investment insight—especially in an industry that is constantly evolving. Accessing our broad network of large family offices and aligning the institutional expertise and solutions of the UBS Private Wealth Management, UBS Investment Bank, Family Office Services Group and the Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services team, we strive to deliver bespoke opportunities that embrace your family’s financial and human capital.

With our diverse credentials and collective perspectives and the full scope of resources from a global leader in Private Wealth Management, we are solely focused on helping you preserve your legacy and enhance its value for generations to come.

  • Ajay Desai

    Ajay Desai

    Managing Director–Wealth Management

    Private Wealth Advisor

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    • AL
    • AZ
    • CA
    • CO
    • FL
    • GA
    • IA
    • IL
    • IN
    • KS
    • LA
    • MA
    • MI
    • MN
    • MO
    • MT
    • NC
    • NE
    • NJ
    • NM
    • NY
    • OH
    • OR
    • RI
    • SD
    • TN
    • TX
    • VA
    • VI
    • WA
    • WI
    • WY

    Delivering the advice and solutions exceptional families seek
    As the senior partner on his team, Ajay is lead Advisor and relationship manager for their most sophisticated clients and prospects. He is an architect of the team’s strategic vision and also advises on asset allocation and alternative investments, given his deep capital markets expertise.

    As a Private Wealth Advisor and Family Office Consultant (FOC), Ajay has a particular focus on managing generational wealth and philanthropic planning. With access to the extensive global resources of UBS, he and the team provide solutions to challenging problems and concerns of ultra-high net worth clients, and more specifically to those facing exceptional families.

    FOC is a UBS business designation reserved for Financial Advisors with a track record of understanding the investment, business, passion and legacy needs of sophisticated clients and aligning them to the full suite of UBS capabilities. FOCs undergo rigorous training to strengthen their industry knowledge.

    Previous experience

    • Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
    • Merrill Lynch Private Bank
    • Founded and operated hedge fund
    • Co-founded cash management firm
    • Consultant with Accenture (formerly Anderson Consulting)

    FINRA registrations and designations

    • Series 3, 7 and 66 securities licenses

    Life

    • Ajay has three children, all active in sports that he thoroughly enjoys watching.
    • He is a fitness enthusiast who plays tennis regularly.
    • Ajay supports his personal charity for education and mentors young entrepreneurs.
    • He was elected and sits on the Board of Governors for Iowa State University, his alma mater, and is active with Pi Kappa Phi, his fraternity.
    • Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
      The Barron's rating is awarded annually in March and is based on information from the prior year Q3. 
    • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in April based on information from a 12 month period ending June of the prior year.

    • Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, M.B.A.
    • Iowa State University, B.B.A.
    • Private Wealth Advisor
    • Family Office Consultant
    • Series 3, 7 and 66 securities licenses
    Family Offices
    Philanthropy
    Alternative investments
    Lending services
    Estate planning strategies
    Asset allocation
    Sustainable investing
    Multi-generational families
    1 North Wacker Drive
    Suite 3300
    Chicago, IL 60606
  • James Stirling

    James Stirling

    Financial Advisor

    Chartered Financial Analyst®

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    • AL
    • AZ
    • CA
    • CO
    • DE
    • FL
    • GA
    • IA
    • ID
    • IL
    • IN
    • KS
    • LA
    • MA
    • MD
    • MI
    • MN
    • MO
    • MT
    • NC
    • NE
    • NJ
    • NM
    • NY
    • OH
    • OR
    • RI
    • SD
    • TN
    • TX
    • VA
    • VI
    • WA
    • WI
    • WY

    Managing wealth with the experience and wisdom of five decades
    Jim has been at the firm for more than 56 years, including positions at the UBS Investment Bank and Private Wealth Management, as well as serving as the chairman of the UBS Midwest Advisory Board. It’s in his Private Wealth career that Jim feels he truly delivers value to our clients. It brings him great satisfaction to work with his team of professional, caring Advisors who are completely committed to helping clients and their families achieve their goals, while delivering all aspects of the firm.

    Previous experience

    • UBS Private Wealth Management
    • UBS Investment Bank (50 of 56 years at UBS)
    • Assistant to US Secretary of Commerce, Elliot Richardson during the Ford Administration

    FINRA registrations and designations

    • Chartered Financial Analyst®
    • Series 3, 7 and 66 securities licenses

    Life

    • Jim cares deeply about his community and is passionate about participating and staying involved in the issues that affect all of us.
    • He is the founding chairman of the Northwestern Medicine Professional Council for Philanthropy and former Chairman at Northwestern Memorial Management Company.
    • Jim is Vice Chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Council, and formerly the CFA Leadership Council of Chicago.
    • He also served as Trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

     

      • Stanford University, M.B.A.
      • Princeton University, B.A.
      • Chartered Financial Analyst®
      Cash management
      Philanthropy
      Family Offices
      1 North Wacker Drive
      Suite 3300
      Chicago, IL 60606
    • Ross

      Ross Siegel

      Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

      Private Wealth Advisor

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      • AZ
      • CA
      • CO
      • FL
      • GA
      • IA
      • ID
      • IL
      • IN
      • KS
      • LA
      • MA
      • MI
      • MN
      • MO
      • MT
      • NC
      • NE
      • NJ
      • NM
      • NY
      • OH
      • OR
      • RI
      • SD
      • TN
      • TX
      • VA
      • VI
      • WA
      • WI
      • WY

      Ross specializes in advising wealthy clients and their families with regard to their entire financial picture. He and the team leverage the resources of UBS while developing a deep understanding of the client’s needs and objectives. Each client requires a unique solution as all have their own individual circumstances in terms of family, liquidity, cash flow, goals, and more. This approach provides every client with the access and resources of a global wealth management firm while enjoying the benefits of a boutique relationship.

      Previous experience

      • Prior to joining UBS in 2020, Ross spent 12 years in private banking with J.P. Morgan and Citigroup in Chicago.
      • That followed two years as a financial advisor with Edward Jones. 
      • Ross first entered the financial industry in 2002 when he traded futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange leading to the formation of a market neutral hedge fund which he managed until 2007.
      • Previously Ross worked in business development for Transora Corporation, a business to business exchange in the consumer packaged goods industry, as well as a Global Business Analyst for Baxter Healthcare, where he had the opportunity to live in Vienna, Austria.

      Education

      • Ross has a BBA in both Accounting and Management from the University of Wisconsin School of Business in Madison.

       

      Life

      • Ross and his wife Heather reside in Deerfield, IL with their three children, Hayden, Isabelle, and Brenden and their dog, Badger.
      • When not attending a hockey, dance, or volleyball activity, Ross attempts to play golf and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

        • Wisconsin School of Business- Madison, B.B.A.
        • Private Wealth Advisor
        • Series 7 and 66 securities licenses
        • Certified Exit Planning Advisor
        Business owners
        Estate planning strategies
        Alternative investments
        Family Offices
        Corporate executives
        Sustainable investing
        1 North Wacker Drive
        Suite 3300
        Chicago, IL 60606
      •  Randy Bruns

        Randy Bruns

        Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

        Chartered Financial Analyst®

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        • AL
        • AZ
        • CA
        • CO
        • DE
        • FL
        • GA
        • IA
        • ID
        • IL
        • IN
        • KS
        • LA
        • MA
        • MD
        • MI
        • MN
        • MT
        • NC
        • NE
        • NJ
        • NM
        • NY
        • OH
        • OR
        • PR
        • RI
        • TX
        • VA
        • VI
        • WA
        • WI
        • WY

        Focus:  Capital Markets Solutions & Trading, Cash Management and Analysis

        Prior Roles: Registered Marketing Associate at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Trader on Municipal Bond Desk with Merrill Lynch

        Education: B.S. in Finance, Miami of Ohio University

          • Miami of Ohio University, B.S. in Finance
          • Chartered Financial Analyst®
          • Series 3, 7 and 66 securities licenses
          One North Wacker Drive
          Suite 3300
          Chicago, IL 60606
        • Allen hs

          Allen Saffrahn

          Director

          Team Administrator

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          • AL
          • AZ
          • CA
          • CO
          • DE
          • FL
          • GA
          • IA
          • IL
          • IN
          • KS
          • LA
          • MA
          • MD
          • MI
          • MN
          • MO
          • MT
          • NC
          • NE
          • NJ
          • NM
          • NY
          • OH
          • OR
          • RI
          • TX
          • VA
          • VI
          • WA
          • WI
          • WY

            • B.A., Finance, B.A., Economics, North Central College
            • Series 6, 7, 9/10, 63, and 66 licenses
            One North Wacker Drive
            Suite 3300
            Chicago, IL 60606
          • grant hs

            Grant Schenk

            Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

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            • AK
            • AL
            • AZ
            • CA
            • CO
            • CT
            • DC
            • DE
            • FL
            • GA
            • IA
            • ID
            • IL
            • IN
            • KS
            • KY
            • LA
            • MA
            • MD
            • MI
            • MN
            • MO
            • MT
            • NC
            • ND
            • NE
            • NJ
            • NM
            • NY
            • OH
            • OR
            • PA
            • PR
            • RI
            • SC
            • TN
            • TX
            • VA
            • VI
            • WA
            • WI
            • WV
            • WY

              • Indiana University
                One North Wacker Drive
                Suite 3700
                Chicago, IL 60606
              • Henry

                Henry Freedman

                Client Associate

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                    • University of Denver
                    • Series 7
                    One North Wacker Drive
                    Chicago, IL 60606
                  • Ann Bjerke

                    Executive Director

                    Head of Advanced Planning

                    Ann focuses on developing and implementing creative and comprehensive strategies to assist clients with their complex financial needs such as preservation, transfer and management of wealth. Prior to joining UBS in 2008, Ann practiced law with the law firm of Levin, Schreder & Carey, focusing on estate tax and income tax planning for ultra high net worth individuals, families and business owners.

                  • Titus Song

                    Executive Director

                    Alternative Investments Consultant

                    Titus Song is an Executive Director of Alternative Investments covering various markets in the Central and West Divisions for UBS Financial Services. His role is to oversee distribution of alternative investments (hedge funds, private equity and private real estate) by helping financial advisors and clients understand how these offerings function and their effect on investment portfolios.

                    Professional History
                    Titus joined UBS in 2007 working with the Structured Solutions group. In late 2008, Titus moved to the Alternative Investments group where he has covered a wide swath of the country helping clients and financial advisors understand alternative investments and how they can enhance portfolio efficiency and help clients reach their financial goals.

                    In his 32-year career in financial services, Titus has worked at various large financial services firms and banks where he held roles in small and large cap equity trading, as well as in product management. Titus also served as the head of investments and product management at a large regional registered investment advisor prior to joining UBS.


                    Education
                    Titus earned a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Political Economy at Carleton College in Northfield MN. He also received an M.B.A. from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota.

                    Licenses and Certifications
                    Titus holds Series 7, 31 and 66 licenses.
                  • Sarah J. Salomon , CAP®

                    Executive Director

                    Head – Family Advisory and Philanthropy

                    Sarah leads a team of Senior Strategists who work with families on understanding money, values and philanthropic intent. Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services serves as thought partners to advisors and their exceptional client families on wealth transitions, family governance, family office strategies, and philanthropy as families seek guidance on cohesive dialogue between generations to perpetuate their legacy.
                  • Matthew Morris, CFA

                    Executive Director

                    Head, Portfolio Advisory Group Midwest, New York and Northeast Division

                    Matthew Morris is the Midwest Division Head of the Portfolio Advisory Group (PAG), leading a regional team of experienced investment professionals dedicated to providing asset allocation, portfolio construction, and investment management guidance and education to UBS' Ultra High Net Worth clients. Matthew and his team specialize in developing multi-asset, customized investment strategies and portfolios for sophisticated individuals, families, and institutions.
                  • Leora Zach

                    Leora Zach

                    Executive Director

                    Client Solutions Specialist, Family Office Solutions

                    Professional History
                    Leora is an Executive Director and Client Solutions Specialist in the Family Office Solutions team within Private Wealth Management. The Family Office Solutions (FOS) team holistically services $100m+ clients and family offices in partnership with Private Wealth Advisors. In her role, Leora is dedicated to providing clients with superior client service by leading complex, multi-product transactions and helping design custom offerings based on client needs.

                    Prior to FOS, Leora was an Executive Director in the Direct Investments Group. She raised private capital for direct private equity and real estate investments across a range of industries, stages, structures and geographies. She covered 1,500+ family office and institutional wealth management relationships nationally. Before that, Leora was a part of the OneBank team and assisted UBS clients on a range of investment banking transactions including mergers and acquisitions, equity capital raising and debt capital raising. She also ran UBS' Middle Market Investment Banking Network, a partnership with 30 firms across the country to assist business owner clients in need of pre-sale planning and investment banking services.

                    Leora joined UBS in 2009 as an Investment Banker in the Power & Utilities Group, advising companies on strategic M&A and capital raising transactions, both domestically and cross-border.

                    Education
                    Leora is a CFA Charterholder and is on the Young Leaders committee at the CFA Society of NY. She is also a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA). Leora holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Connecticut Honors School. She holds her Series 7 and Series 63 licenses.

                    Leora is married, with four sons, and resides in Holmdel, New Jersey.
                  • Jennifer Miara

                    Jennifer Miara

                    Executive Director

                    Ultra High Net Worth Lending Specialist, Lending Origination

                    Jennifer Miara is an Executive Director, Tailored Lending Specialist with over 20 years of experience in wealth management with a specialty both in HNW, UHNW, and commercial banking and lending. Some of Jennifer’s accomplishments include working as business head of banking and lending for a top 10 RIA and their family office services, running the national banking and lending group for UHNW clients at US Bank directly with the group’s chief credit officer, and also helping manage several of the top 10 AmLaw 100 global law firms.

                  Connecting families to capabilities that matter

                  Connecting families to capabilities that matter

                  From meaningful lives to purposeful legacies

                  From meaningful lives to purposeful legacies

                  Family offices

                  Family offices

                  Backed by the strength of UBS

                  A global leader in wealth management

                  $5+ trillion

                  In invested assets globally 
                  As of 11/07/2023

                  Global leader

                  UBS is a world-leading wealth manager

                  51 countries

                  Our global footprint

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