MENLO
PARK
Forum Financial Management is a financial planning provider with advisors in Menlo Park, California, and across the United States, who want to help you reimagine your financial life. With expertise in financial planning, retirement planning, tax planning, and more, the Menlo Park team can help you reflect on your financial journey to clearly define your goals and put them into action with a comprehensive plan tailored for you.
EXPLORE
FORUM FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
FINANCIAL PLANNING THAT VALUES THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
We value relationships at Forum, which is evident in how Forum Partner Julie Schatz and Forum Partner Jennifer Cray approach financial planning with clients. The Menlo Park philosophy has its origins in the camaraderie of the entire Menlo Park team. Julie and Jennifer are advocates for their clients to find joy in their accomplishments by offering support and guidance both during good times and also when traveling down the inevitable bumpy roads.
They choose to work with clients comprehensively, approaching financial planning with a wide-angle lens versus a strictly narrow focus. Julie and Jennifer know from years of experience working in different industries in and around Silicon Valley that when your financial plan is in order, you gain financial confidence.
“Before moving into our offices, the #1 rule was no mahogany.”
— Julie and Jennifer on their vision for creating a welcoming office space with an emphasis on fun
SEE THE BIG PICTURE TO REVEAL WHAT IS IMPORTANT
Julie and Jennifer tailor their approach to each client by evaluating short-term and long-term financial goals, risk tolerance, and personal values. They understand that achieving goals requires discipline and balance. Small actions over time can make a huge difference to their clients’ financial health. Most people are not born to wealth, and fortunately they don’t have to be in order to build a financially secure life.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area, the Menlo Park team provides clear, independent, objective advice across four main areas of wealth management: financial planning, portfolio management, tax planning, and retirement planning.
OUR FINANCIAL PLANNING SERVICES
Julie and Jennifer start by developing an understanding of a client’s full financial picture.
Any of these topics could be addressed as needed:
- Financial independence planning
- Portfolio and 401(k) allocations
- Insurance review (life, home, auto, and liability)
- Estate planning
- Employee benefits, stock options, and 10(b)5-1 strategies
- Income property, whether commercial or residential
- Cash flow
- College planning
- Charity and gifting
- Tax planning and tax strategies
FIND A FINANCIAL PLANNER IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
We have focused on investing in our people and technology at Forum Financial Management so our financial advisors in Menlo Park, California, can better meet the needs of clients. Client relationships are at the foundation of our financial planning approach. Find out how we can help you reach your financial goals, call 866.966.9291 or send an email to the Forum Menlo Park team at menlopark@forumfinancial.com.
Julie Schatz
CFP® | Partner
Jennifer Cray
CFP® | Partner
Niki Theil
CFP® | Client Service Associate
Katie Shinnick
Client Service Associate
Drew Shinnick
Client Service Associate
Ozo Umeh
Client Service Associate
A PERSONAL APPROACH
Tell Us About Your Financial Life and Aspirations
Your experience begins with an initial meeting to identify your financial vision for the future and risk tolerance levels. We review our investment philosophy and approach with you so that you fully understand each milestone of our process and how our relationship will evolve over time.
PREVIOUS 
Discuss Topics Crucial to Your Financial Success
Over the course of the next few meetings, the content and breadth of each meeting is defined by your personal needs. We can review your estate planning and risk management needs, discuss retirement accumulation or distribution planning, evaluate educational funding needs, review your tax situation, and go over any other items crucial to your financial success.
PREVIOUS Develop a Strategic Plan Unique to You
Once you select an allocation, we put together a strategic implementation plan that will coordinate investment of your portfolio between qualified (tax-advantaged) assets and non-qualified assets in order to maximize tax efficiency. The topics we address during our time with you vary depending on your unique needs and situation.
Putting Your Plan Into Action
We establish your Forum account based on the portfolio allocation we discussed and what we learned about your risk tolerance and financial goals. With your new Forum account now in place, you will have the opportunity to access your Forum Client Portal for the first time and connect with members of the Forum Client Service team.
Review Goals and Plans When Your Life Changes
You will receive reporting that will clearly show your performance net of all fees and compared to applicable market indexes. Additionally your assets are held at a reputable third-party custodian that furnishes independent monthly reports so you can feel confident about the safe handling of your money.
