Meet Your Team
Our Trust & Legal team will soon be tasked with delivering a variety of fiduciary services. They will collaborate closely with clients, advisers, and outside professionals to help structure and manage solutions that require institutional support. Stay tuned for more info...
John Chavez, CFP®
Chief Executive Officer
A graduate of the University of Washington School of Business, John began his career at Merrill Lynch in 1994, where he built a planning-based team dedicated to serving affluent families & business owners. He has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, reflecting his dedication to excellence in financial planning and client service. With decades of experience in the wealth management industry, John brings deep expertise and strategic leadership to WaFd Wealth Management and knows what it takes to develop and deploy talent. Outside of work, he enjoys developing innovative solutions to everyday problems, plays golf, and enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.
Yana Soriano, JD
Wealth Management Compliance Officer
Yana has joined our regulatory compliance team with extensive experience in both fintech and financial services. She holds a B.A. in International Relations and Japanese from the University of Minnesota (summa cum laude) and a J.D. from the University of Washington. Though originally from Minneapolis, Yana has lived in Lynnwood, WA since 2001. Outside of work, she enjoys European travel, cooking, reading fantasy and sci-fi, true crime podcasts, and gardening. Yana has two adult daughters, a mischievous Pomeranian, and four cats.
William Plattner, JD
Trust Officer & Estate Specialist
A Seattle native, Will serves as a Trust Officer & Estate Specialist at WaFd Wealth Management and brings expertise in estate law, tax regulations, and trust structures. He collaborates closely with attorneys, CPAs, and our Finance Team to deliver comprehensive solutions tailored to clients' various needs. Will's diverse career spans public policy and legal services, with experience in Washington D.C., Washington state, and even a brief assignment in Alaska assisting with rural tax preparation. Will holds a BBA in Business Administration from Gonzaga University and earned both a JD and an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Washington School of Law. He and his wife currently live in the Seattle area and outside of work, Will enjoys hands-on projects and creative problem-solving, often finding fulfillment in building and improving things.