We're proud to be fee-only fiduciaries - that means we're always on your side. We hate high investment fees and love nerding out on tax plans. And we can't wait to meet you.
Your local financial advisors.
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Chris Wentzien, CFP®, CPA/PFS, MBA
President, Soccer Fiend, Top Banana
chris@naturalbridgesfa.com
Chris rides his bike to work every day and loves the Santa Cruz lifestyle. As far as we know, there is nothing in his closet but Hawaiian shirts. He used to play professional soccer, and he helped found the Santa Cruz County FC Revolution - a non-profit premier youth soccer club working with underserved children in Santa Cruz County.
His favorite donuts are maple, even though he says he's trying to eat healthier.
Financial Background:
- Chris is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist (CPA/PFS).
- He holds a BA in Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an MBA from Westminster College.
- He taught at the UCSC Extension Silicon Valley Personal Financial Planning Department.
- He was a Board Member of the Silicon Valley Financial Planning Association.
- Chris was on the Board of Directors for the Alliance of Comprehensive Planners (ACP), a nationwide non-profit community for financial planners, and was the 2020 ACP President.
- He is currently a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) and Alliance of Comprehensive Planners (ACP).
What’s your favorite movie quote?
"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary." - Robin Williams, Dead Poets Society
What’s one thing on your bucket list?
Learn how to speak Spanish.
Who is your role model, and why?
Mohammed Ali – A man who backed up what he said and risked everything for what he believed in.
On Friday nights, you can usually find me...
Walking on West Cliff or playing with my French bulldog Sunshine.
What are some causes you care about?
Disadvantaged kids, and sports.
What’s your secret superpower?
I make killer mashed potatoes!
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Sarah Brown, CFP®
Financial Planner, Yogi, Dog Whisperer
sarah@naturalbridgesfa.com
Sarah specializes in helping families save for college and retirement. She lives on the Westside with her husband, two teenagers, one dog, and two cats. Prior to joining Natural Bridges Financial Advisors, Sarah worked at a non-profit immersion learning center. She is a certified yoga teacher and enjoys practicing yoga and meditation at home. Sarah is dedicated to helping people live their best lives through good financial planning.
Sarah will eat a donut when pressed, but she is really a cookie monster.
Financial Background:
- Sarah is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.
- Sarah completed the Personal Financial Planning Certificate Program at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension.
- She holds a BA in Art History from Barnard College.
- Sarah is currently a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), the Financial Planning Association (FPA) , and Alliance of Comprehensive Planners (ACP).
What’s your favorite book?
Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
What’s one thing on your bucket list?
Travel to Machu Piccu.
On weekends, you can usually find me...
Hiking, gardening, or reading a book
What are some causes you care about?
Racial Justice, Anti-Racism work, and Zero Waste living
What’s your secret superpower?
I am a whiz at identifying dog breeds!
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Amanda Bikul
Client Services Associate, Supermom, Proud Nerd
amanda@naturalbridgesfa.com
Amanda lives with her family in beautiful Orange County, and enjoys adventuring in the outdoors. With a background in accounting and finance, she has a nerdy obsession with spreadsheets (don’t judge!).
Her favorite donut has got to be maple bacon.
Financial Background:
- Amanda has a BA in Finance from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
- She worked at Royal Alliance/AIG as a financial advisor.
- For 10 years, she prepared financial statements for American Funds and was the accountant for Investment Company of America, as well as a few other international equity funds.
What is your favorite book?
For a long time, I was just reading Winnie the Pooh and Charlotte's Web to my kiddos! When I had a chance to read something that was for me only, I re-read Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. The story covers 12th century families whose lives are intertwined over the course of decades and centers around one man’s drive to build a cathedral. I was so sad to say goodbye to the characters at the end of the book.
What is one thing on your bucket list?
Farming with my family. Getting some animals and growing a garden and enjoying some adventuring with my family. Maybe kayaking with my girls when they’re big enough and boating to waterfalls together.
On Friday nights, you can usually find me...
Around the dinner table or a board game sharing in stories with my family about how their day went and what plans we have for weekend adventures...
What are some causes you care about?
Education has been at the forefront of my mind for years. Through homeschool, we had an opportunity to pick grapefruits at a local farm to donate to the community cupboard with the 4-H group. Next month we’ll be donating our time for garden/clean up projects at our local elementary school.