Matt plays a pivotal role at Bell Investment Advisors. As Chief Investment Officer, he has his finger on the pulse of the financial markets at all times, which drives his ability to direct our investment strategy. He is also the Managing Director who oversees day-to-day operations and the Client Services Team. He leads the monthly meeting of the Investment Committee, is a member of the Leadership Team, and, with Jim and Bonnie, constitutes the Executive Team. He has been a shareholder since 2006.

Matt especially appreciates the environment and culture at Bell. “It is a small, tightly-knit company that encourages both the independence of its employees and teamwork. It is a place where you are left alone to do your best work and where you have the constant opportunity to interact and innovate with your colleagues. Leadership is shared, and everyone has a voice.” 

What Matt loves most about his role as Chief Investment Officer is its ever-changing nature. Because the financial markets are always changing, he says, so is his job. No two days are the same. It is challenging and requires that he continually retool his thinking and stay informed about what is going on in the world.

Matt achieves genuine satisfaction by helping people with their investments, which he considers the key driver of whether or not they will meet their financial goals. “Investing is a difficult challenge for most people, through no fault of their own. Human beings are simply not wired to be good, rational decision-makers about their money. They need help. It is fulfilling to be able to provide that help from a background that not only includes financial education and experience, but an understanding of how human beings relate to their money from a behavioral finance perspective. When you can help clients understand why their behaviors toward investing and money are flawed and then correct those behaviors to help them become better investors or savers, that is a satisfying result.”

Matt was raised in the Bay Area, attended St. Ignatius High School in San Francisco, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in economics from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute in 2004. In addition, he holds Series 65 and 66 securities licenses. He is a member of the CFA Society of San Francisco.

When he is not working, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife, Johanna, playing with his kids, taking family trips, cooking, reading, attending Giants games, and following sports on television.