Meet the Team

Sjoerd serves as the Director of Trading and Unified Managed Accounts at Bleakley, having joined the firm as an intern in March 2016. With a solid foundation in financial economics and mathematics from Caldwell University, and further honed by achieving the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in April 2023, Sjoerd has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill in investment research, portfolio analysis, and strategic financial planning. His rise through the ranks to his current position, which he assumed in January 2024, underscores his dedication to excellence and a keen analytical acumen that significantly contributes to our firm's strategic direction and operational efficiency. 

In his current role, Sjoerd is instrumental in shaping the firm's trading strategies and unified managed account offerings, to help ensure that our investment strategies not only meet but exceed our clients' expectations. His leadership is characterized by a forward-thinking approach and a deep commitment to the financial industry.

Outside of work, Sjoerd cherishes the time spent with his family. He enjoys exploring the outdoors and creating lasting memories with his wife, Alondra, their daughter, Layla, and their two Labradors, Holland and Oakley.

In his role as Chief Investment Officer, Peter leads the team that is responsible for the development, management and oversight of Bleakley’s investment management program, managing the investment committee, and setting the firm’s overall investment philosophy, global investment outlook and asset allocation decisions. Peter also is the portfolio manager of a global macro multi-asset strategy and one focused on global income.

David is the Portfolio Manager of the Bleakley Benestar Investment Strategy, which focuses on the vast healthcare, life sciences and wellness sectors. David is also a member of Bleakley’s Investment Committee.

David’s investment management and sector focused experience is extensive and broad-based. Prior to joining Bleakley, David spent nearly two decades managing healthcare sector investment portfolios at major hedge funds, including 14 years at Omega Advisors, where he served as Partner, Portfolio Manager and Healthcare Sector Head.

Previously, David was a healthcare lawyer at leading law firms and within industry, where he advised on complex regulatory, legislative and policy matters, and helped structure M&A, capital financings and other corporate transactions for diverse healthcare organizations. Additionally, David has managed private investments for a strategic venture fund.

David has a B.A. in Political Science from Clark University, a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, an M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern School of Business, and an M.P.H. from Yale University.

David lives in Weston, CT, is avid about fitness, a passionate and long-suffering Knicks fan, a history buff, and most enjoys spending time with his wife Amy and their two children, Julia and Sam.

Marlene has a multifaceted role as part of the HR department, providing emotional support to employees through one-on-one interactions, facilitating team-building activities, and enhancing communication and trust across the firm. For the last 7 years she has been responsible for shaping and maintaining the firm's culture, ensuring a positive and productive work environment for everyone.

Marlene offers coaching services to Bleakley’s clients as well, helping them navigate through various life circumstances. She is a dedicated coach with close to a decade of experience empowering individuals to achieve their personal and professional goals.

In 2016, Marlene received her coaching certification from The Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC). She has been a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) since 2017.

In her free time, Marlene enjoys working out, being outdoors, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Steve has been with the firm for over 20 years, is the Chairman of our Investment Committee, and a member of our Executive Committee. He also chairs the subcommittees for our UMA program, Alternative Investments, & Structured Products.  He is a member of the subcommittees for our Firm’s Model Portfolios and for Group Retirement Plans. His primary responsibility is to serve as co-captain of our “Think Tank” where investment portfolios are analyzed, and proposals are written.  Steve often joins our advisors on Zoom calls with clients to explain investment topics in detail.

Prior to joining Bleakley in 2002, Steve worked for the mutual fund family Alliance Bernstein and the insurance company Northwestern Mutual. He graduated from West Chester University with a B.S. in Economics and a B.S. in Finance.

He married his high school sweetheart, Mary, in 2003.  They now have three great kids. Steve loves to run, bike, & ski.

Stephanie works closely with retirement plan sponsors consulting on fiduciary, investment, operational and regulatory issues relating to Bleakley’s retirement plan practice.

Prior to joining Bleakley, Stephanie spent 14 years specializing in retirement in both sales and client services at Unified Trust Company, a national retirement plan record-keeper. Stephanie was also involved in establishing and executing strategic business initiatives for the firm. 

Stephanie received a BBA in Finance from the University of Kentucky Carol Martin Gatton College of Business & Economics.  She also holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Morehead State University and received the Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) credential through ASPPA in 2013.

Stephanie and her husband reside in Central Kentucky and are the proud parents of three children. When she is not working or busy with her children’s activities, Stephanie enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats.

Joseph has served as the director of advanced planning for the firm since 2000. He leads a team of analysts who are responsible for creating financial plans for clients including retirement and estate tax proposals, investment portfolio analysis, education projections, and life insurance proposals. Joseph conducts extensive research on investment and insurance vehicles, estate planning concepts and market trends, and manages clients’ investment accounts by performing quarterly reviews, proposals and tax management.

Prior to joining the firm, Joseph spent four years with The Prudential Insurance Company as a consultant assisting top-producing agents in case development, utilizing advanced marketing concepts such as deferred compensation, split-dollar and executive bonus plans, and analyzing needs and identifying opportunities to offer competitive, creative case planning for proposed clients. Joseph also worked for New York Life Insurance Company as a planner and mentor working with field force in developing financial plans for clients.

Joseph earned a BA in Accounting from Widener University and an MBA in Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He holds life and health insurance licenses, as well as the FINRA series 7, series 63 and series 66 registrations through LPL Financial.