Name: Diane Hart
Firm: UBS Wealth Management
Location: Pasadena, CA
Team Custodied Assets: $1 billion
Background: Diane Hart grew up in Taiwan in a traditional Chinese family where she says she didn’t initially have much hope of having a career. Her big break came when she was 20-years-old and got a job as a secretary at a branch of Security Pacific bank in Taiwan. She saved up and eventually moved to the United States to get her finance degree from Golden Gate University, where she graduated in 1994. She was recruited by Bank of America in 1997 to help with their international private banking business. In 2007, she leveraged her experience working with portfolio managers at the bank to transition into financial advisory at UBS. Hart quickly built her book by targeting Asian-American clientele in Southern California, with many of her clients coming to the United States from Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. The majority are business owners in industries such as manufacturing and technology; Hart typically visits clients in Asia two to three times a year.
Competitive Edge: “Everyone on my team are first generation immigrants and fluent in Mandarin,” says Hart. “That’s how we can really service our clients in so many other ways beyond just the numbers.” She points out that many of her Asian-American clients have complex cross-border relationships: Many of the younger generation will come to the United States for education while their family is back home, for instance. This requires more flexibility and longer hours than what domestic advisors typically deal with, Hart says: “I speak the language and know the culture… That’s my niche.”
Investment Approach: Hart believes in deeply getting to know her clients before building portfolios. “It’s like a restaurant asking about allergies—you have to tailor investments the same way,” she says. Hart focuses heavily on asset allocation, making sure her clients understand the reasoning behind each investment decision. “I take the time to educate my clients because I’m working for them for life,” she says. Hart primarily manages advisory accounts and incorporates alternative investments such as credit and infrastructure funds to enhance returns and lower volatility. “Rebalancing your portfolio is key—it’s how you take profits and manage risk,” she adds.
Investment Outlook: Hart remains bullish on U.S. equities, predicting the market can continue to grind higher this year. “Looking forward in 2025, we think the S&P 500 will likely end the year around 6,600 (roughly 10% higher than current levels),” she says, highlighting opportunities that she sees in sectors like financials, utilities and technology. “Think about the early 2000s—nobody had an iPhone,” says Hart. “Now we’re entering a new AI era, and if you are patient enough, you can find companies with strong earnings and business prospects.” In terms of monetary policy, she expects two more interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve this year, which should make investment-grade corporate bonds more attractive. “With every single client, I always prepare them for volatility—there is always uncertainty ahead and that can be scary,” says Hart. “But if we diversify carefully, we can adjust portfolios accordingly.”
Best Advice: “Be prepared for the unknown, whether it’s a big opportunity or volatility ahead,” says Hart. “You will be okay and will always learn something.”
Gender Diversity: Hart has witnessed a dramatic shift in the industry since she started. “When I joined UBS, I was the minority’s minority—95% of advisors were male,” she recalls. “Now I attend UBS events and see so many promising female advisors.” She also believes being a woman in the industry has its advantages, especially in client relationships: “We tend to be more detail-oriented, service-oriented and better listeners, which makes a difference in this job.”
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