Barbara Bernstein, CFP^®
& Heather Quinn, CFP^®, ChFC^®

With expertise in tax efficiency, risk management, retirement planning, investment strategy, and wealth preservation and distribution, wealth management advisors Heather Quinn and Barbara Bernstein guide their clients through the complexities of managing their income, optimizing their benefits and realizing a secure financial future. 

Both Barbara and Heather worked as producers in the entertainment industry after earning their undergraduate degrees—Barbara from the University of California, Berkeley and Heather from Loyola Marymount University. Barbara transitioned to the financial services industry in 2012 and Heather did the same in 2019.

Tell us about your work.

We work with professionals in various industries providing comprehensive financial planning, including risk management, retirement planning, investment strategy, tax efficiency, and wealth preservation and distribution. We help clients build and follow a road map to a secure financial future.

What inspired you to pursue a career in financial services?

Both of us came from jobs as entertainment executives. While we maintain a love and appreciation for that industry, we wanted to do work that addressed people’s biggest concerns in life—which are primarily financial. Many people are overwhelmed by financial complexities such as investment management, and even with success in their field, integrating their goals and their finances can be daunting. We enjoy helping people identify their most important goals and devise a road map for getting there.

Describe your dream client.

Our dream client is busy running a business, and they don’t have the time, desire or bandwidth to tackle the financial planning process on their own. They look to us to form a partnership with trusted advisors.

How is your company leading the way with women in positions of authority?

You could say it’s leading the way by being in the right place at the right time. Research has shown that women tend to prefer working with other women when seeking financial advice. With an infrastructure that supports the success of financial advisors who are women, Northwestern Mutual is well positioned to be the go-to company for women seeking financial advice as the great wealth transfer occurs and more and more women become breadwinners for their families.

Do you travel for work?

We have clients all across the country, and luckily technology in 2024 allows us to work with clients wherever they are. When we do travel, it is often for public speaking opportunities and educational events centered around women and their finances.

What can we each do to support other women in business?

Be generous with your network and help other women make meaningful connections. Everyone knows women who could benefit from meeting one another. We do this for our clients and other women in our network whenever we feel there is synergy or an opportunity to connect for professional growth.

How does authenticity impact your work?

Money matters are incredibly personal, sensitive and often emotional. As advisors, authenticity is critical in helping clients feel comfortable being candid with us. Often what people want to do with their money is not what they should be doing, and we need the courage to have hard conversations and encourage progress.

What is your current passion project?

We’ve greatly enjoyed hosting a quarterly dinner salon to connect our clients, allowing them to meet other great professionals in a relaxed setting. Guests at the salon share great food, wine and interesting conversation at unique venues throughout Los Angeles.

What are the latest trends in your industry?

We work with clients in different ways and have noticed a trend toward increased interest in fee-based planning, which we love to provide. We find that even if they may have existing advisors in the financial space, people may employ us to bring the disparate pieces together and see their whole financial picture in one place.

Disclaimer: Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries, including Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance), Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, and member of FINRA and SIPC, and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and trust services), a federal savings bank. NM and its subsidiaries are in Milwaukee, WI. Heather Quinn and Barbara Bernstein use Fortuna Wealth Management, Legacy Strategies and Insurance Solutions as a marketing name for doing business as a representative of Northwestern Mutual. Fortuna Wealth Management, Legacy Strategies and Insurance Solutions is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, insurance agency or federal savings bank. Heather Quinn and Barbara Bernstein are Insurance Agents of NM and NLTC. Investment brokerage services provided as a Registered Representative of NMIS. Investment advisory services provided as an Advisor of NMWMC.

Photographed by Fabien & Laura Castro