Investment Banking Experts 2025

Patrick Schultz brings a sharp analytical edge to real estate investing, shaped by his experience as a research analyst for Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money. His deep understanding of financial markets, asset valuation, and investment strategies allows him to identify undervalued properties and optimize yield across his real estate portfolio. Alongside his wife, Hilary Schultz—a licensed real estate agent in Texas and Florida— their small family owned portfolio of businesses operate across every stage of residential real estate. They acquire homes, execute strategic renovations in SFR properties, and selectively retain assets that align with their long-term investment strategy. For Patrick and Hilary, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling—it’s about crafting solutions for homeowners. Whether purchasing homes for cash, revitalizing physically distressed properties, or helping sellers move forward with confidence, they approach every transaction with a problem-solving mindset. Their goal? Delivering outsized returns for investors while creating a delightful real estate experience for Texas home sellers.​

Patrick Schultz brings a sharp analytical edge to real estate investing, shaped by his experience as a research analyst for Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money. His deep understanding of financial markets, asset valuation, and investment strategies allows him to identify undervalued properties and optimize yield across his real estate portfolio. Alongside his wife, Hilary Schultz—a licensed real estate agent in Texas and Florida— their small family owned portfolio of businesses operate across every stage of residential real estate. They acquire homes, execute strategic renovations in SFR properties, and selectively retain assets that align with their long-term investment strategy. For Patrick and Hilary, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling—it’s about crafting solutions for homeowners. Whether purchasing homes for cash, revitalizing physically distressed properties, or helping sellers move forward with confidence, they approach every transaction with a problem-solving mindset. Their goal? Delivering outsized returns for investors while creating a delightful real estate experience for Texas home sellers.​

Some people list houses. Hilary Schultz builds solutions. With over 20 years in the industry as a licensed Realtor in Texas and Florida, she helps homeowners sell with confidence—whether through a fast and fair cash offer, a carefully structured listing, or a creative financing strategy. She and her husband operate a portfolio of real estate companies that cover every stage of the home-selling process. From acquiring and renovating distressed properties to managing long-term investments, their businesses are designed to create value while giving sellers real options. Hilary understands that no two home sales are alike, which is why she takes a problem-solving approach to every transaction. Her expertise in market trends, negotiations, and deal structuring allows her to help homeowners find the best path forward—quickly, efficiently, and with real financial results.

Patrick Schultz brings a sharp analytical edge to real estate investing, shaped by his experience as a research analyst for Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money. His deep understanding of financial markets, asset valuation, and investment strategies allows him to identify undervalued properties and optimize yield across his real estate portfolio. Alongside his wife, Hilary Schultz—a licensed real estate agent in Texas and Florida— their small family owned portfolio of businesses operate across every stage of residential real estate. They acquire homes, execute strategic renovations in SFR properties, and selectively retain assets that align with their long-term investment strategy. For Patrick and Hilary, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling—it’s about crafting solutions for homeowners. Whether purchasing homes for cash, revitalizing physically distressed properties, or helping sellers move forward with confidence, they approach every transaction with a problem-solving mindset. Their goal? Delivering outsized returns for investors while creating a delightful real estate experience for Texas home sellers.​

Damon Paull, AWMA® - Financial Advisor, Best-Selling Author, Military Veteran As a wealth management advisor and Amazon best-selling author in Money and Business, Damon Paull brings a military precision to financial journalism. His recent collaboration with former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss on "Empathetic Leadership" shows he can take complex financial concepts and turn them into stories that resonate with everyone. With over 8 years of industry experience and a background as a Marine Corps veteran and State Department contractor, Damon writes about: • Intergenerational wealth transfer • Corporate benefit plan optimization • Investment portfolio construction • Business succession planning • Veteran financial empowerment • Global market analysis through a geopolitical lens As a Wealth Management Advisor at Cetera Investors, Damon’s expertise goes beyond traditional financial planning. He uses cutting-edge financial technology and analysis tools to bring you fresh perspectives on emerging trends and investment opportunities. His writing style is data-driven with a storyline, making complex financial concepts accessible to sophisticated investors and general audiences. Regular contributor to discussions on wealth preservation, market dynamics and financial technology. Damon welcomes opportunities to provide professional commentary and in-depth analysis for financial publications looking for expert opinions on wealth management and investment strategies. For editorial inquiries or commentary: Damon Paull, AWMA Damon.Paull@ceterainvestors.com 832.535.2286 Glen Allen, VA Available for national and international commentary Cetera Investors. Damon Paull, Wealth Management Advisor. Securities and Insurance Products offered through Cetera Investment Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. 140 EASTSHORE DR. SUITE 105, GLEN ALLEN, VA 23059. 804-346-4670. The opinions expressed are those of the writer, not recommendations of Cetera Investment Services LLC or its representatives.

Sales and tech strategist driven to the front lines of the fintech evolution within the mortgage lending industry. Ambitiously working to create new opportunities, simplify processes, and pioneer modern solutions. Over 15 years of experience in the financial industry as an executive, strategist, consultant, trainer and team developer. •Founder of Liberty Financing LLC Previously: •Chief Strategy Officer at American Financing Corporation •Investment Advisor at Charles Schwab Knowledge and in depth experience ranges across technology innovation and integration (API, AI, Web design, SEO, SaaS), marketing, mortgage lending, business development, sales training, project management, data analysis and financial analysis. I’m passionate about providing the absolute best experience for our customers and the most rewarding career opportunities for our hard working high quality team members Current NMLS MLO State Licenses. Previously held FINRA Series 7 & Series 66 Licenses, Life and Health Insurance License, and Accredited Asset Management Specialist designation from the College of Financial Planning.

I am a U.S.-focused finance professional with over 10 years of experience in investment analysis, personal finance strategy, and accounting. I founded FinanceIdeas.org, where I publish real-world guides that help individuals and families solve complex financial problems; from retirement anxiety to market panic. My background blends academia, corporate finance, and consulting. I have served as a lecturer in accounting and as a financial analyst supporting strategic decisions in the investment sector. Today, I share my research-backed financial strategies in global media outlets and academic platforms like SSRN and ResearchGate. I specialize in topics such as investment psychology, risk-adjusted portfolio strategies, crypto investing, and behavior-driven financial planning. My goal is to translate timeless financial wisdom into actionable steps anyone can use to build long-term wealth. Need expert insights on crypto, investing, Accounting or financial panic-proofing? Contact me via FinanceIdeas.org or just e-mail me directly at kumartaposbanarjee@gmail.com

Holly Andrews is the Managing Director and Mortgage Advisor at KIS Finance, with over 20 years of experience in finance and insurance. She began her career in 2007 as a Secured Loans Underwriter, later transitioning into roles focusing on customer service and compliance. In 2015, Holly took over as Managing Director of KIS Finance, specializing in Bridging Finance and Equity Release. Holly’s expertise spans all types of mortgages, property investing, money management, and business start-ups. Holly is known for her hands-on leadership, continually improving business procedures and delivering tailored financial solutions. Her professional qualifications include CeMAP, CeRGI, CeRCH, and CeRER. Outside of work, she enjoys gaming, cooking, and raising awareness for autism.

Investor, entrepreneur, and founder of Invested Mom, empowering individuals to achieve financial independence and live unrestricted lives. With expertise spanning corporate leadership, wealth building, and content creation, I help others master investing strategies that transform financial futures. Former Tesla executive where I managed billion-dollar revenue recognition and led teams of over 100 people, I successfully transitioned from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, retiring at 38 through strategic investing in stocks, real estate, and business ventures. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, my entrepreneurial journey began at age 9 selling fudge to schoolmates. Today, I leverage my diverse experience to guide others, particularly women, in breaking free from traditional employment constraints to control their time, resources, and financial destinies. As the author of the upcoming book "Living Unrestricted," I share practical frameworks for wealth creation that anyone can implement regardless of their starting point. My approach combines personal transformation with actionable financial strategies that have helped countless individuals replace their income through investing and build lasting wealth. Co-founder of Penfriend, an AI-powered content creation tool developed to solve the challenges of content operations and management that I experienced firsthand as a business owner. Passionate about democratizing wealth and financial education, I believe everyone deserves access to the knowledge and tools needed to secure their financial future.

Earl Yaokasin, CFA, is an investment manager who runs WealthArch Investment Services in Pasadena, CA. He is a fiduciary with over twenty years of experience, and whose entire personal portfolio is managed by the firm in the same investments as the company’s clients. His firm focuses on value investing, similar to Warren Buffet’s successful approach, and disciplined strategies designed to create growth with downside protection, enabling clients to move steadily towards their life goals and aspirations with confidence.

If you’re here, you’re probably curious about who I am and what we do at spectup. Let me fill you in. I started my career with a banking apprenticeship, thinking I’d spend my life crunching numbers. But then I discovered startups—and everything changed. At N26, the fintech unicorn, I got my first taste of the fast-paced world of innovation. I fell in love with the chaos, creativity, and energy. After that, I joined Civey, where I dove into digital market research, business models, and marketing strategies. Then came Deutsche Bahn, where I worked on international expansion, competitor analysis, and market strategies. I learned how to make sense of complex industries (global transport markets, anyone?) and drive growth. At diffferent (yes, that’s how it’s spelled), I helped brands like Audi and Zalando identify growth opportunities and design innovative business strategies. And at Deloitte’s Innovation & Ventures team, I worked on building future-proof businesses with cutting-edge tech. One highlight? Leading 30+ projects at the BMW Startup Garage, helping startups find their place in the world of mobility. That’s where I saw the real power of connecting startups with the right partners. Now, I’m building spectup. We work with growth-stage companies and select early-stage startups, helping them raise capital, connect with the right investors, and position themselves for long-term success. We also work with investors—PEs, VCs, angels, and family offices—helping them find promising, vetted companies to invest in without spending countless hours on due diligence. Why? Because startups fail too often, and investors waste too much time looking for the right opportunities. We’re here to bridge that gap. Whether you’re a founder looking for investors or an investor seeking quality opportunities, spectup is about making those connections—and making them work.

A senior marketing strategist with over two decades of experience leading high-impact growth initiatives across fintech, consumer, and digital first industries. I specialize in building marketing infrastructures from the ground up aligning data, creative, and customer behavior to drive measurable business outcomes. Currently, I serve as Director of Marketing at Tradesk, where I’ve been leading go-to-market, performance, and retention strategy in one of the most regulated and competitive verticals in tech. From launching a FINRA compliant behavioral loyalty engine to building our CRM and funnel architecture, I’ve helped shape how we acquire, educate, and retain users with a strong focus on long-term AUM growth and platform engagement. Over the years, I’ve run campaigns across Meta, Google, and every major biddable media channel, driving consistent gains in CAC efficiency, ROI, and mid-funnel conversion. But my strength isn’t just in execution it’s in translating complex, often fragmented insights into clear, strategic narratives that move teams and customers alike. I’ve worked both agency-side and in-house, and I’ve seen firsthand how the best growth comes from systems that connect brand, product, and performance not just from tactics. I take pride in building those systems, mentoring teams, and creating marketing that earns attention because it adds value. If there's one through line in my work, it’s this, clarity wins. Whether you're building a brand or educating a user, the ability to communicate simply and strategically is the most underused advantage in modern marketing.