IEQ Capital Founders Dominate Forbes List, Capping Meteoric Rise

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – April 22, 2026 – In a striking validation of its rapid ascent in the competitive world of high-stakes finance, independent wealth management firm IEQ Capital saw four of its founders named to the prestigious Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list. The announcement today confirmed that Robert Skinner, Alan Zafran, Eric Harrison, and Jeff Westsmith were all ranked among the top ten advisors in Northern California, a region saturated with tech fortunes and discerning investors.

For a firm established only in 2019, having a quartet of its leaders recognized at this level is a significant achievement. It not only highlights the individual expertise of its founders but also cements IEQ Capital's position as a dominant force in the exclusive ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) advisory space. This accolade serves as a powerful bookend to a period of explosive growth, strategic expansion, and a steadfast focus on a client-centric model that appears to be reshaping expectations.

A Blueprint for Explosive Growth

IEQ Capital's journey from a startup to a $42 billion powerhouse is a case study in strategic execution. The firm was launched in 2019 by a team of seasoned advisors who had previously built and sold a successful firm, Luminous Capital, to First Republic Bank in 2012. After managing a staggering $17 billion portfolio at the bank, the core team departed to establish IEQ, starting with an impressive initial asset base of approximately $7 billion.

In the seven years since, the firm's growth has been nothing short of meteoric. Through a combination of organic client acquisition and strategic M&A activity, IEQ has expanded its assets under management more than six-fold. A pivotal moment in this trajectory was the firm's acquisition of EPIQ Capital Group in late 2025. EPIQ, another Bay Area-based multi-family office with a focus on clients worth over $100 million, brought $5.3 billion in AUM and expanded IEQ's national footprint into key markets like Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami.

This rapid scaling reflects a deep-seated trust the market has placed in the firm's capabilities. The founders' proven track record, which stretches back to their time at Luminous and even earlier at institutions like Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch, provided a foundation of credibility that few new firms enjoy. They have successfully leveraged this history to attract a sophisticated clientele seeking a blend of institutional-level access to investments and the personalized touch of a boutique advisory.

"The recognition of multiple advisors within the same region reflects the depth of experience across our team and our shared commitment to clients," said Megan Whyte, Partner and Chief Client Officer at IEQ Capital, in a statement. "We believe consistent, thoughtful decision-making and a long-term perspective are central to how we serve families and institutions."

The Architects of a Wealth Dynasty

The collective honor from Forbes is a reflection of the distinct and complementary skills of the firm's founding partners. Each brings a unique specialization to the table, creating a formidable brain trust for navigating the complexities of multi-generational wealth.

• Robert Skinner, who serves as Co-Founder, Managing Partner, and chairs the firm's Investment Committee, is the architect of IEQ's investment strategy. With a career that began at Fidelity and Merrill Lynch, he co-founded Luminous Capital and honed an investment philosophy centered on tax-aware portfolio construction and identifying unique opportunities in less-crowded private markets.

• Alan Zafran, also a Co-Founder and Managing Partner, has over three decades of experience advising wealthy families, beginning his career at Goldman Sachs. With degrees from Stanford and Harvard Business School, his expertise is crucial in managing complex client relationships and serving on the Investment Committee.

• Eric Harrison, a Co-Founder and Managing Partner with a background in venture capital and private equity at firms like Crosspoint Venture Partners and GI Partners, brings an operator's perspective. He is responsible for structuring alternative investments and managing the firm's overall operations.

• Jeff Westsmith, a Founding Partner and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), oversees the firm's entire research group. His two decades of experience, starting at Fidelity and Merrill Lynch before co-founding Luminous, provide the analytical backbone for the firm's investment decisions.

This combination of investment acumen, operational expertise, and deep research capabilities underpins the firm's value proposition: providing UHNW clients with strategies typically reserved for large institutions, but delivered with the agility and focus of an independent advisor.

Decoding the 'Best-in-State' Accolade

For potential clients navigating the opaque world of wealth management, industry rankings like the one from Forbes can be a valuable, if sometimes misunderstood, tool. Produced by the independent firm SHOOK Research, the Best-in-State list is not a measure of portfolio performance. This is a critical distinction, as investment returns are highly dependent on individual client goals and risk tolerance.

Instead, the SHOOK methodology is built on a rigorous qualitative and quantitative algorithm. It involves in-depth interviews with advisors to assess their client service models, industry experience, and best practices. Researchers also scrutinize compliance records, revenue trends, and assets under management. The goal, according to SHOOK, is to identify industry "role models" who provide a superior client experience.

IEQ's success in this ranking, therefore, speaks less to short-term market gains and more to the fundamental structure of its practice. It suggests a firm built on a foundation of strong compliance, deep experience, and a business model that clients find compelling. In an industry where trust is the ultimate currency, such a third-party validation carries significant weight and offers a glimpse into the operational and ethical standards that define a top-tier firm.

This achievement places IEQ Capital squarely among the elite in Northern California's wealth management ecosystem, a landscape populated by global financial giants and established regional players. The firm's ability to not only compete but to stand out in this environment signals a powerful resonance of its independent, client-first model in an era of increasing industry consolidation.