ACG 101 Oct 22 2026 Family Office Panel

Brian is a trusted advisor to high-net-worth families, offering tailored family office consulting services focused on preserving and growing generational wealth. With more than 30 years of experience as a management consultant, corporate executive, and entrepreneur, Brian brings deep expertise in financial strategy, governance, and transition planning to the unique and complex needs of wealthy families. 

Brian specializes in guiding clients through critical financial and organizational milestones—whether navigating succession planning, managing liquidity events, establishing private foundations, or aligning family values with investment priorities. His background in corporate leadership and strategic planning enables him to bring a disciplined, enterprise-level approach to the family office environment, ensuring clarity, continuity, and confidence across generations. 

As the founder of two successful consulting firms, Brian has provided innovative tax resolution and financial recovery services to individuals and businesses alike—experience that translates directly to helping families mitigate risk, optimize structures, and maintain financial health in a changing landscape. 

Earlier in his career, Brian served as Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Universal Studios Hollywood, where he oversaw strategic and financial planning, accounting, and IT. He has also held senior financial roles at Coach, Villeroy & Boch, and Pepsi Cola Bottling Group. 

Brian is a Certified Public Accountant and maintains affiliations with KPMG, the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), and the California Society of CPAs. He has contributed to academic programs at UCLA Extension and California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where he served on advisory boards for Entrepreneurship and Taxation

Chris is part of a team of expert wealth, tax, estate, and service professionals who help ultrahigh-net-worth individuals, families, and their other advisors build and manage private office 
solutions optimized for the client’s unique situation and priorities. 

Prior to joining Armanino, he was president of CCM Management Group. He has also held 
senior positions with Citigroup Alternative Investments and Nextera.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, 
and an MBA in finance from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of 
Business.

Natalia Sokolova is an entrepreneur, investor, SAG-AFTRA member, and Co-Founder of SGG World, parent company of Verda Family Office, focused on safety, security, and autonomous systems. She serves as President & COO of Cytta Corp. and Cytta Air. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Maryland with degrees in Finance and International Business, Natalia is also the author of Unbreakable: The Guide to TrueWealth™ and a Fulfilled Life.