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About Swiss American Wealth Advisors

ONE TEAM UNDER ONE ROOF

Our Story

Living in a country different from the one where you grew up or were born can be an amazing experience. We did it, and we loved it! But the financial complexities that come with crossborder living - how amazing are those?

If we asked you: “What drove you to move abroad? What was your main motivation for seeking the experience of living in another country?” Your answer would probably sound something like this: “To enjoy the delightful complexities of crossborder finance, investment, and taxation rules. My friends and family raved about this aspect of living abroad and I just knew I had to experience it firsthand!”

What’s that? No? That’s not it? Yeah, we didn’t think so!

When we first experienced those complexities, they weren’t a lot of fun for us either. Swiss American Wealth Advisors was founded to be the partner we needed so badly when we were in your situation - an experienced, professional team who understands how to integrate the tax worlds and financial systems of the US and Switzerland.

We work in partnership with clients like you to streamline and simplify your crossborder finances to free up the space that financial, investment, and tax complexities currently occupy in your mind so you can focus on what matters most to you: living the true purpose that took you abroad.

Meet the Swiss American Wealth Team

Marina Hernandez

Founder and CEO

 

Marina Hernandez,
EA, CFP®, MBA

Founder and CEO
US/Swiss Wealth Advisor

I am Argentinian and Spanish by birth and American by choice. After a career in corporate finance at large multinational companies like Coca Cola, and living in three different continents, in 2009 I started a tax firm, MHTax, to provide tax consulting, preparation and representation services to US immigrants and expats.

In 2013, I became a CFP® professional. I spent the following six years as a crossborder wealth manager, advising families with US and Swiss ties. This experience ignited the desire to start a wealth advisory services firm that would offer a multifaceted approach to serve the complex needs of globally mobile families and that would provide an environment designed to attract, develop and reward a diverse and talented team.

Outside of Swiss American, I teach crossborder planning to CPAs, EAs, CFP®s, CFAs and other tax and financial professionals through Tax Practice Pro and the Global Financial Planning Institute. I live near Philadelphia with my husband and our three sons, who come and go as they transition into adulthood and find their own path to financial independence.

Professional
Education

Public Accountant, Catholic University of Argentina
MBA, The University of Georgia

Credentials

Enrolled to Practice before the Internal Revenue Service, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™.

Areas of specialty

US/Swiss crossborder tax, small business, equity compensation, and philanthropic planning.

I help clients

Grow their after-tax wealth and the value of their family businesses; leave meaningful legacies for the people and causes they most care about.

Personal values

Education, equity and gratitude. Education is the great equalizer. Without equity, fairness and justice are not possible. Being grateful for our good fortune and paying it forward is the key to happiness and shared prosperity.

Favorite social activity

Argentinian “comilonas”. The best sandwich (choripan), the best ice-cream (Persicco), the best drink (mate) and the best food traditions (asados on Sundays, ñoquis on the 29th).

Favorite solo activity

Walking and hiking. Connecting with nature, being outdoors and simultaneously enjoying my second favorite activity: audio “reading”. What could be better?

US or Swiss?

Not even a fair question. What’s your favorite Swiss beach? Exactly! Plus, everyone knows where the best chocolate comes from: Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Andrew Leeman

Financial Planner

 

Andrew Leeman

Associate Planner

My interest in business and money started when I was very young, and I was blessed to have firsthand examples of entrepreneurship and hard work growing up around my grandfather’s national Swiss cheese manufacturing company.

A curiosity for the world and seeking discomfort for personal and professional growth led me to studying in Florence, Italy and Geneva, Switzerland. While in Geneva I interned at an NGO focused on international trade and sustainability. Many döner kebabs, chocolates, pizzas, cannoli, and gallons of gelato later, I returned to the US and started a career in financial services with a Fortune 100 company. Five years later, I joined Swiss American after developing a keen interest in working with globally mobile clients whose financial lives cross borders.

Outside of Swiss American you can find me at the gym, traveling, learning new skills, and anywhere there's great food! I live near Cleveland, Ohio and enjoy spending time with friends and family

Professional
Education

BBA in Economics, Kent State University

Credentials

Currently pursuing the enrolled agent tax credential and the CFP® certification.

Areas of specialty

Providing support in all areas of financial planning, including how to best leverage FinTech tools to improve consistency and increase effectiveness.

I help clients

Align their dreams, goals, purpose, and values with their wealth.

Personal values

Adventure, Fitness, and Integrity. Adventure to seek discomfort for personal and professional growth. Physical and mental fitness to remain healthy and of service to others. Integrity to stand up for what I believe in and always do what is right.

Favorite social activity

Traveling the world with friends and family and experiencing new cultures.

Favorite solo activity

Hitting the gym for a great workout, but I always welcome a training partner.

US or Swiss?

Switzerland is a beautiful country. I always enjoy my time there and I highly recommend skydiving over the Swiss Alps. Though Swiss chocolate and fondue will always be #1, my ancestors from Bern chose the US -and I agree!

Our Mission

To empower and help globally minded clients to live meaningful lives with confidence and financial clarity.

Our Values

Excellence

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act, but a habit.”

- Aristotle

We work hard and we work smart, continually evolving and looking for ways to improve how we do things, to improve outcomes for ourselves and for you. We understand that excellence is a journey, not a destination.

Collaboration

“Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people.”

– Steve Jobs

When you work with us, you are a client of our firm and are served by all of us. We bring our complementary skills and diverse cultural backgrounds to work for you, collaboratively, as your financial advisory team.

Lifelong Learning

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional”

– John C. Maxwell.

The world is changing at an accelerated pace. Your life is also constantly changing. We are continually studying and furthering our professional skills to understand how these changes impact your lives and to help you stay ahead of the game.

Client Value

“Price is what you pay, value is what you get.”

– Warren Buffet.

Our fees reflect the quality of our professional work and the value that we provide to clients. Our goal is to help you grow your wealth in ways that you find so valuable that you choose to continue to work with us and pay our fee year after year after year.

What Makes Us Different?

Swiss American Wealth Advisors operates through a Pennsylvania Benefit Company. PA Benefit Companies voluntarily choose to be purpose-driven, for-profit businesses that create a benefit for all stakeholders: clients, employees, and the communities in which they operate.

  • Why we made this choice

    We believe that we have the responsibility to be the change we seek in the world. We are a for-profit business focused on helping our clients live better lives. However, a key measure of our success is also  having a positive impact in the wellbeing of our employees, our community and our environment.

  • Transparency

    Every April, we prepare and disclose, as a matter of public record, an Annual Benefit Report describing our efforts to create a public benefit during the preceding year. Our first report will be issued in April 2021 and will be available for download through the Disclosures section in our website.

  • Specific Public Benefit

    In addition to our general goal of benefiting all stakeholders, we have chosen to support, through financial contributions and by volunteering our time, initiatives that promote access to education and nutrition to underprivileged children. These initiatives provide free financial education to immigrant and expatriate families.

  • Sharing is caring

    If you are aware of any groups or organizations promoting initiatives consistent with our specific public purpose, and you believe that they could benefit from our support, please reach out to us at caring@swissamericanwealth.com. Thank you!

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