Seattle’s New Mindset: From Wealth Accumulation to Wealth Alignment

When I look at the clients I serve here in Seattle — many of whom are startup founders, tech executives, or professionals navigating liquidity events — I see a common thread. They’re accumulating wealth at a younger age than we’ve seen in generations past. But more importantly, I’m seeing a shift in what they want from wealth accumulation to wealth alignment.

As I discussed in a recent Puget Sound Business Journal article, financial security still matters. But today’s clients want more than a strong portfolio. They want a life that feels purposeful, and they want to align their wealth and values.

More than just a nest egg

In my early years as an advisor, the prevailing mindset among many clients centered on steadily accumulating assets. The primary goal was to leave behind as much as possible for the next generation. Legacy planning was often a driving force. 

Today, that perspective feels like it’s evolving. More and more, the conversations I’m having are less about maximizing an eventual inheritance and more about exploring what wealth can make possible right now. Clients are thinking about how to live a fulfilled life, support their families meaningfully, and contribute to causes they care about — all within their lifetimes.  

The conversations I have now are less about maximizing inheritance and more about what this wealth makes possible today.

Clients are asking: 

• How can I use my resources to support my family now, not just after I’m gone? 
• What does giving back look like in a personal and authentic way? 
• Am I living in a way that reflects my values? 

This is what I call the move from accumulation to alignment. And in a city like Seattle — where innovation, impact, and individuality run deep — it’s no surprise that this mindset is taking root

Investing with intention: The rise of value-based investing

One of the more tangible ways this mindset shift shows up is in how clients think about investing. It’s no longer just about performance on a spreadsheet or chasing the highest return. People are increasingly asking: What does my portfolio say about me? 

That’s where value-based investing comes in. 

It’s about using your investments to reflect what matters most — supporting long-term sustainability, investing in innovation, aligning with social or environmental priorities, or avoiding misaligned areas. 

Clients are increasingly interested in understanding how their investment decisions can support a bigger picture that reflects their financial goals and personal convictions. They want to do this without sacrificing the structure, discipline, and diversification that keep their long-term plan resilient. 

This is the heart of alignment: when your money isn’t working against your values but with them. 

Life transitions call for realignment

One of the most pivotal times I work with clients is after a significant life change, like a liquidity event, career shift, divorce, or the decision to step back and reimagine what’s next. These transitions often come with the question: What now? 

This is also when alignment becomes essential. Your estate plan may need a refresh, beneficiaries on accounts might be outdated, and your timeline to ‘vocational freedom’ may have shifted. Your financial strategy should evolve to reflect where you’ve been and where you want to go. 

At this stage, it’s not just about preserving wealth — it’s about building a life with intention and having a plan that gives you clarity and confidence to move forward with purpose. 

When wealth hits all at once: The alignment opportunity in liquidity events

Another moment that often prompts deep reflection is a liquidity event — when significant wealth becomes liquid, seemingly all at once. While this can come from equity-related milestones like an IPO, acquisition, or stock vesting, it can just as easily stem from selling a business, receiving an inheritance, or selling a long-held property. 

No matter the source, these moments often bring more than just financial change. They can spark questions about purpose, priorities, and what this newfound flexibility makes possible. For example: 

• Do I want to keep working at this pace, or is this a chance to step back?
• What would it look like to be more intentional with how I spend my time?
• Is this an opportunity to support family or causes I care about?
• What changes, if any, do I need to make to my estate plan or tax strategy?
• How do I define “enough” — and what do I want this wealth to say about me?

This is where the alignment of wealth and purpose matters most. It’s not just about minimizing taxes or reallocating risk, though those things are important; it’s about making sure this wealth reflects who you are and supports the life you want to live next. In those moments, the role of a personal CFO isn’t just to react — it’s to help you define what success looks like now and map a strategy that honors that.

What it means to be a Personal CFO

At Brighton Jones, we often describe our role as a “personal CFO” for our clients — not just managing transactions and trading in a portfolio but helping you navigate the full complexity of your financial life. That means understanding your goals beyond the spreadsheets in the context of your real-world priorities, relationships, and decisions. 

Sometimes, it’s about the technical, like evaluating whether to exercise stock options or how to fund education accounts. Other times, it’s about guiding you through significant life transitions or helping you stay grounded during market uncertainty. And yes, sometimes it even means putting on my therapist hat. 

Behind every financial choice is a person, with hopes, worries, dreams, and responsibilities that deserve just as much attention as the numbers. 

Building a team (and a career) that reflects the same values

Wealth alignment isn’t just a conversation I have with clients — it’s a guiding principle I bring to my career and team. If I encourage clients to pursue vocational freedom and live with intention, I believe my team deserves the same. 

Increasingly, advisors seek firms that prioritize shared ownership and truly embed core values into their culture. This can take many forms, from offering equity stakes that foster a sense of partnership to creating environments where collaboration, transparency, and purpose drive daily decisions. For example, advisors might have a direct voice in firm strategy or participate in initiatives that reflect their values, such as community engagement or sustainability efforts. 

This approach strengthens the advisor’s connection to their work and ensures they can fully support clients in aligning their wealth with their life goals. When a team’s career values match the advice they give, the result is a more authentic, impactful financial planning experience for everyone involved. 

Let’s talk about what matters

If you’re facing a major life transition, navigating a sudden windfall, or simply wanting to bring more intention and clarity to your financial life, I encourage you to approach your wealth with a fresh perspective. It’s not just about the amount you’ve accumulated. It’s about how your resources support the life you want to live and the values you hold dear. 

Alignment is not a one-time decision but a continuous journey. As a financial planner, I help you navigate this evolving path, offering guidance, perspective, and practical strategies. My role is to help you stay focused and grounded in what truly matters to you, no matter how your circumstances evolve. 

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as individualized advice. For individualized advice tailored to your specific circumstances, please consult with your adviser.