Team Member Spotlight

Meet Jawad Ehsanyar, one of our Advisors at MFA. Jawad has been with MFA since 2022. Jawad’s rich life experience makes him an empathetic partner for both our clients and our team.

Jawad and family exploring the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, CA.

 

Why did you choose to become a financial advisor?

Financial advisory is not my first career. Throughout my life, I have always enjoyed connecting with people and making a meaningful impact on them. This is something dear to my heart, as my life has been impacted by many great people along the way.

My first high school job back home in Afghanistan was to teach English as a second language to kids. It made me realize how much I enjoyed sharing knowledge and helping them achieve their goal of studying abroad.

After I had the opportunity to study abroad in the US, I got to see the world! I learned from an investment fund in the US, helped with business development for a firm back home, and did consulting work in Denmark while attending business school there. What I gleaned from these incredible experiences was that the ideal role for me would be to combine my technical skills with my desire to work directly with people and make a real difference in their lives. When an opportunity of becoming an advisor came, I jumped right into it. I love being able to guide clients through important decisions and help them feel more confident about their financial future. That’s what drives me every day when I go to the office.

What’s a memory from your client interactions that’s stayed with you?

One of my clients was looking to diversify a concentrated equity position that formed a significant portion of their nest egg. It is something that is easy to hypothesize but challenging to implement, given the emotions involved and how volatile the market can be. After a number of meetings and analyses, the client was ready to give us the go ahead.

The stock price declined after the divestment of the position … phew! We prepared the client ahead of time and they knew the stock price could have easily gone the other way. They were pleased that their newly diversified portfolio was in line with their (early) retirement projection. What I valued most was the understanding of the client’s feelings and entering something daunting together, knowing that MFA was there to provide the steady hands to guide the journey.

What’s something people might not know about you?

Growing up in an underdeveloped country, I experienced many ups and downs. In 2021, I moved back to Afghanistan to be closer to my family after living in Copenhagen for 2 years, but soon found myself running for my life as the country fell apart. Thanks to the kindness of friends in the US, my wife and I managed to catch the last chartered flight out in November of that year. We then spent six months in a refugee complex in a third country.

This was the scariest and most traumatic experience of my life. However, it was also a great learning experience. It taught me to see the positive side of things more and view everything life offers as a blessing. I am deeply grateful for the challenges and opportunities I faced, as they have shaped me into the person I am today.

What’s a cultural shock you had when you first moved to the US?

I have come to learn so much and appreciate many cultural traits here. One of the most surprising aspects was the humility of high-ranking professionals. For example, I once saw our University President standing in the cafeteria line to get her own food. Back home in Afghanistan, someone in her position would typically have a personal chef, a driver, and a few personal assistants!

Similarly, I noticed how partners at MFA took the initiative to move or clean things around the office without expecting others to do it. That’s something I never saw growing up in my culture. These experiences transformed me personally and is something I always share with my friends.

Another cultural shock was the directness of communication, as well as the various slangs/expressions in English when I moved to California in 2014. I’ve learned English in Afghanistan, but it felt like a whole new language altogether when I used it in the US! Phrases like “hold your horses”, “what’s sizzlin”, and “oh, that shirt is so sick, dude” left me scratching my head. I thought my shirt had a hole in it or something!

Why are you excited to be part of MFA?

I am excited to be part of MFA because of our commitment to deliver a high level of service and care for our clients, as well as a strong culture of embracing diversity. Everyone is dedicated to providing timely and personalized advice to our clients. Our goal is to build meaningful relationships that are not transactional. I feel honored to be trusted and work with such a wonderful client base, helping them achieve their goals to the best of my ability.

As a team that values diversity and ownership, along with other core values, I see this as a place where I can truly learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact. I love that I can contribute to our clients’ achievements while growing in a supportive and inclusive environment