Maria Quintana-Pilling is an Associate Advisor with North Berkeley Wealth. She works in coordination with Lead Advisors to provide clients with comprehensive financial planning and investment management. She helps clients understand complex financial situations, creating actionable plans to help them organize and simplify their finances.
Maria brings a unique perspective to financial planning, blending analytical rigor with a deep understanding of individual needs. Prior to joining North Berkeley, Maria ran a private practice as a functional nutrition practitioner, where she honed her skills in personalized advising and fostering strong client relationships. Before that, she spent 13 years in investment management at Northern Trust, serving as a fixed-income portfolio manager and research analyst.
Maria grew up in the Chicago suburbs and lived in Chicago and London before moving to Berkeley and eventually settling in Fairfax with her husband, son, and tabby cat. A self-proclaimed foodie, Maria enjoys reverse-engineering recipes from her favorite restaurants. She also loves hiking, camping, and exploring the outdoors with her family.
she/her
Education, Certifications, & Affiliations
- CFP® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™) certification
- B.A. in Finance, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- MBA, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
- CFA® charterholder, CFA Institute
- Member, Financial Planning Association (FPA)
The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards owns the certification marks CFP® and Certified Financial Planner™ in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
More About Maria
I became an advisor to help people better understand their finances. When I reflect on why I chose to study finance, I think back to my desire to assist people like my father—a brilliant engineer who knew little about managing money. I’m excited to combine my analytical skills with my people-focused approach to help clients reach their financial goals.
I serve our local community as an Assistant Scoutmaster, Merit Badge Counselor, and Adult Committee Member for our local Scout Troop. It’s a privilege to witness the boys and girls grow into confident, capable young adults. This role also gives me the opportunity to explore California’s outdoors in ways that challenge me and push me outside my comfort zone.
The best advice I ever received was, “Investing in quality will pay off tenfold in the long run.” This wisdom came from a former boss as I navigated design decisions for my first condo, which was under construction. I’ve found this advice applies to so many areas of life: education, family, career, and personal finance. Choosing quality over quantity, quality over trends, and quality over shortcuts leads to lasting rewards.
