Our Mission

As a trusted advisor, partner and advocate for our client families, our firm is committed to fostering stability and confidence in all financial decisions. Because our motto is “Family First,” we strive to educate and mentor our clients and their families. We hold paramount our mission to ensure the security of family wealth throughout multiple generations.

Trusted advisor for today’s global family.

Sustainable Competitive Advantages

At MAXIMAI Investment Partners, we seek to work with clients who share the philosophy of “Family First” and who are as dedicated to their families as we are to maximizing their financial security for years to come. Our commitment to forging strong and enduring relationships with clients and their extended families is just the starting point in how we differentiate ourselves in the marketplace:

  • Boutique firm with personalized concierge services
  • Combined wealth management experience of more than 50 years
  • Multicultural and multigenerational team
  • Proactive communication and constant interaction with our clients
  • Heightened focus on the impact of the evolving regulatory environment on the global client
  • Expansive professional network including attorneys, tax professionals, accountants, real estate and insurance experts, among others, that ensures clients a fully integrated solution
  • Unbiased intermediaries between our clients and their multiple financial institutions
  • Open-architecture platform with access to multiple custodians, a wide range of investment managers, private equity and hedge funds
  • Access to the top strategists, economists and portfolio managers in the industry
  • Tailored platform for account aggregation and review
  • Educational investment seminars and mentoring for clients and their families

Our People

The MAXIMAI team is multigenerational, multinational and multilingual, as are our clients.
Just as our clients are discerning in choosing us, we are equally selective in building our team.

Elizabeth (Lisa) van Walleghem

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Elizabeth (Lisa) van Walleghem

Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Lisa is CEO and Founder of MAXIMAI Investment Partners. She leads a team of professionals committed to providing tailored solutions for global clients, as well as to business development. Lisa advises clients on generational planning and global portfolio allocation with specific emphasis on core alternative investment strategies. She also directs the firm’s efforts to promote the involvement of next generation clients in educational seminars and internships and she fosters their integration in family wealth discussions and planning. Lisa has been providing wealth management advice to ultra-high-net worth clients for the last 30 years. In 1992, she joined Merrill Lynch, where she spearheaded the founding of the MaximAI Wealth Management Group. Highly qualified, Lisa has consistently achieved distinguished recognition such as her inclusion in Merrill’s prestigious Charles E. Merrill Circle of Excellence. She also earned the special designation of Private Wealth Specialist for Latin America. Lisa is committed to her family and lives in Coral Gables, Florida, with her husband, Derek, and their son, Max. Her hobbies include boating, travel and learning about different cultures. She is an avid reader and dedicated to mentoring teens. For the last 15 years Lisa has worked closely with The Centro Mater Foundation, which supports five centers in South Florida that offer childcare and after school programs for children from economically disadvantaged families. As a Centro Mater Alum, she is passionate about giving back. She has been a Board member, event sponsor, volunteer and remains highly committed..

Thomas J. (Jim) Butler, III

Co-Founder

Thomas J. (Jim) Butler, III

Co-Founder
Jim has worked for more than 40 years in international financial services; he is highly experienced and well equipped to help MAXIMAI’s clients and their families build financial security. As a Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch International, Jim gained significant expertise in wealth management and international markets; he worked at Merrill for 28 years in both New York City and Miami. He has served as an advisor to ultra-high-net worth individuals, drawing on his experience in international banking and as a Vice President in Treasury Management at Marine Midland Bank in New York City. Jim was born and raised in Panama and came to the United States to earn both his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics and his M.B.A. from the University of Tulsa. Jim resides in Miami with his wife, Joanne, and is the proud father of a daughter, Joey Leigh. When not spending time with his family, he enjoys jazz concerts, playing guitar and aerobics. Jim is a member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society of the United Way, a leading charity in the United States.

Alejandro Behrens

Managing Director and Associate Partner

Alejandro Behrens

Managing Director and Associate Partner
Alejandro focuses his expertise on fulfilling the needs of the firm’s ultra-high-net-worth clients. As Managing Director of MAXIMAI, Alejandro leads business development. He works closely with clients and their families to tailor strategies and meet their financial goals. He helps them understand and navigate their financial choices, putting together efficient and objective plans. He also takes part in constructing investment strategies designed to preserve wealth. As a millennial, Alejandro deepens relationships with the next generation of clients and helps family members understand and implement wealth transfer strategies. He brings a fresh perspective on investment solutions to the new generations of investors. With six years of experience at Merrill Lynch, Alejandro’s last role was team Financial Advisor. Alejandro received a B.A. from Villanova University where he pursued a double major in Economics and Political Science. He also earned an M.B.A. from Georgetown University in 2015. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Alejandro currently resides in Miami with his wife and two children. Outside the office, Alejandro enjoys adventure travel, movies, tennis and skiing.

Daniella Viete, CFA®

COO, CCO & Associate Partner

Daniella Viete, CFA®

COO, CCO & Associate Partner
Daniella is a holder of the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and a member of the CFA Institute. She provides ongoing analysis and monitoring of client portfolios and assists with manager selection, analysis and risk management. As Chief Operating Officer of MAXIMAI Investment Partners, she also oversees the day-to-day operational logistics and strategic client situations. Daniella was previously a Senior Financial Analyst at Merrill Lynch where she was part of the team’s Investment Committee providing customized solutions for clients. Daniella is a graduate of the Florida Atlantic University, from which she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, with a double major in Finance and Economics. Daniella resides in Miami with her husband, Daniel and their two sons.

CFA Institute mark(s) are trademark(s) owned by CFA Institute.

Sinan Kermen, CFA®

Head of Investment Strategy and Research

Sinan Kermen, CFA®

Head of Investment Strategy and Research
Sinan has worked for more than 20 years in the asset management industry, investing in public markets as well as private equity, venture capital, real estate, private credit and hedge funds. He has been a Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager for institutional investors such as Citadel Investment Group, Neuberger Berman and DRW Trading as well as Chief Investment Officer for a single family office. Together with the investment team, Sinan develops Maximai’s market outlook, investment approach and asset allocation strategy as well as conducting product and manager due diligence across asset classes with a special emphasis on alternative investments. Sinan received a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, where he pursued a joint degree in International Studies and Business with a concentration in Finance. He also earned an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, Sinan currently resides in the Chicago suburbs. When not spending time with his family, he enjoys playing tennis and pickleball, reading, travelling and watching sports.

CFA Institute mark(s) are trademark(s) owned by CFA Institute.

William “Taggart” Haag

Investment Associate

William “Taggart” Haag

Investment Associate
Taggart graduated from Wake Forest University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and minors in Entrepreneurship and Chinese. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Taggart started his career with PNC Bank as an analyst in their Asset Management Development Program, focusing on and assisting with the management of client portfolios. He began with PNC Wealth Management before joining Hawthorn, PNC’s Ultra-High-Net-Worth multi-family office, as a Senior Investment Analyst. Upon completion of the Development Program, Taggart became an Investment Advisor, a role in which he independently managed client portfolios and relationships. Taggart’s responsibilities at MAXIMAI Investment Partners cover a broad set of duties. Assisting and working closely with the CIO, he collaborates to develop best thinking strategic and tactical investment solutions. He conducts trading as well as research and analysis on client portfolios and investment opportunities using the tools provided by our strategic partners. As the Team’s Addepar specialist, Taggart is responsible for accurate account reporting and documentation for the benefit of our clients.

Marie-Claire Mercado

Client Engagement Associate

Marie-Claire Mercado

Client Engagement Associate

Marie-Claire is often the first point of contact for our clients. She plays an instrumental role in delivering the highest level of quality and professionalism when engaging with them.

Her role covers client onboarding, managing asset transfers, coordinating client meetings, responding to client inquiries and she works closely with the advisors to ensure the overall client experience is met and exceeded.

Prior to joining MAXIMAI Investment Partners, Marie-Claire worked at a Registered Investment Advisory firm as an Office Manager for 3 years. She led all aspects of the office services, including CRM and setting policy and procedures for the firm. She also worked at Merrill Lynch and Janus International.

Marie-Claire is a graduate of the University of Connecticut where she received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Economics. Marie-Claire resides in Miami with her children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, exercising and traveling.

Nicholas Alvarez

Client Engagement Associate

Nicholas Alvarez

Client Engagement Associate
Nicholas Alvarez, is a Client Engagement Associate for MAXIMAI Investment Partners. He performs a wide range of duties and plays an integral role in the smooth functioning of the team’s operations. He helps to ensure that the team’s operational tasks such as client onboarding, managing asset transfers, coordinating client meetings, and responding to client inquiries are handled delicately and efficiently. Nicholas worked with MAXIMAI Investment Partners for two years during our time at Merrill Lynch. He now rejoins our team after working with Premia Global Advisors for the past two years as a Client Service Associate. Nicholas is a graduate of Florida International University where he earned a B.A. in Organizational Communications and a minor in Social Media Marketing. Nicholas lives in Miami, Florida. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, and his favorite time of year is football season.

Juan Carlos Riera, CAMS CP/AML

Compliance Consultant

Juan Carlos Riera, CAMS CP/AML

Compliance Consultant
Mr. Riera has over 25 years of experience in the international financial industry, particularly in the international wealth management area, including domestic and international broker/dealers, commercial and investment banks and investment advisory firms His experience includes various senior positions in risk management, compliance, operations and service support areas in different countries (Venezuela, Panama, USA and Switzerland) working for some of the largest and most successful broker-dealers and private banks in the world, including Merrill Lynch, Wachovia, and First Clearing Corporation, among others. Juan Carlos has served as Chief Compliance Officer, Regional Compliance Director for Latin America, Head of AML, Compliance & Service Manager. Mr. Riera graduated from Universidad Catolica Andres Bello (UCAB) Caracas – Venezuela and completed different management and law programs at the University of Richmond, Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administracion (IESA) and Thunderbird School of Global Management. Mr. Riera is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and a Certified Professional in Anti-Money Laundering (CP/AML) by the Florida International Banking Association (FIBA). He is fluent in English and Spanish.