Helen ZhaoHelen Zhao, CFP ®, CFA®Wealth Planner
About Helen
Helen Zhao is an Executive Director and Wealth Planner covering Orange County and the LA Coastal region for J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s Wealth Planning and Advice team.
Helen partners with advisors and their clients to deliver comprehensive wealth planning guidance. She is passionate about helping clients navigate a wide range of planning topics—from retirement and estate strategies to pre- and post-transactional planning, equity compensation, concentrated stock positions and philanthropic giving—so they can move forward with confidence and clarity. By leveraging her deep understanding of advisor-client dynamics and coordinating with clients’ external estate attorneys and other advisors, she helps integrate actionable planning strategies aligned with each client’s personal and financial goals.
Helen joined J.P. Morgan in 2025 and brings over 15 years of experience to her role, including more than a decade at Morgan Stanley, where she served as a Financial Planning Director in Los Angeles County. Earlier in her career, Helen was a practicing CPA at Deloitte Tax and Ernst & Young, allowing her to build a strong technical foundation and develop a broad perspective on wealth planning.
Helen holds an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and a Chartered Financial Analyst® charterholder. She also teaches in UCLA Extension’s CFP® exam preparation program and is fluent in Mandarin. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and rollerblading.
CFP Board owns the marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® in the U.S.
CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute
Insights
Will the Fed hike rates in September? A 25-basis-point move is now expected: Why July’s hold has ‘lowered the bar’
August 5, 2026A 0.25-percentage-point hike is now expected at the September Fed meeting as Iran-related supply shocks keep energy costs high and markets question the Fed’s inflation credibility.Read Now
A family guide to private aviation
August 3, 2026There are several important financial, emotional and lifestyle factors to consider if you are thinking of purchasing an aircraft.Read Now
Insight 1: Build and sustain a ‘great’ extended family
August 3, 2026Investing in family development can have a long-lasting impact on your family’s wealth and legacy of values and traditions.Read Now
Rotation, not reckoning: What’s testing the AI trade?
July 31, 2026Investors are shifting away from AI-related trades and into overlooked sectors as they seek proof of returns.Read Now
Insight 2: Foundation of values to define culture and focus
July 29, 2026A core mission and set of values are important guides for a generative family, but keep in mind that they are dynamic and should be revisited and adapted with each new generation.Read Now
Is it all one big AI trade?
July 24, 2026AI’s reach extends well beyond technology, with diverse sectors showing strength and correlations evolving. Explore how this theme may influence portfolio strategy.Read Now
AI use is exploding. So are the bills.
July 17, 2026As artificial intelligence (AI) handles more complex work, usage can outpace budgets. We flag signals to watch – from token price inflation to AI model competition – and the investment implications.Read Now
Insight 3: The culture shift from paternalism to partnership
July 17, 2026Developing a new, collaborative culture as leadership shifts from founder to successor is a key attribute of successful generative families.Read Now
Insight 4: Initiate interdependent ‘pillars’ separating family and business governance
July 17, 2026Establishing defined groups to organize family activities and learning can be just as valuable as business governance.Read NowWill the Fed hike rates in September? A 25-basis-point move is now expected: Why July’s hold has ‘lowered the bar’
August 5, 2026A 0.25-percentage-point hike is now expected at the September Fed meeting as Iran-related supply shocks keep energy costs high and markets question the Fed’s inflation credibility.Read NowA family guide to private aviation
August 3, 2026There are several important financial, emotional and lifestyle factors to consider if you are thinking of purchasing an aircraft.Read NowInsight 1: Build and sustain a ‘great’ extended family
August 3, 2026Investing in family development can have a long-lasting impact on your family’s wealth and legacy of values and traditions.Read NowRotation, not reckoning: What’s testing the AI trade?
July 31, 2026Investors are shifting away from AI-related trades and into overlooked sectors as they seek proof of returns.Read NowInsight 2: Foundation of values to define culture and focus
July 29, 2026A core mission and set of values are important guides for a generative family, but keep in mind that they are dynamic and should be revisited and adapted with each new generation.Read NowIs it all one big AI trade?
July 24, 2026AI’s reach extends well beyond technology, with diverse sectors showing strength and correlations evolving. Explore how this theme may influence portfolio strategy.Read NowAI use is exploding. So are the bills.
July 17, 2026As artificial intelligence (AI) handles more complex work, usage can outpace budgets. We flag signals to watch – from token price inflation to AI model competition – and the investment implications.Read NowInsight 3: The culture shift from paternalism to partnership
July 17, 2026Developing a new, collaborative culture as leadership shifts from founder to successor is a key attribute of successful generative families.Read NowInsight 4: Initiate interdependent ‘pillars’ separating family and business governance
July 17, 2026Establishing defined groups to organize family activities and learning can be just as valuable as business governance.Read Now