Paul A. Henderson, CFP®
Principal & Advisor
As a financial advisor, I work to ensure that the people who come to me for advice have the data and context necessary to make wise financial decisions with the least stress possible.
What does this look like? By taking the time to get to know you, I provide customized plans and investment portfolios that are optimized to your unique situation. Whether our engagement is for a planning project or ongoing wealth management, my commitment is the same: To provide clear, actionable advice that gives you what you need to ensure progress on your plan.
A strong financial foundation frees you to focus on what you value most. Of the many meaningful results we deliver at Heritage Road, I believe that this freedom to align your time, focus, and values might be the most important one.
Experience
I began my career at a boutique investment firm on Mercer Island focused on investment research and management. However, I quickly realized that a well-built portfolio is only as good as the plan it supports and shifted my focus to tax and financial planning. I eventually moved to a Seattle-based wealth management and trust company to increase the breadth of my planning experience – expanding into complex trusts and estates – while maintaining a foot in the investment world by managing $900M of client portfolios. I served individuals, multi-generational families, trusts, and non-profit groups and sat as a member of the firm’s Trust Advisory Committee, providing guidance and support to the firm’s trust officers.
Following a sabbatical in France while my wife completed a post-doctoral research project, I served as the Director of Financial Planning for an RIA start-up focused on emerging-wealth clientele in the tech world. I launched the Seattle office of Heritage Road Advisors in 2021 to offer an experienced, customized, fiduciary planning solution for people whose needs are not being met by the current wealth management industry; whether because they want to self-manage their accounts, don’t have liquid assets to meet investment minimums, abhor high fees, or just want a plan without monthly payments.
Education
Prior to obtaining the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification, I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Political Science with honors from Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington.
Personal
Originally from Issaquah, Washington, I now live in Seattle with my wife Ramona. I serve on the board of the choral group Seattle Pro Musica, and Ramona and I are long-time subscribers to the Seattle Rep. We are deeply involved in the Seattle sailing community through the Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle; when not on the water, we can be found at our backyard pizza oven cooking for family and friends with a glass of wine.
Mary A. Benedict, CIMA®
President and Senior Investment Advisor
Mary has 25+ years of experience creating financial plans and implementing those plans by establishing and monitoring investment portfolios for clients. Mary is a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA ®). She earned the designation in 2006 through studies at Wharton School of Business for the CIMA® program sponsored by Investments & Wealth Institute.
Experience
Mary has been developing, implementing and monitoring financial plans and investment portfolios for clients since 1993. She started her career with Merrill Lynch in Bellevue, Washington, progressed in her role of Financial Advisor to Wealth Management Advisor, was named a Portfolio Manager for the firm’s Private Investment Advisory Program and earned the title of Vice President. She concluded her tenure at Merrill Lynch, after the successful completion of the Client Transition Program, as a Senior Financial Advisor and a member of Merrill Lynch’s “Quarter Century Club”.
Education
Mary earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Finance Concentration at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.
Designations
Mary earned her Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA)® designation through studies completed with the Wharton School of Business in conjunction with the CIMA® program sponsored by Investments & Wealth Institute (formerly IMCA). The Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation, awarded by The Institute for Investments and Wealth, or be Certified Financial Planner™ practitioners. by the is one of the only professional certifications in financial services to meet international accreditation and quality standards. The Institute’s Code of Professional Responsibility requires adherence to principles regarding acting in the client’s best interest, disclosure of services provided, charges and conflicts of interest, client education, communication and confidentiality; advisor competency, regulatory compliance and high levels of ethical conduct.
