Navigoe Wealth Management 

Above L to R: Eric Toya, CFP®, Courtney MacGregor, Jennifer Okamura-Albert, Mandi Leonard, Scott Leonard, CFP®

Highlights
  • Intentionally Boutique
  • Strategically Local
  • Uniquely Personal
  • Always Independent

Navigoe Wealth Management is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning firm based in Redondo Beach. Founded by Scott Leonard in 1996, the firm specializes in comprehensive investment management, estate planning and tax planning services. Its team of Certified Financial Planner® professionals works closely with clients to design tailored investment strategies, estate planning and tax-efficient solutions, all with a focus on long-term prosperity and peace of mind.

Do you have a favorite quote or saying for navigating tricky financial situations?

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

How do you relate that saying to what you do in your business?

As a financial planner who has weathered numerous market cycles, I’ve found the saying perfectly encapsulates successful investing. Accept that you cannot predict or control market movements, have the courage to focus on what you can control (like your savings rate, asset allocation and investment costs), and develop the wisdom to know the difference between the two. When clients ask about market timing, I remind them that serenity comes from building a resilient, diversified portfolio aligned with their goals rather than attempting to outsmart unpredictable market forces that even the most sophisticated investors cannot consistently time correctly. 

Do you ever engage in any market timing?

We do not engage in market timing because decades of research show that consistently predicting short-term market movements is nearly impossible, even for professionals. Instead we focus on building a well-diversified, long-term investment strategy tailored toward our clients’ goals and spending priorities, which has proven to be a far more reliable path to financial success. 

How are you helping clients during these volatile markets?

During times of heightened market volatility and uncertainty, we focus on maintaining a disciplined, long-term investment strategy tailored to clients’ unique specific goals and spending priorities, rather than reacting impulsively to short-term market swings. This includes regularly rebalancing the stocks in the portfolio to keep it aligned with the client’s objectives, considering opportunities such as tax-loss harvesting, and ensuring there is an adequate cash reserve to avoid the need to sell stocks in a downturn. We also provide ongoing communication and reassurance, helping our clients stay focused on their personal financial plan and make thoughtful, strategic decisions rather than knee-jerk ones.

What do you mean by “spending priorities?”As a financial planner, I define “spending priorities” as a clear understanding of which expenses and life goals matter most to you and your family, both now and in the future. By focusing on these priorities, rather than relying upon a generic risk score and traditional portfolios—such as the ubiquitous 60/40 portfolio—you can make smarter investment decisions that are better aligned with your real needs, especially during volatile markets. This approach helps ensure your financial plan remains resilient and personally meaningful, no matter what the markets are doing.

In addition to investment strategies, what are your areas of expertise?

Our areas of expertise include advanced tax planning and estate planning. We help clients minimize tax liabilities and maximize after-tax returns through proactive tax strategies while also ensuring their wealth is efficiently transferred to future generations in line with their wishes. By integrating these disciplines, we provide a comprehensive approach that protects and grows clients’ wealth over the long term.

How do professional partnerships elevate what you offer clients?

Professional partnerships are essential to the value we deliver, as we work closely with accountants and attorneys to ensure every aspect of your financial plan is coordinated and comprehensive. While we do not prepare tax returns or draft living trusts ourselves, we act as a professional coordinator—making sure your documents and strategies reflect our holistic approach to financial planning. This collaboration allows us to integrate advanced tax and estate planning seamlessly so your financial, legal and tax advisors are always working in concert to support your goals.

Photographed by Shane O’Donnell