Meet the Simon Quick Family Office Services Team

Belinda Bast

Vice President

Belinda joined Simon Quick in January of 2018 as a senior accountant. She has extensive experience providing various accounting services for high-net-worth individuals. She is responsible for account reconciliations, accounts receivable, accounts payable and daily accounting transactions. She also provides financial statements for entities and foundations.

Prior to joining Simon Quick, Belinda spent nine years as a senior accountant at a small CPA firm in Pennsylvania and three years as a senior accountant at a CPA firm in Hackensack, New Jersey. There, she worked on general ledger accounting, financial statements and tax returns for individuals and their related entities. She also spent a year at a family office in New York City where she provided general accounting and tax services for a high-net-worth family.

Belinda graduated from Moravian College with a B.B.A. in Accounting. In her leisure time, Belinda enjoys traveling, tennis and music.

Cheryl Brown, CPA

Director

Ms. Brown Joined William E. Simon & Sons (now Simon Quick) in April 1988 as a tax associate. Over the years Ms. Brown went on to service the firm’s high net worth clients in tax, estate planning review and asset reporting. Cheryl also oversees accounting and reporting functions for her clients.

Ms. Brown began her career at KPMG in NYC in 1980 and is a licensed Certified Public accountant (CPA). Cheryl earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut with a major in accounting. In her spare time she enjoys tennis, hiking and backpacking.

Wendy Chen

Finance Associate 

Ms. Chen joined Simon Quick in May of 2023 as a Finance Associate on the Family Office Team. She is responsible for assisting the Finance and Operations Teams with the month-end close and financial statements process. Ms. Chen also reconciles investment activity and bank statements. Additionally, she assists in the Accounts Receivable (AR) and Accounts Payable (AP) process for various company entities and prepares quarterly investment valuations and cash projections.

Prior to joining Simon Quick, Ms. Chen worked on the Finance Team at a start-up company that provided catering services to businesses and organizations by partnering with local chefs and restaurants. In this role, she was responsible for AR/AP, reconciling daily cash flows, ad-hoc data projects, and month-end Profit & Loss analyses.

Wendy graduated Seton Hall University with a B.S. in Business Administration, concentrating on Accounting and IT Management. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and laughing with friends and family.

Denni Cohen

Executive Assistant

Ms. Cohen joined William E. Simon & Sons in January, 2002 as Executive Assistant to Bill Simon, Jr. She is responsible for providing all aspects of administrative support which include: Managing Mr. Simon’s calendar, scheduling meetings, coordinating extensive travel, and handling accounts payable/receivable.

In her spare time, Ms. Cohen is an avid photographer and enjoys nature and the outdoors, attending live performances, and spending quality time with her family and her husband of 36 years.

Natalie Fazendeiro

Executive Assistant

Ms. Fazendeiro joined Simon Quick (formerly William E. Simon & Sons) in June of 2012 as an Executive Assistant. She is responsible for providing daily administrative support to the Chief Financial Officer and his Accounting team. Her primary responsibilities include calendar management, document and report preparation, project coordination, reconciliation of general ledger accounts, preparation of monthly asset journals, maintenance of account payable and receivable system records. Additionally, Ms. Fazendeiro is responsible for general office functions that include attendance record keeping, equipment maintenance, mail services, office supplies procurement and event planning. Natalie is also a member of the Employee Experience Committee which aims to continuously improve the experience employees of the firm have at Simon Quick.

Prior to Simon Quick, Ms. Fazendeiro had extensive experience in Executive Assistant roles supporting senior level executives in both the insurance and financial services industry. She has a secretarial degree from Taylor Business Institute.

In her leisure time, Natalie enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also volunteers her time as a member of The Columbiettes, a Catholic women’s organization affiliated with the Knights of Columbus.

Jeremy Ghaly

Associate

Mr. Ghaly joined Simon Quick in April of 2022 as a senior accountant.  Working within the family office team, he performs daily accounting functions on behalf of clients such as bill pay and account reconciliations.  Periodically, he prepares client financial statements and proforma reports.  He also supports the team with additional duties relating to accounts receivable, tax, and audit work. 

Prior to joining Simon Quick, Mr. Ghaly spent a year and a half working as part of a small CPA firm specializing in audit and tax preparation services for condominium and homeowners’ associations.  There he developed a strong understanding of general ledger accounting and financial statement preparation as he performed tests to confirm the accuracy of client records, made any necessary adjustments, and wrote notes explaining the financial reports.  Previously, following graduation, he worked for three years as a staff accountant within the accounts receivable and operational accounting department at Canon Financial Services.

Mr. Ghaly graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Accounting and later received his CPA license from the State of New Jersey.  In his free time, Jeremy enjoys soccer, golf, music, hiking, and spending time with family.

Nicholas Haines

Associate

Mr. Haines started with Simon Quick Advisors in May 2022 as a Family Office Accounting Associate. In this role, he is responsible for reconciling internal accounts, wiring funds, processing payroll and general accounting duties for multiple entities. He also assists with the Family Office tax function. 

Prior to joining Simon Quick, Mr. Haines had experience as a Revenue Agent at the IRS and as a financial services auditor in public accounting. As an auditor in alternative investments, he worked on audits of large hedge funds and related entities.

Mr. Haines graduated from Caldwell University with a B.S. in Accounting and Montclair State University with an M.S. in accounting. In his free time, Mr. Haines enjoys photography, music, and spending time with his friends.

Mae Hung, CPA

Vice President

Mae joined Simon Quick in March of 2020 as a Vice President in Family Office Accounting Services. She is responsible for maintaining daily cash activities, processing accounts payable and receivable, recording and reconciling bank and brokerage activity, and providing cash flow projections. She also performs the month-end close and prepares financial statements for the firm and other entities. In addition, Mae sits on the company's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and Hiring Committee. 

Prior to joining Simon Quick, Mae worked in the Family Office Services department at Untracht Early LLC for 7 ½ years where she managed the outsourced accounting functions and financial statement preparation of high net worth individuals and their families, closely held businesses, private foundations, and hedge fund management companies.

Mae has a BS in Accounting and a MAccy in Financial Accounting from Rutgers University. She is a licensed CPA and a member of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA). In her leisure time, Mae enjoys crafting, dining out, and spending time with her family and friends.

Laura LaVecchia, CPA

Director of Finance

Ms. LaVecchia joined Simon Quick in April 2021 to manage the Family Office team. She and her team are responsible for delivering accounting, treasury, tax, and administrative services to our ultra-high-net-worth clients and their families. Passionate about delivering an exceptional client experience, Ms. LaVecchia, and her team work closely with the Client Advisor team to ensure clients achieve their financial goals. Ms. LaVecchia is also responsible for assisting the CFO with the oversight of the firm’s financial operations, including long-range strategic planning, cash flow, budgets, audits, tax, and other financial activities of the firm. In addition to her daily responsibilities, she serves on various task forces and committees of the firm aimed at continual improvement and professional growth. In all aspects of her role, Ms. LaVecchia focuses on implementing and leveraging technologies, creating successful processes, and employing best practices.

Ms. LaVecchia began her career in public accounting, spending eleven years at WilkinGuttenplan working with closely held businesses and high-net-worth individuals. During her tenure, she specialized in providing tax compliance, tax planning, financial reporting, audit, assurance, due diligence, and other consulting services. She was also actively involved in administrative and operational areas of the firm and contributed to the development of the firm’s staff via training and mentorship. Following her time with WilkinGuttenplan, Ms. LaVecchia joined Verizon, where she worked as a Senior Manager for five years. While there, she held roles in corporate finance, strategic planning, and enterprise risk management. Serving as a trusted advisor, she worked across all levels of the enterprise, reporting her findings and recommendations to senior executives.

Ms. LaVecchia is a licensed CPA in the state of New Jersey and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In her leisure time, Ms. LaVecchia enjoys spending time with her two children.

Read Blog Articles by Laura

• How to Start a Family Office
• Tax Savings and Sustainability Through In-Kind Philanthropy

Adelina Lifrieri

Vice President / Principal

Ms. Lifrieri joined Simon Quick (formerly William E. Simon & Sons) in June of 1999 as a Senior Accountant with 18+ years of continuous service at the firm. She is responsible for project administration, financial management, tax compliance and provisioning of multiple business portfolios. Ms. Lifrieri has extensive experience serving on the accounts of high net worth individuals with the utmost care and integrity. Ms. Lifrieri continuously aids senior management in creating multi-generational wealth strategies including diversification of assets and pivoting in response to market shifts and demands. Ms. Lifrieri is also a part of the Women@SQ committee which is dedicated to educating and enhancing the personal and professional lives of women in the Simon Quick network.

Ms. Lifrieri has experience in asset journals, reconciliation, payroll & corporate compliance and procedures. Upon joining the firm in 1999, Ms. Lifrieri assisted senior executive management in the oversight of accounts, market valuation, administrative processes and data assessment which provided organization and structure to the investments, real estate, and special situations groups.

Adelina earned her undergraduate degree in Economics & Finance from Rutgers University in East Brunswick, New Jersey. In her leisure time, she enjoys running and spending time with family.

Tara Maher, FPQP® 

Director of Legal and Family Office Services

Tara Maher joined Simon Quick in 2020 as Director of Legal and Family Office Services. Ms. Maher acts as a proxy/liaison/agent for our ultra-high net worth clients regarding lifestyle matters such as the purchase and sale of artwork, collectibles, general contract negotiations, and various real estate transactions. She also works closely with tax experts and legal counsel to complete a variety of regulatory filings, corporate governance, and financial disclosure reports. She is responsible for transactional, compliance, and operational support, and implements and administers estate planning and wealth management strategies alongside the Client Advisory Team. She collaborates with teams both internally and externally to ensure that transactions and wealth management decisions are made with consideration of the potential legal, tax, estate planning, and generational outcomes. Additionally, Ms. Maher oversees a multi-family real estate portfolio, including strategic development, third-party oversight, and budgeting. 

Ms. Maher is part of the Simon Quick Women@SQ Committee, which focuses on enhancing the personal and professional lives of female clients and business partners. Prior to joining Simon Quick Advisors, LLC, Ms. Maher was a senior litigation paralegal in the New York and D.C. offices of O’Melveny & Myers LLP and Chief of Staff for the Legal Department at E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley in Arlington, VA.

Ms. Maher received her Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Virginia and a professional Master Certificate in Commercial Contracts Management from Villanova University.  In 2022, she received her Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP®) designation. Ms. Maher holds dual citizenship in the US & EU. She enjoys traveling, cooking, and reading in her spare time.  

Read Blog Posts by Tara

• Tax Savings and Sustainability Through In-Kind Philanthropy

Michael T. Oliveri

Senior Managing Director / Chief Financial Officer / Principal

As Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Oliveri manages the daily operations, and oversees the accounting, investment, financial planning, treasury, audit and tax functions of the Family Office. He manages and integrates all aspects of business and personal financial management for optimal efficiency, from cash flow management to philanthropic management. Mr. Oliveri is passionate about helping individuals and their families achieve their financial objectives by building and preserving wealth. Michael sits on the firm’s Operating Committee which is responsible for executing on Simon Quick’s vision and strategy.

Mr. Oliveri has 30 years of experience in the industry and has served various positions during his 28 years at the Firm. He has been Tax Accountant for the Family Office, Controller and Vice President of various distressed debt and private equity funds, and a member of the Investment Committee for the family.

Philanthropically, Mr. Oliveri is Assistant Treasurer of the William E. Simon Foundation and is responsible for all accounting and tax functions, and serves on the Investment Committee. Mr. Oliveri served as a director of Sound Body Sound Mind Foundation and Parish Catalyst.

Mr. Oliveri  graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Villanova University in 1986. Prior to joining the Firm in 1988, Mr. Oliveri started his career at Deloitte & Touche as a Tax Consultant.

Read Blog Posts by Michael:

• How to Start a Family Office
• What I’ve Learned In My 30 Years Working For A Family Office
• February 2020 Employee Spotlight

Cristina Puleo

Vice President

Ms. Puleo joined Simon Quick (formerly William E. Simon and Sons) in June of 2015 as a senior tax accountant. She has extensive experience providing various tax and accounting services, specializing in high-net-worth individuals. She is responsible for the tax preparation, compliance, and planning of individuals and their gift tax returns, corporations, partnerships, trusts and private foundations. Additionally, she provides payroll services, small business support, and preparation of financial statements for her clients. In addition to her role as the senior tax accountant, Cristina is also involved in the Employee Experience Committee which aims to continuously improve the experience employees of the firm have at Simon Quick.

Prior to joining Simon Quick, Cristina spent seven years as a senior tax accountant at a small CPA firm in New York. There, she had worked on a wide range of tax returns for high net worth individuals and their related entities.

Ms. Puleo graduated from James Madison University with a B.B.A. in Accounting. While at JMU, Ms. Puleo was actively involved in Delta Sigma Pi, a professional fraternity organized to foster the study of business in universities. In her leisure time, Cristina enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Read Blog Posts by Cristina:

• December 2019 Employee Spotlight

Glenda Smithson-Rich

Administrative Assistant 

Ms. Smithson-Rich joined Simon Quick in January of 2023 as an Administrative Assistant, reporting directly to the Director of Legal and Family Office Services. Her primary responsibilities include all aspects of administrative support including digital file maintenance, proofreading, calendar management, notarizing forms, light drafting of template form letters or other documents related to financial transactions and estate planning.

Ms. Smithson-Rich brings with her over 16 years of administrative support and paralegal experience with a specialty in Trusts and Estates. Prior to joining Simon Quick, Ms. Smithson-Rich was a paralegal at Tarter, Krinsky and Drogin in their Manhattan office. Previously, she worked at the law offices of Thomasina Thornton where she served as a paralegal for 3 years providing administrative support and assisting in the preparation of estate planning documents.

Glenda lives in Montclair, NJ and has a grown son whom she is extremely proud of. She volunteers with the Literacy Volunteers of America. She participates every October in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event in Washington, DC. She is also the Women’s Division district leader in her Buddhist organization. She loves to sing, read, and spend time with friends and family.

Michelle Tiu

Associate

Mrs. Tiu joined Simon Quick in September of 2022 and is a member of the Family Office team. Her responsibilities include maintaining and reconciling monthly financial records and processing accounts payable and receivable for various entities. She also maintains cash flow projections and annual budgets as well as assists in annual financial audits.

Mrs. Tiu brings a tenured career in financial services starting with Morgan Stanley as a mutual fund accountant and then moving on to accounting and financial leadership roles at Fortress Investment Group, SV Investment Partners, and Geller & Co. Most recently, Michelle was the family accountant for a high-net-worth family, where she managed the accounting for several different entities as well as a foundation.

Mrs. Tiu graduated with honors from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Accounting. She enjoys traveling and exploring new places and cuisines with her husband and three children.