For Chris Held and Cortland Golightly of Element Wealth Management going to work each day feels more like hanging out with the family and having fun. “No one in our office looks at what we do as a job,” says Chris. “It is a lifestyle in which we hope we can help anyone/everyone.”
The two advisors opened their own business in 2019 after each had spent about 18 years in the field. Chris, originally from Minnesota, has been helping people obtain financial freedom since 2004, first at Wells Fargo Advisors and then at Morgan Stanley. Cortland, who grew up here in Walnut Creek and attended St. Mary’s College, started his career in 2005 with The Hartford, and then later Morgan Stanley, where he met Chris. The two worked together for several years and then decided to open Element Wealth Management with the goal of being a trusted resource for the community, blending their combined years of knowledge and cutting-edge software to ensure long-term success for their family of clients.
Both Chris and Cortland live in Walnut Creek, and each has a son. They are passionate about bringing financial literacy to the youth of our community, looking to partner with local schools on classes on financial literacy. Chris is on the board of Drumline Cadets, an organization supporting youth through excellence in music where youth are given a second chance to change their future, and he also coaches youth baseball.
The philosophy at Element is simple: to bring the pieces of your financial life together by creating a plan that’s all about you. They want to understand their clients as investors and also as human beings. “Each day we’re excited to come in to work,” adds Chris. “To hopefully make a difference in people’s lives. We want people to understand that they have a competent, trusted resource in their back pocket that cares about them and their family.”
Both men feel honored and humbled to hear clients feel like they are part of their family as much as they feel like part of theirs. “We go out of our way to make sure clients feel like family,” added Chris. And you don’t have to be a client to get advice. They are happy to answer any questions. Feel free to reach out: chris.held@elementwm.com.