The new CEO has strong experience in overseeing the financial affairs of UHNW families, and has worked at Tiedemann Advisors, among others.

Kristen Bauer has been appointed chief executive of Laird Norton Wealth Management, part of the Laird Norton group which is based in Seattle, Washington.

Bauer takes over on May 20, succeeding Robert Moser who is retiring in June, the firm said in a statement last week.  Bauer joined the firm in mid-April as president. 

Bauer comes to Laird Norton from Tiedemann Advisors where she served as managing director for the Pacific Northwest and led Tiedemann’s national family office practice.

“Kristen is particularly well-suited to be Robert Moser’s successor,” said board chair and Laird Norton Company CEO Jeff Vincent. “She has spent more than 20 years building multi-generational relationships with some of the country’s most dynamic families, like the Pacific Northwest’s legendary Russell Family, helping them through challenges, changes and generational transitions.”

Earlier, Bauer served as chief financial officer, chief business development officer and in other senior roles at Threshold Group. A graduate of the University of Washington Foster School of Business, she is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS).

LNWM manages nearly $5 billion in assets for individuals, families, foundations and endowments. It was founded originally as Laird Norton Trust Company in 1967.