Acquisition-Minded Mercer Global Advisors Names Chief Corporate Development Officer

Editorial Staff

28 April 2026

Mercer Global Advisors has appointed Jimmy Zhao as chief corporate development officer.

The role is a newly developed one. The firm said the position builds on Mercer Advisors’ registered investment advisor M&A Partner Development approach, which has led to the integration of 116 partnerships over the last decade. Last year, Mercer wrapped up 18 partnerships with wealth advisory and tax firms.

Most recently, Zhao was a partner at McKinsey & Company, where he led the firm’s North American wealth management and retirement practices and advised on M&A deals and private capital investments. He advised large RIAs, asset managers and financial sponsors on more than 50 transactions and strategic growth initiatives, including acquisitions totaling over $100 billion in enterprise value.

“Jimmy brings a distinct combination of wealth management industry expertise, strategic insight, transaction expertise, and operational discipline that aligns directly with our next phase of growth,” Dave Welling, CEO, said.

Zhao, who will serve as a member of the executive leadership team, reporting to Welling, will partner closely with the board of directors and Mercer Advisors’ capital partners to advance the firm’s long-term growth strategy. The M&A Partner Development team, led by executive managing partners Martine Lellis and Ted Motheral, will report into Zhao. He will also lead the expansion of Mercer Advisors’ Corporate Development function to evaluate adjacent markets, new partnerships, and new opportunities.