IVÁN WATANABE

Financial Planner, Opus Advisory Group

Heritage:  Venezuelan, Japanese

Age: 29 

 

Past Recognitions:                                                                                                            

• Leader's Club (Industry Award - National), 2013-2016

• Spoil-You-Weekend Qualifier (Firm-wide Award- Top 10%), 2014-2015

• 2X Client Builder Award (Industry Award – National)

• Breakout Advisor Award (Firm-wide Growth), 2015

• Top 5 Nationally for Guardian Life (Advisors 5yrs and under).

• MDRT qualifier (Industry Award – Globally)

 

By: Tim Estiloz

                                                                       

As a financial planner and Senior Associate of Opus Advisory Group, LLC in New York, Iván Watanabe is devoted to assisting families with diverse backgrounds overcome unique challenges to achieve their personal and financial goals.

 

Born and raised in Bradford, MA, Watanabe is a graduate of Holy Cross College.  He said he entered his profession not only because of his passion for finance but also because of his passion to help other people.

 

“My parents didn’t receive the type of financial advice that I would have liked for them. So, for me my career is about creating everlasting financial legacies and values for families that they can pass on from generation to generation.”

 

Watanabe quickly established himself professionally as a leader while in Boston working for Baystate Financial from 2008 to 2013. Since 2007, he’s been an active member of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) and a former Board of Directors member of ALPFA’s Boston Chapter. As the only Latino member of the Board of Directors for the Holy Cross Alumni Association, Watanabe works to achieve and maintain a multicultural campus and support underrepresented students.

 

Watanabe’s passion to help others comes in large part from his family upbringing. “My mom really instilled in me some really solid values,” said Watanabe. “She has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. So, to make her proud, to make my wife and family proud means the world to me. And, what motivates me via my work is to make a difference and build a sense of community in as many people’s lives as I possibly can. I hope someday to create a team of professionals where we can create a system of generational wealth for the Latino community.”

 

Though today he works in New York city, Boston is always close Watanabe’s heart.

 

“Boston is where I got my start and my foundation”, said Watanabe. “I was able to create a network of really good people around me that have shaped the person that I am today. I wouldn’t be where I am at this stage without the people, friends and mentors I met along the way in Massachusetts.”

 

“I feel honored to be part of the El Mundo Boston Latino 30 Under 30,” said Watanabe. “It means I’ve made enough of a difference in a few people’s lives to be nominated. However, it’s also a lot of responsibility because we are part of shaping the future. But, I’m up for the challenge.”