Jonathan Bernstein, CFP®, CFA
Investment Advisor & Financial Planner
Highlights of Jonathan’s Background
Prior Role: Director of Research for Hefren-Tillotson, one of the largest investment advisory and financial planning firms in Pennsylvania. Jonathan led the firm's investment and research process for over $18 billion of assets, guiding more than 90 advisors and 13,000 clients.
Obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2009.
Graduate of Yale College. Master's of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Brooklyn College.
From 2007 to 2012, Jonathan was a financial planner and investment advisor for Altfest Personal Wealth Management in New York, a pioneer in fee-only financial planning.
Became a CFA charterholder® in 2013. The CFA® Charter is a globally recognized designation that attests to success in a rigorous and comprehensive study program in the investment management and research industry and a commitment to ethical conduct.
Frequent contributor to media publications including Reuters, The Chicago Tribune and US News and World Report. You can read a profile of Jonathan about his prior role at Hefren-Tillotson in investment research magazine Citywire.
Jonathan’s articles on charitable giving strategies and the drawbacks of cryptocurrency have appeared in Investment News and The Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
Created Hefren-Tillotson’s Impact Portfolios, integrating sustainable, impact driven investment strategies.
Jonathan’s Take on Financial Planning, Investing and Life
What attracted you to financial planning?
My parents instilled in me the necessity of helping other people. I found that financial planning was a great combination of my desire to help make the world a better place and my intellectual interest in the financial world.
What is your top investment advice?
The key is to avoid making big mistakes when investing. Sticking with a diversified, low cost, investment portfolio is much likelier to lead one to meet one’s goal than trying to pick just the winners.
What is the top mistake people make about money in general?
Letting the stress of money prevent them from taking control of their financial lives. It’s normal to find investing and financial planning stressful. But it does not have to be. In my many years of experience helping people reach their goals, I have worked to make money a positive and empowering part of life.
What do you value most?
My family comes first, so spending time with my wife and kids is incredibly important to me.
How do you spend your spare time?
Volunteering in my local community is a vital part of my life. I have served as President of Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh as well as Treasurer of the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. Currently, I serve on the Finance and Investment Committees of the Kohelet School in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania.
What do you do for fun?
I love to travel. I have been fortunate to go on some amazing trips - including trips with my mom to Machu Picchu and visits to some of the world’s top art museums with my family. I also love photography and making photo books of my trips. Lastly, I also write plays and fiction.