Why I Love My Job
The short answer is the people and the culture. The work itself can be challenging and rewarding, but at the end of the day—actually, early in the morning—it’s the people I work with and the culture HH fosters that keep me coming in day after day.
Based in Halbert Hargrove’s San Diego office, Brenden enjoys the many responsibilities that encompass his role. He has held various positions since joining the firm in 2011, something he believes gives him unique insights. “The experience I’ve gained through performing several roles, ranging from internal to client facing, allows me to see a more complete picture of the firm,” he says. “Due to that, I can help marry HH’s client service standards with its internal operations to foster a complimentary environment.”
Brenden emphasizes the detailed nature of his role: “I love the details – being called ‘eagle eye’ by colleagues is no small compliment!” He also credits HH’s culture for his continued growth and development. “HH has an amazing culture that fosters and celebrates each employee’s unique abilities and ambitions – it encourages associates to grow both personally and professionally.” He is also an active member of HH’s Wealth Advisory Committee.
Before joining HH in 2011, Brenden was an Asset Manager for more than four years with MKA Capital Group Advisors, LLC, an investment company specializing in real estate mezzanine financing. In this role, he managed a portfolio of projects in excess of $90 million; he was also responsible for maintaining completion timelines, and negotiating and restructuring loans.
Brenden earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Southern California in 2007. In 2023, he earned a Master of Studies in Law and a Graduate Certificate in Financial Compliance from USC Gould School of Law. He was awarded the ACCREDITED INVESTMENT FIDUCIARY™ designation by the University of Pittsburgh-affiliated Center for Fiduciary Studies and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. He is also a Certified Investment Management Analyst® professional.
Married to an amazing wife with whom he has two daughters (one with two legs and one with four!) and a son, Brenden loves spending time with his family. He is an avid hockey fan—always cheering on the Chicago Blackhawks. He also enjoys playing ice hockey and exercising in his free time.
Fun Fact
I’m one of the subset of people for whom cilantro tastes like soap. I refer to it as “the Devil’s Garnish.”
