Our Team

Mitch Sands

FoundING PARTNER – LEAD Advisor

mitch@catalystprivatewealth.com

Mitch Sands is a Founding Partner and Lead Advisor at Catalyst Private Wealth, where he works closely with high-net-worth families to design and execute comprehensive financial and investment strategies. Mitch specializes in guiding clients through the complexities of managing concentrated equity positions in both private and public markets. He works extensively with VC-backed entrepreneurs, startup founders, and tech executives—particularly those navigating liquidity events, equity compensation, and pre- or post-IPO planning. Mitch takes pride in Catalyst’s team-based approach, known for its deep planning expertise and commitment to helping clients make confident, informed decisions. He holds Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses, qualifying him to provide a broad range of investment advisory services.

Based in the Bay Area, Mitch lives with his wife Anne, their son Will, and their newborn daughter Emma. Originally from Southern California, he graduated cum laude from the University of San Diego with degrees in Finance and Business Administration. While at USD, Mitch earned Dean’s List First Honors, played four years on the football team, and—most memorably—met Anne, a fellow Torero.

Mitch is also active in his community and previously served on the board of the Northern California chapter of Best Buddies, a nonprofit focused on ending the isolation of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Outside of work, Mitch and Anne find joy in parenting and introducing Will and Emma to new experiences—whether it’s boating, fishing, golfing, or days at the beach. Some of their favorite memories are made right at home, gathered with friends and family around a backyard barbecue.

Bryan Wilson

FoundING PARTNER – LEAD Advisor

bryan@catalystprivatewealth.com

Bryan is a Founding Partner and a Lead Advisor at Catalyst Private Wealth. Working as an advisor, Bryan collaborates with the Catalyst team to deliver comprehensive planning & investment management to clients. He holds the Series 7, Series 63 & Series 65 and is licensed to provide investment advisory services.

Before starting Catalyst Private Wealth, Bryan worked as a Senior Wealth Advisor at ClearPath Capital Partners. Other professional experiences include working for Boston Private, E3 Healthcare, Sonus, and Borel Bank. In addition, Bryan is an investor and advisor to a number of early stage tech startups. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon where he was a Dean’s List scholar.

Born and raised in San Mateo, Bryan attended Saint Francis High School. He, along with his wife Laura, relocated to his hometown along with their beloved French Bulldog, Drake. Recently, they welcomed their daughter, Olivia, into their lives. In his spare time, Bryan can be found on the golf course, binge watching the most recent Netflix documentary, and supporting all Bay Area local sports teams... except the Raiders.

John Dodd, CFA

FoundING PARTNER – Chief Investment Officer

john@catalystprivatewealth.com

John serves as the Chief Investment Officer overseeing Catalyst Private Wealth’s investment process. He chairs the Catalyst Private Wealth Investment Team, which manages a diverse set of global portfolios. Previously, John was the Director of Research at ClearPath Capital Partners as well as an Analyst at Franklin Templeton Investments.

He graduated cum laude from the University of California, Davis (B.S., Managerial Economics), is a CFA® charterholder, and holds his Series 65 securities registration.

In his spare time, John is a winemaker focusing on making wines from the Santa Cruz mountains and is also active in a local Church with his wife Jen.  On the weekends, he enjoys hiking and having any excuse he can find to go to the coast.

Brendan Connaughton

FoundING PARTNER - Managing PARTNER

brendan@catalystprivatewealth.com

For over 25 years Brendan has been a leader in the wealth and investment management industry. As a strategist, researcher, author, speaker, and business owner he has developed and implemented investment and wealth planning strategies that have helped thousands of investors, individuals, charitable organizations, and corporations.

As the Managing Director, he leads the Catalyst team as they build innovative and customized wealth management solutions and strategies for clients. Brendan’s years of industry experience, success as an investor, entrepreneurial passion and strong work ethic make him a valuable resource for our unique client set.

Prior to founding Catalyst Private Wealth, Brendan held sr. level positions of Chief Investment Officer, Sr. Investment Strategist, Sr. Portfolio Manager, Securities Analyst and Bond Trader at some of the world’s leading firms including Blackrock, HSBC Private Bank, Deutsche Bank Private Wealth and Wells Fargo.

Brendan holds a bachelor’s degree from Benedictine College and is licensed as an Investment Advisory Representative (he holds the Series 65 securities registration), Chartered Economist and Chartered Portfolio Manager.

He is a frequent media resource on wealth management issues having appeared on CNBC and Bloomberg Television. Brendan is a contributor for various media outlets as well including Barron’s, The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones’s MarketWatch, the San Francisco Chronicle, Marin Independent Journal and Houston Chronicle.

Brendan is originally from St. Louis, Missouri and has never lost his love of the Midwest or his treasured St. Louis Cardinals. Brendan has two wonderful college-age daughters he is immensely proud of and lives in Marin County, CA. Charitability, he gives his time and efforts to Catholic Charities, the St. Vincent DePaul society and the San Francisco Symphony.

Maki Kern joined Catalyst as Head of Client Services in 2022. She collaborates with the Catalyst team to ensure client service excellence while delivering comprehensive planning and investment management to clients. Maki holds her Series 7 and 66, and is licensed to provide investment advisory services.

Prior to joining Catalyst, Maki worked as a Client Advisor at AllianceBernstein (AB). She started at AB in New York as an associate, and in 2019, she was selected to open the Private Client office of AB’s newly-established headquarters in Nashville. In 2021, Maki was promoted to Client Advisor in AB’s San Francisco office, where she advised entrepreneurs, foundations, and families. Prior to AB, Maki worked at UBS as a Private Client Rotational Associate.

Maki was born in Honolulu and spent her teen years in Washington state before moving to New York to attend Marymount Manhattan College, where she graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor's of Science in International Business with a minor in economics. While earning her degree, she was also a student at the Atlantic Theater's conservatory, where she studied acting, directing and dramaturgy for two years. Her interests include theater, traveling, cooking, podcasts, and American history.

Maki has fallen in love with the Bay Area over the last year, and spends her weekends exploring her new hometown. She is always grateful for suggestions on local restaurants and adventures!

Stacy Sizemore

CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICE

stacy@tru-ind.com

Stacy is the Chief Compliance Officer of Catalyst Private Wealth.  As a compliance professional, she collaborates with the Catalyst team to preserve a culture of compliance and advise us of our regulatory responsibilities. She previously held the Series 7, 9, 10, 24 and 79 when she was associated with a broker-dealer and currently maintains her 63, and 66 and is licensed to provide investment advisory services.

Stacy has over 20 years of experience in the financial industry; 12 of which are in the field of compliance. She has worked with broker-dealers, investment advisors, and hybrids of the two at CitiGroup Smith Barney, D.A. Davidson, and M Securities.  Her strong background in compliance, regulatory audits and her passion for organization is a tremendous asset to tru.

As an Oregon native born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Stacy stayed local and attended Oregon State University where she earned a B.S. in Sociology with an emphasis on Journalism and Marketing.  Stacy, her husband Chris, and teenage daughter, Delanie are true Portlanders.  

Stacy married into an avid basketball family.  Her daughter played competitive ball on a traveling team for six years, her husband coached club ball for over ten years and currently coaches a varsity girls team for a local high school in his spare time and her father-in-law was a high school and club coach for many years. Needless to say, Stacy spends a lot of time watching hoops!