Yudi Gross began his career as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, where he worked with a large wealth management practice. It was on that team where Yudi met Michael Walstrom, his future partner and co-founder of Aequus. After working together, Yudi and Michael decided to move their practice to Morgan Stanley, where he served as a financial advisor as well as a portfolio manager.
During his time there, Yudi continued to attract new clients while providing comprehensive financial planning and sophisticated wealth management. In 2018, he was awarded a graduate certificate in Financial Planning from New York University. In 2019, Yudi earned his Certified Financial Planner™ designation. In 2020, Yudi’s vision for an ideal practice and firm came to fruition when he co-founded Aequus.
Giving Back
Philanthropy has always been both a passion and priority for Yudi. Since moving back to Florida from New York, his desire to give back found a home at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County.
He quickly became an emerging leader assuming numerous leadership roles, including being invited to the Board of Directors and helping launch a new leadership program called the Emerging Philanthropist Institute. He is also on the board of the Jacobson Jewish Community Foundation and serves as chair for the Professional Advisory Committee, a group of financial planning professionals that share philanthropic values.
He is a member of the Jewish Federation of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet where he is currently serving as the Engagement Vice Chair. Previously, he was the Jewish Life Vice Chair, served on the national chair selection committee and was a member of the national inclusion task force.
Prior to becoming a financial advisor, Yudi worked in national politics and public policy, culminating with a position at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. He holds a bachelor’s of Talmudic Law from the Shor Yohsuv Institute and a Master of Science in Education Administration from Hofstra University.
Personable & Empathetic
Yudi is personable; those who know him feel an immediate connection. That sense of approachability has contributed to the success of his practice; clients feel empowered and engaged.
While he likes to cook, he has found a new hobby in brewing Kombucha tea and is always glad to share a bottle or two. He is an avid reader; his Kindle always by his side and frequently sharing his recent finds on GoodReads. It is not uncommon to receive a book from Yudi with a simple note: “Enjoy!”
Yudi’s empathy enables him to constantly seek ways to make the lives of others better, through his philanthropy and the work he does for his clients. Despite the grumblings of his concerned Jewish mother, Yudi has a passion for riding his motorcycle spending most Sundays on the backroads of Florida or venturing beyond the Florida border for longer trips.
