Seattle – Noted trust management expert and business leader Carla Wigen is joining Laird Norton Wealth Management (LNWM) as managing director of Fiduciary Strategy, strengthening LNWM’s position as the Pacific Northwest’s premier independent wealth management firm and trust company. She will be part of LNWM’s senior leadership team and report to Bob Moser, LNWM’s president & CEO.

“Many of the national banks are changing how they administer trusts, often by centralizing their service teams outside of the market. Not all clients have viewed these changes positively, preferring a local relationship with their trust administrator. LNWM believes we can gain market share with clients looking for high-touch, customized trust services in the Pacific Northwest,” said Moser. “Our trust business has enjoyed a strong reputation since opening in 1967. By bringing Carla to the leadership of the firm, we are committing to new levels of growth and innovation while continuing to provide relationship-based, personalized services to our clients.”

Wigen brings to LNWN nearly 20 years of experience in wealth management and private banking focused exclusively on trusts and estate planning.

“I’ve always admired Laird Norton Wealth Management and its reputation for both delivering top notch trust administration and high-quality client services and for deeply understanding the people that make the Pacific Northwest unique,” said Wigen. “With this role, I’m stepping into a firm that’s committed to building true relationships with its clients and building on more than 50 years of experience to expand how it delivers personalized trust services. I can’t imagine a more exciting opportunity.”

In the new role, Wigen will be responsible for developing strategies to expand LNWM’s fiduciary operations, including new client acquisition and retention, analyzing new market segments and opportunities, as well as helping to evolve our services to meet the changing needs of clients. She will work closely with the firm’s leadership, including Jeanne Goussev, managing director of Fiduciary Services, who will continue to ensure the firm provides high quality fiduciary services to clients, while taking on a new mandate for growth.

Wigen was regional manager of investment and fiduciary services at Wells Fargo Bank and the market leader for Bellevue and Alaska. Previously, she was a trust manager at Washington Trust Bank and served as a senior trust officer at Northwestern Trust, now The Harris Trust. She started her career as an associate attorney at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, P.C., specializing in business, tax and real estate law.

In the Pacific Northwest and beyond, Wigen is frequently sought out for her expertise on trust and estate planning issues and strategies. She chairs the University of Washington’s Estate and Gift Planning Council, serves as President of the Estate Planning Council of Seattle, and is a board member of the Seattle Aquarium and a member of Washington Women in Tax. Wigen earned a Juris Doctorate at the Seattle University School of Law and a Master’s of Law at the University of Washington, where she also earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration. She is also a Certified Public Accountant.

“Carla’s reputation in the industry is impeccable, and when we set out to substantially invest in the growth of our trust business, she’s who we wanted to lead the effort,” continued Moser. “By adding Carla to an already deep bench of fiduciary, estate planning and tax experts, we continue to expand on our position as the region’s premier wealth management firm. We’re excited to have her join our team.”

About Laird Norton Wealth Management

With close to $5 billion in assets under advisement, Laird Norton Wealth Management (LNWM) is the Northwest’s premier wealth management company. Originally founded to serve the financial management needs of the Laird and Norton families, the firm now provides personalized wealth management solutions for more than 600 individuals, families, private foundations and nonprofit organizations. For more than 50 years, Laird Norton Wealth Management has been devoted to helping its clients and their families achieve security, find happiness and thrive in every aspect of their lives. LNWM is relentless in the pursuit of client satisfaction and is committed to never fail at making each client’s best interest its number one priority.