Massimiliano De Santis

PhD, CFP®

DESMO Wealth Advisors, LLC

Wealth Advisor and Founder

Contact Me

Massimiliano De Santis

PhD, CFP®

DESMO Wealth Advisors, LLC

Wealth Advisor and Founder

As a fee-only financial planner, my focus is to offer unbiased financial advice to help you achieve your life goals. - Massimiliano De Santis, PhD, CFP®

Contact Me

203-252-4304

Website

Fee-Only financial planner serving clients in the Austin metro area in person and virtually across the country

Massimiliano ("Massi") De Santis is a Austin, TX fee-only financial planner.  DESMO Wealth Advisors, LLC provides objective financial planning and investment management to help clients organize, grow and protect your resources throughout your life.  As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, Massi De Santis is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.

Massimiliano ("Massi") De Santis is a Ph.D. economist and a CFP® professional specializing in financial planning and behavioral economics. Massi has over 18 years of experience in solving complex financial problems for individuals, financial advisors, and endowments and foundations. Before founding DESMO Wealth, Massi held senior investment strategy positions at Dimensional Fund Advisors in Austin and Stone Ridge Asset Management in New York. Prior to moving to the financial services industry, Massi was an assistant professor at Dartmouth College, where he taught finance and macroeconomics.

Massi’s accomplishments include the development of award winning strategies at Dimensional Fund Advisors and, with S&P Dow Jones, the development of the first set of indices that track retirement readiness (the S&P STRIDE indices).

Massi has written numerous papers on financial planning, retirement, risk management, and portfolio selection. His academic research has been published in top tier academic journals like the American Economic Review and informs the way we design our plans at DESMO.

Massi is a public speaker and teacher, and has lectured at domestic and international universities, central banks, and professional organizations.

Massi is member of the finance council at his local church, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and started out after college as a fireman in his hometown in Maremma, Italy. He moved to California to pursue his Ph.D. in economics and finance. He is married with three sons.

Massimiliano De Santis is a Member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors - highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.

NAPFA members live by three important values:

  • To be the beacon for independent, objective financial advice for individuals and families.
  • To be the champion of financial services delivered in the public interest.
  • To be the standard bearer for the emerging profession of financial planning.

Massi De Santis founded DESMO Wealth to help people live better lives through enhanced financial health and wellness.  De Santis founded DESMO after several years in senior investment positions at Dimensional Fund Advisors and Stone Ridge Asset Management. Prior to joining the industry, De Santis was an assistant professor of economics and finance at Dartmouth College. His accomplishments include the development of award winning strategies working alongside Nobel Laureate Robert C. Merton at Dimensional Fund Advisors, and the development of the first set of indices that track retirement readiness with S&P Dow Jones.

Achieving anything important to you in life requires planning and it involves money questions. Relationships, passions, travel, emotions, all things Italian, you name it. At DESMO, we are passionate about building the foundation of your life pursuits through financial planning and coaching. Think of DESMO as your new financial fitness coach. We are going to help you achieve your life goals!

Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.

Specialties

  • Comprehensive Financial Planning
  • Retirement Income Planning
  • Investment Management
  • College Education Planning
  • Tax Planning

Ideal Clients

  • Retirees and Near Retirees
  • Growing Families
  • Business Owners and Executives
  • Sudden Money Situations
  • Novice Investors

Working Together

  • In-Office Meetings
  • Virtual Meetings
  • Clearly Defined Fees
  • No Product Sales
  • Complimentary Initial Consultation

Professional Designations & Affiliations

  • National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA)
    Massimiliano De Santis is a NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor

    The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.

  • XY Planning Network
    Massimiliano De Santis is a Member of the XY Planning Network

    The XY Planning Network is the leading organization of fee-only financial advisors who are focused on working with Generation X and Generation Y clients. Our mission is to connect consumers with best-in-class financial advisors who specialize in working with clients just like you.

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
    Massimiliano De Santis is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional - Click for Verification

    CFP® professionals are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in your best interest. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can use the CFP® designation.

Contact Massimiliano De Santis

203-252-4304

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Office Locations:

  • By Appointment Only
    Lakeway, TX 78734

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