Our advisors utilize their experience and expertise and that of their colleagues to develop the best solutions for your complex personal and professional financial situations.
Actionable planning strategies to inform and guide your decision-making.
Partner
Chicago
Client Advisory
Doug is a Partner in the Chicago office and has more than twenty-five years of experience in managing client assets and advising wealthy individuals and families. Doug’s financial market observations have appeared on Bloomberg TV and Radio, CBS Marketwatch and WBBM news radio in Chicago. Doug’s opinions and analysis on the financial markets were published in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Reuters, Kiplinger, Chicago Tribune, and various major market daily newspapers. Doug is a founding Partner, member of the firm’s Investment Committee, and leader of the Asset Allocation Sub-Committee.
Prior to co-founding Cerity Partners, Doug was a Managing Director leading the Chicago market for Legg Mason Investment Counsel. In addition to his office and client responsibilities, Doug was a key member of the firm’s Executive Committee and also served on the Global Equity Committee. Before joining Legg Mason, Doug was the Chief Investment Officer for a regional bank based in Ohio and also spent ten years with a prestigious trust company based in St. Louis, Missouri.
Q:
Who inspired you to pursue your career in financial management?
My Econ professor Walter Johnson at the University of Missouri inspired me to pursue a career in finance. He taught me how interconnected the economy is and the power of the ripple effects of any decision. I found the whole concept fascinating and still do to this day.
Was there a specific incident in your life that made it clear you were made for this career?
When I was 12 or 13, my father took me and the money I had saved delivering newspapers to the local savings and loan to open a passbook savings account. It was on the second visit to deposit more money into my passbook savings account that I noticed another entry titled "interest" that caught my eye. Seemed so logical to want your money to work as hard as you do...
Why is your work important, especially today?
Complexity. In can come in the form of estate planning, wealth transfer issues, US citizens living abroad, divorce and alternative assets. Wealth transfer issues will be even more critical as the estate and gift tax exemption is set to be cut in half in 2026.
What differentiates Cerity Partners from other firms in our space?
There are so many things which differentiate Cerity Partners from other firms - independence, fiduciary expertise, experienced advisors, a seasoned investment committee, access to select client solutions, and more. But the most important difference is the people of Cerity Partners and the passion they bring to their job everyday to help our clients solve their financial challenges.
What do you do in your personal life that helps you help your clients?
Accountability. My parents always taught me to do things right and on time. If you make a mistake, and mistakes do happen, own up to it and always make it right. It's how you respond that people remember.
What does the world need now more than anything?
A way to come together and recognize our differences for the greater good.
Douglas Nardi
Financial Planning
The CARES Act and subsequent IRS guidance have created unique planning opportunities for individuals with IRAs.
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