Michael Ottolini, CFA

Michael Ottolini is a Principal in the New York office and Portfolio Manager within the Family Office practice. He partners with ultra-high-net-worth families, founders, and senior executives to build investment programs that are both durable and adaptive, grounded in rigorous portfolio construction and manager selection while tailored to each client’s broader financial architecture. Michael emphasizes asset allocation alongside manager selection as complementary drivers of long-term outcomes, integrating public and private market opportunities with a focus on risk management, tax efficiency, and wealth preservation across generations.

Before joining Cerity Partners, Michael spent 12 years at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Most recently, he served as Vice President and Investment Manager Selection Analyst within the Chief Investment Office, where he evaluated and recommended strategies across domestic and thematic equities. Earlier in his career, he was part of Merrill’s Private Banking & Investment Group in Chicago, serving as both an investment analyst and relationship manager. In that role, he focused on portfolio trading, manager due diligence, custom reporting, and relationship management for ultra-high-net-worth families. This combination of institutional research and direct advisory experience allows Michael to bridge analytical rigor with practical judgment, offering clients a measured, long-term perspective in navigating complex markets and opportunities.