Our Team
Alan Zafran is a Founder and Managing Partner of IEQ Capital and has served as a financial adviser to wealthy families and institutional investors for three decades. Mr. Zafran also sits on the Investment Committee at IEQ Capital.
Mr. Zafran began his career at Goldman Sachs in the Private Client Group. After seven years at Goldman Sachs, Mr. Zafran and his entire team joined Merrill Lynch, where he helped to build the Private Banking and Investment Group. In 2008, Mr. Zafran co-founded Luminous Capital, an independent Registered Investment Advisory firm. At Luminous, he served as a Portfolio Manager and member of the investment committee. Luminous Capital managed $5.5 billion of assets when it was acquired by First Republic Bank in 2012. At First Republic Bank, Mr. Zafran served as Senior Managing Director and Wealth Manager.
Mr. Zafran has been named one of "America’s Top Wealth Advisors" by Forbes. In addition, Barron's named him one of “America’s Top 100 Financial Advisors” and as one of "America's Top 100 Independent Wealth Advisors". IEQ Capital has also been recognized as a Top RIA by both Barron's and Forbes, both of which Mr. Zafran is cited as one of the firm's top executives.*
Mr. Zafran is active in his community. He is the Secretary, Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors, as well as serves on the Investment Committee for the Silicon Valley Community Foundation; is a member of the Board of Directors for Taube Philanthropies; serves as a member of the PIMCO RIA Council; serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Shuchman Lesser Foundation; serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Filoli Center; serves on the Investment Committee for the Board of Trustees of the Portola Valley School Foundation Endowment; serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Craft Contemporary Museum; and is a member of the Board of Advisors for the Center for Mathematics and Teaching.
Mr. Zafran holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science from Stanford University, Phi Beta Kappa, and MBA from Harvard Business School.
Awards & Recognition
- 2023 Forbes Best-In-State
- 2022 Forbes Best-In-State
- 2021 Forbes America’s Top 250
- 2021 Forbes Best-In-State
- 2020 Forbes America’s Top 250
- 2020 Forbes Best-In-State
- 2019 Forbes Best-In-State
Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms is an independent listing produced annually by Barron’s (September 2022). The annual ranking of independent advisory companies is based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria, including the assets a firm manages and the revenue those assets generate, its regulatory record, staffing levels and diversity, technology spending, and succession planning. This ranking does not guarantee any potential investment outcomes, nor does it rank advisors based on investment performance. There is no fee for participation. However, IEQ does pay a $15,000 annual membership for the right to be featured in Barron’s magazine itself (outside of the ranking) and for using Barron’s logo in our marketing pieces. More information can be found here: https://www.barrons.com/advisor/articles/the-top-independent-advisors-and-rias-how-to-pick-the-right-one-for-you-51663358400?tesla=y
The Forbes ranking of Best-in-State Wealth Advisors and America’s Top Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria learned through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data such as revenue trends and assets under management. The algorithm additionally weighs factors such as service models, compliance records and industry experience, and focuses on those that encompass best practices in their approach to working with clients. All advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years experience. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. More information can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gZnGua5G. The award listed is not an endorsement of any third party to invest with IEQ and is not indicative of future performance. Investors should not rely on awards for any purpose and should conduct their own review prior to investing.
Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms is an independent listing produced annually by Barron’s (September 2023). The annual ranking of independent advisory companies is based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria, including the assets a firm manages and the revenue those assets generate, its regulatory record, staffing levels and diversity, technology spending, and succession planning. This ranking does not guarantee any potential investment outcomes, nor does it rank advisors based on investment performance. There is no fee for participation. However, IEQ does pay a $15,000 annual membership for the right to be featured in Barron’s magazine itself (outside of the ranking) and for using Barron’s logo in our marketing pieces. More information can be found here: https://www.barrons.com/advisor/articles/the-top-independent-advisors-and-rias-how-to-pick-the-right-one-for-you-51663358400?tesla=y