Our Team

Meet Our Team

Teams

  • Wealth Management

Locations

  • Mercer Island

Roles

  • Wealth Manager
  • Wealth Strategy Group

Heather Hamamoto, CFP®, CDFA®

Associate Wealth Manager

As an Associate Wealth Manager, Heather is responsible for helping clients identify and achieve their financial goals through an approachable and understandable, comprehensive wealth management plan. She coordinates with the clients’ other trusted advisors (CPAs, attorneys, insurance agents) to make sure families are covered across the board and have confidence in their overall financial life. Her primary goal is to serve as an advocate for our clients and formulate worry-free solutions.

Heather graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, then went on to earn a JD at the Seattle University School of Law. She has over nine years of wealth management experience at Merrill Lynch; initially as a registered client associate before progressing into a financial advisor role with a heavy emphasis on comprehensive financial planning. Prior to that, Heather was an estate planning attorney for four years at a small firm in Seattle. She holds her FINRA Series 7 and 66, WA Life, Disability, Variable Life and Variable Annuity licenses. Heather is also a Certified Financial Planner. She looks forward to continuing her education in the wealth management industry.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. CDFA® and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® are trademarks of The Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts™

MOST TREASURED THING I OWN

My digital photo and video archive.  The old adage holds true: “The days are long, but the years are short.” My favorite thing to do at the end of a hectic day is to revisit a happy moment in time with my family and reminisce about days gone by.

ONE PIECE OF ADVICE

The ability to be an active and empathic listener is such an important skill to develop in our everyday interactions with others.  In my conversations with clients, I want them to feel that they are being truly heard in terms of their needs, goals, and fears, and not being given a sales pitch for products and services. Only then can meaningful relationships be created and proactive problem solving begin.

HOBBIES

With two school-age kids, most of my time outside the office revolves around their activities and sports schedules! As a family we love to ski, swim, attend UW football games, and explore the PNW. When we can get away, my husband and I love attending musicals/concerts and partnering in summer triathlons.  As for “me time” I can often be found on the running trails or wine tasting with friends.

COLDSTREAM SHAREHOLDER

coldstream shareholder logoColdstream is an employee-owned financial services firm. We believe that by having broad employee ownership, we can attract and retain the industry’s best talent – in turn furthering our mission of enhancing people’s lives.

Recent Article Contributions

  • February 23, 2026

    What Does It Mean to Serve as the Executor of an Estate?

    What’s in this article? What is an executor? Executor core responsibilities The process of settling an estate Timeline expectations Fiduciary duty Finding support   Being named the executor of an estate is both practical and personal. On paper, it’s a legal role. In reality, it’s a position of trust. You’re the person someone chose to [...]

    Contributions from: Heather Hamamoto, CFP®, CDFA®
  • January 27, 2026

    Helping Your Child Complete Their First Tax Return

    What’s inside this article? When does your child need to file a tax return? What documents will they need to gather? Common first-time mistakes to watch out for Creating an opportunity to build financial literacy When professional help may make sense   There are a lot of “firsts” that mark the transition into adulthood — [...]

    Contributions from: Heather Hamamoto, CFP®, CDFA®
  • June 20, 2025

    Incorporating a “Die with Zero” Philosophy into Your Long-Term Financial Plan

    Are you intrigued by the idea of maximizing life experiences and strategically spending your wealth while you’re able to enjoy it? If you’ve read Die with Zero: Getting all you can from your money and your life by Bill Perkins, you may be inspired to rethink traditional wealth accumulation. This book challenges the conventional mindset, encouraging individuals [...]

    Contributions from: Heather Hamamoto, CFP®, CDFA®, Anne Marie Stonich, CFP®, CPA