Aleese Peterson-Cotton

Aleese is a Sr. Wealth Strategist at Northern Trust in San Francisco. She works closely with high-net-worth individuals and families to help optimize and manage their wealth. By identifying client goals and values, Aleese and her team coordinate local resources and national capabilities to help clients reach their objectives. She leads a team of specialists who work in concert to design and implement tailored financial strategies in trust and estate planning, investment management, banking, lending, and philanthropy. She has a particular depth in working with corporate executives, owners of privately held businesses, and multi-generational families.

Aleese has worked in the financial services industry for more than 20 years. Prior to joining Northern Trust in 2025, she spent 16 total years at Bank of America N.A, including the Private Bank and legacy U.S. Trust. Aleese has also served as an Advisor and a Director for two Registered Investment Advisors in the Bay Area, which has given her additional insights into the unique wealth management needs of her clients.

Fascinated by financial technology, and passionate about teaching financial literacy, Aleese applies her leadership skills to helping Bay Area communities through financial empowerment programs and volunteerism. She is an advocate for women, having led local Chapters of LEAD for Women and now leading empowerment events with Elevating Women. She has also served critical needs organizations, such as Feeding America and Rescue Missions, in various capacities since 2004. These passions stem from a lifetime of being an active member of Interact, Rotaract, and Rotary Clubs.

2024

Originally from Northern California, Aleese attended Cal Poly-Humboldt, and later, University of Phoenix in San Diego. She earned a Bachelor of Science in business finance and has continued to take financial planning courses through U.C. Berkeley Extension.

FINRA: Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses