Wexler Making Maximum Impact at Bernstein Private Wealth Management

With a career of more than two decades in financial services, Kristine Wexler is an expert in catering to the needs of businesspeople.

Wexler, the managing director and a principal of Bernstein Private Wealth Management, first joined the firm in 2020 and, since being named managing director at the start of 2024, has spent the last two years cementing Bernstein’s status as a leading firm serving business owners, corporate executives, high-net-worth families and nonprofits in one of the fastest-growing wealth management markets in the U.S.

To cap off her second year at the helm, Wexler was named the San Diego Business Journal’s Business Woman of the Year in the Large Public Company category.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized for my impact in the community, hard work, and deep commitment to the San Diego business community and financial services industry,” Wexler said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to make a positive impact in the lives of our employees and clients throughout San Diego.”

Prior to joining Bernstein, Wexler spent nearly 20 years with the private wealth management and investment group Bessemer Trust, leaving the firm as a senior client advisor managing 35 families, 500 accounts, 175 relationships and $1.8 billion in assets.
In addition to her day-to-day duties leading Bernstein, Wexler has been a “trailblazer” in growing the firm’s brand, according to Bernstein Vice President of Public Relations Katrina Clay.

Wexler has overseen more than 50 high-profile events in just the past year and secured speaking slots for her and members of Bernstein’s team at events like University of San Diego’s Nonprofit Leadership and Governance Symposium, the North San Diego Business Chamber’s Women’s Week and the San Diego Fundraising Conference.

“Kristine’s ability to inspire and empower her team through a culture of collaboration, innovation, and integrity sets her apart from her industry peers,” Clay stated. “Her remarkable achievements make her a deserving (winner) for the San Diego Business Journal’s Business Women of the Year Award.”

Involved in Industry, Community

Beyond Bernstein, Wexler sits on the boards of the San Diego Humane Society, the Community Resource Center and the regional innovation nonprofit Connect. She’s also a financial backer of TEDx San Diego and has aided the development of the San Diego chapter of the senior women executive network Chief.

Wexler is a member of the Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund and the North San Diego Business Chamber, where she has spoken multiple times during their Women’s Week leadership conference.

According to Clay, Wexler has helped Bernstein’s San Diego office flourish and has made an extensive impact on her local community.

“Her commitment to trust, client services, and strategic planning has solidified Bernstein’s reputation as a leading wealth management firm for business owners, corporate executives, and nonprofits,” Clay stated.

Eli is an award-winning reporter primarily covering the tech and life sciences industries. He previously worked as the San Diego City Hall reporter for the regional wire City News Service. He has also covered public health, transportation and state and local politics in the San Francisco Bay Area for Local News Matters, the nonprofit arm of the regional wire Bay City News Service, where he also oversaw the development and daily content management of the outlet’s public health and COVID-19 news and resource webpage. He is also a contributing writer covering Minor League Baseball for the analysis and commentary website Baseball Prospectus. Eli is a graduate of San Francisco State University and a native of Northern California.