Meet Our Advisory Team
Our Newport Beach-based financial advisors offer personalized financial planning and investment management services to individuals and families. We help our clients make confident, informed decisions about their finances, whether they’re preparing for retirement, planning their estate, or growing generational wealth.
Our team has deep experience serving professionals in Orange County, working with business owners & entrepreneurs as well as retirees and pre-retirees. We are also proud to serve women, specifically those going through major life milestones such as losing a spouse, the birth of a grandchild, or going through a divorce or remarriage.
If you’re searching for a financial advisor in Newport Beach, CA, our team is ready to support you and your financial goals.
Connect with Us
Courtney and the Beacon Pointe Advisory team have been top notch!!! They communicate and keep me advised on the changing market. I appreciate everything they have done for me and my portfolio. Thank you for everything.
I highly recommend Beacon Pointe Advisors for financial planning and management. Debra Curry is the definition of a professional, compassionate and educated advisor. Her constant follow up is incredibly helpful in navigating current financial changes not only in markets but in my own personal situation. She is very supportive and provides excellent service and advice at all times with great responsiveness. I have also worked closely with Tamara who is incredible at follow up and follow through as well. Working with Debra, Tamara and all of the caring and knowledgeable staff at Beacon Point Advisors has provided me with peace of mind money can’t buy. They have also assisted my family during some challenging times and were always right there providing caring and knowledgeable support. Thank you Debra and all of the staff!
Debra has been a wonderful help in maintaining and growing my account. She’s always taken the time to explain fully whenever I ask a question, and often offers additional resources if you want to educate yourself. Every conversation has been friendly, supportive, and educational, and I leave each time feeling secure with her handling this. Her service is appreciated, and her ethic is golden.
Courtney and the Beacon Pointe Advisory team have been top notch!!! They communicate and keep me advised on the changing market. I appreciate everything they have done for me and my portfolio. Thank you for everything.
I highly recommend Beacon Pointe Advisors for financial planning and management. Debra Curry is the definition of a professional, compassionate and educated advisor. Her constant follow up is incredibly helpful in navigating current financial changes not only in markets but in my own personal situation. She is very supportive and provides excellent service and advice at all times with great responsiveness. I have also worked closely with Tamara who is incredible at follow up and follow through as well. Working with Debra, Tamara and all of the caring and knowledgeable staff at Beacon Point Advisors has provided me with peace of mind money can’t buy. They have also assisted my family during some challenging times and were always right there providing caring and knowledgeable support. Thank you Debra and all of the staff!
Debra has been a wonderful help in maintaining and growing my account. She’s always taken the time to explain fully whenever I ask a question, and often offers additional resources if you want to educate yourself. Every conversation has been friendly, supportive, and educational, and I leave each time feeling secure with her handling this. Her service is appreciated, and her ethic is golden.
Managing Directors
Vanessa Burnett, CFP®
Partner, Managing Director
Vanessa Burnett is a Partner and Managing Director at Beacon Pointe Advisors with over a decade of professional experience advising high-net-worth individuals and families. Vanessa launched her career in 2008, just before the Great Financial Crisis. Rather than being deterred, Vanessa saw this event as her calling, proving that with a solid plan and the right team, success was achievable. She is passionate about serving her clients, helping them achieve their financial goals, and mentoring her team to do great things both in and out of the office. Vanessa graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in communication and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. She holds the California Life, Health, and Disability insurance license and has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) since 2011. Vanessa is a member of Beacon Pointe’s Women’s Advisory Institute and currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Elizabeth House, a shelter for pregnant women and their children experiencing homelessness in Pasadena, California. Outside of the office, Vanessa spends time with her family and enjoys staying active in any way possible – be it solo on the Peloton or the trampoline with her kids.
Wealth Advisors
Conor Turley
Wealth Advisor
Conor Turley is a Wealth Advisor at Beacon Pointe. He works with individuals and families whose success is built upon strong values, a solid work ethic, and a deep commitment to their communities. He aims to serve clients with care, compassion, and dedication in navigating complex financial decisions, primarily through designing customized financial plans. His role is to be a guide and a trusted resource in building, managing, and preserving wealth for the present-day and future generations. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Conor served as the Captain of the University of Pennsylvania Men’s Basketball team while graduating with honors from the College of Arts and Sciences. He later played professional basketball in Latin America for five years, winning the FIBA Americas tournament and representing the Mexican National Team. He speaks Spanish with native proficiency and is a dual citizen of the United States and Mexico. Following his basketball career, he worked for Apple Leisure Group, where he advanced to the position of Sales Director, finding creative solutions to help others. Conor’s sports background and his passion for serving others have set the foundation for excellent client service and the ability to efficiently collaborate with a team. Outside of the office, Conor enjoys spending time with his wife, Mayra, and their dog, Kali, family, and friends.
Courtney McCutchan, CDFA®, CFP®
Wealth Advisor
Courtney McCutchan is a Wealth Advisor who works closely with her clients to first identify their unique financial goals and then develop and implement a customized roadmap that is tailored to meet their specific needs and aspirations for their wealth. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Courtney was a Wealth Advisor at Bridge Advisory and previously a VP Wealth Planner for the Southern California region at Union Bank. Having earned a full scholarship to play Division 1 volleyball at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, Courtney made the most of her four years there, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Economics, a double major in Finance and Marketing, and a minor in Communications. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) and resides in Glendale with her fiancé, Sierra, and their two dogs, Beasley & Barkley. Outside of the office, Courtney enjoys working out, going out to dinner with friends, and spending time with her family in Newport Beach, CA.
Dave Penniall, CFP®
Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor
Dave Penniall is a Partner at Beacon Pointe Advisors with over four decades of wealth management experience advising high-net-worth business owners, athletes, families, and other individuals. Dave became an investment manager in 1982, after a seven-year career in Major League Baseball. During his time as a professional athlete, he observed the financial challenges his fellow teammates faced firsthand, recognizing a prevalent issue among athletes who rapidly accrue wealth only to lose it through poor money management. This concern motivated Dave to change career paths into the finance industry, where he has since dedicated himself to strengthening financial literacy, amongst others. Dave earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), holds various securities, insurance, and real estate licenses, and has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) since 1985. Dave and his wife have three wonderful children, one of whom played baseball for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) just like his father.
Debra Curry, CFP®
Senior Wealth Advisor
Debra Curry is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Beacon Pointe, where she collaborates with the investment and financial planning teams to create tailored solutions that help clients achieve their financial objectives. With over 30 years of wealth management experience, Debra specializes in advising high-net-worth individuals and families. She is particularly passionate about empowering women investors, especially those navigating significant life transitions, to make informed financial decisions. Her experience extends to addressing the practical and financial challenges associated with caring for loved ones with chronic illnesses. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Debra served as a senior wealth advisor at Bridge Advisory for many years, which was acquired by Beacon Pointe Advisors in 2024. She has held the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) designation since 2008 and actively contributes to the Beacon Pointe Women’s Advisory Institute. Outside of the office, Debra enjoys spending quality time with family, seeing live shows, and taking road trips or staycations to her favorite local spots.
Devon Nick
Senior Strategic Investment Advisor
Devon Nick is a Senior Strategic Investment Advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors and is responsible for developing and implementing investment strategies for clients, conducting market research, fund, and manager due diligence. With over a decade of experience in wealth management, he is deeply passionate about guiding others through their financial journeys. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Devon was a trader and investment analyst for Bridge Advisory, where he managed trading, client billings, and investment analysis. Devon earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Southern California. Outside of the office, he enjoys spending quality time with friends and family and staying physically active.
Hal Smith, CDFA®, LTCP, NSSA
Senior Wealth Advisor
Hal Smith is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Beacon Pointe and is responsible for partnering with the Beacon Pointe investment and financial planning teams to provide customized solutions that help clients meet their financial goals. Hal started his career in the financial services industry in 1985 with Charles Schwab & Co., managing branches and regions for over two decades. After spending 30 years in management supporting financial advisors, Hal became an advisor and joined Bridge Advisory, which later joined forces with Beacon Pointe in 2024. Given Hal’s years of experience, he has deep insight into investing, financial planning, real estate, and tax-efficient strategies. Hal has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a Minor in Psychology from the University of Georgia and a graduate certificate from the Bryant University financial planning program. Hal is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®), a National Social Security Advisor (NSSA), holds the Long-Term Care Professional (LTCP) designation, and has his California Health and Life Insurance license. Outside of the office, Hal enjoys spending time with his three adult sons, hiking with his dog, swimming, yoga, reading, and traveling.
Client Service & Operations
Tamara Tudor
Relationship Manager
Tamara Tudor is a Relationship Manager and is responsible for partnering with the firm’s investment and wealth management teams to provide an elevated service experience for clients and develop strong, long-lasting relationships. Tamara is a University of Southern California alumni with a major in philosophy, and she also earned a DIP CII from the UK’s Chartered Institute of Insurance, specializing in Financial Administration and Insurance. She then became an underwriter for insurance companies, including domestic and international expat mortgages, group risk (life and disability), and international health insurance. Since returning from London back to the United States, she transitioned away from insurance and into wealth management, and has been a Client Service Associate for more than five years. Outside of the office, Tamara enjoys hiking the hills of Laguna Canyon, cycling up and down the coast, reading, yoga, and disc golf.
