With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Denise leads Zapata Private Wealth Group with a blend of strategic insight and heartfelt care. As CEO, she’s built her reputation on more than just financial expertise—she’s known as a valued confidante, helping clients navigate major life transitions with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

Denise launched her career with dual degrees in Economics and Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside. Over the years, she’s continued evolving to meet the changing needs of her clients and the industry. Her philosophy centers on the understanding that financial decisions are deeply personal—tied to emotions, relationships, and pivotal life moments. Lately, she’s been especially focused on ways to empower Women to have an even playing field in the world of finance, as well as keeping her finger on the pulse of changes happening within her industry.

One of her proudest professional achievements has been growing her firm from a solo practice into a fully staffed, thriving business—a milestone that once seemed out of reach. Beyond the office, Denise remains deeply involved in her community. Recently, she and the ZPW team organized a toy drive benefiting House of Ruth, a local Women’s shelter, and she’s currently working to support a scholarship program at Upland High School.

Denise is also a proud mother of four: Victoria (22), recently graduated from Yale and is now preparing for law school; Jessica (18), attending UC San Diego; Sergio Jr. (16), a driven high school sophomore; and Daniel (14), her youngest, who brings curiosity and humor to the family. All four have grown up around the business and continue to inspire her commitment to balancing ambition with purpose.

Jessica recently rejoined the Zapata Private Wealth Group, LLC office after a small break from working to focus on her health. She is a recent cancer survivor who battled Leukemia (AML) and has been a part of our office since 2015. She has a bachelor’s degree in finance and business administration from CSUSB, has been a Notary Public since 2016, and has become a Real Estate Broker. Jessica has a vast amount of customer service experience and enjoys helping all of the Zapata Private Wealth Group LLC clients in any way she can.

During her off time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also has a lot of hobbies that include crafting, going to concerts and movies, and traveling. Her favorite thing to do is to create handmade gifts for loved ones as she is a pro at using her Cricut. One of her lifetime goals is to travel to as many new places as she can, at least one every year. The office is ecstatic to have such a wonderful and creative team member back.

Philip recently joined Zapata Private Wealth Group, bringing over a decade of experience in finance, accounting, and analysis. With extensive experience in investment banking, Philip is committed to delivering strategic financial insights and personalized service that drive long-term value for both the firm and its clients.

Before joining ZPW, Philip served as Vice President and Managing Director at Bois Capital, an independent investment bank and advisory firm focused on the global software technology and telecommunications industries.

Philip earned dual B.B.A. degrees in Finance and Accounting from California State University, Fullerton. He also holds an M.B.A. degree from the Rady School of Management at the University of California, San Diego.

Outside of work, Philip enjoys exploring international cuisines, traveling, staying active, and expanding his Mandarin language skills. He also has a passion for playing Mahjong and cooking. A dedicated sports fan, Philip enthusiastically supports the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Diego Padres.

In her role as Plan Manager at LPL Financial, Fiona supports Denise M. Zapata and Zapata Private Wealth Group where she assists in developing and executing comprehensive financial plans. As a member of the LPL Paraplanning Services team, Fiona partners with advisors to deliver financial planning support by providing detailed data analysis and cultivating planning strategies to assist clients in pursuing their financial goals. LPL’s Paraplanning Solutions group is not affiliated with Zapata Private Wealth Group.

Fionas’s financial services career began in 2018 where she started working with wealth coaching in Madrid, Spain and moving on to paraplanning support in 2020 for a small west coast independent RIA prior to joining LPL Financial in 2023. Fiona received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Colorado Boulder and has a Master’s in Public Health as well. Fiona is a CFP® practitioner.

She and her spouse live in Golden, Colorado where they enjoy exploring all that the Colorado lifestyle has to offer.  

Fiona is employed by LPL Financial.

Catherine Howard is a Client Relationship Manager and the newest advisor-track team member joining Zapata Private Wealth Group, supporting the firm’s continued growth in the San Diego area. With a background in talent acquisition and human resource management, she brings a relationship-driven, people-centered approach to the client experience—aligning seamlessly with ZPW’s commitment to delivering thoughtful, high-touch wealth management.

Before transitioning into financial services, Catherine spent years helping individuals and organizations navigate important life and career decisions. Through this work, she developed a strong foundation in communication, trust, and long-term strategic thinking—skills she now applies to building meaningful client relationships and supporting comprehensive financial planning.

Catherine earned her Bachelor of Science degree from St. John’s University and her Master’s degree from Rutgers University. She is currently pursuing her financial licenses as she works toward becoming a Wealth Management Advisor, continuing to deepen her knowledge and ability to guide clients with clarity and confidence.

Today, Catherine plays a key role in fostering strong client relationships and ensuring a seamless, personalized experience for the individuals and families ZPW serves. Her approach reflects the firm’s core philosophy: putting clients first, understanding what matters most to them, and helping them move forward with purpose.

Outside of the office, Catherine spends most of her time with her husband, Noah, and their three children. Whether she’s at the soccer field, driving between activities, or enjoying family time at the beach, she values connection, community, and creating lasting memories with her family in North County San Diego.