Tuesday, 11 August 2026 12:00 PM
Awards
PASADENA, CA / ACCESS Newswire / August 11, 2026 / Whittier Trust has been named a Top Five Finalist in both the Employer of the Year and Philanthropy Team of the Year categories for the 21st Annual Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Private Client Awards.
This marks the third consecutive year Whittier Trust has been honored as a finalist by STEP, a global professional body setting the standard for excellence in private client services, and the first time the firm has achieved double finalist honors in a single year. This recognition follows Whittier Trust's 2025 designation as the first U.S.-based firm to become a STEP Platinum Employer Partner, the organization's highest level of employer accreditation, affirming its leading position in professional education and advisor development.
"We are thrilled to be recognized by STEP for the third consecutive year, particularly across two categories that speak directly to our core focus on people and purpose," said David A. Dahl, President and CEO of Whittier Trust. "Our team is the heart of our firm. We invest heavily in the professional development and culture necessary to guide families through their most critical decisions, including how to deploy capital to benefit the causes they care about most. To be named a finalist for both Employer of the Year and Philanthropy Team of the Year is a phenomenal honor that reflects the exceptional talent across our entire organization."
Widely regarded as a benchmark for quality across the private wealth sector, the STEP Private Client Awards recognize firms that demonstrate extraordinary dedication to client service, innovation, and professional integrity. Finalists are selected through a rigorous, multi-stage independent evaluation spanning six months, chosen from over 4,000 entries worldwide.
The dual finalist recognition highlights Whittier Trust's firmwide commitment to cultivating a high-performing workplace culture that drives superior client outcomes. Over the past five years, the firm has garnered 12 top-employer awards across its regional offices. This internal culture directly fuels the strength of Whittier Trust's philanthropic advisory services, empowering families, individuals, and foundations to craft tailored strategies that align significant capital with long-term values.
Winners of the 21st Annual STEP Private Client Awards will be announced on September 17 at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
Contact:
Brandi J. Fields
[email protected]
661.212.2312
About Whittier Trust
Collectively, Whittier Trust Company and The Whittier Trust Company of Nevada, Inc. (referred to herein individually and collectively as "Whittier Trust") are state-chartered trust companies wholly owned by Whittier Holdings, Inc. ("WHI"), a closely held holding company. As the oldest multi-family office headquartered on the West Coast, Whittier Trust isn't just a financial institution; it's a trusted partner with a long, rich history of successfully navigating the financial markets to preserve, protect, and enhance its clients' wealth and well-being across generations. Whittier Trust operates with the singular focus of providing holistic, top-tier client service and highly personalized investment solutions to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their families, designed to advance and secure their long-term financial legacies and goals. The firm has offices in Pasadena, Menlo Park, Newport Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, West Los Angeles, Reno, Seattle, and Portland. To learn more, visit www.whittiertrust.com.
SOURCE: Whittier Trust