Team Members
Annette Di Bello, CPA / PFS, CFP®
Founder & CEO
Annette has 35+ years of progressive experience in accounting and finance, including more than 25 years of tax experience preparing thousands of tax returns including individual, business other complex returns. This extensive tax background gives her a deep, practical understanding of how tax rules, investment decisions, and long-term financial strategies intersect. Also including 20+ years advising high-net-worth clients on financial planning, investment management, and tax planning.
Annette holds two of the most highly regarded professional credentials in the financial industry, CPA and CFP®, as well as the PFS™ (Personal Financial Specialist) designation from the AICPA.
Annette began working full-time in accounting in 1987 at just 18 years old while attending college at night. Her strong aptitude for accounting was evident, as her college even paid her to tutor students in her own class. Annette earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from California State University, Fullerton, in 1998.
Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Annette first relocated to San Diego County, California, in 1989. After a brief return to Erie, she made her way back to Southern California in 1992, driving cross-country alone and settling in Orange County. She went on to advance through the ranks of corporate accounting and finance, reaching the senior accountant level while attending college at night. After graduating in 1998, she launched her own accounting and tax consulting business, earned her CPA license in 2005, CFP® certification in 2008, and Personal Financial Specialist (PFS™) designation from the AICPA in 2023. In 2012, she founded Di Bello Financial as a Registered Investment Advisor. Over the years, she has worked with hundreds of clients, developing extensive experience in creating personalized financial, tax, investment, and retirement strategies.
Annette is a third-generation Italian American, raised with immigrant grandparents on both sides of her family from Pennapiedimonte in the Abruzzo region of Italy and from Messina, Sicily. Growing up with humble beginnings, she was shaped not only by her grandparents’ struggles and resilience, but also by her parents’ experiences as children of immigrants. Together, their sacrifices, work ethic, and determination instilled in her a deep sense of discipline, perseverance, and gratitude. Raised in a household grounded in tradition and hard work, Annette developed an open-minded and inclusive perspective, rooted in respect for people and cultures from all over the world. These values guide her approach to financial planning and investment management, where she emphasizes listening closely, understanding each client’s goals, and building thoughtful, long-term relationships that help clients feel supported and confident in their financial decisions.
Annette is passionate about financial planning and investment management, focusing on building long-term relationships with her clients. She works closely with high-net-worth individuals to understand their full financial picture, providing customized guidance in retirement planning, tax strategies, investing, and legacy planning. Her goal is to help clients achieve their financial goals while guiding them through every stage of their financial journey.
Brian Boyes
Business Development & Marketing Manager
Brian is an accomplished Director of Marketing and Business Development with a decade of executive leadership experience driving firm growth, market expansion, strategic partnerships, and client engagement. A role he's held with the firm since 2017.
My career began with the Pennsylvania State Treasury’s administrative office, where I traveled throughout the Commonwealth as a public spokesperson promoting Pennsylvania’s prepaid college savings program. I later transitioned into high-stakes political campaign strategy and public relations, experiences that further strengthened my expertise in strategic communications, relationship building, public engagement, and organizational positioning.
Recognized with Dean’s List academic honors in Business Administration and Marketing through Penn State and HACC, I continued my professional development by completing a certification program in Digital Marketing at California State University, Fullerton Irvine Campus. My background combines traditional business and marketing principles with contemporary digital strategy, providing a broad perspective on how organizations can effectively communicate, strengthen their market presence, and pursue sustainable growth.
Throughout my career, I have brought together executive business strategy, marketing, communications, and a relationship-driven approach to business development. I also participate in qualitative research across a variety of sectors of the economy, contributing insights and perspectives on consumer behavior, market trends, business practices, and evolving industry dynamics. This exposure to diverse industries provides an additional perspective on how businesses and consumers respond to changing economic and market conditions.
I place a strong emphasis on building trusted business relationships, identifying new opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, strengthening organizational visibility, and creating long-term value.
Outside of my professional life, family and an active outdoor lifestyle are important to me. I enjoy traveling with my family and am an avid stand-up paddle surfer, spending time on the water along the Southern California coast as well as during trips to Florida and Maui. I have also enjoyed mountain biking for more than three decades and continue to make hiking and exploring the outdoors a regular part of my life.
Having grown up in Pennsylvania’s snow belt, I have developed a special appreciation for Southern California’s year-round climate and the unique opportunity to enjoy its beaches and mountains throughout the year. During quieter moments, I enjoy reading and spending time with my wife watching movies and our favorite streaming television series.
Nichole Gati, FPQP™
Client Services and Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™
Nichole has been a key member of the firm since 2015, playing a vital role in financial planning, administrative tasks, and client services. She works closely with clients, helping them gather data and navigate the firm's client website logins.
Nichole holds the Foundations in Financial Planning Certificate from the College for Financial Planning and is a licensed Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™.