Meet the Team

Jennifer McKay DipPFS, FPQP

Client Services Associate

Jennifer McKay DipPFS, FPQP

Jennifer McKay DipPFS, FPQP

Client Services Associate

William Nicklin

Operations Specialist

William Nicklin

William Nicklin

Operations Specialist

David Cantor

Senior Client Relationship Manager

David Cantor

Claire Naughton

Head of Partnerships and Community

Claire Naughton

Claire Naughton

Head of Partnerships and Community

David Cantor

Senior Client Relationship Manager

David Cantor

Senior Client Relationship Manager

Alex was born in Alaska and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. He first moved abroad 15 years ago and has since lived in France, Canada, the UK, Italy, and Malta. He started his career in London and previously specialized in investment analysis for large, international wealth management organizations. 


As a U.S. passport holder, he quickly encountered the common difficulties that dog Americans living abroad at any age, such as the need to find reliable U.S. expat tax planning and filing support. However, as the husband to a foreign national now raising dual-nationality children, he is intimately acquainted with the many-layered considerations that accompany U.S. expat life. His personal experience informs his approach to his profession, lending a boundless empathy to his already nuanced understanding of how the U.S. financial system interacts with others.

Alex started his career in London and previously specialized in investment analysis for large, international wealth management organizations. 


As a U.S. passport holder, he quickly encountered the common difficulties that dog Americans living abroad at any age, such as the need to find reliable U.S. expat tax planning and filing support. However, as the husband to a foreign national now raising dual-nationality children, he is intimately acquainted with the many-layered considerations that accompany U.S. expat life.

Xandra Pendergrass

Chief Operating Officer

Xandra Pendergrass

Xandra Pendergrass

Chief Operating Officer

Scott Evans, CFA, MBA, CFP®

Co-Founder and CEO

Scott Evans, CFA, MBA, CFP®

Scott Evans, CFA, MBA, CFP®

Co-Founder and CEO

Scott was born in Germany, grew up in Colorado, and has lived and worked in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Japan. Scott was living in Asia when FATCA was passed, and he soon realized the dramatic financial planning and investment implications of the new law for Americans living abroad. After returning to the U.S. in 2015 and working as the Director of Investments for a large wealth management firm, Scott began working with the firm’s American expat clients. For nearly a decade now, he has developed a deep understanding and expertise in cross-border financial planning for Americans living or moving overseas.

Scott began his career in the investment management industry in 1997 and has achieved the most globally respected designations in investment management, the CFA charter, and in financial planning, the CFP® certification. Scott focuses on comprehensive financial planning, optimizing his clients’ finances for both country of residence and U.S. tax and regulatory environments. Scott believes in the value created by developing long-term planning relationships with his clients.





Scott began his career in the investment management industry in 1997 and has achieved the most globally respected designations in investment management, the CFA charter, and in financial planning, the CFP® certification.


Scott focuses on comprehensive financial planning, optimizing his clients’ finances for both country of residence and U.S. tax and regulatory environments. Scott believes in the value created by developing long-term planning relationships with his clients.



Ricardo Jesus, MBA

Financial Advisor

Ricardo Jesus, MBA

Ricardo Jesus, MBA

Financial Advisor

Xandra is the Chief Operating Officer at Liberty Atlantic Advisors, originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and now residing in La Spezia, Italy. With over 11 years of experience as a COO, she focuses on developing firm strategies, policies, and procedures, providing oversight across all departments, and collaborating with compliance to ensure regulatory adherence.


In her role at Chase Buchanan USA, Xandra leverages her expertise to support the growth and provide scalability. She specializes in systems and data setup, process development, operations strategy, compliance procedures, and business tracking.


Like most expats, she is passionate about traveling and discovering different cultures, cuisine, and wine.



Xandra is the Chief Operating Officer at Liberty Atlantic Advisors, originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and now residing in La Spezia, Italy. With over 11 years of experience as a COO, she focuses on developing firm strategies, policies, and procedures, providing oversight across all departments, and collaborating with compliance to ensure regulatory adherence.


In her role at Liberty Atlantic Advisors, Xandra leverages her expertise to support the growth and provide scalability. She specializes in systems and data setup, process development, operations strategy, compliance procedures, and business tracking.

Xandra is the Chief Operating Officer at Liberty Atlantic Advisors, originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and now residing in La Spezia, Italy. With over 11 years of experience as a COO, she focuses on developing firm strategies, policies, and procedures, providing oversight across all departments, and collaborating with compliance to ensure regulatory adherence.


In her role at Liberty Atlantic Advisors, Xandra leverages her expertise to support the growth and provide scalability. She specializes in systems and data setup, process development, operations strategy, compliance procedures, and business tracking.


Like most expats, she is passionate about traveling and discovering different cultures, cuisine, and wine.



Ricardo was born and raised in the breathtaking Algarve in Portugal. Growing up, his mother worked as a Portuguese tax provider, and he learned early on the importance of working diligently and building client relationships based on trust. Ricardo secured a full scholarships to attend Ole Miss and the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma in the U.S., earning his Bachelor’s and MBA (respectively) while playing D1 tennis. 


After completing his education in the U.S., Ricardo returned home to settle in the Algarve and establish his career as a U.S. expat financial advisor. At Liberty Atlantic Advisors, he specializes in crafting financial strategies for the firm’s clients in Portugal. His expertise covers financial and tax planning, alongside smart investment management. With a knack for simplifying the complexities that accompany living in Portugal as an American, Ricardo forges strong client connections rooted in empathy for the expat experience, ensuring his clients’ financial goals hit the mark with the same intentional precision that he originally developed to end tennis rallies in his favor.

After completing his education in the U.S., Ricardo returned home to settle in the Algarve and establish his career as a U.S. expat financial advisor. At Liberty Atlantic Advisors, he specializes in crafting financial strategies for the firm’s clients in Portugal. His expertise covers financial and tax planning, alongside smart investment management. With a knack for simplifying the complexities that accompany living in Portugal as an American, Ricardo forges strong client connections rooted in empathy for the expat experience, ensuring his clients’ financial goals hit the mark with the same intentional precision that he originally developed to end tennis rallies in his favor.

Ricardo was born and raised in the breathtaking Algarve in Portugal. Growing up, his mother worked as a Portuguese tax provider, and he learned early on the importance of working diligently and building client relationships based on trust. Ricardo secured a full scholarships to attend Ole Miss and the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma in the U.S., earning his Bachelor’s and MBA (respectively) while playing D1 tennis. 


After completing his education in the U.S., Ricardo returned home to settle in the Algarve and establish his career as a U.S. expat financial advisor.


His expertise covers financial and tax planning, alongside smart investment management. With a knack for simplifying the complexities that accompany living in Portugal as an American, Ricardo forges strong client connections rooted in empathy for the expat experience, ensuring his clients’ financial goals hit the mark with the same intentional precision that he originally developed to end tennis rallies in his favor.


Jennifer was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and also lived in Stirling and Edinburgh. In May 2021, she moved to Porto, Portugal, expecting to stay for six months. But after just a few days, she knew Porto was where she wanted to be and has lived there ever since.


Jennifer started her career in the UK, working for HSBC for seven years in their mortgage team before becoming a wealth manager at St. James' Place. Her first job abroad was with Devere in Porto, where she worked in business development. Now at Liberty Atlantic, Jennifer helps U.S./UK clients navigate cross-border financial challenges.

Having moved to Portugal alone in her mid-30s, Jennifer understands the challenges of relocating without a support system. She’s built a life in Porto, learned Portuguese, and made strong connections. Her experience gives her deep empathy for clients, especially those moving independently.


Jennifer started her career in the UK, working for HSBC for seven years in their mortgage team before becoming a wealth manager at St. James' Place. Her first job abroad was with Devere in Porto, where she worked in business development. Now at Liberty Atlantic Advisors,


Jennifer helps U.S./UK clients navigate cross-border financial challenges. She holds the FPQP (Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional) designation and a UK DIP PFS diploma in financial planning, and she plays a key role in technical planning and client reviews.


Jennifer was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and also lived in Stirling and Edinburgh. In May 2021, she moved to Porto, Portugal, expecting to stay for six months. But after just a few days, she knew Porto was where she wanted to be and has lived there ever since.


Jennifer started her career in the UK, working for HSBC for seven years in their mortgage team before becoming a wealth manager at St. James' Place. Her first job abroad was with Devere in Porto, where she worked in business development. Now at Liberty Atlantic Advisors, Jennifer helps U.S./UK clients navigate cross-border financial challenges. She holds the FPQP (Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional) designation and a UK DIP PFS diploma in financial planning, and she plays a key role in technical planning and client reviews.


Will Nicklin is an Operations Specialist with over nine years of experience in financial services and wealth management. With a strong foundation in client service, operational efficiency, and workflow optimization, he plays a key role in enhancing organizational performance and service delivery.


Before joining Liberty Atlantic Advisors, Will held roles including Client Services Officer, Financial Paraplanner, Team Leader, and Operations Manager—developing deep insights into financial operations, process improvement, and strategic organizational development.



As Head of Partnerships & Community at Liberty Atlantic Advisors, Claire leads strategic collaborations and community-building initiatives that support Americans navigating cross-border financial planning. She cultivates relationships with trusted expat service providers and oversees in-person and virtual events to deliver holistic support to the US expat community. Her work supports Liberty Atlantic’s mission to offer deeply informed, personalized guidance, rooted in real-life expat experience. Claire holds a BA from Kenyon College and is currently based in Strasbourg, France.

David is a licensed U.S. attorney with over a decade of cross-border experience representing private clients.  Originally from New York, he relocated with his family to Florence in 2019, where he currently resides.


A dual U.S.-Italian national, David combines professional expertise with lived experiences—guiding Liberty Atlantic clients through the complexities of living in Italy and France. His work spans strategic planning, residency structuring, and navigating complex international compliance matters. 


Will Nicklin is an Operations Specialist with over nine years of experience in financial services and wealth management. With a strong foundation in client service, operational efficiency, and workflow optimization, he plays a key role in enhancing organizational performance and service delivery.


Before joining Liberty Atlantic Advisors, Will held roles including Client Services Officer, Financial Paraplanner, Team Leader, and Operations Manager—developing deep insights into financial operations, process improvement, and strategic organizational development. His career has been marked by a consistent focus on simplifying complex tasks and elevating operational standards.


Holding a Bachelor of Science degree, Will specializes in designing and implementing efficient workflows that boost productivity and ensure exceptional service.


Claire was born in the Chicagoland area and moved to Paris in 2018 after spending several months backpacking in South America.


A writer by nature, this aptitude connected her with freelance clients who were often founders seeking clarity around communicating their expertise. These conversations sparked an interest in marketing strategy, inspiring her to open a small business in writing and expat service consulting


As Head of Partnerships & Community at Liberty Atlantic Advisors, Claire leads strategic collaborations and community-building initiatives that support Americans navigating cross-border financial planning. She cultivates relationships with trusted expat service providers and oversees in-person and virtual events to deliver holistic support to the US expat community.


David is a licensed U.S. attorney with over a decade of cross-border experience representing private clients.  Originally from New York, he relocated with his family to Florence in 2019, where he currently resides.


A dual U.S.-Italian national, David combines professional expertise with lived experiences—guiding Liberty Atlantic clients through the complexities of living in Italy and France. His work spans strategic planning, residency structuring, and navigating complex international compliance matters.  


With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Americans abroad, David continues to be a passionate advocate for the freedom of movement, and is committed to delivering tailored, human-centered solutions that empower clients to enjoy an international lifestyle.



Claire was born in the Chicagoland area and moved to Paris in 2018 after spending several months backpacking in South America. Her firsthand experience navigating challenges related to integrating and building social and professional relationships abroad has matured into deep empathy for “the expat experience.” 


A writer by nature, this aptitude connected her with freelance clients who were often founders seeking clarity around communicating their expertise. These conversations sparked an interest in marketing strategy, inspiring her to open a small business in writing and expat service consulting. For the past three years, she has specialized in working in the international tax and wealth management space.


As Head of Partnerships & Community at Liberty Atlantic Advisors, Claire leads strategic collaborations and community-building initiatives that support Americans navigating cross-border financial planning. She cultivates relationships with trusted expat service providers and oversees in-person and virtual events to deliver holistic support to the US expat community. Her work supports Liberty Atlantic’s mission to offer deeply informed, personalized guidance, rooted in real-life expat experience. Claire holds a BA from Kenyon College and is currently based in Strasbourg, France.

David is a licensed U.S. attorney with over a decade of cross-border experience representing private clients. 


 Originally from New York, he relocated with his family to Florence in 2019, where he currently resides. A dual U.S.-Italian national, David combines professional expertise with lived experiences—guiding Liberty Atlantic clients through the complexities of living in Italy and France.


His work spans strategic planning, residency structuring, and navigating complex international compliance matters.  With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Americans abroad, David continues to be a passionate advocate for the freedom of movement, and is committed to delivering tailored, human-centered solutions that empower clients to enjoy an international lifestyle.


Will Nicklin is an Operations Specialist with over nine years of experience in financial services and wealth management. With a strong foundation in client service, operational efficiency, and workflow optimization, he plays a key role in enhancing organizational performance and service delivery.


Before joining Liberty Atlantic Advisors, Will held roles including Client Services Officer, Financial Paraplanner, Team Leader, and Operations Manager—developing deep insights into financial operations, process improvement, and strategic organizational development. His career has been marked by a consistent focus on simplifying complex tasks and elevating operational standards.


Holding a Bachelor of Science degree, Will specializes in designing and implementing efficient workflows that boost productivity and ensure exceptional service. His approach centers on continuous improvement, regulatory compliance, and streamlined processes that support organizational goals and the client experience.