Karen Francois has over 30 years of experience advising high-net-worth individuals on the use of specialized financial instruments, including Family Limited Partnerships, Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, Charitable Remainder Trusts, and Foundations.
Karen joined Evercore Wealth Management in 2008 from U.S. Trust, where she was responsible for the metro-New York trust group. Karen provided the division with technical expertise and advice on all fiduciary, risk management, and business issues.
Additionally, she was responsible for fiduciary relationships where she discharged the trustees' responsibilities and created opportunities by utilizing such strategies as Delaware trusts, decanting existing trust instruments and court-approved bifurcation.
Karen is a board member of the New York City Estate Planning Council and a member of the Financial Planning Association of New York City. She is the past Treasurer of Opus 118, Harlem School of Music.
Karen received her BS in Criminal Justice from American University. She holds both a Certified Financial Planner license and a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor designation.