Leading global investment banking giant Goldman Sachs Group has named Sara Naison-Tarajano as the head of Ayco, the USD 26 billion AUM (Assets Under Management) division. In this role, she will lead the firm’s premier company-sponsored financial planning and wealth management business, which provides comprehensive services to corporate executives, employees, and individuals. She will continue to serve as Global Head of the Goldman Partner Office.
Sara Naison-Tarajano, a 27-year veteran of the firm, most recently served as Global Head of Private Wealth Management (PWM) Capital Markets and Global Head of Goldman Sachs Apex, the firm’s dedicated family office business. Her appointment underscores Goldman Sachs’ commitment to grow its premier wealth management platform and the firm’s differentiated ability to harness One Goldman Sachs to serve clients. She replaces David Fox, who will retire after 27 years with Goldman.
Founded in 1971 and acquired by Goldman Sachs in 2003, Ayco works with many of the world’s largest companies to provide financial wellness programmes and executive counselling. The venture’s services include investment management, financial planning, tax preparation, and estate coordination, delivered through a team of experienced professionals dedicated to helping clients optimise their financial lives.
Sara Naison-Tarajano joined Goldman as an analyst in the investment banking division in 1999. She became a managing director at a global investment giant in 2012. In 2020, she was promoted to partner.
Discussing Ayco, along with BNY Pershing, the company will enter the client custodial referral market, a space previously dominated by Charles Schwab and Fidelity Investments, thereby challenging the latter’s position in the sector.
BNY Pershing’s programme will be launched later in 2026 under the name “BNY Advisor Match Service.” It will provide “one or two” advisor referrals to clients upon request based on criteria set up by the custodian, according to the venture’s market filing.
Goldman Sachs Ayco, on the other hand, has already started a referral programme with Creative Planning, Mercer Advisors and Wealth Enhancement, according to the registered investment advisors, which are also among the largest in the United States.