# Lorenzo Esparza

> Lorenzo Esparza is the Los Angeles-based CEO and founding principal of Manhattan West, launched in 2016 after his career at Paramount Pictures, AllianceBernstein and J.P. Morgan Securities. He leads the firm’s strategy and investment committee, combining private wealth services with private market investing, and advocates for Hispanic students to explore careers in finance.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer and Founding Principal at Manhattan West
- **Organizations:** Manhattan West, Paramount Pictures, AllianceBernstein, RBC Wealth Management, J.P. Morgan Securities
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts, University of California, Santa Barbara, Juris Doctor, Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University
- **Known for:** Founded Manhattan West in 2016., Co-built a firm that surpassed $1 billion in assets under management by 2023., Wealth Solutions Report Hispanic Entrepreneur of the Year, 2023.

## Career timeline

- **2000** — Graduated from Loyola Law School; moved into the business side of Paramount Pictures after a law-school internship.
- **2007** — Joined Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. in October after working at Paramount.
- **2009** — Moved to RBC during the financial crisis; subsequently joined J.P. Morgan Securities.
- **2016** — Left J.P. Morgan Securities and launched Manhattan West in June.
- **2022** — Named an Innovator of the Year finalist in the WealthManagement.com Industry Awards.
- **2023** — Manhattan West passed $1 billion in AUM in its first seven years; Esparza was named Hispanic Entrepreneur of the Year by Wealth Solutions Report.
- **2026** — Continues to serve as CEO and founding principal; announced Francois Schramek’s promotion to partner in April.

## Achievements

- Founded Manhattan West in 2016.
- Co-built a firm that surpassed $1 billion in assets under management by 2023.
- Wealth Solutions Report Hispanic Entrepreneur of the Year, 2023.
- WealthManagement.com 2022 Industry Awards finalist for Individual RIA Firm Leaders: Innovator of the Year.
- Chairs Manhattan West’s investment committee and serves as general partner or managing member of more than 30 investment funds.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Announced Francois Schramek’s promotion to partner, highlighting his investment work and international client relationships.
- **2026-04** — Manhattan West reports serving more than 800 clients across 36 U.S. states and 28 countries as of April 2026; these are firm figures.

## Links

- Website: https://manhattanwest.com/team/lorenzo-esparza
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenzo-esparza-a2b6967

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/lorenzo-esparza
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-09