Samantha Dalby · Founder & CEO, Certified Financial Fiduciary
Our Story
My journey in financial planning began by circumstance, not design. My father passed away unexpectedly in December 2003. He was our family’s sole provider, but without life insurance or a financial plan, his absence left us not only grieving, but financially vulnerable.
In the aftermath, my mother sought help, and was defrauded by a $61 million Ponzi scheme, losing over $1.7 million.
I witnessed firsthand what happens when families lack protection, guidance, and a trusted advocate. That experience did not just shape me. It defined my mission.
Today, as a Certified Financial Fiduciary and the Founder and CEO of Essential Trust Financial, I guide high-income professionals, business owners, and families through strategic financial planning with a focus on tax efficiency, wealth protection, and legacy clarity. I bring 13+ years of professional experience, and a lifetime of perspective.
My goal is simple: to lead a new standard in financial advising, one rooted in empathy, strategy, and empowerment.
2023 · Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce
2024 · National Association of Women Business Owners, selected by Bank of America
Giving Back
Community is part of the mission.
Giving back is not an afterthought here, it is part of why the firm exists. Samantha has served on the Alzheimer’s Association committee and with the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, where she previously chaired the Young Professionals group. Purposeful planning and a purposeful community go hand in hand.
