Ariana McDonald has been CIO of Pacific Financial Strategies since December 2025, is not listed as a control person, but directly owns between 5% and 10% of the firm. Ariana McDonald holds a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology with a minor in Business from Arizona State University.
Pacific Financial Strategies, Inc is a Thousand Oaks, CA firm with $201M under management, 713 clients and 3 advisers across 2 offices, as of its June 2026 filing.
Ari McDonald is the main trader at Pacific Financial Strategies, Inc., and works on its investment research and trading operations. Her process blends macro-level trend analysis with deep dives into individual companies, sectors, and economic indicators, and she prioritizes risk management.
Ariana McDonald’s longest registration was 4 years at C 3 Financial Strategies (2017–2022). Before joining Pacific Financial Strategies in 2023, Ariana McDonald was registered through C 3 Financial Strategies.
- – present · 3 yearsFrazier Park, CA · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 151434
- C 3 Financial Strategies– · 4 yearsNewbury Park, CA · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 166000
Investment adviser representative registrations
Ariana McDonald is registered as an investment adviser representative in California, since April 2023.
- CaliforniaSince 20 April 2023
Examinations
| Exam | Name | Passed |
|---|---|---|
| Series 65 | Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination | 29 June 2017 |
- Name
- Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination
- Full name
- Ariana Justine McDonald
- CRD
- 6377085
- Firm
- Pacific Financial Strategies · CRD 151434
- Role
- CIO
- Office
- Frazier Park, CA
- Registration
- Investment adviser registration
- In the industry since
- June 2018
- Disciplinary history
- Not yet shown here · SEC record
- Firm bio
- pacfs.com
Where does Ariana McDonald work?
Ariana McDonald has been CIO of Pacific Financial Strategies, Inc since December 2025.
Is Ariana McDonald a financial advisor?
Yes. Ariana McDonald has a current investment-adviser registration in California, through Pacific Financial Strategies since April 2023.
How many years of experience does Ariana McDonald have?
Ariana McDonald has 8 years in the financial industry, since June 2018, across 2 adviser firms.
What exams has Ariana McDonald passed?
Ariana McDonald passed the Series 65 in June 2017.
Where did Ariana McDonald work before Pacific Financial Strategies?
Before Pacific Financial Strategies, Ariana McDonald was registered through C 3 Financial Strategies, June 2017 to May 2022.
Where is Ariana McDonald based?
Ariana McDonald’s registered office is in Frazier Park, CA.
Is Ariana McDonald registered with FINRA?
No. Ariana McDonald has no current broker registration.
How can I verify Ariana McDonald’s record?
Search CRD 6377085 on the SEC’s adviser search (adviserinfo.sec.gov), which publishes Ariana McDonald’s full registration record.