Joel Van Essen has been an investment adviser representative at City Different Holdings since July 2021, and is not listed among the firm’s executive officers or direct owners. Joel Van Essen holds an MBA from Fuqua School of Business, Duke University and a BS in International Business and Marketing from Trinity University.
City Different Holdings LP is a Santa Fe, NM firm with $244M under management, 105 clients and 9 advisers across 5 offices, as of its May 2026 filing.
Joel Van Essen is Director, Private Investments of City Different Investments. Van Essen grew up in Santa Fe and later returned to New Mexico; early in a finance career, Van Essen hiked the 500-mile Camino de Santiago in Spain. Professional roles include Sun Mountain Capital, Personal Capital and Fidelity Investments.
Joel Van Essen’s longest registration is the current one, 5 years at City Different Holdings since 2021. Before joining City Different Holdings in 2021, Joel Van Essen was registered through Personal Capital Advisors Corporation and Strategic Advisers, Inc.
- City Different InvestmentsCurrent– present · 5 yearsAustin, TX · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 310982
- Personal Capital Advisors Corporation– · 2 yearsDenver, CO · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 155172
- Strategic Advisers, Inc.– · 1 yearGreenwood Village, CO · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 104555
Professional designations
Listed by City Different Holdings
- Chartered Financial Analyst
Investment adviser representative registrations
Joel Van Essen is registered as an investment adviser representative in New Mexico, since July 2021.
- New MexicoSince 13 July 2021
Examinations
| Exam | Name | Passed |
|---|---|---|
| SIE | Securities Industry Essentials Examination | Credited |
| Series 66 | Uniform Combined State Law Examination | 6 February 2015 |
| Series 63 | Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination | 1 May 2014 |
| Series 7 | General Securities Representative Examination | 21 April 2014 |
- Name
- Securities Industry Essentials Examination
- Name
- Uniform Combined State Law Examination
- Name
- Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination
- Name
- General Securities Representative Examination
- Full name
- Joel Benjamin Van Essen
- CRD
- 6265662
- Firm
- City Different Holdings · CRD 310982
- Office
- Austin, TX
- Registration
- Investment adviser registration
- In the industry since
- May 2017
- Disciplinary history
- Not yet shown here · SEC record
- Firm bio
- citydifferentinvestments.com
Where does Joel Van Essen work?
Joel Van Essen is an investment adviser representative registered through City Different Holdings LP since July 2021, and is not listed among the firm’s executive officers or direct owners.
Is Joel Van Essen a financial advisor?
Yes. Joel Van Essen has a current investment-adviser registration in New Mexico, through City Different Holdings since July 2021.
How many years of experience does Joel Van Essen have?
Joel Van Essen has 9 years in the financial industry, since May 2017, across 3 adviser firms.
What exams has Joel Van Essen passed?
Joel Van Essen has passed 3 licensing exams: the Series 7, Series 63 and Series 66. The earliest, the Series 7, was passed in April 2014. FINRA credited Joel Van Essen with the SIE, which began in October 2018.
Where did Joel Van Essen work before City Different Holdings?
Before City Different Holdings, Joel Van Essen was registered through Personal Capital Advisors Corporation, November 2016 to July 2019; Strategic Advisers, Inc., March 2015 to September 2016.
Where is Joel Van Essen based?
Joel Van Essen’s registered office is in Austin, TX.
Is Joel Van Essen registered with FINRA?
No. Joel Van Essen has no current broker registration.
Is Joel Van Essen a CFA charterholder?
City Different Holdings lists Joel Van Essen with the CFA credential (“Chartered Financial Analyst”) on its website. CFA Institute confirms certification status.
Source: Joel Van Essen, CFA biography, citydifferentinvestments.com
How can I verify Joel Van Essen’s record?
Search CRD 6265662 on the SEC’s adviser search (adviserinfo.sec.gov), which publishes Joel Van Essen’s full registration record.