Get to Know Charlene Personally

Originally from the Bay Area, Charlene Quaresma is a first-generation American, whose Portuguese parents taught her about the value of hard work and planning early in her life. She graduated early from the University of California Santa Cruz with a Bachelor's Degree in Consumer and Social Psychology.

She began her career as a sales manager at a lingerie boutique and it was there where she discovered the powerful link between money and emotion, passion and vulnerability. With her background in psychology, Charlene understands it's not about judgment; it's about owning your story and following your dreams.

In 2008 she moved to Oregon and lives in Southeast Portland with her life partner, Justin Hale and their two Devon Rex cats, Gilly and Beans.

Having a passport since the age of five, Charlene enjoys traveling both locally and internationally. She is fascinated by learning the cultural history and richness from other countries. She loves going back to Portugal and the Azores, especially the island of Pico because she can practice her Portuguese. 

In her spare time, she enjoys live music, karaoke, stand-up comedy and anything in the arts and crafts world life, including her personal creations of Victorian lamps for her office. She has been a frequent "Burner" and travels to Black Rock City annually since 2000 with camp Children of Chaos. Her favorite movie is The Goods and favorite bands, Queen, Nine Inch Nails and course, Taylor Swift.

Charlene recently purchased a Portland historic landmark, The Poulsen House and transformed it into her dream office housing her team of fierce women and renaissance men making of House of Q Wealth Management.  She is a strong believer that you can have the life you dream of, it just takes a plan and commitment to make it so. She would love to host you at the Money Mansion one day soon.

Char Personal Photo

Professional

Charlene Quaresma joined Northwestern Mutual 2012 in Portland, Oregon's Mahaffey Network office.  She is a licensed Wealth Management Advisor and holds her FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) Series 6, 63, 65, and 7 certifications.

She runs a broad practice and works with a team of specialists to offer:

  • Fee-Based Planning
  • Flexible financial planning for millennials and digital creatives 
  • Unique planning ideas for the Real Estate professionals
  • Guidance with multigenerational and estate planning 
  • Comprehensive planning for small business owners
  • Foundational planning for young families
  • Financial planning for the LGBTQ communities

"So many of my clients know that they need to sit down and answer the hard questions, but they are either nervous or simply don't know where to start," Charlene explains, "I help people have the scary conversations that, when mixed with my sense of humor and knowledge, become easy and even bring a sense of relief. That's why so many of my meetings begin with a handshake and end in a hug."

Giving Back

In honor of her mother's struggle with Parkinson's Disease, Charlene has facilitated a support group for Parkinson's patients and their care-partners for Parkinson's Resources of Oregon for the last twelve years.  In addition to that, she is the board Treasurer for the Brian Grant Foundation, started by the former Portland Blazer who was diagnosed with early onset PD at age 36. 

Not only is Charlene active within her local community, she regularly lobbies on The Hill in Washington D.C. for smarter financial regulations on behalf of her clients with NAIFA and FINESCA

Awards and Recognition

Million Dollar Round Table Qualifying Member 2018-2021

MDRT is the premier association of financial professionals. MDRT status designation is granted for one year and members must apply every year to continue their affiliation with the MDRT

She has also been a two-time speaker at their global conference reaching 700 companies from 80 different countries and territories.

Lobby Day on The Hill

How Northwestern Mutual helps you live the life you want.

When people feel better about their money, good things happen—they become more confident and feel more secure. For more than 160 years, Northwestern Mutual has helped people achieve the financial flexibility they need to live more and worry less.

Being a mutual company means Northwestern Mutual reports to its clients, not Wall Street. They don't believe in chasing fads or taking undue risk for short-term gains. Instead, they take a long-term approach—both in the way we help people plan to reach their goals, and in the way they do business. This has served their clients (and mine) well through all kinds of economic ups and downs, including wars, recessions, even the recent pandemic.

It's why I'm happy to be part of a company that's in it for the long-haul and prioritizes clients over profit.

Downtown Milwaukee, WI Skyline