George W. Hawkins

George Hawkins is a Founding Partner, CEO, and Portfolio Manager of Hawkins Laakso Wealth Management (HL), which he co-founded with Chris Laakso in 2005. With over 40 years of experience in the financial industry, George specializes in asset management and investment strategies tailored for high-net-worth families.

George began his career in commercial banking, where he spent five years honing his foundational skills. He then transitioned to the fixed-income trading floor, where he worked for a decade in various roles, including marketing, trading, management, and recruitment. Following this, he joined an investment banking firm, where he collaborated with principals to develop new advisory and banking relationships and managed a private leveraged portfolio for high-net-worth investors. Now, as Portfolio Manager at Hawkins Laakso, George actively oversees the firm’s custom model portfolios, leveraging his extensive knowledge to enhance investment performance and manage risk effectively.

In 1998, George joined AXA Advisors (now Equitable Advisors) as Vice President, a position he held from 2000 to 2005, during which he built and managed a district of financial professionals. His tenure at Equitable Advisors was distinguished by numerous accolades, including the AXA Centurion, AXA Gold, AXA Circle of Excellence, and the prestigious Excalibur award, as well as induction into the Equitable Hall of Fame.

An alumnus of the University of Houston Business School and a lifetime member of Lambda Chi Alpha International Fraternity, George completed the AXA Institute at Harvard in 2012 and 2016, focusing on finance, asset allocation, and management. He actively participates in portfolio analysis meetings with a global economist and holds several FINRA registrations, including Series 7, 63, 65, 53, and 24.

Beyond his financial expertise, George is deeply committed to community service. He serves on the Legacy Operating Board, is Vice Chair of the Legacy Endowment Board, and is a member of the Advisory Board for the Legacy Community Health Planned Giving Committee.

As a Founding Member of the Equitable National Diversity Committee, also known as the Field Advisory Committee, he is part of a group of financial professionals dedicated to supporting diverse communities as both professionals and clients. This committee consists of individuals who volunteer their time and expertise to provide guidance and feedback for various Diversity & Inclusion programs and initiatives.

George's commitment to leadership and advocacy is further exemplified by his previous service as a Human Rights Campaign Governor and as a member of the AXA National Associates Forum (NAF) Committee.

His passion for animal welfare is evident through his support of various animal rights organizations, including the SPCA in Houston and Muttville in San Francisco.

A proud Houstonian, George splits his time between Houston, TX, and San Francisco, CA, with his partner Garret and their five rescue dogs. Together, they enjoy traveling, staying active, and exploring culinary experiences.