From Restaurateur to Financial Advisor, Philanthropist and all the Stars in Between

Brad Benter is a third-generation San Diegan.  He graduated from Torrey Pines High School and remembers being brought to the river beds in Carmel Valley for a science class right were the Shell  gas station now stands, two blocks from where I sat down to chat with him.  

He had always been interested in the Hospitality industry and started pursuing it at age 14.  By 19, he was a restaurant manager; among the restaurants he managed: the Fish Market and the Crab Catcher Chain.  He attended San Diego State, and hard work and perseverance landed him in Hawaii at the famous Black Orchid.  

And let’s not forget the surfing! He started to surf at 11 at the YMCA in Imperial Beach.   “Surfing teaches you a lot about life.  It’s about patience --waiting and being in the right place for THAT perfect wave.  It’s about balance and staying ON the board.  Both lessons have remained my entire life.”  

During his life in the Hospitality industry, he met many stars:  Tom Selleck, Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks and Clint Eastwood, to name a few!   But the biggest star he has met so far is Dr. Howell:  “Such a petite woman accomplishing so many things!” He met her through a friend.  Immediately drawn to her work and that of his fellow Board Members, when asked, Brad was honored to join! 

 Women’s Health from a Man’s Perspective. 

“I am smart enough to know that I am NEVER going to figure women out.  But I came from a woman, an exceptional one, and am surrounded by them every day.  I love women! ” Although said in a joking manner, there is some truth to it! 

“Truth be told, women have always played an important role in my life; my mom, my sister and my wife are a huge part of me.  Their health is very important, and with so many differences – especially in health related issues, it is imperative that women –and especially men, get informed on how women’s health affects everyone.”

A down-to-earth husband, surfer and father of two, Brad is actively involved at the Doris A. Howell Foundation and brings 25 years of experience as a Financial Advisor.  He's currently First Vice President-Wealth Management of The Pacific Point Group at UBS
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So from being a professional restaurateur, he became a professional philanthropist, recommending other fellow donors on strategies to give.  Individual donations, corporate sponsorships and planned giving ensure the Foundation’s philosophy:  Keeping the Women we Love Healthy. 

“I have always wanted to be a philanthropist.  I was raised with a profound philosophy of giving first.  The secret to being a ‘professional philanthropist’ is to give wisely.  There are just so many ways to contribute… It’s about donating strategically and saving in the process.”  

The Doris A. Howell Foundation reaches the community through its three core programs:  Informing women and men on the latest research through its series of lectures, awarding grants to organizations that conduct research that affects women in our community, and funding scholarships to undergraduate students researching women’s health.  

“Imagine the difference you can make when you give emerging researchers the financial support they need to begin discovering how to improve women's health; finally helping to find preventions, to slow down or even cure diseases.”  

Best stated by Dr. Howell: “How many of you have sisters, daughters… wives?  We know that all of you have mothers.  What are you doing to keep them healthy?” 

So as the year ends, and if you are of the philosophy of “putting college kids to work and finding a cure for all the crazy diseases out there” that affect the women in YOUR life, make sure you contact Brad Benter at: 

12220 El Camino Real, Suite 400

San Diego, CA 92130

Phone: 858-947-7092

Email: bradford.benter@ubs.com

Remember your contributions are deductible. 


About the Doris A. Howell Foundation:
The Doris A. Howell Foundation for Women’s Health Research is committed to keeping the women we love healthy, advancing women’s health through research and educating women to be catalysts for improving family health in the community.

The organization does so by funding scholarships to scientists researching issues affecting women’s health; providing a forum for medical experts, scientists, doctors, researchers, and authors to convey the timely information on topics relevant to women’s health and the health. of their families through its Lecture and Evening Series, and by funding research initiatives that will create women’s health awareness and advocacy in the community. 

For more information about the Doris A. Howell Foundation, please visit www.howellfoundation.org.