Multi-Family OfficeRIA · CRD 281778SEC-Registered

Updated:

Altman Advisors

Altman Advisors became an independent multi-family office in 2016 after Sheldon Altman built an asset-management practice that began in 1977.

Altman Advisors logo

Altman Advisors

Altman Advisors became an independent multi-family office in 2016 after Sheldon Altman built an asset-management practice that began in 1977. Benjamin Altman joined his father at UBS in 2003 and led the transition to the new fiduciary entity. The wealth origin lies in the principals' long careers in discretionary portfolio management and financial planning rather than a single operating company. The firm allocates across private equity, real estate and mission-related investments. It executes direct holdings and works through fund commitments. Confirmed positions include exposure to real-estate assets and private-equity strategies. Geographic reach covers North America and the Middle East & Central Asia. Clients receive discretionary asset allocation, options overlay and liability management within a fee-based model. Altman Advisors employs a leadership team of five named partners and maintains a total staff that supports both the Asset Management Group and the Family Office Group. The firm operates from its Chicago headquarters. In 2025 it breached $450 million under management. Benjamin Altman holds memberships in YPO Chicagoland, YPO United Mosaic, EO Chicago, EO Israel and the Israeli Economic Forum. The firm operates as a registered investment adviser that delivers both investment management and family-office administration under one roof. This hybrid model allows the same team to handle portfolio construction, tax planning, estate documents and philanthropic structuring without external referrals for core services.

General information

Firm type

Multi Family Office

Year founded

2016

Location

Region

North America

Country

United States

City

Chicago

Corporate office

Chicago, IL, United States

Principals

Sheldon Altman

Chairman and Founder

Benjamin Altman

CEO and Chief Investment Officer

Michael Santarelli

Managing Partner and Director of Asset Management Group

Ethan Goff

Managing Partner and Director of Marketing & Sales

George Rudawski

Partner and Senior Portfolio Manager

Sector focus

Real EstatePrivate EquityPhilanthropy

Frequently asked questions

Who runs investment decisions at Altman Advisors?

Benjamin Altman serves as CEO and Chief Investment Officer. Michael Santarelli directs the Asset Management Group. George Rudawski manages the credit portfolio.

How does Altman Advisors source proprietary deal flow?

The firm relies on long-standing relationships developed since 1977 and referrals that account for over 97 percent of clients. It also draws on memberships in YPO and EO chapters.

Is Altman Advisors structured as a single family office or does it operate more like a venture firm?

It functions as a multi-family office serving multiple high-net-worth families. The firm does not operate as a venture firm or raise external funds.

Does Altman Advisors participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The firm uses both fund commitments and direct holdings within its private-equity and real-estate allocations.

What investment stages does Altman Advisors typically target?

The firm focuses on long-term holdings suitable for multi-generational plans rather than early-stage venture or short-term trading.

Where does the underlying wealth come from?

The principals' wealth originates from decades of asset-management and financial-planning fees earned by Sheldon and Benjamin Altman.

Does Altman Advisors maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?

The firm provides philanthropic advisory services and supports Feed My Starving Children and Friends in Israel Partnership. These activities sit alongside but separate from client investment mandates.

Profile maintained by using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.

Need institutional-grade insight on family offices?

Altss delivers:

Principals with verified direct contactsAllocation history by asset classOSINT-derived deal signals
Book a demo

Prefer a guided tour?

We’ll walk you through:

Interactive funding timelinesCustom mandate & allocation filters
Book a demo

Browse by category

More Chicago Multi Family Office profiles