Raj Sharma
The founder of The Sharma Group, Raj Sharma has more than 30 years of financial services experience. Before joining Merrill in 1987, he worked for 12 years as a financial analyst, management executive and media specialist.
Thoughtful and analytic, with an excellent understanding of the global markets, Raj has received numerous industry recognitions. Barron's has named him as one of America's Top 100 Financial Advisors for 18 consecutive years through 2022 - putting him among the "Barron’s Hall of Fame’, a distinction accorded to advisors who have been on the top advisor list for ten years. In 2021 and 2022, Raj was named the #1 Financial Advisor in Massachusetts on Barron’s America's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors list for the thirteenth consecutive year. Forbes named Raj the #1 Financial Advisor in Massachusetts on Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list in 2019-2022. He was also named to Forbes' "America's Top Wealth Advisors" list 2016 – 2022. Most recently The Sharma Group was featured by Barron's as a Top 50 Private Wealth Teams in 2020 and Top 100 Private Wealth Teams for 2021. Additionally, he was named to the Financial Times Top 400 Financial Advisors 2013 - 2021.
Raj earned a Master’s degree in Business Management, with a concentration in Finance, from Osmania University in Hyderabad, India, and a Master’s degree in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston. Raj holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation and is a member of the Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute).
Passionate about giving back to his community and the world, Raj is active in many local and global organizations. He is a former chairman and board member of Boston Harbor Island Now, sits on the board of trustees of Emerson College as well as Youth LEAD, an organization devoted to promoting dialogue and tolerance among young people. Raj is also a charter member of TIE, a global organization supporting entrepreneurship and business formation, and Director Emeritus and trustee of the American India Foundation, which is devoted to accelerating social and economic change in India. Raj also serves on the advisory board of RIAN Immigrant Center. RIAN empowers immigrants, refugees and international exchange visitors on the path to opportunity, safety, and a better future.
Raj lives in Massachusetts with his wife and four children. He enjoys traveling, hiking, art and playing golf and tennis.