About
Our Team
John McGowan
Advisor & Founder
John spent most of his career providing financial guidance services to affluent individuals and families. Many of his clients wanted to make a positive difference in the world. He established socially responsible investing strategies aligned with their financial goals and personal values.
In recent years, John became increasingly concerned as he watched many social and environmental protections stalling and even eliminated in our legislatures and courts. He made the decision to form a new business in 2020, Mandala Financial Advisors, that provides a home for progressive people of all wealth levels who wish to achieve their financial goals in the most sustainable and responsible way possible.
John is an openly gay financial advisor who embraces what makes each client unique. He founded the firm on values of DEI (diversity equity inclusion). He is committed to regularly reviewing the firm’s policies and practices through a lens that addresses systemic racial injustice in pursuit of full equality.
John was raised in rural Illinois and developed his career in Chicago. He now calls Salida (CO) and Des Moines (IA) home. He enjoys fitness training, hiking, skiing, and co-raising Morty, a Jack Russell Terrier, with his life partner, Dave.
John is passionately engaged in community service. He’s the past Board Chair of Lookingglass Theatre (Chicago), and currently serves on the boards of Mainframe Studios (Des Moines) and Central Colorado Conservancy (Salida). He has a long history of engagement in LGBTQ and human rights organizations and is an active member of Rotary International.
John has an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and a B.S. in Mathematics from Loyola University of Chicago. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.