One You - One MISSION - One TEAM

Gaby Cheng Mechem

President

Author, Speaker, Educator

CFED® CFF® CRPC® NSSA®

"I see challenges as opportunities," says Gaby Mechem, whose unwavering resilience and appetite for solving complex problems have become her defining characteristic throughout her career. Growing up with an explorer's mindset shaped by her diverse cultural background and international experience, Gaby developed an exceptional ability to see beyond traditional systems that often limit others. Her analytical foundation was built during her time as an auditor, where she honed her mathematical skills and data-driven approach with precision and attention to detail. However, after recognizing that the traditional financial system often failed clients’ needs, Gaby made a pivotal decision to start her own practice — one not built to follow the system, but to follow the needs of the client. She discovered that many retirees needed comprehensive professional team support, but also wanted a more customized approach and personal connection. This revelation led her to found NIM Retirement Group, a diverse team of professionals who maintain exceptionally high standards and provide personalized attention combined with the institutional strength of full-scale solutions. Their mantra is, “You’ve traded your time for money. Now invest your money for time.” — a statement that resonates profoundly with her clients.

Today, Gaby and her team serve proactive professionals who are approaching or already in retirement and seek a unique and holistic approach. Their approach addresses the five critical areas her clients need most: tax planning, investment management, income strategies, medical considerations, and legacy planning. Unlike the cookie-cutter approaches common in the industry, they deliver customized strategies rather than a traditional tactical approach. Each client receives full-scale resources, a strategically timely plan, and, most importantly, peace of mind for their financial future. Their practice represents the embodiment of thinking outside the box — making the impossible possible for those who previously had no plan or whose plan has gaps, and providing the expertise that her clientele desperately needs. This unique combination of institutional-grade expertise delivered through genuine connections allows her clients to navigate their transition with confidence, knowing they have both the resources of a major firm and the personal care of trusted advisors who truly understand their individual journey toward financial freedom

Garrison Hunter

CPA and Tax Strategist

Mr. Hunter brings a diverse skill set earned over a decade in the finance industry, including Public Accounting. Throughout his career he has enjoyed helping clients successfully navigate regulations and tax laws at the federal and state level to overcome complex issues. Bringing this client centered mentality and the approach of customized solutions, Mr. Hunter, has a developed a deep passion for educating clients on the tax code to help them reduce tax liabilities and meet their long-term financial goals.

Garrison earned his Bachelor of Accounting from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

Away from work Garrison enjoys hiking around the San Francisco Bay area trails, swimming, reading, and spending time with his wife.

Laura Lopez

CPA and Tax Strategist

Ms. Laura Lopez brings over extensive experience in tax and accounting, with a strong foundation built through her tenure at leading public accounting firms, including KPMG and EY. Her career has spanned both corporate and individual tax matters, giving her a unique perspective on the operational aspects of businesses and the financial impact on their owners. Her experience at the IRS helped reinforce that connection between understanding business and knowing the effects on its owners as individuals.


With a growing interest in bridging tax planning and asset management, Laura recognizes the increasing need for integrated solutions that align tax efficiency with investment strategies. She is a licensed CPA and holds a Master's degree in Taxation, equipping her with the technical expertise to help clients navigate the complexities of wealth management.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending quality time with family and friends—often around a home-cooked meal prepared by her partner or sisters—and exploring new spots throughout the Bay Area. She also has a unique personal tradition: watching a movie and then reading the book it was based on, finding new layers of meaning in both.

Steve Hamje

Client Communication Specialist

Mr. Hamje is passionate about enabling people to take control of their futures. He started his career doing international consulting and development work in India, West Africa, Portugal and Latin America. Steve worked to improve healthcare and childhood education.  Steve Hamje is truly a citizen of the world.

Steve then took his consulting skills and strategies and adapted them for the corporate world. He became a management consultant who worked with large and small corporations to develop their corporate cultures and strategic plans. He facilitated large strategic planning workshops for the top executive teams of many corporations and worked with them to implement sophisticated business plans.

In the early 2000's, Steve began working with one of the most successful retirement planning firms in the nation. He became a product expert and created presentations to explain complex retirement products using clear, simple language. Steve trained other retirement professionals in the communication skills, product knowledge, and retirement strategies he used on a daily basis.

Today, Steve continues to work with and help people take control of their future by designing and implementing retirement plans with guaranteed positive outcomes. Steve Hamje cares deeply about the people he works with and goes the extra mile to help them make their retirement dreams come true.

Yen Zhang

Office Manager Executive Assistant

Yen has worked in one of the largest personal, group medical insurance, and medicare insurance agencies in Southern California for the past 10+ years. She is always passionate about assisting our clients in selecting the personal and group medical insurance policies that best meet their needs, preferences, and budgets. Clients are often amazed at Ms. Zhang's comprehensive knowledge of medical insurance and how she takes a complex topic and makes it simple to understand. Ms. Zhang excels at communicating with clients and following through on the medical insurance carriers' process to ensure clients' benefits.

Zubia Ahmad

Case Manager

Coming from a background in Business Management and with a deep passion for supporting individuals and families, Ms. Ahmad spent years honing her skills in the finance industry. Ms. Ahmad transitioned into finance just before the pandemic and spent five years with New York Life as a Financial Advisor. It was during this time that she developed a holistic approach to financial planning, helping clients of all backgrounds navigate critical milestones such as planning for retirement, buying a home, starting a family, or simply getting their financial footing after college.


Ms. Ahmad has developed a true passion for supporting her team and managing the behind-the-scenes logistics that help keep a financial house running smoothly. Building on her welcoming personality, she takes pride in deploying her exceptional organizational skills to foster a supportive environment where everyone feels confident and empowered to work through the necessary processes and procedures to achieve their goals.


Zubia is actively involved in volunteering with nonprofits and professional groups, working to strengthen and lift up the communities around her.