Hayley
Wood Bates

Hayley A. Wood Bates, MBA, CFP^®, is a Partner at Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC (SEIA). She works with high-net-worth families and businesses to develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive wealth strategies that reflect their financial goals, family priorities, and long-term legacy.

Hayley’s approach is centered on bringing clarity to the many decisions that can accompany a complex financial life. She helps clients consider how investment strategy, estate planning, taxes, insurance, corporate benefits, charitable intentions, and family responsibilities can work together within a coordinated financial plan.

A meaningful focus of Hayley’s work is charitable and values-based planning. She helps clients consider how philanthropy can be incorporated thoughtfully into a broader wealth strategy, aligning financial resources with the causes and communities that matter most to them. As leader of SEIA’s Signature Fund for Giving, she also helps guide the firm’s commitment to supporting children-focused charities and community initiatives.

Hayley is a member of SEIA’s Investment Committee, contributing to the firm’s ongoing evaluation of market conditions, investment strategy, and portfolio considerations. She has also shared insights on financial literacy, personalized guidance, and the importance of helping women participate confidently in financial decision-making.

Her leadership has been recognized across the industry and community. Hayley was named Wealth Solutions Report’s Philanthropy Champion of the Year in 2025 and was an InvestmentNews Women to Watch Excellence Awardee for Excellence in Philanthropy & Community Service that same year. She was also a finalist for the 2023 WealthManagement.com Wealthies Rising Star award.

Hayley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with honors, from Appalachian State University, with concentrations in Marketing, Finance and Banking and Certified Financial Planning. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree, with honors, from the University of Hawai‘i Shidler College of Business. Hayley became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ professional in 2013 and holds Series 7, Series 63, and Series 65 securities licenses, as well as a California Life and Health insurance license, California Insurance License #0L83425.

Hayley lives in Durham, North Carolina, and enjoys time with her family, the outdoors, and visiting national parks.