About Me

Early in my life, I developed a habit of working hard to accomplish my goals. Like most kids growing up, I had the dream of playing professional baseball. While I did not reach my dream, I was fortunate to earn a Division I baseball scholarship to attend South Dakota State University. Before going to South Dakota State, I worked part-time at In-N-Out Burger, attended school full-time at a local Junior College, and practiced baseball for 3-4 hours a day. Needless to say, this intense schedule helped me develop the traits needed to manage my business in today's fast-paced environment.

After completing my MBA in 2012, I joined Morgan Stanley's Menlo Park office. I've spent my entire career focused on helping successful Silicon Valley founders, executives, and entrepreneurs with their private wealth management needs. Most of the wealth in the valley is generated from equity compensation, and my focus is helping these clients strategize how to diversify and what structures or entities optimize their net earnings. My goal is to develop long-lasting, personal relationships with a select group of families and their kids, and help them implement effective investment strategies to navigate the capital markets, focus on tax-efficient investing, and advise them on all aspects of their financial life.

My team, Cornerstone Group Silicon Valley, consists of 4 advisors and 5 associates. We built a generational team with the focus on being able to help the parents, kids, and grandkids for many decades. What differentiates me and my team is our laser focus on the client experience, ensuring we're involved in every financial decision, and aligning our clients with the best resources within Morgan Stanley.

Awards:

• 2023-2025 Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: High Net Worth
• 2022-2024 Forbes' Best-In-State Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor
• 2022-2024 Forbes' America's Top Wealth Management High Net Worth (2024: #15 Nationally; #1 in California)
• 2024-2025 Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Team
• 2023-2025 Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams (#1 in Northern California)

2023-2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

2022-2024 Forbes America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State (formerly referred to as Forbes America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 1,000 Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 500 Next Generation Wealth Advisors)
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.

2024-2025 Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams Source: barrons.com (Awarded May 2024-2025). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month time period concluding in Dec of year prior to the issuance of the award.

2023-2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.

Securities Agent: IL, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1393565
CA Insurance License #: 0I22661
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

About PWM

Founded in 1977, Private Wealth Management is the division of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management that is dedicated to serving the firm’s most affluent clients, including some of the world’s most accomplished entrepreneurs, executives and stewards of multigenerational wealth. Functioning as an exclusive investment boutique within a global financial firm, we deliver sophisticated solutions that leverage the intellectual capital and insight of Morgan Stanley’s substantial global resources. Drawing on a deep understanding of your financial life, our goal is to help you:

• Manage investments with an unwavering focus on your financial strategy and personal goals
• Create comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plans based on your needs, challenges and the values that guide your life and legacy
• Simplify financial complexity to help you achieve clarity and control
Private Wealth Management Highlights
  • Approximately 300 teams specialized in assisting individuals and families with $20MM+ in investable assets
  • Over $547 billion in AUM
  • Comprising 34% of the Barron’s Top 100 Financial Advisors list for 2021
  • Direct access to ultra high net worth experts in philanthropy, family dynamics, wealth transfer, lifestyle advisory and other areas of interest to ultra high net worth families

Family Wealth Services

Our team takes a family office approach to your wealth. We get involved and quarterback each financial decision and advise on anything with a dollar sign associated. We can help you with all areas of your financial life regardless of the complexity. Our job is to keep your financial life organized and remove you from the day-to-day management of your finances. Morgan Stanley has over 90 years of experience in managing the wealth for the wealthiest families in the world and we utilize our in-house experts to provide guidance when needed.

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    Forming Your Financial Team
    • Create a strategic plan for achieving your financial goals & objectives
    • Align you with CPAs and Estate Attorneys within our network
    • Connect you with the best resources at Morgan Stanley – estate planning, philanthropy, and lending experts
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    Investment Management
    • Create a portfolio and allocation that aligns with your financial objectives
    • Focus on tax-efficient investment solutions: direct indexing, tax-free munis, exchange funds, etc.
    • Access to private investments such as private equity, private credit, venture, and real estate
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    Diversification Strategies for Founders & Executives
    • Implement and execute 10b5-1 plan for corporate executives
    • Create a multi-year diversification strategy to achieve financial flexibility
    • Utilize exchange funds and DAFs to reduce or eliminate taxable gains
    • QSBS stacking – gifting founders shares to other entities
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    Tax Planning
    • Coordinate with your CPA to discuss tax impacts when applicable
    • Send your CPA quarterly income and cap gains summary
    • Strategies to reduce estate tax impact
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    Risk Management
    • Property, casualty, and umbrella insurance to protect your estate against litigation
    • Anonymity strategies to protect you and your family identity
    • LLCs for real estate assets
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    Banking Capabilities
    • Provide traditional banking services: debit card, check writing, AMEX Platinum, online banking
    • Access to lending solutions: traditional mortgages, refinances, and lines of credit
    • Direct access to my team for support instead of calling a service center
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    Family Office Support
    • Comprehensive reporting: balance sheet summary, investment performance, and tax analysis
    • Coordinate with your CPA and estate planning attorney
    • Guidance on best practices for setting up a family office or hiring a family office employee
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    Family Governance & Wealth Education
    • Strategy discussions regarding the distribution of your estate to your beneficiaries
    • Guidance and best practices as around how and when to discuss the wealth with your kids
    • Financial education curriculum with our family governance team
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    Philanthropic Planning
    • Create a philanthropic mission statement
    • Provide best practices and guidance when making grants or commitments to charities
    • Determine which non-profits align with your mission

Events & Education

We believe that proper financial education leads to better insights into our investment strategy, overall discipline, and ultimately, better long term decisions. For our team, it is very important that our clients are provided with timely and informative resources to assist with their unique situations and financial needs.
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    Past Event: Market Outlook with Dan Skelly
    Our team hosted Dan Skelly, Managing Director and Head of Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management Market Research & Strategy Team, for a discussion on the US stock market outlook, the maturation/global competition for AI, and potential Trump policy impacts.
    View the Flyer
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    Thoughts On The Market Podcast
    With perspectives on the forces shaping the market, join Mike Wilson, Chief Investment Officer and Chief US Equity Strategist for Morgan Stanley, as he and his colleagues discuss a variety of viewpoints regarding the latest trends in the financial marketplace.
    Listen Here
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    Market Essentials
    Market Essentials is a quarterly resource that breaks down market movements and trends in a digestible way. The content in this report is tailored to the everyday investor who wants to stay informed about what is driving markets without getting bogged down in financial jargon.
    Learn More
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    GIC On the Markets: Monthly Publication
    Take a look at the latest edition of “On the Markets,” a monthly collection of the most timely research and strategy from Morgan Stanley thought leaders, such as Chief Investment Officer, Lisa Shalett.
    Learn More
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    Alternative Investments Overview
    As a pioneer and innovator in the industry, Morgan Stanley offers access to our platform of alternative investments.

    Alternative investments are often speculative and include a high degree of risk. Investors can lose all or a substantial amount of their investment. They may be highly illiquid, can engage in leverage, short-selling and other speculative practices that may increase volatility and the risk of loss, and may be subject to large investment minimums and initial lock-ups. They may involve complex tax structures, tax inefficient investing and delays in distributing important tax information. They may have higher fees and expenses that traditional investments, and such fees and expenses can lower the returns achieved by investors.
    Watch Here
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    Private Markets Overview
    Many of today’s companies stay private longer, with more of their valuation being created before they become publicly traded. Morgan Stanley Private Markets connects a broad network of potential private investors in an accessible ecosystem, allowing eligible clients to invest directly, or buy and sell shares of private companies.
    Watch Here

Founders & Executives

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    Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS)
    Tax planning is riddled with complexities and the endless acronyms render these complexities even more confusing. Nonetheless, we believe that founders, executives and employees of startups should pay attention to one acronym in particular: Qualified Small Business Stock, or QSBS.
    Learn More
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    Pre-IPO Planning
    Companies are staying private longer, transforming how executives and early employees think about equity wealth. As such, private company executives’ desire for pre-IPO liquidity has become increasingly important. Some early employees have built sizeable net worth on paper but have limited ready liquidity. Fortunately, the options for pre-IPO liquidity have expanded in recent years.
    Learn More
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    Charitable Giving with Donor Advised Funds
    Charitable giving is among the highest of human aspirations, woven into the fabric of organizations, countries, and societies around the world. MS GIFT provides a unique way to give to charity through the use of Donor advised funds or, DAFs. Donor advised funds are among the easiest and most tax-advantaged ways to give to charity for donors across the spectrum of wealth.
    Learn More
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    Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATS)
    A Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) is an irrevocable trust where the grantor transfers property and retains the right to annuity payments over a term of years. A GRAT allows investors to move the appreciation in an asset to the next generation without using virtually any of their exemption amount.
    Learn More

WORKPLACE FINANCIAL BENEFITS WITH MORGAN STANLEY AT WORK

Our mission is to help your company elevate your workplace financial benefits—helping you to attract and retain top talent. Our end-to-end solutions support your company and employees at any stage of growth through a powerful combination of modern technology, insightful guidance, and dedicated service.

    Equity Solutions

    Equity ownership is a powerful motivator. Streamline equity management through our leading-edge technology and provide global audit-ready reporting and insights, alongside customizable participant experiences to engage and educate your employees on how to make the most of their benefits. Our global solutions support private and public companies at any stage of growth.

    • Equity Administration and Financial Reporting
    • Liquidity Events
    • 409A Valuation Services and Cap Table Management

    Learn more
    Retirement

    For your employees, retirement is more than a date in the future—it's a milestone that takes time, hard work, and the right tools. Through our consultative process, we strive to assist with the management of your fiduciary responsibilities and risk, simplify plan management, and help you improve retirement readiness for your employees.

    • Defined Contribution Consulting
    • Solutions-Oriented Plans
    • Fiduciary Investment Oversight

    Learn more
    Deferred Compensation

    Access a range of Nonqualified Deferred Compensation plan services or pick the ones that best fit your needs. We provide recordkeeping and plan design, portfolio construction services, and plan education for your executive talent. We help you determine the appropriate plan design and inform a funding strategy through a needs-based assessment and consultative approach.

    Services include:

    • Recordkeeping and Plan Design
    • Portfolio Construction
    • Wealth Management Services
    Learn more
    Executive Services

    Our dedicated team provides concierge-level support for your executives' equity compensation plans, from 10b5-1 trading plans to form filing related to Rule 144 transactions, to access to wealth management and tax-optimization strategies, so helping them navigate their complex financial needs with greater confidence and certainty:

    • Equity Compensation Services
    • Equity Award Analysis
    • Specialized Solutions
    Learn more
    Saving and Giving

    Saving and Giving benefits can make a real difference in your employees' lives as they can support the things that matter most to them—like saving for education and repaying student loans. Show that you are committed to your employees' priorities with leading-edge solutions that help them chart a path toward financial well-being.

    • College Savings
    • Student Loan Repayment and Refinancing
    • Charitable Giving
    Learn more
    Financial Wellness

    We offer Financial Wellness with every solution we provide. Through a powerful combination of education, digital tools and guidance, Financial Wellness is designed to address the unique needs of your employees and empower their financial journey at every stage. Give your employees the confidence to take charge of their finances.

    • Financial Education
    • Digital Tools
    • Financial Guidance

    Learn more

Location

2775 Sand Hill Road
Suite 120
Menlo Park, CA 94025
US
Direct:
(650) 926-7619(650) 926-7619

Meet My Team

About Matthew Sheehan

Matt Sheehan is a Managing Director with Morgan Stanley’s Menlo Park office. In early 2015, he joined the top 350 Advisors in joining Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management Group. Matt is also one of a select few advisors who have received the designation “Family Wealth Director” – a designation given to those who have had extensive experience and education in assisting high net worth families manage their financial and estate planning affairs. He is also a member of Chairman’s Club at Morgan Stanley.

Matt was recognized in Forbes Magazine (April 2023) as one of California’s Top Financial Advisors. The Cornerstone Group, the group which Matt helped form in 2020, was also named the #1 Best-In-State Private Wealth team in Northern California by Forbes Magazine (January 2025). Matt joined Morgan Stanley in 1999 and holds an Economics degree from Loyola Marymount University. Matt lives in Redwood City with his wife, Paula, and his kids, Natalie and Lucas.

2023-2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023, 2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.

​2022-2023 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022-2023). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

Awards Disclosures: https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure/
Securities Agent: MD, MA, OR, CT, CO, CA, AL, OK, AZ, OH, NY, NV, NM, NJ, NH, AK, NE, NC, MT, MO, MN, MI, PA, WY, WI, WA, VT, VI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, KY, KS, IN, IL, ID, HI, GA, FL, DE, DC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
CA Insurance License #: OED04590

About Daniel Gieseke

Dan Gieseke joined Morgan Stanley in 2007 and has been named a Forbes Top Next Generation Wealth Advisor from 2017 to 2023. Dan enjoys connecting personally with each of his clients to get to know their families and customize their financial goals to align with their values and priorities. His extensive experience with liquidity planning around IPO's, direct listings, and ongoing sales through 10B5-1 plans makes him a steady and resourceful guide. Dan's personal approach frees his clients to think about giving back to their communities with their time, talent, and treasure. Dan is actively involved in leading men's Bible study, youth sports, and local homeless outreach. He holds a BA in Business/Economics from Wheaton College (IL) and lives in Redwood City with his wife and three children.

2017-2023 Forbes America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State (formerly referred to as Forbes America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 1,000 Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 500 Next Generation Wealth Advisors)
Source: Forbes.com (2017-2023. Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.

Awards Disclosures: https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure/
Securities Agent: OK, WI, NJ, KY, ID, NY, MA, SC, MT, WY, WA, UT, PA, TN, SD, KS, OH, OR, GA, CO, CT, CA, AZ, NC, MO, NV, MI, MN, TX, VT, VA, NM, MD, NH, IN, AL, DE, FL, IL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
CA Insurance License #: 0536761

About Seth Novosel

Seth Novosel began his career at Morgan Stanley as a Wealth Management Intern in 2019 and joined the Cornerstone Group full-time in 2022. Prior to Morgan Stanley, he was an Enterprise Sales Representative at Amazon Web Services, working with AWS’s largest enterprise customers in Southern California and Arizona. Through working with executives, founders, and business leaders at AWS he understands the high-level of trust required to build strong professional relationships and he strives to build that trust with each of his clients. Seth holds the Financial Planning Specialist and Workplace Advisor – Equity Compensation designations, certifying him to advise clients on how to incorporate equity compensation to their financial plan. Seth earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Business Economics from the University of Southern California. Seth lives in Redwood City and is an active member of the USC community in the Bay Area. He serves on the USC Marshall School of Business Bay Area Alumni Board of Advisors as the Chapter President.
Securities Agent: WI, WA, MA, VA, NV, CO, MD, FL, UT, SC, PA, OR, OH, NC, AZ, MO, MN, MI, IL, GA, CT, TN, RI, NY, CA, TX, NJ, HI, DC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative

About Dana Kern

Dana Kern joined Morgan Stanley in 2013. She holds a BS in International Business and Finance from Grand Valley State University, as well as her Series 7 and 66 licenses. Dana focuses on all client service aspects for our clients. Dana lives in Redwood City with her boyfriend and two cats. In her free time, she enjoys taking Pilates and ballet classes.

About Kate Kircher

Kate Kircher joined Morgan Stanley in 2020 and prior to that she interned in 2019. Kate focuses on all client service aspects, 10b5 plans, and corporate equity settlement, as well as processing LifeView planning for clients. She holds a BS in Psychology and Communication from Santa Clara University, where she also played Division 1 soccer. She enjoys going on runs and trying new restaurants. She currently lives in San Francisco with her cream retriever puppy, Camper.

About Karina Diaz-Swanson

Karina Diaz-Swanson joined Morgan Stanley in 2019 and has 10 years of experience in the Wealth Management industry. She holds a BS in Political Science from San Jose State University and focuses on all aspects of client service needs for our clients. Karina lives in Newark with her husband and two daughters. Together, they enjoy spending time outdoors with friends and family.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

This is a video content

Equity Compensation

Helping you make the most of your equity awards and better understand how it may fit into your your larger financial picture – today and tomorrow.

  • Vesting events
  • Option expirations
  • Restricted stock units
  • Tax implications

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
2025 Midyear Economic Outlook: A Widespread Deceleration
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2025 Midyear Economic Outlook: A Widespread Deceleration

Global growth is likely to slow in 2025 and 2026 as the shock of higher U.S. tariffs crimps demand around the world.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving

There's more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here's one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Alex Oberle today.
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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

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Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)