My Story

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 executives and entrepreneurs with their wealth management needs. Most of the wealth in the valley is generated from equity compensation, and my focus is helping these clients understand how to incorporate their equity into their financial plan. My goal is to develop long-lasting, personal relationships with a select group of families, and help them implement effective investment strategies to navigate the capital markets, focus on tax-efficient investing, and create customized solutions to accomplish my client’s financial objectives. What differentiates myself and our team is our knowledge around equity compensation for public and private employees and our laser focus on providing an excellent client experience.

Our team, Cornerstone Group Silicon Valley at Morgan Stanley uses a collaborative approach that allows us to best serve our client's needs. We have four financial advisors and five administrative associates.
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

Equity Compensation

    Icon Image
    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
    Icon Image
    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
    Icon Image
    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
    Icon Image
    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

Market Updates

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.
    Icon Image
    Alternative Investments Overview Video
    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
    Icon Image
    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
    Icon Image
    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

Awards and Recognitions

We are proud to say that our team has made some incredible accomplishments while servicing our clients. As a result, four members of our team, Matthew Sheehan, Daniel Gieseke, Alex Oberle, and Seth Novosel, have been nominated for various awards and recognitions for their hard work and exceptional service.
Team:
• 2023-2025 Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams (#1 in Northern California)
• 2022-2024 Forbes' America's Top Wealth Management High Net Worth (2024: #15 overall; #1 in California)
• 2024 Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Team
Matt:
• 2022-2024 Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Private Wealth
• 2022-2024 Barron's Top Advisor Rankings
• 2019 Barron's Member of America's Best Private Wealth Teams
• 2015-2025 Chairman’s Club Member
Dan:
• 2022-2024 Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: High Net Worth
• 2017-2023 Forbes' Best-In-State Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor
Alex:
• 2023-2024 Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: High Net Worth
• 2022-2024 Forbes' Best-In-State Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor
Seth:
• 2025 Pacesetters Club Member
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.

2022-2024 Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State
Source: Barron's.com (Awarded 2022-2024) Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.

2019 Barron's Top 50 Private Wealth Advisory Teams
Source: Barron's.com (Awarded Apr 2019) Data compiled by Barron's based on time period from Dec 2017 - Dec 2018.

2022-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

2017-2024 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 2017-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.

2024 Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams
Source: barrons.com (Awarded May 2024) Data compiled by Barron's for the period Jan 2023-Dec 2023.
Awards Disclosures

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: WA, SC, WI, MA, VA, NV, CO, TN, RI, NY, CA, TX, NJ, HI, DC, MD, FL, MO, MI, IL, GA, CT, UT, PA, OR, OH, NC, AZ; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative

About Paulina Wong

Paulina Wong joined Morgan Stanley in 2021. As the Group Director, Paulina focus on leading the team’s support professionals, continuing to elevate the client experience, and enhancing the operational platforms for business growth. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2021, Paulina spent four years at J.P. Morgan and several other firms, gaining experience in financial planning, client-relationship management, preparation of customized asset allocations, and financial reporting. She further enhanced these skills through her training to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM (CFP®). Paulina earned a bachelor’s degree in corporate finance from San Francisco State University. A San Francisco native, she enjoys experimenting with new cooking recipes, traveling the world to explore different cuisines and volunteering at the local food bank.

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.

About Nate Van Dell

Nate Van Dell joined Morgan Stanley in March 2024. He holds a BS in Public Relations from Gonzaga University, as well as his Series 7 and Series 66 licenses. Nate focuses on all client service aspects for our clients. Nate lives in Redwood City and in his free time, is training for an Ironman and enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and spending time with his dog Murphy.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

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
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
Article Image

4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

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 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
Article Image

2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

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 
Article Image

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
Article Image

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.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)