My Story

There’s no universal formula for achieving the future you want. It takes careful preparation and hard work––time and effort that could otherwise be devoted to your family, your job, or your passions. That’s why you need someone on your team with the diligence and comprehensive financial know-how to anticipate and meet your needs. As your wealth management advisor, I help you plan for retirement, financially secure your family, set personal investment strategies, and more broadly help you attain the “sleep at night” comfort you deserve.

Having started my career in the financial services industry, I have over twenty years of experience and many years still ahead. This means that for your career, your retirement, and your family, I’ll be here. In fact, family education is a key to my practice; I make it a point to get everyone on the same page in order to best harness the earning potentials of you and your family, for this generation and the next.

I've lived in Baltimore area my entire life; it's where I am currently raising my family. As a community-oriented person, I take great pride in helping local families and my community.

To learn more about all the ways I can help clarify and achieve your financial goals, give me a call at 410-736-5343.
Services Include
Securities Agent: DE, CT, VA, GA, IL, AZ, AL, WA, PA, NC, MI, DC, RI, NY, CO, WI, SC, NJ, IN, WV, TX, OR, OK, MD, CA, MA, FL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
CA Insurance License #: 0K36570
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Alison Canning, Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley

Alison Canning, QPFC is a Vice President, Financial Advisor, Portfolio Manager, and Financial Planning Specialist with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. She is located in the Baltimore, Maryland Branch. Alison has more than 20 years of experience in financial services, joining Morgan Stanley in 2006 after beginning her career in at Legg Mason in 2003.

At Morgan Stanley, Alison's primary focus is on diligently providing her clients with comprehensive financial plans and strategies to help achieve their financial goals.

Alison graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in English, with a concentration in Business and Technical Writing. In 2022, Alison earned the Qualified Plan Financial Consultant® - QPFC® certification, which demonstrates her knowledge and commitment to working with qualified retirement plans in regards to plan administration, compliance, investment, fiduciary, and ethics issues. In 2023, Alison earned the Portfolio Manager - PM designation within Morgan Stanley’s Portfolio Management Program. This designation allows a select group of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors who are qualified by the firm—based on training, experience and commitment—to make investment decisions on their clients behalf and independently manage assets.

Alison is honored to have been named as a Five Star Wealth Manager in Baltimore consecutively since 2022, Highest in Service and Overall Satisfaction. She takes great pride in her commitment to putting her clients first and is thankful for this recognition.

Alison grew up in the Baltimore area and currently resides in Silver Spring with her husband and two children. During her free time, Alison gives back to her local community and serves on the Board of Directors for several non-profit organizations and women's groups.

CA Insurance License #: 0K36570



2022 - 2023 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2022 - 2023) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.

    Questions Answered

    As your wealth management advisor, it’s so important for me to listen. If I just tossed your assets into a nondescript portfolio, its performance might not aid your goals. I believe a truly tailored financial plan takes root in your vision and I am committed to providing my clients with hard work, careful attention, and a comprehensive experience. I strive to be a comprehensive financial resource for my clients.
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      1. Discovery Process
      We will begin with a conversation to gain a thorough understanding of your needs, lifestyle and family - and your goals for the future.
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      2. Develop Strategies
      Next, I translate our discussion into a personalized financial plan that will include retirement and estate planning strategies, investment strategies, business planning, and charitable gifting.
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      3. Onboarding Meeting
      I will present the customized financial plan to you and answer any questions you may have. It is important to me that you and your family understand and are comfortable with the plan that we develop together.
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      4. Deployment of Solutions
      Once your plan is set, I use the vast resources of Morgan Stanley and my own 18+ years of experience to monitor its performance and make adjustments as your life and the market demand.
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      5. Strategy/Tactical Meetings
      At our check-in meetings, I will help you track the progress of your plan to ensure you remain on track toward your goals.

    Morgan Stanley Resources and Technology

    At Morgan Stanley, I am able to utilize industry leading resources and technology to best help my clients in achieving their individual goals. Below you will find information on some of the services I currently provide to my clients, and resources to insights from our Global Investment Committee. Please contact me if you would like to discuss any of the topics that are covered within these resources.
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      Wealth Management
      Wealth Management brings all the dimensions of your life together. I listen carefully to understand the connections across your personal life, your family, your career and your legacy goals to develop a comprehensive strategy that is uniquely yours.
      I believe in being there for you and your family, for the long haul.
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      Financial Planning
      The foundation of a solid wealth management plan is a comprehensive financial plan, which captures your goals, resources and expectations for the future. Detailed and thorough planning can help eliminate blind spots, and helps track goal progression.
      I believe “sleep at night” comfort is best achieved with a sound financial plan.
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      Estate Planning
      Estate planning can be unsettling. Whether you have been named executor or you want to select and prepare your executor, or develop strategies in the hopes of leaving your loved ones with a legacy. I work with my clients to be organized and prepared in advance while considering tax implications.
      I believe in using my experience, diligence, and longevity to help protect, grow, and pass down what you’ve worked so hard to achieve
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      Planning for Education Funding
      Education is a major investment and expense for your family—one that often requires years of carefully advanced planning. As educational costs continue to rise, from primary education through undergraduate, graduate and professional schools, I can help you with curating an appropriate funding strategy for your particular situation and goals.
      I believe in helping you and your family understand the strategies of your financial plan.
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      Total Wealth View
      Complete your financial picture with Total Wealth View. By linking your account information, you will benefit from more informed wealth planning, more secure data access, and convenient connectivity.
      Learn More About Total Wealth View
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      GIC Weekly Research Report
      The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income.
      Read The Latest Report

    Achievements and Giving Back

    Alison has built a successful career through her dedication and commitment to her clients at Morgan Stanley. In 2022 and 2023, she was recognized by Baltimore Magazine as a Five Star Wealth Manager for providing highest service and overall satisfaction. Alison takes great pride in working with clients, her active roles in the local community, and works with several non-profit organizations and women's groups.
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      Alison Canning earned Portfolio Manager (PM) Designation
      In 2023, Alison earned a new firm credential, Portfolio Manager within Morgan Stanley’s Portfolio Management Program. This designation allows a select group of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors who are qualified by the firm—based on training, experience and commitment—to make investment decisions on their clients behalf and independently manage assets.
      Learn More About Portfolio Management Here
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      Alison Canning was named to the Five Star Wealth Manager (2023, 2024)
      2023, 2024, Five Star Wealth Manager in Baltimore. Highest in Service & Overall Satisfaction.

      Five Star Wealth Advisor Award
      This award was issued in 2023 and 2024. The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
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      Alison Canning earned the Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) Designation
      Attaining the Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) credential demonstrates knowledge and commitment to working with qualified retirement plans, and showcases proficiency of plan administration, compliance, investment, fiduciary, and ethics issues. Alison Canning attained the QPFC designation in 2022.
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      Alison Canning was named to the 2022 Five Star Wealth Manager
      2022, Five Star Wealth Manager in Baltimore. Highest in Service & Overall Satisfaction.

      Five Star Wealth Advisor Award
      This award was issued in 2022. The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
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      Community Involvement
      Howard Community College Educational Foundation
      Role: Board Chair since 2023
      Board Member since 2018

      Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County
      Role: Vice Chair of Grants Committee
      Board Member since 2010

      Howard County Estate Planning Council
      Member since 2014

    Client Service Team

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      Ayanna Byrd - Registered Client Service Associate
      Phone:
      (410) 494-1873(410) 494-1873
      Email:Ayanna.Byrd@morganstanley.com
      Ayanna is a 2020 graduate from the University of Maryland, College Park. After initially working in public health, Ayanna transitioned into the finance industry in 2022. She joined Merrill Lynch in 2023, before moving to Morgan Stanley in October of the same year. Outside of work, Ayanna enjoys cooking and reading. She looks forward to continuing the work of her predecessor, Lisa, while building meaningful relationships and working together with you.

    Location

    1201 Wills Street
    Ste 700
    Baltimore, MD 21231
    US
    Direct:
    (410) 736-5343(410) 736-5343
    Toll-Free:
    (800) 837-5833(800) 837-5833
    Fax:
    (410) 736-5499(410) 736-5499
    Wealth Management
    From My Desk

    On the Markets


    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
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    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
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    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.

    Family

    Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
    • Estate Planning Strategies
    • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
    • Long Term Care Insurance
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Trust Services
    Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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    Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

    The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

    Business Planning

    Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
    • Succession Planning
    • Business Planning
    • Qualified Retirement Plans
    Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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    Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

    Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

    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 Alison E. Canning today.
    Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
    1Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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    2Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.

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    3Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.

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    4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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    5When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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    6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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    7An investment in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) involves risks similar to those of investing in a broadly based portfolio of equity securities traded on exchange in the relevant securities market, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices. The investment return and principal value of ETF investments will fluctuate, so that an investor’s ETF shares, if or when sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost.

    Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of an exchange-traded fund (ETF) before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the ETF. To obtain a prospectus, contact your Financial Advisor or visit the ETF company’s website. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

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    8Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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    9Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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    10When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.

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    11Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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    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.

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    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)