Austin Branch Office

Katie Rinehart is a Financial Advisor and in a leadership role as the branch manager of the downtown Austin branch office. Katie Rinehart is the branch manager for the Austin Branch Office. With more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Katie brings a wealth of knowledge and a broad perspective of the investment world to her clients. In addition, while serving as the Branch Manager, she cultivates a thriving client-centric culture for the Financial Advisors she leads.

Katie began her career as a Financial Advisor and Resident Manager at Merrill Lynch in 2002. During her tenure, she culminated essential knowledge and experience to support her clients, no matter their stage in life. Katie measures professional achievement in terms of client well-being, goal achievement and most importantly, forming real relationships.
Personal experiences have deeply impacted Katie’s perspective on how to best service her clients. Katie began her career as a Financial Advisor while being a single parent, which instilled in her an urgency not only to ensure the deepest of client relationships but also to provide a solid and lasting foundation for her two children – both of whom are successful and pillars of their community. In addition, Katie used the experiences of hardships – both while taking care of her son Nicholas as he underwent cancer treatment as she, at the same time, was the primary caregiver for her parents, to engrain the passion and care Katie provides to her clients. These experiences have made Katie more empathetic and aware of financial implications throughout life transitions. Katie’s goal is to help clients navigate through similar challenges in their own lives, and to offer guidance when faced with financial uncertainties.

After 20 years at Merrill Lynch, Katie made the firm change to Morgan Stanley in October 2022, alongside Rene Corbett, a longtime colleague since 2010. Morgan Stanley’s vast resources allows their team to offer customized solutions and ideas to help meet their client’s needs no matter what phase of life they are in. Katie works with high-net-worth families and business owners who need and value guidance on a broad range of financial matters. This includes, but not limited to, creating financial solutions – investing, planning, estate planning strategies, tax efficiency, retirement, assets, and liabilities– for clients at all life stages who want to reevaluate their current wealth management approaches.

Although she is native to Grand Blanc, Michigan, Katie has lived in Austin, Texas for 33 years with her loving husband, two adult children and a new grandchild. She admires Austin’s rich culture and community, as it emphasizes diverse thinking and an active lifestyle. Outside of work, Katie enjoys reading, traveling, expressing creativity in the kitchen and spending time with her loved ones.

A strong believer in giving back, Katie also serves on the Chisholm Trail Communities Foundation in Georgetown, Texas and is actively involved in giving back to the community through volunteer activities.

Jessica is the Market Executive for Morgan Stanley. Previously, she was a Regional Management Associate with Morgan Stanley. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, she was Bank of America Market President for San Antonio and served as the Merrill Lynch Complex Director (Market Executive) for South Texas. While Complex Director, Jessica was the Chairwomen for the Merrill Lynch National Market Executive Strategy Council. Prior to joining wealth management field leadership, she was Head of Alternative Investments Distribution for both Merrill Lynch’s Private Banking and Investment Group (PBIG) and US Trust where she led a team of specialists supporting Financial Advisors and Ultra High Net Worth clients. She has more than 25 years’ experience in wealth management.

Jessica earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Rutgers University where she competed as an NCAA Division I Fencer.

Jessica resides in Alamo Heights, TX with her husband and two teenage children. She is also a proud board member of the San Antonio Food Bank. Jessica is an avid sports fan and enjoys being a lacrosse mom for both of her kids. When she is not on the sidelines of a lacrosse field, you can find her traveling with family or entertaining friends.

Drawing on more than 13 years of industry experience, Leigh is responsible for a wide array of supervisory, compliance and risk functions for the Austin branch complex. He focuses on business ethics and regulatory practices and provides coaching and guidance on policies and procedures to promote risk awareness and a compliant work environment for financial advisors, the branch staff and clients of Morgan Stanley.

A graduate of the University of California – Irvine, Leigh has earned a number of important licenses throughout his career, including his Series 3, 7, 9, 10, 31 and 66. He began his career at Morgan Stanley’s San Francisco office in 2007 before moving to Austin in 2018. Leigh has been a valuable member of the team ever since.

As a Senior Registered Client Associate with more than 20 years of industry experience, Rene focuses on building strong client relationships and providing superior service. She is highly adept at handling a broad array of operational and service-related activities that include client onboarding, online support and maintaining client relationships. Rene has been a member of Morgan Stanley since 2022.

After serving our country in the US Air Force for seven years, Rene began her career in financial services at RJT.com-deep discount firm in 2000. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Rene worked at Merrill Lynch as Senior Registered Wealth Management Client Associate-Resident Director Assistant. Rene has worked hard on her education; she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St Leo University and completed her bachelor’s degree in Education from Peru College and accomplished a Masters of Business Administration focusing on finance from Bellevue University. Throughout her career, Rene has consistently pursued opportunities to advance her knowledge by acquiring and maintaining FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 licenses.

Originally from Chicago, Rene has been calling Austin home for since 2007. Her time within the Military offered her vast exposure to immersive and rich communities throughout the country. Outside of the office, Rene has a very active lifestyle. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and unwinding with yoga.