About Barbara J. Finder
Barbara J. Finder
Financial Advisor
Managing Director
Alternative Investments Director
Sr. Investment Management Consultant
Barbara leads a wealth management team for Morgan Stanley in Chicago. With over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry, Barbara focuses on providing wealth management for families, business owners, attorneys, physicians, couples preparing for retirement, and women who are in transition.
After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Boston University, Barbara began her brokerage career in 1984 as a financial consultant at Merrill Lynch in Chicago. She was recruited by Shearson in 1989 and has been with Morgan Stanley, or its predecessor firms, for over 31 years.
Barbara has been featured repeatedly in various prominent magazines and on TV and radio shows, including Business First AM, WIND, WMAQ, and WTTW’s Chicago Tonight. From 2017-2021, Barbara was named in the inaugural listing of Forbes’ Top Women Financial Advisors. Since 2021, Barbara has been named to Forbes’s Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list for Illinois. In terms of her firm’s recognition, she was named to Morgan Stanley’s prestigious Presidents Club, representing the some of the top of the firm’s financial advisors. She was also chosen by management to consult on client issues as a member of the Midwest and National Financial Advisor’s Advisory Council.
Barbara is very involved with the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter. She is dedicated to educating families affected by the disease and implementing financial planning tools to prepare for this expense. She is also an active member of College Bound Opportunities, a local nonprofit that assists and mentor areas high school students through college. Barbara enjoys traveling, playing guitar, and working out. She spends a lot of time with family, including her wonderful nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Barbara’s hard work and dedication to her clients has earned her the following awards:
• Forbes Magazine Top Women Wealth Advisors: 2017-2021
• Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (IL): 2017-2024
• Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team: 2024
• Barron’s Top 100 Women Financial Advisors: 2007-2008
• Morgan Stanley’s Prestigious President’s Club
• Morgan Stanley’s National Financial Advisory Council (FAAC):
• Morgan Stanley’s Midwest Advisory Council
• Morgan Stanley’s National Marketing Council
• Morgan Stanley’s Business Owner Executive Council: 2011
2017-2021 Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2017-2021). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in September of year prior to the issuance of the award)
2017-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2017-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award)
2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period from 3/31/22-3/31/23.
2007-2008 Barron’s Top 100 Women Financial Advisors
Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2007-2008). Data compiled by Barron’s based on 12-month period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award)
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure.html
Securities Agent: WA, ME, WI, TX, MI, MA, CO, AZ, TN, MN, IA, VA, HI, GA, CA, NV, NC, PA, IL, OH, IN, FL, SC, OK, OR, NY, CT, UT, NM, NJ, MD, ID, AR, VI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures